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Boston Globe
08-05-2025
- Boston Globe
‘This should have never happened': Murder suspect dodged accountability in earlier cases
News of Grimes was already frustrated with the criminal justice system's handling of her ex-husband. As she reflected on his lengthy history of crimes, each one seemed like a warning sign. She couldn't help but think Kerri Fidalgo should still be alive. Advertisement 'He wouldn't have taken her life if he was incarcerated and being held accountable for any of the crimes that he had done to me — or anyone else,' she said. Brittany Grimes survived years of abuse from her ex-husband Tyler Baglini, who had a criminal record of attacking at least four other women before murdering his girlfriend in New Bedford last September. Erin Clark/Globe Staff In the years since Grimes went to the police in Rhode Island, Baglini had committed a raft of new crimes in Massachusetts, records show. He was arrested nearly a dozen times, including being charged with another rape, beating two homeless men, attempting to push a window air conditioner onto a partner's head, and flouting judges' orders to leave his victims alone. He pleaded guilty in several of these cases, sometimes to reduced charges. Advertisement A Globe review of court documents and police records shows a cascade of missed opportunities — owing in part to poor interstate coordination — that allowed Baglini to escape full accountability for his past crimes. Instead, he benefited from a series of lucky breaks, lenient decisions by court officials and prosecutors, and gaps in domestic violence programs. As happens too often in such cases, officials missed signs of escalating violence. A specialized unit in Bristol County that monitors high-risk abusers didn't have Baglini on their radar, saying his record was not lengthy enough to warrant the team's enhanced scrutiny. And Baglini's commission of new crimes in Massachusetts, ironically, delayed efforts to hold him accountable for the rape Grimes reported in Rhode Island. That rape charge is still pending, but now it's taking a back seat to the murder charge Baglini faces in Fidalgo's death. He has pleaded not guilty and is due to stand trial in Bristol County later this year. .timeline { font-family: 'Benton Sans'; padding-left: 10px; border-left: 1px solid black; margin: 0 auto; max-width: 900px; } .timeline-header { font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 18px; width: 100%; } .timeline h3, .timeline h6 { font-weight: bold; } .timeline-header:before { width: 10px; height: 10px; display: inline-block; border-radius: 50%; content: ''; background-color: black; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: 5px; } .timeline p { font-family: 'Benton Sans', Arial, sans-serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; } A timeline of Tyler Baglini's alleged crimes and court dates November 2019 Baglini charged with raping and strangling his wife Brittany Grimes in Rhode Island. A judge grants him bail. Grimes by then had filed for a divorce and received a restraining order against Baglini in Massachusetts. April 2021 Baglini charged with assaulting two homeless men in North Attleboro and violating a restraining order from another woman. He is jailed for several months before being released on probation. October 2022 Baglini is charged with raping a woman in Worcester County, a charge later pled down to assault and battery. Baglini is jailed for 18 months in connection with multiple Massachusetts cases. April 2024 After finishing his sentence in Massachusetts, Baglini is taken to Rhode Island, where he is still awaiting trial. He is sentenced to 90 days in jail for violating bail, but only serves about half that amount. June 2024 Baglini released while awaiting trial in Rhode Island. September 2024 Baglini is charged with murdering a woman in New Bedford, Kerri Fidalgo. He has pleaded not guilty and is currently being held without bail as he awaits trial. The Rhode Island case is again on hold. Experts say it's a familiar pattern. 'As a system, we don't take these cases that seriously, and we know that domestic violence and sexual violence are patterns,' said Margo Lindauer, a professor at Vermont Law School and longtime advocate for victims around New England. 'People who batter or who harm people this way typically continue to do it.' There were 39 intimate partner homicides in Massachusetts in 2023 and 2024 tallied by the state's anti - domestic and sexual violence advocacy coalition. The alleged perpetrators in more than a third of those incidents had previous contact with law enforcement for domestic violence, according to a Globe review of news reports, court documents and the coalition's research. Advertisement Several judges and county prosecutors in Massachusetts who handled Baglini's criminal cases declined to speak with the Globe. Baglini, 32, also declined to be interviewed for this story, as did his attorney in the murder case, Michael Hussey. Prosecutors with the Rhode Island attorney general's office defended the handling of their case against Baglini, saying they pulled the limited legal levers available to them to bring Baglini to justice. They said the case has languished since 2019 for reasons outside of their control, including Baglini's frequent arrests in Massachusetts and trial cancellations due to the pandemic. Kerri Fidalgo. Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff For Kerri Fidalgo's family, that's a maddening explanation. 'That just blows my mind,' said Kaila Whalen, Fidalgo's oldest sister, who found her bleeding in the basement of the family duplex. 