Be Your Own Literary Agent and Get Published

So you're one of 20 million Americans who want to write a book. If you've already written a manuscript, chances are you're looking for agent representation. In the past few years, as an editor and literary consultant for http://www.TheOmnibus.org, I've had the opportunity to read more than 1,000 book proposals. Most, I'm sad to report, were inadequate because the author did not follow a few, very simple guidelines.

Before you complete your manuscript and send it on its way to prospective literary agents or publishers, take the time to make sure you have a professional query letter and (short) synopsis, and that you have edited your manuscript. If you can not do these chores, then find someone who can.

Also, make sure you're able to distinguish your manuscript from other books on the same subject, that you can identify the audience for which you are writing, and determine the marketability of your finished book. These are the most important questions agents and publishers will ask, and it will impress them that you've done your homework.

You should already have researched the market to determine how many books on the same subject are currently available. A handy tool is to use the Internet and search the large booksellers online. These services not only provide a list of books on the same topic, but often a synopsis and the book's audience as well. Your book needs to stand out, not duplicate what's already available.

Agents and publishers also want to know your ideas for publicity and promotion of your book, including how you intend to reach your target market, and any helpful contacts you may have.

Another common mistake is to assume agents and publishers will respond at their own expense. You need to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so companies can acknowledge receipt of your proposal. If you would like to have your material returned, be sure to send an envelope that is large enough and has enough postage for them to mail your proposal back to you. Proposals that do not include an envelope and postage generally will not be acknowledged or returned.

Some companies will accept e-mail submissions. Because of the threat of viruses, they usually won't open e-mails with documents attached. Many will read e-mail queries that include a short resume, a synopsis and sample chapters that have been copied and pasted into the body of the e-mail.

As mentioned, for security reasons companies do not like to open attachments without prior contact with the writer, and prefer you follow regular submission procedure. If prior contact has been made by e-mail, response and acknowledgments often will be made by e-mail.

If you are submitting book proposals by e-mail, it is wise to advise the companies in your cover letter the type of word processing program and version of that program that you used. Text is best transmitted through e-mail by converting it to Plain Text Format, ASCII (with no hard returns).

Take the opportunity to edit the work, correct misspellings, improper word usage, etc., before submitting it. It's not a good idea to send complete manuscripts by e-mail unless they are requested.

Let's break it down:

How Your Book Differs from Others * What is your book is about? * What is the reason that prompted you to write your book? * Why is your book needed by others? * What are its unique features?

Identify Your Audience * Describe the audience you are targeting with your book. * What is your level of expertise (no experience, beginner, intermediate, advanced)? * What are some specific applications or uses for your book (e.g., sports, education)? * Who would be the most likely candidates for purchasing your book? * Why should they buy it and share it with their friends?

Beat Your Competition to Market * List three to four books that compete with the project you are proposing. * How do they compare to your book in length, spectrum, format, and visual appeal? * Are there any that seem remotely comparable? * What are the differences among your approaches?

Publicity * Gather a local, regional, state and national media contact list. * Consider contracting a company to make a website for your book. * Do you have access to any authors who may provide a "blurb" for your book?

Don't Forget the Postage * Include a SASE with all queries. * If you want your manuscript back, include enough postage for its safe return.

Electronic Submissions * Check if the company accepts electronic (e-mail) queries and proposals. * Make sure you're not spamming hundreds of agents/publishers at a time. * Only include a short query, a bio, a synopsis, and the first three chapters in your e-mail. * Don't send attachments. * If you are asked to submit an attachment, let them know the software program. * Consider sending the file as Text only.

Filing a Response to a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) in California

The topic of this article is the filing of a Response to a Petition for dissolution of marriage (divorce) in California. The Response must be on the Judicial Council Form FL-120 Response-Marriage (Response) which is a mandatory form. If there are minor children of the marriage or relationship involved a Declaration under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (Declaration) Judicial Council Form FL-105 must be used as this is also a mandatory form.

