BY KATHI KAMEN GOLDMARK AND SAM BARRY

The Author Enablers are here to answer your questions about writing and publishing. Together, Kathi and Sam have more than 25 years of experience in book publishing. Kathi is an author, radio producer and former publicist; Sam is a marketing manager at a major publishing company and a freelance editor. They are also proud members of the Rock Bottom Remainders, the all-author rock band founded by Kathi in 1992.

Speaking with one voice

Dear Author Enablers,

I recently read Walter Mosley's This Year You Write Your Novel and though I picked up some pointers and encouragement, I am looking for more detailed advice about narrative voice. I struggle between attempting to write in first person vs. third person voice.

Bill McMichael
Stillwater, Minnesota

In addition to Mosley's fine work, another excellent source on the craft of writing fiction that you might consult is By Cunning & Craft: Sound Advice and Practical Wisdom for Fiction Writers by Peter Selgin.

We can tell you that there are no hard-and-fast rules regarding voice. Third person is the most flexible form but first person can be powerful and intimate. Some writers shift back and forth between first and third person, and we've even seen fiction written in the second person, though you might find this annoying (har har). Here's the best thing about writing: No one has to see your work until you're ready to show it, so you can experiment and see what works best for you. We can make one guarantee: You will never finish your book if you don't start writing.

Dear Author Enablers,

I've written an as-told-to memoir about Dave Clark, who contracted polio as an infant, yet has enjoyed a career in professional baseball—first as a player, then as a coach, manager, scout and traveling instructor (in Europe). His success, despite his limitations, has been incredible.

He and I are both unknowns to the general public, but we have found an agent who has pitched the book to five of the top publishing houses, three of which have rejected it. We have begun to consider print on demand—Clark is a motivational speaker, and he could no doubt sell some books at his various appearances. Do you think self-publishing is the way for us to go? And is our agent wasting her (and our) time marketing the manuscript to the biggest houses in the business? Would a smaller, sports-focused, publisher make more sense for this book?

Roger Neumann
Horseheads, New York

The challenge here is to get your target audience—baseball buffs—as passionate about this story as you are. Because Dave is active on the lecture circuit, you have a shot at selling a self-published book at his events. You may also get phone, e-mail, and website orders (make sure you build a website), and these could add up, but you won't get bookstore distribution or major reviews for a self-published book. Smaller publishers are certainly worth pursuing before making the commitment to self-publish, and may be more inclined to publish the book if you can provide evidence of Dave's platform (his proven ability to reach an audience). Whatever you decide to do, you should wait until your agent has heard back from all the publishers to whom she's submitted.

Dear Author Enablers,

I'm having difficulty finding an agent to represent my book. I suspect that since the book doesn't fit into any easily categorized genre, agents are scared away. I've revised my query several times, but as yet (after probably 100 sent) I have not received many encouraging leads. I'm looking for pointers for an author with an unusual style and subject matter. I'm beginning to worry that the book just sounds dull.

Gary Vogan
Meadville, Pennsylvania

The material you sent is not at all dull but could use some sharpening for clarity. Since you are having trouble settling on the book's genre in your query letter, why not try combining two that will help define your work? How about "Thriller/How-To," "Apocalyptic/Self-Help," or "Romance/Tax Code"? Hey, this is fun. But seriously, you can create a new genre and help agents and publishers understand your work. Our suggestion for your craft is that you find a class or writers group or get yourself connected with an established writing workshops.

Note to South Florida BookPage readers—your trusty Author Enablers will present a workshop at the Miami Book Fair Friday, November 9, and perform (such as it is) with the Rock Bottom Remainders Saturday, November 10. As always, they welcome your questions about writing and publishing at AuthorEnabler@aol.com.

Thanks for writing,
THE AUTHOR ENABLERS