Contract Changes: ROFLR

Dear LDS Publisher,

I received a contract from "ABC PUBLISHING" the first part of March. I read through it and emailed this change back to the managing editor:

I understand Section 2 to mean "ABC PUBLISHING" would have right of first and last refusal. Is it possible to tweak the language in Section 2 to right of first refusal only and also that it only apply to LDS themed works?

The managing editor emailed back to say she'd forwarded my email to the COO since he's is the one authorized to answer all questions about contracts. That was on March 17. I haven't heard anything since then. Would it be okay for me to send an email asking for an update? Who should I send the email to? I don't have the COO's email.

Thanks for your help!

1. Good for you for not simply accepting that right of first and last refusal (ROFLR)! IMHO, a right of first refusal clause is okay, if it's limited by time or genre. But first and last? I'd never agree to that. If you want to read my previous posts on ROFLR, go here and here and here.
   
   
   
2. I am sure they get that question frequently and it should be a simple answer—either yes or no. Maybe they're trying to decide how badly they want your book? Regardless, it's been over a month and they should have responded by now. Contact the managing editor and ask if a decision has been made yet.

Knocking Out Writers Block

I'm curious how others get over their writer's block. I have a project I was working on and the creative juices just were not flowing. It felt like a wall that I just could not knock down. I ended up working on a new story idea that I have and I have been writing more than I have in a long time. So I'm wondering what other writers do to get past the writers block?



Every writer has their own secrets for overcoming writers block. My favorites are to use a writing prompt to get the imagination flowing or to purposely write bad prose—both options get me writing, and for me, that's the important thing.

But sometimes, even tried and true doesn't work. Here are a few links to ideas.

10 Tips for Overcoming Writer's Block

How to Overcome Writer's Block—15 Tips

LEO: Overcoming Writer's Block

Creative Writing Prompts

Writer's Digest Writing Prompts

Quotes on Writer's Block


Readers, what do you find helpful?

2010 Whitney Winners!

The 2010 Whitneys were awarded last night at their annual gala. The winners are...

Outstanding Achievement Award
Rick Walton


Lifetime Achievement Award
Susan Evans McCloud

Best General

Best Historical

Best Mystery/Suspense

Best Romance

Best Speculative

Best Youth—General

Best Youth—Speculative

Best by New Author

Novel of the Year (Tie)

Congratulations to all the winners!

And a HUGE thank you to the Whitney committee, sponsors and volunteers who make these awards possible!

Which Book Would You Pick as the 2010 Best Fiction Book by an LDS Author?

The last vote: Which Book Would You Pick as the 2010 Best Fiction Book by an LDS Author?

Go HERE to see the entire list of 2010 Whitney Finalists

In the comments section, state which book you think should win 2010 Best Fiction Book by an LDS Author and why.

or

Go HERE to see the complete list of 2010 fiction titles by LDS Authors*

Feel free to cast your vote for any book on this list—but remember to tell us you think it was the best.

(I'd love it if you'd repeat your comment over on the LDS Fiction post for that book. Just click on the link below the book cover. Your comment will also enter you in the drawing for a free book at the end of May!)

*This list is as complete as I have been able to make it. If you know of a fiction title by an LDS author that was released in 2010, and it's not on this list, please let me know. Thanks!

Which Book Would You Pick as the 2010 Best Book By a New Author?

The Forbidden Sea	Meg's Melody	Paranormalcy	Wolves, Boys & Other Things That Might Kill Me	Wrong Number
Sheila Nielson	Kaylee Baldwin	Kiersten White	Kristen Chandler	Rachelle Christensen

In the comments section, state which book you think should win 2010 Best Book by a New Author and why.

Or, if you have another favorite that didn't make the list, you can go ahead and tell us about it too.


(I'd love it if you'd repeat your comment over on the LDS Fiction post for that book. Just click on the link below the book cover. Your comment will also enter you in the drawing for a free book at the end of May!)

Come back this afternoon to vote for BEST BOOK OF 2010!

Which Book Would You Pick as the 2010 Best Youth General Fiction?

Glimpse	Missing In Action	My Double Life	The Healing Spell	Wolves, Boys, and Other Things That Might Kill Me
Carol Lynch Williams	Dean Hughes	Janette Rallison	Kimberly Griffiths Little	Kristen Chandler

In the comments section, state which book you think should win 2010 Best General Fiction and why.

