Welcome to the first have-no-fear grammar column in the TWC Spotlight.  I hope you'll ignore your sweaty palms and pull up a seat as I share some grammar techniques and usage examples that will make grammar a lot less frightening, maybe even enjoyable. 

Let's start with the who/whom conundrum. It's common to find "whom" in formal speech and writing, and "who" in informal speech and writing, but let's take a step toward using each term correctly.  

The best trick I've found is that when deciding between 'who' and 'whom', reword the clause using 'he' or 'him'. If 'he' is appropriate, then 'who' will be the correct word; likewise, if 'him' fits, then 'whom' is correct. (Note: You can use 'she' and 'her', but by using he/him, you can key off the 'm' in 'him' and know to use 'whom'.) 

Follow these examples. 

I met the writer who/whom wrote this story.

   Reworded: The writer wrote this story.  He wrote this story.

   Correct usage: I met the writer who wrote this story. 

She is the kind of person who/whom I admire.

   Reworded: I admire him.

   Correct usage: She is the kind of person whom I admire. 

Give the gift to whoever/whomever is standing at the back door.

   Reworded: He is standing at the back door.

   Correct usage:  Give the gift to whoever is standing at the back door. 

Give the gift to whoever/whomever you find at the back door.

   Reworded: You will find him at the back door.

   Correct usage:  Give the gift to whomever you find at the back door. 

The play is about a girl who/whom wants to become an anthropologist.

   Reworded: The girl wants to become an anthropologist. He wants to become an anthropologist.

   Correct usage: The play is about a girl who wants to become an anthropologist. 

Have you met the employee who/whom Mrs. Sniffles hired?

   Reworded: Mrs. Sniffles hired him.

   Correct usage: Have you met the employee whom Mrs. Sniffles hired? 

The waiter who/whom you spoke to no longer works there.

   Reworded: You spoke to him.

   Correct usage: The waiter whom you spoke to no longer works there. 

To who/whom it may concern.

   Reworded: It may concern him.

   Correct usage: To whom it may concern. 

Who/Whom needs a ride to school?

   Reworded: He needs a ride to school.

   Correct usage: Who needs a ride to school? 

Who/Whom did Sheila hire to replace me?

   Reworded: Sheila hired him.

   Correct usage:  Whom did Sheila hire to replace me? 

Do you know who/whom will speak at the writer's conference?

   Reworded: He will speak at the conference.

   Correct usage: Do you know who will speak at the writer's conference? 

Oh my, who/whom can I trust with all this money?

   Reworded: I can trust him.

   Correct usage:  Oh my, whom can I trust with all this money?  

My hope is that whoever reads this gleans some helpful insight. 

This month's recommended grammar book is: Painless Grammar by Rebecca Elliott, Ph.D. 

BIO:  Lisa J. Jackson is a freelance writer/editor. Her published works include NH-based articles for online and print newspapers and magazines, business guides, business profiles, profiles of community residents, and technical writing. A lifelong NH resident, she enjoys intelligent conversation, delicious iced coffee, cycling, Sudoku, s'mores, reading, and b&w film photography.  Stop by her site at http://lisajjackson.tripod.com. She's also established in fiction and known on the TWC staff as Lisa Haselton.  

Our main purpose at The Writer's Chatroom is to help writers learn their way around the writing business. We don't know it all, but we've learned quite a bit over the years. Let's start off this month by trying to clarify some of the basic terms floating around. 

POD (Print-On-Demand) - This is a printing method, not a publishing method, no matter what subsidy presses claim. POD usually involves a higher cost per book, but less overhead because the books don't need to be stored. It's used by subsidy presses, but is also used for short runs by indie and NY presses. It does NOT mean self- or subsidy published. POD is the technology only.  

Subsidy/Vanity publishing - They are the same thing. You pay a company to "publish" your book, and you probably pay a lot. Their package may include some extras like editing, cover design, etc, but very few provide any kind of promotion other than a listing on their website. Subsidy published books are normally more expensive than traditionally published, and are rarely to be found in bookstores or libraries.

Subsidy publishers will usually accept nearly any book as long as you pay the money. It doesn't matter how good or bad it is, what matters is that your check clears. That is what has given this type of publishing such a bad name. 90% of the subsidy published books churned out aren't fit to be read. Another 9% aren't horrible, but aren't worth the effort. 1% may be good, but they get lost under the "Vanity Published" label.

Subsidy publishers normally are not able to get books into the regular distribution channels, because they refuse to give bookstores the terms that traditional publishers offer. (Those screwy terms are a different discussion) The publisher isn't going to put money into marketing your book, because they made their money from you. They will sell your books if someone wants to buy them. The only one marketing your book is you. 

Subsidy Publishers pay royalties on whatever is sold, but you are the one selling. Your book may be available for bookstores to order, but 99% of them won't touch it. The books are expensive, and very often of poor quality. Anybody with money can "publish" this way, which is why it's looked down on. Too many people "publish" books that are nothing but garbage.

