C h a z z W r i t e s . c o m

See all my books at AllThatChazz.com.

01/02/2011 • 12:56 AM 3

Writers’ Resolutions: Want to see the reason I live?

This is my blessing.

This is my curse.

This is my manuscript!

This is my resolution.

(This didn’t post correctly, so this is the secret link for a glimpse behind the curtain.)

Filed under: Books, What about Chazz?, Writers, book, Manuscript, writers, writing resolutions

12/31/2010 • 8:40 PM 1

Writers and Readers: Just wanted to let you know…

: Image via Wikipedia

Happy New Year!

May 2011 be the year you

make your dreams come true,

publish your work

and vanquish your enemies!

I went to a party tonight. People asked me what I was doing. I asked what they were doing. Many in the family are an artsy crowd so we talked about the movies we’d seen and the TV we loved. (Yay The OG Buffy! Boo revamped coming-soon-Joss-Wheedonless Buffy!)

And I felt grateful to travel in circles concerned about arts of all kinds. Although I only started up this project in May, I’ve made new friends through attending writing conferences and blogging about writing and publishing. I’ve picked up more editorial work I love. I’ve edited website copy and helped people on their way to publication. I’ve provided (gentle) writing critiques and writers have been really receptive to my efforts.

The research I do here serves my writing and I’ve had the opportunity to promote books and publicize authors to my growing readership. (In part, the love bump I got from one of my heroes, director Kevin Smith, helped me grow and aspire for more.)

And you keep coming back for more. Most of all, I’m thankful for you. When I see my stats climb, I know I’m reaching, teaching and helping more people create art or make their art better.

For me, Chazz Writes is not just about getting gigs. It’s about building something good.

I write.

I edit.

I publish.

More to come.

Much more.

Thanks for reading!

Writers Top Ten: Why blogging about publishing is important (chazzwrites.wordpress.com)
Writers: DIY vs traditional publishing (chazzwrites.wordpress.com)
Writers: What is your genre? What do you read? (chazzwrites.wordpress.com)
Writers : How “hands-on” do you want your agent to be? (chazzwrites.wordpress.com)
Am I better off living a different dream? (tobiasbuckell.com)
When did you know you wanted to be a writer? (chazzwrites.wordpress.com)

Filed under: My fiction, publishing, self-publishing, Useful writing links, What about Chazz?, Writers, Art, Blog, gratitude, Kevin Smith, Publish, writer, Writers Resources, writing

12/31/2010 • 4:21 PM 1

Writers: Top 10 of the 2010 Top 10 Chazz Writes posts

Early last year I considered going back to school to become a librarian. (I dumped that idea before I saw this graphic, but it does make me feel better about my choice.)

After some career counselling, I decided to refocus my efforts on my writing and editing. I needed (and need!) to bring art to the front burner. I began this blog as part of reorganizing my life to that end. Since last May I’ve posted 402 times and gained lots of readers, friends and even some clients (hurrah!) Things progress.

For lucky #403, this is a look back through the Top 10 lists of 2010:

1. Authors! Part II: Top Ten Lessons from the Networking Master

2. Top 10 Ways Writers Waste Time

3. Writers & Editors: Top 10 Editorial Considerations

4. (Top 10 Things +1) Writers Love

5. Top 10 Reasons We Write Sci-fi

6. Top 10 (plus one) Publishing Conference Lessons

7. Top 10 Things Writers Fear

8. Top 10 Reasons We Write Horror

9. Top 10 Reasons We Write Romance

10. Writers Top Ten: Why blogging about publishing is important

Top 10 (actually 12) of 2010 (organizeyourstuffnow.com)
My favorite “Best of 2010″ lists (westernthm.wordpress.com)
Top 10 things you shouldn’t say to your clients (apublicdefender.com)
Top 10 Luxury Adventures of the Year (luxist.com)
Top 10 Films of 2010 (collider.com)

Filed under: authors, Books, ebooks, Editing, Editors, getting it done, Horror, Publicity & Promotion, publishing, Rant, Top Ten, Useful writing links, Writers, writing tips, agents, Art, books, editors, fiction, Marketing, Publish, publishers, publishing, Top 10 lists, writer, writers, Writers Resources

12/31/2010 • 3:46 PM 0

Writers: The Edge of 2011 Happy New Year Top 10

Image by Heavybm via Flickr

Hey Cool People of the Planet! I woke in a sweat very early this morning tormented with thoughts about the annual holiday VISA bill slopped over an undercurrent of vague worries about what would happen if I forgot all my passwords at once. Let’s be honest. Worldwide, this past decade sucked. However, things are looking up in some ways. Time to focus on the positive.