A Response should be filed in any case where the two parties have not already discussed an amicable divorce settlement. The filing of the Response will avoid any default being entered against the responding party and will ensure that they are on equal legal footing with the petitioner. The filing of a Response does not prevent the two parties from reaching an amicable settlement. It merely protects the interests of the responding party. The Court will charge a filing fee when the Response is filed, in most counties the filing fee is currently $395.00 unless the responding party can qualify for a fee waiver.

In most cases the original Response, and Declaration if there are minor children, must be filed with the Court within thirty (30) calendar days from the date that the respondent is served. A copy of the Response, and Declaration if needed, must be served by mail on the petitioner, or their attorney if they have one, and a proof of service must be filed along with the original Response, and Declaration.

The appropriate boxes must be checked on the Response. As each case is different, the party responding should take care to ensure that the Response is filled out correctly. The Declaration must also be correctly filled out.

If the responding party anticipates that the reaching of an amicable settlement is not feasible at the time that they file their response, it may make sense to consider propounding discovery to the petitioner. Discovery can be very helpful to each party in evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of their case, facilitating a possible settlement, and in preparing for trial.

Parties in California divorce proceedings can utilize the same discovery procedures as are used in California civil litigation as the same rules and procedures are applicable unless another statute or rule has been adopted by the California Judicial Council. See Family Code Section 210.

Form Interrogatories for divorce and other family law cases are available using Judicial Council Form FL-145. This form is extremely useful as the questions are specifically tailored to the issues involved in a typical case. For instance a party may ask the other party to provide the last three (3) years tax returns, and also to complete a Schedule of Assets and Debts, Judicial Council Form FL-142, if that form is attached to the Form Interrogatories and the appropriate box is checked. The other party has thirty five (35) calendar days to respond if the Form Interrogatories are served by first class mail.

In the opinion of the author, the Form Interrogatories should be utilized and served concurrently with the Response even in a simple case as they are relatively easy and can be completed fairly quickly. Proper use of the Form Interrogatories is an easy and quick way to obtain the most information with a minimum of effort.

Special Interrogatories are also extremely useful as a party can request the other party to state all facts, identify all persons having personal knowledge of the facts, and all documents in support of the facts, which support the other party's request for attorney's fees, sole custody, spousal support and other requests or contentions made in that party's Petition or Response.

The requests for production and inspection of documents and other tangible things can be useful in obtaining bank and financial records and other documents that are pertinent to the issues involved in the divorce proceeding.

And last, but certainly not least, requests for admission can be used to request the other party to admit or deny certain pertinent facts, and/or admit that certain attached documents are genuine.

In a more complex case involving a long term marriage (over 10 years), minor children, and numerous community property assets and obligations, all of the discovery requests mentioned in this blog post should be at least considered, if not actually used.

The most important thing to keep in mind is the fact that a party served with a petition for divorce should file a timely Response or they risk a default being entered against them. As previously mentioned, the filing of a timely Response will protect the interests of the responding party. And it does not prevent the two parties from reaching an amicable settlement.

If you enjoy this article please tell others about it.

Yours Truly,

Stan Burman

Copyright 2012 Stan Burman. All rights reserved.

DISCLAIMER:

Please note that the author of this article, Stan Burman is NOT an attorney and as such is unable to provide any specific legal advice. The author is NOT engaged in providing any legal, financial, or other professional services, and any information contained in this article is NOT intended to constitute legal advice.

These materials and information contained in this article have been prepared by Stan Burman for informational purposes only and are not legal advice. Transmission of the information contained in this article is not intended to create, and receipt does not constitute, any business relationship between the sender and receiver. Any readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel.

Food Processors - Spin Your Way to Saving Time!

Like to save time in your kitchen? The food processors may be just what you need. Carving out a niche in the modern home, a few decades ago, the food processor stands right along side such innovations as the microwave oven and the coffee maker. Besides ease of operation, food processors cut down on meal preparation time, with their ability to puree, mince, emulsify, blend and knead. When searching for the right machine for you consider capacity, power and versatility.

