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Home | About | FAQ | Craft | News | Reviews | Sign-up | Search AS | Forum Algonkian Author Salon Member Sample Algonkian AS Navigation Become a Member About Us Writers Reviews/Contracts Algonkian Mast Frequently Asked Profile Guide Tech Stuff Benefits Member Login Online Courses Author Salon Blogs and Bits Algonkian Novel Courses The Algonkian Novel Writing Program - Choose a Great Title for Your Novel CHOOSING A GREAT TITLE BEFORE PUBLICATION Realistic and Logical Considerations Regarding Novel Titles - All Genres After a desultory lurch into relevancy on the part of the panel, one poor neophyte stood and asked the assembled if he should worry about his novel title before becoming published. Did it really matter? He'd received way too many opinions and desired a final tiebreaker. And the consensus answer? Don't worry about your title? Not long ago, I attended a panel at a mega-large writer conference. It consisted of authors who had recently been published (small presses, mainstream imprints, e-presses). There were about 150 people in the room. After a desultory lurch into relevancy on the part of the panel, one poor neophyte stood and asked the assembled if he should worry about his novel title before becoming published. Did it really matter? He'd received way too many opinions and desired a final tiebreaker. And the consensus answer? No. You don't have to be concerned, and besides, the publisher will most likely change it anyway... I sat there dumbfounded. So basically, these people told this guy that pitching his novel or nonfiction with a crappy, foolish, or hackneyed title was perfectly fine. Not to worry! Call it whatever you want. How about THE WHINE OF ROMAN DOGS ON CELTIC WINDS? Yeah, that's a good one!... Must I spend any more space telling you why this was not only not perfectly fine advice, but perfectly stupid and self-defeating? A bad title is like a warning siren going out ahead of your pitch, whether it be an oral pitch or query letter. It makes a horrible whining sound of warning, and it seems to be saying to those who read or listen: This is a terrible writer, stop listening, stop reading, run screaming! - Michael Neff About Algonkian Author Salon Welcome to the Algonkian Author Salon, a multifaceted novel writing program, craft library, and writer community for novices and veterans. Here at AAS, we tell the writer what works, what doesn't, and what needs to be developed further before an agent or publishing house editor shuts the door in their face. Our primary objective will always be to get the writer on a realistic path to commercial publication. Contracts and Reviews, News and Craft "Crossing the Epiphany Line" by Michael Neff Posted on 02/02/2021 0 comments A WATERSHED EVENT FOR SERIOUS WRITERS Whatever the stage of your project or writing life, know that all writers, if they desire to become commercially published, must cross the Epiphany Line sooner or later.by Michael N… Read more Secondary Characters in a Story - Deep and Fresh Traits Posted on 10/10/2020 0 comments SECONDARY CHARACTERS IN A STORY - DEEP AND FRESH TRAITS by MICHAEL NEFFSecondary characters in a story, novel, or screenplay, whether major and minor, can be utilized in several important ways. They can deliver im… Read more Algonkian Contracts and Success Stories Posted on 09/19/2020 0 comments CONFERENCES, EVENTS, AND PROGRAMS A new mystery thriller by author Gerri Lewis was recently signed for representation by the legendary TV/film and literary agent Adam Chromy, faculty member of the Algonkian NY… Read more Log Lines, Core Wounds, and Conflict in the Novel Posted on 09/19/2020 0 comments CREATING YOUR HOOK WITH CORE WOUND AND CONFLICTYour hook line is your first chance to get a New York or Hollywood professional interested in your book. It can be used in your query letter to hook the agent into reading t… Read more Novel Writing Program Review - Talking to Robert Steedman Posted on 09/15/2020 0 comments Algonkian Author Salon Emerging Author Interviews A Talk With Robert Steedman About His Writing Life and NovelTITLE: MADAME DE HART’S WAX MUSEUM (now THE PHANTASMAGORICAL THEATER OF CRESPIN VARLOT)GENRE: YA Ho… Read more Carla Norton's EDGE OF NORMAL To be Made Into Film - Plus More News Posted on 09/10/2020 0 comments Thriller ‘Edge of Normal’ Being Adapted as Movie (EXCLUSIVE)Bold Films is developing the thriller “The Edge of Normal” as a movie after outbidding several other potential buyers for Matt Venne’s script, Var… Read more Novel Pitch Examples Posted on 09/04/2020 0 comments Novel Pitch Examples Utilized by the New York Pitch Conference Keep the pitch to 150-200 words (orally or in query letter format). Note that your pitch is also an important diagnostic method for recognizi… Read more Successful Query Letter - Short and Demonstrating Market Knowledge Posted on 09/04/2020 1 comments Algonkian Author Salon recommends the following query model below adapted from Jeff Kleinman's original query letter model. Note that this does not include a long story pitch or short synopsis to start off with (wh… Read more "Writing The Six Act Two-Goal Novel" by Michael Neff Posted on 08/28/2020 0 comments Algonkian Author Salon has developed the Six Act Two-Goal novel structure for writers of book-length fiction and nonfiction. We expect further refinements to the outline, but the point here is to understand and uti… Read more "Author Salon Plot Outline Guide" by Michael Neff: Story Acts and Briefs Posted on 08/06/2020 0 comments "Plot Briefs," Glossary and Chart For the Six Act Two-Goalby Michael NeffThe Six Act Two-Goal Novelhttp://www.authorsalon.com/page/general/sixact/The Plot, Setting and Conflict Outline (PSCO):http://authorconnect.authors… Read more Advice on Choosing Novel Comparables Posted on 07/30/2020 0 comments Important tips and facts concerning the discovery of the right comparables. by: Michael Nef… Read more "Whether Film Script or Fiction MS, Coverage Counts" Posted on 06/25/2020 0 comments CATEGORIES DEFINE "COVERAGE" FOR NOVELS AND SCREENPLAYSby Michael NeffThe below "coverage categories" are not always typical of what every agency in LA uses, however, they are comprehensive. They provide a checklist for … Read more "Third Person Point of View in Fiction and Novel Writing" Posted on 06/24/2020 0 comments A STUDY IN THIRD PERSON POINT OF VIEW Lessons and Readings Necessary To The Creation of a Competitive Commercial Manuscript By Michael NeffLet's get right to the point on t… Read more Talia Carner's "Jerusalem Maiden" Posted on 06/19/2020 0 comments Jerusalem Maiden is now in its eighth printing. TALIA CARNER was able to effectively launch this novel after working her story and pitch with publishing professionals at the NEW YORK PITCH CONFERENCE. About the novel:&nb… Read more Writing Fiction Narrative : "From Passive Voice to Eudora and Ray" by Michael Neff Posted on 12/08/2019 0 comments THE FOUR-STAGE METHOD FOR WRITING FICTION NARRATIVE A Way to Take You From Drab or Quiet to Can't Put It Downby Michael NeffWhat's one of the best ways to ensure a publishing contract? Master the ar… Read more Algonkian Writer Reference Contracts and Testimonials AUTHORS AND NOVELS LAUNCHED BY ALGONKIAN Algonkian Writer Conferences 2020 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Suite 443 Washington, D.C. 20006 Invite friends | Contact us | Terms of service...