Anne McDonald: Okies, let's get started. I'll open in prayer, go over protocol, and then introduce our professor for this evening 

Lord, thank You so much for Your love. For our opportunity to celebrate Your greatest gift—Jesus Christ. Please be with us tonight as we learn more about using our talents for You. Guide and guard our conversation. Especially bless our special guest as she shares her expertise, and bless each of our participants. In Jesus name, Amen 

Protocol reminder: When the floor is open to questions, please type ? for questions, ! for comments and wait to be called on in turn. To keep us from stepping on each others' toes, please type ga when you have finished typing. ga = go ahead. 

Tonight, I'm privileged to introduce a multi-talented woman who not only knows how to put books into shape, but to get the word out on them. Please welcome Kathy Carlton Willis.

Kathy, welcome! 

* Annie leads the applause and turns the floor over to Kathy 

Kathy Carlton Willis: Thanks! It's a privilege to be here. 

Anne McDonald: Kathy, do you want to start by giving us a bit of your background?  

Kathy Carlton Willis: I love talking about our passion--we GET to "fiddle with words"

My background: I literally started by writing church bulletin articles-my husband is a pastor. A newspaper took notice-and hired me to write a column once a week. From that I started learning more about the art (I did take schooling for it a LONG time ago). 

I've enjoyed a variety of jobs in the field: copyeditor for newspaper, feature writer, magazine writer, grammar guru, ghostwriter, author, publicist and writer's coach…you name it! It's been a JOY to have such variety—I love being a freelancer and paying it forward to the industry—and I'm here to answer your questions and encourage you to hang with it! 

Anne McDonald: The floor is now open to questions. 

Anne McDonald: Kathy, what exactly does a book doctor do? 

Kathy Carlton Willis: A book doctor helps a writer whip his or her book into shape. It's in between a rewriter and a ghostwriter—helps an author know how to best set up the table of contents so it flows; often pieces together from the original manuscript like a quilt or puzzle until the book communicates clearly.

Dragon Riding Mouse: How should an author go about making sure they have enough self-confidence without becoming arrogant? 

Kathy Carlton Willis: DRM-that's a difficult balance-you have to do what fits your personality—but you DO have to promo yourself to ever get noticed in this industry—be passionate about what you communicate and others will know it is genuine and not a show. 

Spitfire: Is there ever a time when an author should ignore advice? 

Kathy Carlton Willis: An author should ignore advice that doesn't fit or doesn't work for his or her situation-and mainly-pray for God to give discernment and the right mentor who will not lead you astray. 

Limey: So does a book doctor just work with nonfiction or do you work with novels as well? 

Kathy Carlton Willis: A book doctor can work with any form of written word-I've done both in the past-due to a non-compete clause I am currently only doing nonfiction—but that will change after I honor that covenant. 

Limey: How is it different from a mentor? 

Kathy Carlton Willis: A mentor is not usually paid; a book doctor is; a book doctor has deadlines and sets goals and it is part of a job.

Anne McDonald: How much do you charge?

Kathy Carlton Willis: Rates vary depending on the intensity level and difficulty level. The spectrum ranges from a general proofread (that's the easiest) to a complete ghostwrite (that's the most difficult)—my rates range from $34 an hour to $75 an hour depending on the situation. 

Anne McDonald: What are some of the main mistakes you see authors making?

Kathy Carlton Willis: Annie that's a BROAD question—I could go on and on! Probably the biggest mistake is that they have such a narrow vision of their book or writing project that they won't take advice from someone who only wants to help them—I see this when I speak at writer's conferences all the time.

Anne McDonald: Let's narrow this now a bit...how about POV issues?

Kathy Carlton Willis: POV issues-at its worst it comes across as "head hopping"—bouncing from one character's perspective to another without changing scene or setting. 

Anne McDonald: What about dialogue? Telling vs. showing. What are your biggest pet peeves? (not making this easy am I?)

Kathy Carlton Willis: Annie-probably the worst thing is when a writer wants to show rather than tell, so they mention something in dialogue that a person wouldn't really say-they have a character narrate the action so they aren't accused of "telling." 

wordz: What books would you recommend for writers? 

Kathy Carlton Willis: Wordz, there are so many good books out there! If at all possible-get to a writer's conference and check out their book tables-this is where you will see a good variety; one "bible" we all need is Sally Stuart's Market Guide. 

Limey: I'm told that I tell instead of show but I honestly can't see the difference.  Can you suggest a book that would spell it out in detail? 

Kathy Carlton Willis: Limey, I don't have a title off the top of my head, but if you write me after this session I'll be sure to give you some book suggestions to help you out. Annie-do you have a suggestion?

Anne McDonald: yes, Dwight V. Swain's Techniques of A Selling Writer does an excellent job explaining this. 

Anne McDonald: The trick is to get inside the character's head and only show what she/he sees, hears, smells, tastes, etc. Does that make sense? 

Limey: I do that but I'm still accused of telling. 

Kathy Carlton Willis: It's possible you are writing in passive voice too much-using too much narration, not enough action. 

Spitfire: What are some things that you REALLY enjoy reading?

Kathy Carlton Willis: I enjoy a good variety of books: I'm in ministry so I like good ministry-related books; I enjoy self-help books; cookbooks; literary fiction; you name it!

Anne McDonald: You are also a book publicist. Could you detail a bit about what you do, and what types of clients you accept? 

