The Authority Writing, Publishing & Marketing Information Connecticut Authors & Publishers Association—Since 1994
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Connecticut’s Source for The Authority Writing, Publishing & Marketing Information Connecticut Authors & Publishers Association—Since 1994 Volume 27 Issue 1 www.aboutcapa.com January 2020 Inside This Issue January 18 Speaker: Lisa Lelas CAPA Board of Directors p. 2 Traditional Publishing… Has it become the scary elephant in the room? SW CAPA Report p. 2 Book sideMarketing This Tip Issue p. 2 an unknown In today’s world, self-publishing 2019 in Review p. 3 has become the way to go for hun- author still Cover Design Strategies p. 2 dreds of thousands of authors. It’s profit? Will I MediaABCs ofTips Editing p. p.4 2 still own the easy, cost effective and virtually SellingThe Fiction More of Books Prediction p. p. 3 6 anyone can have a book printed rights to my and bound within days! That said, book? ReluctantCelebrating Reader Success p. p. 4 6 have you ever thought about sub- IBPAUpcoming Scholarship Meetings p. p. 4 7 Join bestsel- mitting your manuscript to a tradi- ABCs of Editing p. 5 tional publisher? Do frightening ling author and Media Performance Tip p. 7 thoughts cross your mind? Is it CAPA mem- Celebrating Success p. 6 good enough? Long enough? Am I ber, Lisa Lelas WritingSE CAPA Group Report p. p. 6 7 at the January established enough? Do I need an CAPA’s Co-op Connection p. 8 agent? Is it a lengthy process? Can Continued on page 2 January Webinars p. 8 January Meet A Member: Jim Bennett By Barbara J Meredith Contributors Jim Bennett had a life changing ex- William Gil- perience which prompted him to be- lette who come motivated to fulfill his lifelong coined the Jim Bennett dream. Jim finished and self- phrase Roberta Buland published his first novel that he had “Elementary William O’Neill Curatolo begun writing 10 years prior to his my good Peggy Gaffney illness. Jim’s first novel is entitled, Watson” Brad Hurtado The Case of the Flying Corpse. The which is now Brian Jud theme of his books is Sherlock the famous Holmes, the famous fictional British Carol Keeney catch phrase Joe Keeney detective meets William Gillette, the for Sherlock Holmes. This phrase Connecticut native who was the had never appeared in the written Deborah Kilday stage actor portraying Sir Arthur manuscripts of the Sherlock Holmes Elaine Kuzmeskus Doyle’s character, Sherlock Holmes. novels. Jim also discovered the Lisa Lelas keen observational skills that Wil- Barbara Meredith During Jim’s research of William liam Gillette had that equals the Elizabeth Saede Gillette, he discovers an agreement skills of the fictional Sherlocks Lisa Samia between Sir Arthur Doyle and Wil- Holmes that helped the development Dan Uitti liam Gillette, stating that William and the credibility of the actor por- Gillette had theatrical freedom to act Benita Zahn traying the character. William Gil- upon any improvements to the char- lette is accredited for making the acter of Sherlock Holmes. It was Continued on page 3 page 2 The Authority Speaker Lisa Lelas their platform skills and program SW CAPA Report content…something every author By Joe Keeney Continued from page 1 should consider as a vehicle for selling books and getting author The SWCAPA recognition! Website: Christmas party held meeting where Lisa will demystify www.LisaLelas.com Email: Li- on December 9th the process of submitting to a tradi- [email protected] had 22 members in tional publisher and answer all your attendance. Mem- questions. She’ll show you just bers who read from what’s involved, how you can bet- ter your chances for getting pub- Book Marketing Tip their own works was the highlight of the evening. Gabi lished by a traditional publisher and Coatsworth hosted readings by Bev- if that’s the best route to go for erly Peck, Dave Gregory, Debbie your particular manuscript. “If the author needs media training Kilday, Jack Levine, Patti Struski it’s usually not he or she who fig- and Joe Keeney. Lisa Lelas is a long-time profes- ures it out. The producer or publi- sional writer, speaker, magazine cist figures it out. Authors tend to The food donated by members was editor, newspaper columnist, book think they’re really good on their another highlight. And, we give spe- writing coach and bestselling au- topic, but they may not be good cial thanks to Debbie Kilday for her thor (self-published and traditional- storytellers.” the delightful salad she made, and to ly published). She has appeared on Carol Keeney for getting everything The Oprah Winfrey Show, Today Brad Hurtado, former producer of else there, including pizzas and bev- Show and more. She is the founder Donahue, Maury Povich and The erages. of Bestselling Bootcamps, unique Charlie Rose Show) book writing retreats. As a former We might have a new member or