My mind tends to go to the dark side, but let’s focus on today, here, now.

Top 10 reasons today is a great day:

1. After the arid desert that is Christmas music, suddenly the radio doesn’t suck here at the oasis. For the next two days I’m listening to a marathon of hits from the last decade and rocking out hard.

2. I’m riding high from a marathon of Big Bang Theory (Season One). Despite that neurotic touch of insomnia, I then slept until 1 PM. I win!

3. I’m a columnist for Massage & Bodywork Magazine and I love working with them. My relationship with my editor can best be described as a mutual admiration society of two and this morning a Fed Ex package arrived with all sorts of goodies (corn bread, chili, soup mixes.) It was from the magazine, just to say thanks. That’s rare and wonderful.

4. I just confirmed I have a new editing gig. I’m editing an e-book for a client. I’ve edited books I’m not so interested in but I’m really looking forward to reading this book. Plus, the author is super nice.

5. My own manuscript is awaiting revision. Someone asked me how my book was. “Coming,” I said. “Does that mean you’re still writing it?” “Nope. It’s written. Now I’m editing.” It feels great to say that. I’m focussed.

6. I’ve lost 40 pounds so far and in the next few months will achieve my goal. The holidays were tough, but I’m energized about getting to sexy. At my college reunion, I expect to be the guy no one knows.

7. Just now I found out my article on what I learned from Joe Rogan about book marketing was picked up b Literary Agents & Publishers News. Nice. I’m feeling appreciated today!

8. Tomorrow I’m hanging out with friends and relaxing. The blog’s already prepared and I’m feeling loose in the shoulders. There’s so much to look forward to this year. I’m planning to attend two publishing conferences and I’ll take my manuscript to market.

9. This is a pregnant moment. There is potential energy coiling in our resolutions as we set out to correct our courses and get our lives on the track we want. It can be done. We know that because it has been done. (Ten Lessons Received from an Evening with Kevin Smith.)

10. I’m happy to be here. I’m happy you’re here. Got any doubts we’ll make it big? Just watch me. Follow me or run beside me. We’re going to make it huge, sweetheart. Bet on it.

Book Marketing: What I learned from Joe Rogan (chazzwrites.wordpress.com)
2010: The Year Self-Publishing Lost Its Stigma (pbs.org)
The Big Bang Theory’s geekiest guest stars (canada.com)
How to Upload Your Digital Book to Kindle, by Nancy May (artistmarketingsalon.wordpress.com)
Endings, Beginnings, & Transitions (trishussey.com)

Filed under: getting it done, My fiction, publishing, Rant, Top Ten, What about Chazz?, Writers, 2011, An Evening with Kevin Smith, book, editing, happy new year, Joe Rogan, Kevin Smith, Literary agent, resolutions

12/30/2010 • 12:06 PM 2

Book Marketing: What I learned from Joe Rogan

Image by Jordan Larrigan via Flickr

Joe Rogan has one of the most interesting podcasts on the net. You might know him as the Fear Factor Guy, or the ultimate fighting commentator or as Joe Guerrelli, the electrician on News Radio who made his own duct tape. (News Radio is still one of the best sitcoms ever, by the way.) There’s a lot more to him than that, though. He’s a walking, talking brain-stimulant. Plus, he makes me laugh my ass off.

I caught his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, in which he was talking about the challenges of marketing. It was kind of a throw-away comment about the crazy world of stand-up comedy, but I got a lot out of it that applies to books and writers, too.

As a young comic, Joe left the marketing to someone else. He didn’t see his marketing as his job. He was doing stand-up. He didn’t feel he should have to be hysterically funny, crass and thought-provoking and sell the tickets, too.

When he saw how badly people were selling him—or that no one was selling him at all—he took up that responsibility. Now he tweets his shows and promotes himself through podcasting, YouTube, web presence and appearances on radio, other podcasts, etc.,… Rogan’s got a cult. Rogan has staked out his land. He has followers and fans. Joe Rogan is not melting into the background of the culture’s collage.

