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.

Barking up the wrong tree

Dear Author Enablers,

I've written about a dog I rescued from an abused-animal center, a funny and loving story for children ages 9 to 12. I have contacted a few book companies I found on the Internet and they all tell me I must send them anywhere from $499 to $699 before they will help me. I am wondering if this is common practice.

Another question: Do I have to get my manuscript copyrighted before I do anything? I am just a retired lady who loves to write even if only for my family. But I wish I could take it to the next level.

Brenda Zarfoss
Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania

Reputable publishers do not charge money to look at a manuscript. Unless you plan to self-publish and use a company that provides editorial, design and printing services, the system usually works the other way around. The traditional route is to find a literary agent who will represent your book to publishers and take a percentage of any advance and royalties you receive. You can find children's book agents listed in The Literary Marketplace, available in most libraries. Two books that might help you negotiate this world are Putting Your Passion into Print by Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry and How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larsen.

At some point, you will have to copyright your book; this is easy and inexpensive to do. Check out www.copyright.gov for information and instructions.

And hey—some of our best friends are dog-rescuers! Best of luck with your book.

Dear Author Enablers,

I'm interested in writing a book about my experience with online dating in my 50s. Can I use the "gist" of e-mails I received from guys if I change the wording? How much do I need to change?

Laura Young
Conyers, Georgia

Though we are not lawyers, common sense and courtesy suggest that you get permission to use someone else's written work. E-mails are a modern form of letter-writing, and we think the same rules of courtesy and privacy should apply to their publication. That said, online dating can stretch the limits of credibility and logic, and we bet you have some irresistible material. We'd suggest either fictionalizing your story enough to eliminate the problem or getting permission from your correspondents.

Dear Author Enablers,

I love your column! Thanks for the great advice. Please tell us what software programs are available to help format when writing for television/film and novels.

April Smith
Anniston, Alabama

Thanks! We love you and all our readers!

There's no substitute for your own imagination and the good hard work of writing and rewriting and rewriting some more, but we've heard positive things about Write Brothers Dramatica Pro 4, a software program that's billed as "the Ultimate Creative Writing Partner." Remember that any computer program will let some errors slip by undetected, so make sure your manuscript is proofread by human eyes before submitting. And if your computer starts pitching its own stories, unplug it.

Dear Author Enablers,

I am currently in tenth grade, but since ninth grade it's been my dream to become an author. All my characters are original and the story line is really good in my 900-page trilogy. I have been struggling, searching for a way to get my work published. If you could help me somehow it would be really helpful.

Terrance Johnson
Orange, Florida

Hey, it's been our dream to be authors since eighth grade! There really is no shortcut. Your first job is to finish your book; then read our answer to Brenda, above. You might also consider writing shorter pieces for your school paper or a literary magazine. Or start your own literary magazine. Just don't call it BookPage!

Thanks for writing,
THE AUTHOR ENABLERS