Write Short: Build Connections for Your Book

I have a new book coming out next year—it’s Down Syndrome Out Loud: 20+ Stories to Change Your Mind about Disability (Sourcebooks, 2025), and it’s gorgeous. Maria Perera did the illustrations. I’m dying to show them to you…but my editor says not yet.

For the book, I did 25 interviews with people who have Down Syndrome around the world. (The book was inspired by my brother who has this condition.) And now, it’s time to find my people who will help to promote it!

“But Melissa,” you say, the book comes out next year. Can’t you just relax until, say, January?”

Noooo! The time to let people know about your newest book is a year before publication. I’ve long appreciated Aiden Thomas’s Book Launch Survival Guide — Aiden Thomas (aiden-thomas.com) for walking me through the marketing process.

Right now, I’m soliciting back-cover blurbs, future reviews, conference and university appearances . . . but my favorite way of finding readers and my launch team is to write short, related articles. Here’s how it worked for my newest researched essay: The Sandwich Generation Can Also Mean Caregiving Adult Siblings - Dame Magazine.

1.   The minute the editor accepted my query, I set about interviewing siblings and parents caring for their parents, as well as older adult children or siblings with Down syndrome. I contacted the National Down Syndrome Society for ideas about whom to speak with and told them about my book; they ended up writing a back cover blurb!

2.   They suggested I speak with Jadene Randsell who runs the Facebook page and related blog “Aging with Down Syndrome.” I included her parenting insights and frustrations, and when the piece came out last week, she shared to 1,000 members of her group. That’s 1,000 readers who just learned about me and my work!

3.   I also interviewed film actor Zack Gottsagen and his mother. Zack is the man with Down syndrome who starred in The Peanut Butter Falcon. He’s got a big following, and he and his mother shared the piece around. Dame Magazine, of course, shared the piece on all their social media channels, as well…that’s more new readers!

You see what I’m getting at. In writing short pieces related to your newest book, you’ll make valuable connections and create opportunities while building an audience for your work. You’ll also (depending on the publication) get a paycheck!

Think about what short articles and personal essays you might pitch to various magazine and newspaper editors, related to your book.

What I’m Publishing

·        Just in time for another Oregon heat wave, Good Beer Hunting published my researched essay about the rigors of volunteering on Willamette Backcountry Ski Patrol each winter. It’s “Natural Incline — Across Generations, Willamette Ski Patrollers Embrace Uphill Battles” — Good Beer Hunting

·        I also wrote a piece for PRB+ titled “Innovative and Inclusive: Bold New Approaches to Accessibility on the Oregon Coast.” Whether you use a wheelchair, a cane, a walker, a stroller, or—like my husband—you just loathe walking on dry sand, my coast has you covered. Come visit!

A Few Cool Resources for Writers

·        Allison K. Williams’ thought-provoking essay “Don’t Read the Comments” at Brevity reminds me of every negative comment I’ve ever received on a story. (My favorite is the local politician who referred to me in the local paper as a greener-than-thou guttersnipe. I’m thinking that would be an excellent name for my rock band.)

·        Brendan Spiegel, founder and editor of the incredible longform creative nonfiction magazine Narratively, has a terrific piece up on the site: (8) The 3 Best Pitches I've Ever Received - by Brendan Spiegel (narratively.com) In it, he deconstructs every part of the three successful pitches, including their headlines.

·        I’m not going to lie—I absolutely love some aspects of TikTok. I thought the Johnny Cash Chicken in Black song-meme was hysterical, and I admire how people like historian @CaseenGaines and chef/forager @AlexisNicole and actor @MandyPatinkin and his wife Kathryn are using the site to educate and inspire. Likewise, I dig this Oldster essay by Seinfeld actress Annie Korzen (now in her 80s) about how she became an unlikely TikTok star: (8) Success in My Third Act - by Annie Korzen (substack.com)

·        I think many of you will enjoy journalist Paulette Perhach’s researched personal essay on the benefits of participating in the trust economy--When your reputation is your greatest asset - Sherwood News. Paulette is the founder of the smart, creative writers’ accountability group A Very Important Meeting, which I wrote about for The Writer Magazine a while back.

Conferences, Residencies & Calls for Submissions

·        My Oregon friends, don’t forget to apply for an Oregon Literary Fellowship. The deadline is today, August 2, 2024. I applied, yet again. Maybe the 20th time is the charm. 😊

·        I’ve just finished a personal essay about mental and physical health as it relates to Katzensungen (chocolate cat tongues) and found this list: Want to write about mental health? These publications are looking for pitches - The Freelancer's Year (thefreelancersyear.com)

·        I was thrilled to discover this online publication’s call for submissions: Pitching-guide-for-journalists_2024.pdf (positive.news) . Positive News belongs to a long tradition of intelligent, upbeat journalism. Check out Upworthy and Yes! Magazine, as well!

·        Do you know about the Jennifer Weiner Fellowship? Applications open on August fifth. It’s a new, exciting project for emerging writers who identify as women . . . well, here, read this piece about it on Jennifer’s Substack!

·        August 29th-Sept. 1st, 2024—I’ve hooked up with the lovely Chanticleer Inn in Ashland, Oregon to teach a four-day workshop on the art of short memoir for magazines and newspapers. We’ll share writing and meals and a play at Oregon Shakespeare Festival. It’s going to be a lovely, inspiring long weekend full of new, exciting friendships and writing. There are two spots left—click here to register.

Learn at Your Pace Online Courses

Over at my professional website, I offer a 13-lesson online course titled “How to Write Personal Essays for Magazines and Newspapers.” It’s thirteen short videos and handouts packed with book recommendations, short assignments, essay writing tips, and links to dozens of published personal essays by a diverse roster of writers. You can work on it any time!

I also offer info-packed, self-paced video courses 7 handouts including:

·        “How to Sell Personal Essays to Newspapers and Magazines”

·        “How to Use Personal Essays to Promote Your Books”

·        “How to Write Quick Query Letters to Impress Busy Editors”

To access, log into Substack (it’s free) and sign up; the courses are yours for life!

Okay, that’s all for now. Let me know if you want me to include any writing resources in my September issue, and I’ll do so!

Much gratitude,

Melissa

P.S. This is a photo of me juggling in fairy wings and a ballet dress at Oregon Country Fair! If you’ve never been, you really should go once in your life to see the spectacle!