Many writers still hope someone else will take care of marketing their books. The truth is, unless you were already huge, in most cases your publisher didn’t do a great job marketing your book. They didn’t send out that many review copies. They didn’t publicize you enough. They probably didn’t have the budget for it and if they did have a budget for your book, it was built on short-term thinking. If your book didn’t take off right away, they were off to some other author quickly to try to capitalize on short-term heat and newness. That kind of thinking is going out the window with technology.

Be fair. Publishers have many authors on their list. You’re just one and so their efforts must be scattered. Who can focus on your book the most? You can. Who can spend money on a book launch? You. (That’s what that piddling advance you got is really for.) Writers have long memories and enjoy nostalgia, so some of us are still in love with the idea of writing our books in isolation and never having to interact with a fan, a hater, or the indifferent. It’s time for all of us to get past that ideal and put on our big-boy underwear and big-girl panties. Whether you’re going indie or are with a traditional publisher, the self-promotion side of the business really has been an indie-spirit proposition for a very long time. Don’t feel bad about it, it’s a common misconception. Instead, embrace the energy of the challenge.

Who is thinking about each book on a long-term sales basis? That would be you because publisher’s talk about “their” list, but that book isn’t theirs. It’s yours. Your name is on it so you care about it more than anyone, right? That means you have to take the responsibility it promote it and help your audience find your story amid a sea of books. Daunting yes, but that’s what building your platform is all about.

Who cares more about your book than anyone else?

No one.

Overcome your fear factor. Get out there.

For starters…got that Twitter account set up yet?

The Joe Rogan Experience Podcast Chooses Wizzard Media’s LibsynPro (eon.businesswire.com)
The Joe Rogan Experience Live with Ralphie May (cyberculturalist.com)
Leonard Garcia is ‘pissed off’ about Joe Rogan’s criticism of his fighting style (mmamania.com)
Joe Rogan: Will His Mouth Land Him in Hot Water With the UFC? (bleacherreport.com)
Joe Rogan’s Official Decision: Commission Judges Need to Change (bleacherreport.com)
My Defense of Joe Rogan (bloodyelbow.com)
UFC Commentator Joe Rogan Blasts the NSAC Over MMA Judging: “A Few Very Good Judges Surrounded By Incompetent Morons” (klqwrestling.com)
Joe Rogan is Wrong: UFC Responsible for Many MMA Judging Problems (bleacherreport.com)

Filed under: authors, DIY, Intentionally Hilarious, Publicity & Promotion, publishing, Rant, Writers, writing tips, book, book marketing, Fear Factor, Joe Rogan, Marketing, NewsRadio, Podcast, the joe rogan experience, Ultimate Fighting Championship, YouTube

12/30/2010 • 11:31 AM 2

Douglas Adams VIDEO on The Hitchhiker’s Guide

Douglas Adams said the best, most exciting time was when he was penniless and sleeping on couches. His success was a total surprise to him.

Filed under: author Q&A, authors, Books, movies, Science Fiction, Writers, Douglas Adams, Douglas Adams video, profile

12/29/2010 • 1:07 PM 0

Writers: Does the term “wannabe” irk you?

Image by wvs via Flickr

Just read an editor using the term “wannabe.” I’ve probably used it in the past, too, but no more. (I am a writer and I’m an editor who works with writers, so why wouldn’t I show them as much respect as I can and avoid an irksome term?)

Whether the editor in question meant it that way or not, it came off as dismissive. Anyone who read my blog regularly knows I have a man crush on writer-director indie legend Kevin Smith. He wrote something a while ago that really got my attention and it applies here.

He wanted to be a director. He was in Jersey and no money and no plan.

When he told his sister of his ambition, she replied,

“Then BE a director!”

Don’t want it. Be it.

If you write, you’re a writer. If you aren’t published yet, approach the work professionally and act as if you already are. (That means improve your craft, take criticism, educate yourself about the industry and comport yourself with grace and ease.)

I’m a published writer and I can tell you, after a time, seeing your name in print is not that big a deal. It’s the work that matters, and when it’s at its best, it will feel like play.

What matters is the writing:

Do it.

Enjoy it.

Get it down,

Get it done.

Write more.

Write again.

Writers write.

Don’t get caught up in status, hierarchy and aspirations. Do the work because writers write, whether they’re going to be published or not.