news reporter and NY television two; and, we thank those members casting director, Lisa also assists aspiring speakers with on-camera Article Submission who made that possible by bringing guests. presentation coaching to polish The Authority welcomes articles written by members. Here are our guidelines. CAPA Board of Directors CAPA Officers’ & Board Members’ Contact Information Topics may cover any aspect of writing, publishing and marketing. Founder Brian Jud [email protected] Your personal slant on this is of in- Co-Founder (CAPA) Jerry Labriola [email protected] terest to all of us and welcome. President Dan Uitti [email protected] Vice President Dennis Schleicher [email protected] Articles should be no longer than Treasurer Brian Jud [email protected] 400 words. If the article is longer, Secretary Robyn Bage [email protected] the editors reserve the right to reduce Immediate Past President Steve Reilly [email protected] the size or divide it into sections that Newsletter Director Brian Jud [email protected] would be run in successive issues. Meet-A-Member Articles Joe Keeney [email protected] Meet-A-Member Articles Barbara Meredith [email protected] All articles will be edited. Submit SECAPA Co-Director Patti Brooks [email protected] single spaced with no built-in for- SECAPA Co-Director James Bennet [email protected] matting. Submit all articles to Brian SWCAPA Director Joe Keeney [email protected] Jud at [email protected]. Program Director Brian Jud [email protected] Membership Director Dick Benton [email protected] Send submissions for the Meet-A Website Director Dan Uitti [email protected] Special Activities Director Deborah Kilday [email protected] -Member column to Joe Keeney at Publicity Director Dennis Schleicher [email protected] [email protected] or Networking Director Peggy Gaffney [email protected] Barbara Meredith dbmeredith Past-President, Advisor Roberta J. Buland [email protected] @charter.net ARTICLES ARE DUE BY THE Editor—Brian Jud, Meet-a-Member Column—Barbara Meredith and Joe Keeney, 28TH OF THE MONTH Copy Editor—Deborah Kilday, Staff Photographer—Deborah Kilday, page 3 The Authority May 18: Allia Zobel Nolan subject Meet A Member 2019 -- CAPA’s Year was From the Divine to the Feline to Continued from Page One an Impossible Deadline in Review By Brian Jud novels of Sherlock Holmes famous June 15: A in the United States. combined 2019 was a banner year for CAPA CAPA/ Jim’s second novel, Township, is – we celebrated our 25th anniver- APSS composed of short stories, with sary as Connecticut’s source for picnic at Sherlock Holmes and William Gil- Judy and lette as the main characters. Jim Chuck refers to his books as historical/ Miceli’s fictional mysteries within a mys- lakeside home. tery. If you are a Sherlock Holmes fan, Jim’s books should be put on July 20: Tara Alemany told us how your must-read reading list. to Publish with a Purpose. Jim is not only a successful self- August 17: published author. His other talents Anne Howard include being a former Chef at a writing, publishing and marketing captivated at- Mystic, CT restaurant, Co- information. Here are some of the tendees with a Chairman of CAPA’s Southeast highlights. graphic discus- chapter, and a host of his own SEC- sion about Writ- TV, Groton, CT cable television CAPA chapters in Avon, Shelton ing and Marketing True Crime. show called, “Books and Beyond and Groton conducted monthly with Jimmy Bennett”. As a host of gatherings (and members were able September 21: Pat McCurdy- his own TV show, Jim can share his to attend all 36 meetings). Events Crescimanno helped us understand passion for Connecticut State featured a party or a speaker who the critical role of library metadata. Parks. Jim had visited Gillette Cas- enlightened and entertained at- This was our first meeting to be live tle State Park as a child, but he nev- tendees with presentations on writ- streamed via the CAPA YouTube er appreciated the park as much as ing, publishing or marketing topics. channel, by Steve Reilly, making the he does now as an adult. While Descriptions of the Southeast CA- meeting con- writing his first novel, “The Case of PA and Southwest CAPA chapters tent available the Flying Corpus”, Jim refused to were reported monthly by Elizabeth to all 175 CA- visit Gillette Castle, fearing he Saede and Joe Keeney. Here are the PA members. would have to make amendments to subjects that were covered at meet- Steve expand- his manuscript to make its concise- ings in Avon. ed this to SW ness historically accurate. Jim’s CAPA, too. other passion is using his TV pro- January 19: Debbie Levison talked gram to acknowledge and highlight about getting the word out about October 19: Chuck Miceli gave us the talents of average Connecticut an information-packed presentation residents that otherwise wouldn't be your book about how to write and sell fiction.