'This should have never happened because he should've been paying for what he had previously done to another victim.' 'Way too much, way too soon' Grimes hardly knew Baglini, a high school classmate, when they first traded Facebook messages in the spring of 2017. She was exiting a decade-long relationship, and Baglini felt familiar. Within months, they began seriously dating. Their lives seemed on a similar trajectory. She'd just finished a master's program, while he said he was in graduate school and doing accounting work for his uncle. Baglini seemed smitten. 'He was just being way too much, way too soon, in retrospect,' Grimes said. They wed outside her apartment on a clear day that fall with only her family in attendance. 'I felt happy,' Grimes said. 'I felt like this was going to be a long-term thing.' Advertisement But within a week, Baglini's personality shifted, she said. He told her he lost his job. He began drinking copiously. His outbursts at their Westport, Mass., apartment would stretch hours, Grimes remembered. Their landlord asked if she was safe — and later asked the couple to leave. They moved to Bristol, R.I. In 2018, she said, Baglini's abuse became physical, often with no provocation. The first time, he grabbed her and threw her on their bed as she struggled to get away. A week later, he tackled her to the ground and choked her, she said. When he finally let go and she gasped for air, he told her to stop being dramatic. Then, a few weeks after New Year's, she said, Baglini sexually assaulted her in their home. The next time he attacked her, she grabbed a small duffel bag with essentials she had stowed in the back of her closet and fled. That night, she slept on a friend's air mattress. She took pictures of her bruises, thinking I'm gonna need these, or no one's gonna believe me . Months later, she filed for divorce, and soon after, with the encouragement of her attorney, told police in Rhode Island of the attacks, the strangulation, and the rape. When Baglini was arraigned in Rhode Island on four felony charges a few months later, the judge ordered Baglini not to contact Grimes and released him on bail. Within 10 days, Baglini sent her an email with a link to his location on Google Maps. Police in Dartmouth, Mass., where Grimes had moved after the separation and obtained a stayaway order, issued a warrant for Baglini's arrest. Advertisement Across the border in Rhode Island, though, there were no repercussions. The attorney general's office could have asked a judge to revoke bail and hold Baglini for up to 90 days. But prosecutors were unaware of the violation, the AG's office told the Globe, because the arrest did not show up when they pulled his record a month after his indictment. That's because Baglini was never booked by police and fingerprinted — the step that results in a report to the FBI database. Instead, he turned himself in on a court warrant, a routine procedure that doesn't show up on an FBI background check. If Baglini had been arrested in Rhode Island, the office would have been automatically informed. But Stephen Dambruch, chief of the criminal division of the AG's office, acknowledged that when it comes to other states, 'it's spotty.' 'You deserve this' Records show there were other warning signs — and missed chances — well before Baglini's arrest in Rhode Island. They date to his days as a student at East Carolina University. Cassandra David crossed paths with Baglini one night in the fall of 2013, when she saw him in two fights at her apartment complex and encouraged him to go home. He returned with about 10 other young men, some armed with baseball bats. She recalled Baglini's chilling glare, which made her feel 'like he did not see me as a person anymore.' David ran into her apartment and deadbolted the door. Then, the window shattered. The door frame splintered. David looked through the window and caught Baglini's eye. Advertisement 'You deserve this,' he said, his face framed by the broken glass. David called the police. Baglini was never arrested. Hearing Baglini's name again — and learning he is charged with murder — David said she began to tremble. 'It does make you pause and think if he had been held accountable earlier, maybe things would have been different in his life and more people wouldn't have been affected,' she told the Globe. Shortly after his last semester at East Carolina in 2015, Baglini returned to Massachusetts. Police were called to the Baglini home at least twice in the ensuing months after Baglini allegedly attacked members of his family. In both cases, Baglini was charged with assault and battery, but prosecutors did not pursue the charges. The Baglini family did not respond to the Globe's request for comment. 'Consider this a chance' Five years ago, as Grimes pursued her divorce and tried to move on, Baglini could not, repeatedly violating her restraining order by contacting Grimes through texts and email. He also aimed his anger at others, records show. Baglini was booked in a brutal attack on two homeless men and allegedly accosted a driver, slashing his tires. But most of Baglini's victims were women. One woman said Baglini had tried to push an air-conditioning unit out of a window onto her during a fight. Another told officials that he had destroyed her cellphone in a fit of rage. A Worcester County woman told police that after she had refused to have sex with him, Baglini repeatedly raped her. All three obtained restraining orders. 'He had these deep, dark eyes that looked like they go right through you, like he has no feeling at all inside of them,' recalled the former partner who had her cellphone destroyed. 