May 2010

Using Song Titles as Chapter Headers

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Dear Editor…

My middle grade novel’s protagonist is moved when she learns a new song, which is at the heart of the book. Can I use the titles of published well-known songs as chapter headings? Will a publisher think this is too much work to get permission rights? There’s 15 chapters.

Sincerely,

June

Dear June…

Song titles are not protected under copyright law. For more on this, see the United States Copyright Office FAQ page. (It’ll also tell you about copyrighting your Elvis sighting, which tickles me to no end!) While your use doesn’t sound problematic, it is possible you could run into trademark issues. That is, some song titles are synonymous with the bands that made them famous and may be protected under trademark law. Remember the “Californication” legal fight between the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Showtime a few years ago? If you intend to publish your project through a traditional publishing house, in-house legal staff can verify your use of the song titles, so go ahead and use the titles in your manuscript without worry. If you’re going to self-publish, you can settle your mind (and CYOB) by verifying your use of the titles with an intellectual property law attorney. I’m just an editor; they’re the ones who can give you the official legal thumbs-up.

Oh, by the way, the publisher won’t think “it’s too much work” at all . . . because most publishing contracts require the author to secure the permissions.

Happy writing!

The Editor

Submitting Prologues – Pro or Con?

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Dear Editor…

When agents ask a writer to submit some of their manuscript in the query process, should the prologue be included with your submission?

Sincerely,

Kelly

Dear Kelly…

Absolutely include it. The prologue is the beginning of your story. It’s the first thing your readers will set eyes on when they open the book, so it should be the first thing your agent sets eyes on when s/he opens the manuscript. You decided to launch the story with a prologue for a reason–it sets up a mood, maybe, or provides a vital plot tease before readers plunge into the main story. If you can omit it easily, I question its use in your manuscript at all. A prologue is your introductory handshake with your readers; extend that same hand to your potential agent.

Happy writing!

The Editor

I Know It’s Synopsis Time…But Do I HAVE To?

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Dear Editor…

Okay, the book is done and now I want to sell it. Do agents/editors really want a synopsis? If so, what do they use it for? Should a synopsis be plot only or should it “come alive” with at least a sense of the mood/drama of the book while giving a plot summary? Lastly, how long should it be? Thanks!

Sincerely,

Bill

Dear Bill…

Agents like to submit a full package to publishers, which includes the synopsis, so always give it to them. Editors may or may not want a synopsis—but you won’t know your targeted editors’ habits, so again, give it to them. Some editors won’t read it because they prefer the story prove itself. Others want to know your plans after you’ve intrigued them with your query letter and sample chapters. As with anything you write professionally, your synopsis should have a hint of personality, and, yes, that personality should suggest the tone of the book. Write it using omniscient POV, and—brace yourself—tell, don’t show. Wow, I don’t advise that often! But the point of the synopsis is to summarize the main themes and plot points and to state how the main character will change in the course of the story. Save the details and the full cast of characters for the manuscript. Striving for one page, single-spaced, should force you to stick to the main happenings. If you dread summarizing your 200-page story into one page, then trade manuscripts with someone in your critique group and write each other’s initial synopsis drafts. Then trade back and modify your buddy’s version to suit your own voice.  However you get the synopsis done, DO get it done. You’ve moved mountains to finish the manuscript and make it submission-ready; don’t let one final page take the wind out of your creative sails.

Happy writing!

The Editor

Can She Think in 3rd Person?

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Dear Editor… I recently read in a self-editing book (fiction for adults) that when writing in 3rd person, the main character’s thoughts can also be written in 3rd person. Is this true for mg/ya or does it depend on the story? Sincerely, Sue

Dear Sue…

Sure, you can write thoughts in third person for a third person teen/tween narrative. It would look like this: “He leaned in but she turned away. No way would she kiss him. She’d rather eat a worm.” But you can also pop out of third person to first, if you’re so inclined, using italics to signal the shift to kids: “He leaned in but she turned away. In your dreams. I’d rather eat a worm than kiss that snout.” Some find that a more dynamic mix. It depends on you and on your story. Gotta love choice.

Happy writing!

The Editor

Giving Editors Their (Line)Space

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Dear Editor…

I know the correct format for a novel is to begin Chapter One two-thirds down the page. Once, I read that other chapters should begin 1/3 down the page. This looks really weird to me, like I made a mistake in spacing. Do editors expect or desire to see manuscripts with successive chapters spaced 1/3 down the page?

Sincerely,

Carol

Dear Carol…

Don’t sweat this detail. Editors don’t care about that. If they get past Chapter One when reading your submission, they’re far more interested in what you’re doing within the story than with the spacing above the chapter headers. The difference is so minor, just choose the one that feels most pleasing to your eyes.

Happy writing!

The Editor

“Rules” for Picture Book Word Counts?

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Dear Editor…
I’m having a hard time figuring out the “rules” of picture books. Word limits:  I’ve seen figures ranging from 1000 to 1500 to even higher.  Do you have any advice?

Sincerely,

Sharon

Dear Sharon…

The discrepancy you’re encountering in word count may be due to the fact that picture books serve a wide-ranged audience, from toddlers to tweens. For the record, there are no specific “rules” regarding word counts, nor should there be. But perhaps this breakdown will help you navigate these cloudy waters:

Young picture book: For ages 2 to 5. Short, simple texts/concepts and young, bold illustrations. Example: Guess How Much I Love You You, approx. 400 words.

Standard picture book: For ages 3 to 7. Generally illustrated stories. Example: How I Became a Pirate, approx. 1000 words.

Older picture book: For ages 6 to 9. Somewhat more sophisticated subject matter and approach to illustrations. Example: Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez, approx. 2500 words.

Illustrated story collection, Illustrated historical fiction, or Nonfiction photo-essay: For ages 7 to 10, although the ages vary for this category; “All ages” may apply. Stronger emphasis on text than illustration, and the format is typically of a larger picture book size. Example: Lives of Extraordinary Women, approx. 16,500 words.

Happy writing!

The Editor