Self-Publishing - This has a slightly better reputation, but still not great. In this one, you, the author, ARE the publisher. . You are responsible for everything: editing, printing, marketing, distribution, etc. All costs come from your pocket.  

You have very little chance of getting into bookstores or national distribution. This is only a small step above Subsidy, in most cases. (Don't throw Mark Twain or Grisham into the discussion. I'm talking about today, not the past. The business has changed. And Grisham didn't really self-pub anyway.)

If you go for regular print run instead of POD, you have to come up with the money to pay for a large amount of books upfront. Usually, the more you order at once, the lower the cost per book. Then you have a garage full of books to sell, and your money tied up until they sell. If you go with a POD printer, you don't have that overhead. But if you go with a printer who calls themselves a publisher, you fall back into category 1.

In many cases, authors register a company name and that becomes the name of the Publisher. For true self-publishing, you don't just publish a book, you create a publishing company that YOU own. And you sell every single book. 

Going with Self/Subsidy publishing is easier than getting a traditional contract, but more expensive and much harder to sell. You may earn a higher % of royalties in this market, but your books will be hard to find. Books that aren't found won't sell at all.

Traditional (New York) Press - These are the big boys. Most of them only accept agented submissions, so you have to get an agent to have a chance. The publisher covers all costs of publication. No money comes from your pocket. 

They usually pay advances (very small for first-time authors, but your next advance will be based on the sales from your first book). This means they give YOU money before your book is on the shelf.

As your book sells, you earn royalties. These royalties are subtracted from the amount of your advance. After you have earned-out the full advance, you will start receiving checks for your royalties. If your book doesn't sell enough to earn out the advance, you may have a harder time selling your next book.

Your agent will get 10-15% of your advance and royalties. That's their pay for getting you a contract. (If an agent asks for money up front, run away. They don't get any money until your book earns some.)

The catch is that many publishers expect you to spend your advance on marketing your book. The big boys spend most of their marketing $$ on big names that they KNOW will sell. Publishing is a business. Publishing companies are in it for the profit, not to bring art to the world. If you don't make them money, you won't get another contract. So you better market your butt off no matter how you are published. 

You will have national distribution (handled by the publisher). Your book will be available to bookstores across the country at their regular terms.

Traditional Small Press (Indie Press) - As with NY Traditional publishing, the publisher pays all the costs of publishing, printing and distributing your book. No money comes out of your pocket.  

Most don't pay advances, especially for first time authors. Once your book starts selling and makes money, you get a % in royalties. Possibly a lower % than subsidy, but the book has a lower price and much better chances of selling.  

Many Small Press publishers have gotten into regular distribution channels by offering traditional terms. That makes it possible for your books to be in bookstores and libraries. But you will have to help with marketing. Small presses just don't have much money for promotion.

Ebook - Go with a reputable epublisher, and there is no money from your pocket. No agent needed. Much wider market opportunities. Royalty paying. Distribution is through the internet, meaning there is no limit to the sales market. At this point in time, usually lower sales volume than print, but much higher royalties. 

Many small press publishers handle both epub and print. It is becoming more common for a small press to release a book in epub first. If it sells well, then they will release it in print also.  

Send your crit submission, up to 1,000 words, to audrey@writerschatroom.com  . Please state whether or not you want your name used in the posting.

One critique per week will be posted in a special thread on the forum at  http://www.writerschatroom.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=73  

DO NOT post your submissions in the forum. They will be deleted. Email submissions, and we will choose one each week to be critiqued.

Honor of a Hunter

Written by: Sylvie Kurtz

Romantic Suspense

Rated: Very Good (****)

Review by: Lisa Haselton 

Faith Byrne has everything money can buy and is determined to be successful in her father's eyes. Noah Kingsley is great with computers and hasn't been in love since a brief teenage romance with a woman out of his league. 

When Faith discovers someone has been in her secure high-rise condo she calls Noah for comfort. Noah is content with his position in Seekers, Inc. in New Hampshire since it involves adventure, catching bad guys, and at the end of the day he can relax in his country home. The early morning phone call from Seattle evokes numerous emotions, but Noah doesn't hesitate to hop a plane and rush to protect his best friend. 

Noah knows how to use technology to track Faith's stalker, but her need to keep her obsessive work schedule and be seen in the office stretches Noah's skills to the limit. Faith wants the stalker identified so she can confront him and show that she is in control of her life. Yet eventually, she realizes the only way to hang on is to let go completely. 

As with all her prior novels, Sylvie Kurtz has created unique characters with interesting lives. Her writing brings the characters off the page so they seem like friends. Her strong male and female protagonists have vulnerabilities they try to hide and intense heartfelt emotions they try to intellectualize. The writing is solid and the suspense builds in increments that leave the reader as emotionally involved as the heroine. 

Sylvie Kurtz earned her commercial pilot's license and instrument rating but has since traded an airplane for a keyboard, where she lets her imagination soar to create fictional adventures that explore the power of love and the thrill of suspense. When not writing, she enjoys the outdoors with her family, quilt-making, and photography.

Audrey Shaffer     Renee Barnes    Kim Richards      Lisa Haselton