'It's just like he wants to kill you.' Tyler Baglini was brought into the courtroom by a court officer in 2024. He is accused of stabbing Kerri Fidalgo, 31, to death at her New Bedford residence Sept. 20, and is charged with murder. Frank Mulligan/Standard-Times In all, the charges Baglini faced could have landed him behind bars for over 20 years. But again and again, he evaded significant jail time. In one stretch in late 2019, a magistrate in Fall River found probable cause that Baglini had violated Grimes's restraining order, yet held the case for a year. Three months later, Baglini was back in the same court — this time for violating Grimes's restraining order again and for allegedly assaulting another woman. Even so, a judge declined to revoke Baglini's bail. District Court Judge Sabine Coyne said she thought Baglini's texts to Grimes were 'not of a threatening nature' and that the rape case against him in Rhode Island was 'weak.' 'Consider this a chance,' she warned Baglini. Through a court spokesperson, Coyne declined to comment for this story. Baglini ultimately spent about half of the five years leading up to Fidalgo's killing behind bars after taking plea deals in several cases. Prosecutors dropped the case in which he allegedly pushed an air conditioner onto a woman's head because she declined to testify. The Massachusetts rape case ended with a misdemeanor assault and battery conviction, a disposition the Worcester County prosecutor's office said the victim supported. Baglini pleaded guilty in several other cases — including the assault on the homeless men. One of his plea deals, on a charge of violating Grimes's protection order, required Baglini to complete an 80-hour program on intimate-partner abuse. But he never finished the sessions because he was arrested on another case, voiding his probation. Baglini was one of roughly 90 people in Massachusetts that year who failed to complete the program because of new charges, according to the Department of Public Health. Despite his ever-growing record, Baglini did not draw the scrutiny of Bristol County's 'high-risk team,' one of several in the state that target repeat domestic violence offenders. Jen Sowa, a prosecutor for the Bristol County district attorney's office, said in a statement that the team, which receives no dedicated funding, focuses on 'the most high-risk repeat serial batterers.' She said the average defendant targeted by the team has a tally of 54 Massachusetts adult and juvenile charges. Baglini's rap sheet was far shorter. Individuals who are flagged by the team receive increased scrutiny from officials across the criminal justice system, who monitor their movements in and out of jail and communicate with prosecutors in other jurisdictions any time they are charged with new crimes, a Bristol County prosecutor noted in a 2018 webinar. She described the team's primary goal as 'homicide prevention.' Another lucky break Grimes has felt like she had to act as her own advocate, continually pressing prosecutors for updates, as her case has wended through Rhode Island courts over the last six years. 'It's on me to kind of be able to navigate and figure it out,' she told the Globe. Rhode Island prosecutors told the Globe they communicated with Grimes more than with most victims and did their best to push the case. They said they have been ready to go to trial since the charges were filed, but that outside factors including the pandemic, Baglini's arrests in Massachusetts, and defense requests for discovery stalled the case. They twice attempted to jail Baglini on bail violations, they said. Yet in January 2024, they missed an opportunity to act, records show. Baglini was jailed in Massachusetts but had no other open cases there, meaning Rhode Island officials were free to extradite him to the Ocean State while he was finishing his sentence. Brittany Grimes sits amid her exhibit at Gallery X in New Bedford, Mass. Grimes, a domestic violence survivor whose ex-husband Tyler Baglini murdered his girlfriend last September, created the exhibit to emphasize the healing power of artistic expression. Erin Clark/Globe Staff But in emails to Grimes that month, the prosecutor wrote — incorrectly — they still needed Baglini's signoff to be extradited. The attorney general's office acknowledged the mistake to the Globe but said the prosecutor's confusion was unrelated to their decision to not seek Baglini's extradition. Instead, Baglini finished serving his Massachusetts sentence in April 2024, then was transported to the Ocean State, where prosecutors asked to hold him as a bail violator. The judge agreed. Yet in another lucky break, Baglini only served roughly half of the 90-day penalty, after the judge gave him credit in Rhode Island for six weeks of his Massachusetts incarceration, the Globe found. The Rhode Island attorney general's office told the Globe that they objected, unsuccessfully, to Baglini receiving credit for any time that he was not in the state of Rhode Island. But it appears the office was unaware until informed by the Globe that the judge overlapped the two sentences. When Baglini was released in early June 2024, he returned to the South Coast of Massachusetts. Soon, he started spending time with Fidalgo, another high school acquaintance. She told her sisters she was not romantically interested in him, but he began to rely on her for financial support, according to her family. Later that summer, Colby Blixt, Baglini's former roommate, ran into him outside a local Market Basket. Baglini said he had stopped taking his medication. Blixt asked if that was a good idea. 