Kathy Carlton Willis: I fell into publicity naturally because I love creating buzz and championing other writers! I do many different things-so let me take a moment to explain. I usually brainstorm with a potential client (the writer or publishing house) and customize a campaign that fits their needs and budget. I target all media: television, radio, newspapers, internet, and magazines—local, regional, and national levels.

I also offer blog tours and coordinate a speaker's schedule. I help with author branding-set the author up as an expert in their niche or field. It's a long-term relationship of creating a wildfire type buzz about this author and his or her books. Publicity is at it's basic level being passionate about what the author stands for and getting the word out about it.

robert: LOVE FCW...it was my first writing group (online) just wanted to say THANKS...and thanks for the chat. 

Kathy Carlton Willis: Robert-thanks for that-I loved my time with FCW! 

Anne McDonald: Kathy, how much are your rates for publicist? Can you give us a basic breakdown?

Kathy Carlton Willis: Annie-that's difficult because it really depends on the package the person selects and how many months they retain my services. My rates are as inexpensive as $400 for basic jobs, and as extensive as $7,500 for a multi-book campaign-it really does depend on what the client needs.

Noelle: How many online writing groups have you started, and how many do you moderate now?

Kathy Carlton Willis: Noelle-I think I've started about a dozen groups, and currently moderate two.

Anne McDonald: Kathy, what delightful surprises have you found in working with various clients? 

Kathy Carlton Willis: Good question! They make me smile, make me laugh, draw things out of me I didn't know were in me, allow me to draw things out of them that they didn't know they had in them. 

robert: Can you recommend someone who does what you do on the fiction side? although I probably won't have anything finished before 7/2009 so might not need it :)

Kathy Carlton Willis: Robert, do you have access to go to a writer's conference or workshop or a mentoring clinic? This would be the biggest help-and once you have set up a connection with someone then you could further it from a distance. I would recommend getting involved with ACFW. 

Noelle: Which groups did you start? and which do you moderate? 

Kathy Carlton Willis: I started quite a few critique groups; currently I moderate The Writers View 1 and KCW Mentoring Clinic.

Anne McDonald: When a writer is looking for a good mentoring relationship or critique group, what do you recommend they look for? 

Kathy Carlton Willis: Make sure there are people in the group who are more advanced than you are so that your skills are sharpened and be open to their suggestions even when it feels like they are slicing open your baby. Look for a group that has detailed guidelines so that it is fair for everyone who participates.

I have a book I can recommend-let me go get it. It is called The Complete Guide to Writers Groups That Work-by B.J. Taylor.

Anne McDonald: Kathy, what do you recommend that authors do before submitting their books to publishers? 

Kathy Carlton Willis: the most important thing is to have a BRILLIANT book proposal with a CREATIVE marketing plan.

Anne McDonald: Could you give us a bit more detail of what you mean by a Brilliant book proposal?

Kathy Carlton Willis: Spend as much passion on the book proposal as you do writing the book-think of it as the formal introduction-focus on detail much as you would a research paper.

Don't worry about it coming across as bragging-it's okay to promote yourself and your work as long as it sounds professional. There is no such thing as one way to write a book proposal, but there are many wrong ways. 

Anne McDonald: What do authors need to consider when setting up a marketing plan?

Kathy Carlton Willis: Show the publishing house that you are willing to invest your energies, your focus, and even part of your advance on marketing the book; come up with out-of-the box ideas for marketing; identify niche markets that will buy the book, and give statistics on these markets; use current PR ideas to show you will promo the book. 

I'm often hired just to write the marketing plan for book proposals because this part really sells the book. The one in charge of the budget in the committee meeting determining if your book can make their house a profit will be impressed if you show you will do what it takes to get the book to sell; don't depend on the house to sell your book for you. 

Anne McDonald: How much do you charge for writing marketing plans for book proposals? 

Kathy Carlton Willis: I usually charge by the hour for that-$50 per hour and it takes anywhere from 5-10 hours depending on how much research is involved and how much of that section of the proposal they want me to do (some have me just do the plan, some have me do the market analysis (comps) as well. 

Anne McDonald: Thanks so much for answering our many questions...It's time for the drawing... Kathy has graciously donated an hour of her professional services. Roberto is in charge of tonight's drawing. Roberto, do your thing...

robert: drumroll Just to make everyone wait 

* Annie rolls the drum across the stage 

robert: and wait 

robert: and...

* Annie throws a potato bun at roberto 

robert: the lucky writer is...miralee :) 

Anne McDonald: woo hoo!! 

Noelle: congrats 

* Annie does her infamous Snoopy dance 

Anne McDonald: congrats, Miralee!! 

Kathy Carlton Willis: congrats, Miralee! I can't wait to see what we can do together 

Limey: congratulations Miralee 

miralee: WOW 

robert: Snoopy called, he wants his dance back 

Anne McDonald: no can do 

Kathy Carlton Willis: Annie-you do an impressive Snoopy Dance for sure! 

* Annie does her newest version of the Snoopy dance with three backflips and bows 

Kathy Carlton Willis: can you tie your ears in a bow too? 

* Annie ties her ears into a lovely bow 

robert: I just want to see the feet flapping. 

Anne McDonald: Kathy, thanks so much for coming tonight. we have to get you back on again soon 

miralee: I actually prayed about this!!! With my new book, I could use the help 

robert: Thank you Kathy 

Kathy Carlton Willis: I'm glad to be of help—ask me any time—Miralee I'll be glad to help with your new book!