Woohoo - just earned myself another page2fame coupon from WeBook.  It was for my image I uploaded to Flicker - I hadn't even got around to doing the upgraded version.  I'm glad I took part.

I should probably work on a Page2Fame submission because I now have two coupons (previously got one from using Agent in the Box).  Wipeout is already in the game, currently at 27% *fingers crossed it makes it*. 

Once again exciting things going on with WeBook.  This months newsletter includes a Writers Challenge, details about the improvements to Page 2 Fame given in the form of a YouTube video an interview with a WeBook Member (Pen Name:  KidTruth) and a Flicker Competition together with the WeBook Status highlights.

Page 2 Fame Improvements
You can watch the YouTube video regarding the improvements coming to Page2Fame (mainly more feedback to help writers improve) by following this link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8V8puO6qUY .  Currently people can vote between 1 to 5 (5 being the best) whether they feel the work is good enough that an agent should check it out and the writer gets promoted to round two and can upload more of the story.  They can also select from a range of comments how the writer can improve from simply 'not my thing' to 'needs work' but now they are allowing raters to give more helpful feedback which is brilliant!

Flick Competition (Win P2F entry)
The Flicker competition is on the theme of 'What is WeBook' encouraging members to upload a picture of them sharing what WeBook is to them so it can be used as Flicker wallpaper.  The first 50 people to entery will get a free entry coupon to Page 2 Fame.  I've entered even thought my picture probably won't get chosen as I've just added text to an image of myself rather than taking a new one holding a piece of paper up saying what WeBook is to me.  I recieved the newsletter on 22 July 2010 and the deadline is 23 July 2010 - so there's not much time (although just checked and on the Flicker group page the deadline has been extended to 1 August 2010 so I may have time to upload something better by then.  With the new improvement being introduced and the great prize if you win Page 2 Fame (getting read and feedback from a Literary Agent) then it's worth entering).  Currently there is only 15 entries probably 'cause most people are shy to upload their pictures so there is a good chance to win a coupon and easy to do.

Writers Challenge (Win P2F entry)
Another way to get a free entry to try out Page 2 Fame is to enter the Writers Challenge (I think this is weekly)  The deadline for this was 23 July 2010 but has also been extended - now 26 July 2010.  To enter this free competition visit:  http://www.webook.com/project/The-Memory-Challenge .  There will be free winners chosen by the WeBook staff and anyone can give entrants feedback in the usual way for a project.  The challenge this time is The Memoray Challenge.  You are to write a short scene where an object evokes a strong memory for a character.  

"Memories can be an effective way to reveal a character's back story and build some depth. They're also a great opportunity to make a generic action sparkle with unique detail.

For this challenge, write a short scene (150 words) in which a character remembers something because of an object they interact with. For example, a character could be sharpening a pencil and remember the first girl he ever held hands with, in the back of class next to the pencil sharpener. The key is to have the  object somehow related to the memory (although the connection can be pretty thin, if you want)."

Full details can be found on the project page for the Writers Challenge.  I have entered one before and it is a good way to get your creative juices flowing and productive too.  Worth a try if you've got writers block or if you are working on your manuscript you can incorporate the challenge into your work to challenge yourself and you are likely to find that you will learn and develop your writing simply by getting involve and taking part. 

New feature:  Choice

On 21 July 2010, Agent in the Box will be free.  Anyone who has a current fee account with them (i.e. within the 6 months paid period) is getting a refund.

Free Agent in the Box (Basic Service)
Quote WeBook "Agents will be able  to respond to your query whether you’re a Tracking subscriber or not—choosing to stick with the basic service will not prevent you from receiving responses from agents." 

Paid Agent in the Box (Tracker Service)
Quote WeBook "For $9.95, authors can upgrade to use AgentInBox Tracking for a six month period. Tracking allows writers to find out when agents have viewed their submissions, and which parts of their submissions—such as the synopsis, query, or sample—have been viewed. Tracking also provides a Comments field for authors, for easier organization of notes."

As I am not sure exactly how this will effect me I took a screen shot of my current Agent in the Box 'tracker service' so once the change has taken place I will be able to better assess whether it is a premium I wish to pay for. 