Or, if you have another favorite that didn't make the list, you can go ahead and tell us about it too.


(I'd love it if you'd repeat your comment over on the LDS Fiction post for that book. Just click on the link below the book cover. Your comment will also enter you in the drawing for a free book at the end of May!)

Which Book Would You Pick as the 2010 Best Youth Speculative Fiction?

Fablehaven 5	Matched	Paranormalcy	The Forbidden Sea	The Fourth Nephite
Brandon Mull	Ally Condie	Kiersten White	Sheila Nielson	Jeffrey Savage

In the comments section, state which book you think should win 2010 Best Youth—Speculative Fiction and why.

Or, if you have another favorite that didn't make the list, you can go ahead and tell us about it too.


(I'd love it if you'd repeat your comment over on the LDS Fiction post for that book. Just click on the link below the book cover. Your comment will also enter you in the drawing for a free book at the end of May!)

P.S. One more category to vote on today. Come back later!

Which Book Would You Pick as the 2010 Best Speculative Fiction?

Imprints	Mr. Monster	Pathfinder	The Scorch Trials	The Way of Kings
Rachel Ann Nunes	Dan Wells	Orson Scott Card	James Dashner	Brandon Sanderson

In the comments section, state which book you think should win 2010 Best Speculative Fiction and why.

Or, if you have another favorite that didn't make the list, you can go ahead and tell us about it too.


(I'd love it if you'd repeat your comment over on the LDS Fiction post for that book. Just click on the link below the book cover. Your comment will also enter you in the drawing for a free book at the end of May!)

P.S. We're voting in three categories today, so come back this afternoon!

Which Book Would You Pick as the 2010 Best Mystery/Suspense Fiction?

Cold as Ice	Crossfire	Murder by Design	A Time to Die	Wrong Number
Stephanie Black	Traci Hunter Abramson	Betsy Brannon Green	Jeffrey Savage	Rachelle J. Christensen

In the comments section, state which book you think should win 2010 Best General Mystery/Suspense and why.

Or, if you have another favorite that didn't make the list, you can go ahead and tell us about it too.


(I'd love it if you'd repeat your comment over on the LDS Fiction post for that book. Just click on the link below the book cover. Your comment will also enter you in the drawing for a free book at the end of May!)

Which Book Would You Pick as the 2010 Best Romance Fiction?

Courting Miss Lancaster	Cross My Heart	The Legend of Shannonderry	Luck of the Draw	Meg’s Melody
Sarah Eden	Julie Wright	Carol Warburton	Rachael Renee Anderson	Kaylee Baldwin

In the comments section, state which book you think should win 2010 Best Romance Fiction and why.

Or, if you have another favorite that didn't make the list, you can go ahead and tell us about it too.


(I'd love it if you'd repeat your comment over on the LDS Fiction post for that book. Just click on the link below the book cover. Your comment will also enter you in the drawing for a free book at the end of May!)

Which Book Would You Pick as the 2010 Best Historical Fiction?

Alma The Younger	Oh Say Can You See?	The Sheen on the Silk	The Silence of God	Trespass
H.B. Moore	L.C. Lewis	Anne Perry	Gale Sears	Sandra Grey

In the comments section, state which book you think should win 2010 Best Historical Fiction and why.

Or, if you have another favorite that didn't make the list, you can go ahead and tell us about it too.


(I'd love it if you'd repeat your comment over on the LDS Fiction post for that book. Just click on the link below the book cover. Your comment will also enter you in the drawing for a free book at the end of May!)

Which Book Would You Pick as the 2010 Best General Fiction?

The Whitney Awards will be announced this coming Saturday! I always look forward to their Awards Gala. This year, I'll be wearing the absolute latest in cutting edge fashion!

Cool outfit, huh?

To increase the anticipation, we'll be voting for our own Whitney winners here, starting with the finalists for the General Fiction category. We'll be voting on two categories per day, so check back this afternoon for more.

Band of Sisters	Blink of an Eye	The Cross Gardener	Finding Mercie	Lucky Change
Annette Lyon	Gregg Luke	Jason Wright	Blaine Yorgason	Susan Law Corpany

In the comments section, state which book you think should win 2010 Best General Fiction and why.

Or, if you have another favorite that didn't make the list, you can go ahead and tell us about it too.

(I'd love it if you'd repeat your comment over on the LDS Fiction post for that book. Just click on the link below the book cover. Your comment will also enter you in the drawing for a free book at the end of May!)