Writers: DIY vs traditional publishing (chazzwrites.wordpress.com)
Book Information Centre Blues (chazzwrites.wordpress.com)
Difference Between “Real” Writers And “Wannabe” Writers (dyske.com)
effort v. output: the second of several posts on writing. (infomational.wordpress.com)

Filed under: authors, Books, DIY, Editing, Editors, getting it done, publishing, Writers, writing tips, editing, editors, Kevin Smith, offensive, wannabe writers, wannabes, writers, writing, writing tips

12/24/2010 • 12:52 PM 5

Writers: Beware of Pen Names

This image is a reproduction of an original pa...

Image via Wikipedia

Good Christmas Eve afternoon to you!

Since you’re all out doing battle in malls, cutting your way through the crowds with a machete,

I’d like to make a quick point with this quick post:

Watch out for pen names. There’s a use for them, but there’s been some bad advice splashed around because of some weird over thinking about branding. I use my middle name and go by Robert Chazz Chute for this blog and my fiction submissions. I do this for the same reason Michael J. Fox has a J. There is a native American poet from Maine who goes by the name Robert Chute. He came first, so to avoid confusion and out of respect, I went with my middle name. I think that’s a good reason to use a nom de plume.

About the bad uses of pen names: In the past, agents, editors and publishers often advised writers to use pen names when writing for different genres. They feared brand confusion. That was silly. Consider the biggest book brand of them all: Stephen King. I’ve read all his horror. It turns out I have no interest in his Dark Tower series or the any of those graphic novels. But I did try them out because I like Stephen King books generally. If you like an author’s book, you might like their other books.

Too few people buy and read books to play games making it more difficult to find your work!

Consider James Patterson and his 157 or so books that are now out in different genres. One name provides cross-marketing and cross-pollination for his body of work. Isaac Asimov wrote what? 500 books? Much of it was non-fiction, too. (The most readable anatomy book I own is by Isaac Asimov.)

So if you’re going to use a nom de plume, do it for considered reasons. Don’t do it because you fear your romance audience won’t follow you to your fantasy epic.

People who read books get enthusiastic about particular authors, not just particular books.

Writers: The mire of conflicting advice & unfair criticism (chazzwrites.wordpress.com)

Filed under: authors, Publicity & Promotion, publishing, Rant, rules of writing, What about Chazz?, Writers, writing tips, authors, bad writing advice, Dark Tower, Isaac Asimov, James Patterson, Michael J. Fox, nom de plume, Pen name, Publish, Robert Chazz Chute, Robert Chute, Stephen King, When should I use a pen name, writers

12/22/2010 • 12:04 PM 0

Writing Contest Prize: A cover design for your book

: Image via Wikipedia

Write a little.

You might get a lot.

Details here:

The Writing Bomb‏

How writing prizes should be handled (davidhewson.com)

Filed under: Contest announcement, Writers, writing contests, book design, writing contest

12/22/2010 • 8:01 AM 2

Writers: Why your worst ideas ever might be your best

Image via Wikipedia

Three words: Andy Warhol. Soup.

Warhol made his name by making art out of the everyday. Campbell’s soup cans became transcendent when we saw them again through Warhol’s eyes. But don’t you think he encountered a lot of resistance along the way? Lots of people have.

When you look at creative endeavours, it can be very difficult to tell a good idea from a terrible one. In fact, some of the best ideas, appear to be the worst ideas ever at first glance.

Ghandi said, “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”

Publishing. Film. Art. It can all be like that.

Books have been written about rejection (and a lot of them were probably rejected quite a bit before finally getting published.) They are pretty funny when you look back on them now. Keats was told he couldn’t use language. The first guy who looked at Everybody Comes to Rick’s wrote that he gave the writer ten pages to grab him and he didn’t. Everybody Comes to Rick’s became Casablanca. Neil Gaiman‘s The Graveyard Book is a more recent example. It’s a great book about a baby whose family is murdered. The baby wanders down to the local boneyard to be raised by the ghosties there.

Yeah, I know! And yet. And yet.

Feel bad about getting rejected? Remember this: “Norton, this idea of yours is so crazy, it might just work!”

Great ideas often come in disguise. From the outside, they look just terrible. when you finally succeed (or go indie and make it happen on your own sans gatekeepers) you can wipe your tears away with a ~~fifty.~~ (Okay, a five-spot. You’re a writer, after all.)