Standard food processors have the capacity options of 7, 9 and 11 cups. Small jobs such as mixing together a tasty salad dressing or a few servings of your favorite soup would call for the 7 cup model. But if making large batches of tomato sauce or pesto for freezing, the 9 and 11 cup model might fit that job better. Mini processors in the 2 and 3 cup range work great for mincing ginger or garlic and other small food items. Works great for producing your own baby food to. Both the standard food processor and mini belong in everyone's kitchen.

Units with the single control button and two-speed models offer easy use. Food processors in the 750 watt power range are idea for home use. This gives enough power for everyday using and the occasional bread making session.

The attachments for food processors are what gives them tremendous versatility. These usually include: blades for mixing, puree, and chopping disks for grating and slicing and a whisk whip are common items. Still another food processor attachment let's you juice fruit.

Food processors are easy to find and buy online. Most have great descriptions of them to help in finding the right one you need. Whether it's for making your meal in less time or baking bread the food processor is just the tool you need.

Solve Your Traffic Problem Today

When it comes to making money online we all face the same problem: getting enough traffic to the websites we promote.

Not just any traffic... we want people who know what we offer and are interested before they get to our sites.

So how do we do that?

My suggestion is this -- find someone who is successful and model their success.

But not just anyone.

This model needs to have three characteristics that will help you trust them and know that you will have the best chance possible of success with their method...

First, you need someone who walks the walk, not just talks the talk. There is a big difference between the person who knows what should work and the person who has made the Internet work for them.

Second, you need someone you can trust.

Third, you need someone who will work with you and consider your needs and skills, not just offer a template solution.

Happily, finding that person can be done in five simple steps:

Step 1 - Use Google to find out who the leaders in the "getting traffic" field are and visit their sites. You can also visit forums like the Warrior Forum to learn more about who is really doing the job and who is just talking themselves up.

Step 2 - Can you afford what they offer? You are going to want to buy this person's product, book or course so you need to know going in if it's right for you. If you can't afford it, don't waste your time learning about it.

Step 3 - Does it make sense to you? Your parents were right -- if it sounds too good to be true probably is. If the sites are making outrageous claims or promising success with "three clicks," hide your wallet and run.

Step 4 - Do they have a good reputation online? You need to do your homework. Visit forums and ask around. Read testimonials. Google your possible mentor's name and you will find what you need.

Step 5 - Time to take action! If you find someone who has inspired you and filled you with confidence, and if you can afford what they offer, then now is the time to act!

Go for it and give it your all.

Here's the bottom line. There is no need for you to reinvent the wheel. There are plenty of rock-solid mentors online who know how to drive traffic and are willing to teach you what they know for a reasonable price. You just need to decide which voice suits you best.

Let me suggest an action step. Make a list of the various ways you have heard about to get traffic to a website on a sheet of paper. Choose the one that seems most logical to you.

Choose the method that appeals to you, go to Google and type that phrase in the search box.

If there are people selling "how to" information about that topic, and there will be, they will be sure to be on the first page of results.

Take the five steps above and the only question you will need to answer is... who will be your mentor?

Things To Include In Your Will

No one likes to think about planning their will because you normally have to think about your own death. However, it is something that needs to be done. A will is a legal document or declaration that is made to manage a person's estate and property after their death. The only problem is you may not know what exactly you should put in your will. There are a few things that you should definitely put in your will, and then there are some things that do not belong in a will.

First of all, don't put your funeral wishes in your will. Your will and testament will normally not be read until after the funeral so it is kind of a moot point then. Instead, you should make sure that your family, spouse, or care taker knows what your funeral wishes are. If you want to have it down in writing, you can, but your last will and testament is not the place.

You should decide who your personal representative or executor is. This person can be just about anyone that you want. They make sure that your last will is carried out and your wishes are met as how it is written in the documentation. This includes making sure the distribution of property and money is given to the appropriate parties. You should make sure to name an alternate executor in the event that the original person is unable to do so.