Still, I think this is a excellent improvement as it now gives people the choice and anyone who can't afford it can still use it.  Yay for WeBook!

Recieved an email back saying that my submission has not passed the flight check and details on what I need to do to improve my submissions.

Error 1
One of my 'query letters' has the persons name at the bottom and not at the top.  I have now amended this.

Error 2
One of the agens seleced is not interested in YA fiction.  Unfortunatley they didn't say who.... so I had to check through all the agents to try to identify them.

Now resubmitted.  Hope I pass the flight check and even better...  hope to find my future Agent.  *fingers crossed*

Last night I recieved my WeBook newsletter and it was one that should defintely be acknowledged.  This one had an offer code to enter Page2Fame for free.

Page2Fame is the WeBook competition that usually requires an entry fee.  You submit the first 500 words of your story and then you are rated from 1 to 5 by other writers.  If during the rating period you score enough 4s or 5s then you make round 2 where you submit between 1,000 to 1,500 words and your writing is read by potential agents who can sign you if they like your work.  This is an amazing prize - a jump to the top of the slush pile.

The newsletter contained a coupon/code to enter Page2Fame for free (see snipet below).  I just entered Drift and Wipeout (both for free).  I may enter more over the course of the weekend.  Wish me luck *fingers crossed*

For you and everyone who participated in PageToFame in the early days, we are running an amazing weekend special. Submit for FREE (yes! for free!) from Friday, June 18 @ 5:00PM EST through Monday, June 21 @ 10AM EST.

THE PROBLEM:

Someone from Authonomy spooked me when they said 'You won't get published if your work is uploaded to WeBook'.  This obviously scared me as without WeBook I haven't really got anywhere to go to get feedback on my writing and editing can be really difficult without any guidance.

Immediatley I removed all my projects from WeBook and e-mailed the staff to get their opinion and I got a reply:

THE RESPONSE (21/05/2010):

Thanks for your question. While authors are able to post all or some of their work for display from other WEbook members, authors are also able to take it down at any time (since authors retain full rights when posting on WEbook). This means that should you garner attention from an agent or publisher, you will be able to remove your work from WEbook, negating the problem.

 

This has actually already happened a few times, where an author with work submitted to PageToFame has secured representation by a literary agent. The agent did ask that they remove the work from WEbook, but there weren’t any issues beyond that.

 

Additionally, PageToFame is actually a great way to find attention from literary agents, since every page that is elevated to the 2nd round is read by a at least one agent. (usually two!)

 

I think the warning was directed to sites that ask for electronic rights from the author, where they would be able to continue posting your material without your permission, but WEbook will never do that!

THE OUTCOME:

I found their response very reassuring and although I have not yet re-uploaded any of my work to WeBook, I feel I will definitley use them in the future.  Although, I think just to be safe, I'll only upload a chapter or two and never a full manuscript. 

Today someone from Agent Query e-mailed me and advised me that it is not a good idea to have your full manuscript up on any website as an agent/publisher could look at this as you already having your writing published and won't want to pay for it. 

WeBook has been an excellent site for meeting like minded friends, boosting my  writing confidence.  I've also learnt a lot about my writing pitfalls and how to edit my own work..  The site has served its purpose and I am now busy working on my final revision on Drift.  Therefore, I have decided to take all my stories down from Webook. 
I shall use what I have learnt from others to improve my work and once ready I shall start sending my novel out to Agents and Publishers. 

Not 100% clear on how to go about getting published, but I am meeting helpful people everyday online.  I am sure my new found friends will offer me helpful advice when I am ready.  Plus I have purchased The Writers and Artists Yearbook, which is a bible of sorts, to help writers looking to get published. 

www.Webook.com held their regular writing competition and I decided to give it a go. 

The challenge gave me a chance to analyse the last chapter of my story and ruthlessly cut the 2,00 word ending down to 100 words.  This was actually really hard as you have to really look at the importance of each word and decide what bits are needed and which are not. 

My submission can be found under > Short Stories/Drift's Ending  

In 100 words or less, write the end of a novel. It can be a made up novel, a partially completed novel, or a finished, polished manuscript. The key here is to make the ending interesting on its own. This is not easy (that's why it's called a challenge). You need to offer a sense of resolution, but also leave room for more things to happen off the page.