Naming your beneficiaries is a must. If you do not name one, then your funds will either go to your estate, or to someone as stated in that particular state's laws. The beneficiary can go to a spouse, family member, children, charity, institution, or even to your estate. Whoever or whatever you decide to name as your beneficiary, make sure it is clearly stated in your testament. Check with your life insurance provider to see if there are any restrictions as to who you can name.

If you have children who are minors, you will need to name someone who can act as a legal guardian. Perhaps you aren't legally responsible for children but rather a sibling, parent, or grandparent; you will need to give directions as to who you would like to be legally responsible for them once you are gone. In most cases, it has been decided and agreed upon in advance between the two parties. Of course, having a back up to name as a legal guardian is essential.

One thing that people may not think about is a pet. Pets are considered personal property, so you will also need to designate someone to take care of your pet once you have passed. Some people have different views as to whether or not you should also leave that person some money to cover the expenses of taking care of that pet. However, you will want to name at least two people in case one person is unable to do so.

If you have any information that you would like to keep private, then your last will and testament is not the place to write it out. These legal documents are stored at the local courthouse and are then considered as a public, not private, document. Many people choose not to put information like how much money they are giving to a beneficiary as a way to protect that person from the general public. Of course, this last thing is up to you and you alone. There are other options where you can state how much money or property you are leaving.

When it comes to creating your last will, everyone will have different advice as to what to put in it and what not to put in it. However, if you wish to leave any funds or property to someone in particular, then you need to have it stated in this document and be considered a legal document for your wishes to be carried out. If you have any questions about whom you can and cannot leave your funds, property, or estate too, check with your life insurance policy to see if there are any restrictions. You can also talk to a trusted legal advisor to find out if there are any other terms and conditions that you need to meet.

Can We Please Stop Blaming Bush Now?

Well, I wasn't sure if President Obama was going to be able to survive his reelection bid. In my humble opinion, I don't believe he deserved to, considering we have over 8% unemployment - and, the reality that he's added $5 trillion to our nation's debt. Nevertheless, thanks to his great speeches, political operatives, and class warfare strategies he has survived. Indeed, I figured if he did survive this reelection that at least he would have to stop blaming President Bush. Okay so let's talk shall we?

There is no reason that you can put $5 trillion to work boosting and economy and still not get out of recession. We should be at 5 to 6% GDP growth right now and overheating, worried about inflation. Our unemployment should be around 5.5%. In fact, isn't that what President Obama's administration promised us? And they said they could do it for less than half the money they spent. I guess they were a little too overly optimistic about their own executive leadership, and understanding of the economy. All they did was print money, play some games on the Federal Reserve's balance sheet, and send all that money to China, while they also caused inflation in many of the economies of our trading partners.

Interestingly enough, we will probably go into recession in 2013, and in that case; had Mitt Romney won the election, he could have legitimately complaint and blamed President Obama for putting them in that world of hurt. But somehow, I don't think he would have, rather he would have taken the bull by the horns, done what needed to be done, and moved on. That would be the sign of true leadership, and apparently President Obama gets a second chance. This time he's put himself into a horrible situation, therefore he only has himself and his administration to blame.

Indeed, I see a common theme with this administration and president, and that is; to blame others for whatever failures they have accumulated in their lives. Right now, it seems President Obama is still using the class warfare strategy; blaming the rich. That, my friends is a dead end road. In fact, they are doing the same thing right now in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, but it's not getting them out of their situation. Socialist leaning politicians never seem to blame themselves for spending their national treasuries into oblivion. It hardly matters if it is Argentina, Venezuela, or even Zimbabwe.

The reality is it never ends well, even if you can blame someone else, the leaders always tend to go down with the ship. Indeed, I'm not sure why Americans voted for four more years of this nonsense, but now that they have, maybe they should all pitch in and buy President Obama a mirror. Then he will know who to blame when things don't work out as he'd hoped, even though just the other day, a day after the election, he told a reporter on TV that;

"I've never been more hopeful for the future."

You see, hope is not enough to do it, you need a solid strategy. Socialism isn't a good strategy, and therein lies the problem, no matter who you blame. Please consider all this and think on it.