'He's kinda psycho,' Blixt said, 'when he's off his meds.' 'Never a day I'm not devastated' For Kerri Fidalgo's parents and three sisters, all that's left are memories. Harry Potter movie marathons with her niece and nephew. Daily chats with her sister Jacquelyn. The childhood dance classes the siblings went to together. Two of the sisters and mother of Kerri Fidalgo, left to right, Kaila Whalen, Melissa Fidalgo and Jacquelyn Fidalgo, show off tattoos they got in honor of Kerri Fidalgo who was murdered. Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff 'There's never a good day,' Jacquelyn Fidalgo said recently in the family's New Bedford home. 'There's never a day I don't think about her. There's never a day I'm not devastated.' Kerri Fidalgo was a friend to everyone, her sisters added — but no doormat. 'She was kind, but don't push her,' Jacquelyn Fidalgo said. The family said they didn't know the full extent of Baglini's criminal history until after Fidalgo's death. That Baglini has yet to face accountability, five years after Grimes came forward, is wrenching, her sister Kaila Fidalgo said. His trial is months away. At a short hearing in March, the Fidalgos dressed in all black with matching checkerboard slip-on Vans, Kerri Fidalgo's signature shoe. Two of the sisters, along with their mother, Melissa Fidalgo, also share a new tattoo: a butterfly on the right forearm, Kerri Fidalgo's last tattoo before her death. They vow this time will be different for Baglini. 'We will be there every day. And we need to be for her, you know, to make sure that he pays for everything,' Kaila Fidalgo said. 'Because there's a day you got to pay for it.' Tricia L. Nadolny can be reached at
Time Business News
07-05-2025
- General
- Time Business News
A Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Your Manuscript for Publication
Preparing a manuscript for publication can seem like a daunting task, especially for first-time authors. The process requires attention to detail, persistence, and a methodical approach to ensure your work meets the standards expected by publishers and resonates with readers. Whether you're working on a novel, academic paper, or non-fiction book, proper manuscript preparation significantly increases your chances of publication success. This comprehensive guide breaks down the manuscript preparation process into manageable steps, from initial drafting to final submission. By following these guidelines, you'll transform your raw manuscript into a professional document ready for publication consideration. Before diving into manuscript preparation, research the specific requirements of your target publishers or publications. These requirements vary widely across different publishing houses and genres. Start by creating a list of potential publishers that align with your manuscript's genre and content. Visit their websites and look for submission guidelines which typically include: Preferred manuscript formats Word count expectations Specific formatting instructions Submission procedures Many publishers post detailed guidelines on their websites, while others provide this information upon request. Familiarizing yourself with these requirements saves time and prevents rejection based on technical non-compliance. While requirements vary, most publishers expect manuscripts to follow certain industry standards: Double-spaced text 12-point font (typically Times New Roman or Arial) One-inch margins on all sides Left-aligned text (not justified) Page numbers in the header or footer For fiction and general non-fiction, most publishers expect manuscripts formatted according to these industry conventions while allowing for minor variations based on their specific guidelines. The foundation of any successful manuscript lies in its content development and organization. This phase focuses on structuring your ideas cohesively before addressing formatting details. Even if you've already written a draft, developing a clear outline helps identify structural weaknesses and organization problems. A well-crafted outline serves as a roadmap for your manuscript, ensuring logical flow and comprehensive coverage of your topic. For non-fiction works, organize chapters in a logical sequence that builds knowledge progressively. For fiction, ensure your narrative structure supports character development and plot progression effectively. Publishers and agents often decide whether to continue reading based on the first few pages of your manuscript. Your opening should: Hook readers immediately Establish the tone and style of your work Introduce key concepts or characters Present a compelling reason to keep reading Spend extra time refining your opening pages, as they often determine whether your manuscript receives serious consideration. Well-structured chapters enhance readability and comprehension. Each chapter should: Focus on a single main idea or plot development Begin with a hook or transition from the previous chapter End with a resolution or question that encourages continued reading Maintain a consistent length pattern (while allowing for necessary variations) For non-fiction, consider including summaries or key takeaways at the end of each chapter to reinforce important concepts. The writing process involves multiple drafts and revisions before your manuscript is ready for submission. This iterative approach helps refine your ideas and presentation. The first draft focuses primarily on getting your ideas onto paper. Don't worry excessively about perfect grammar or formatting at this stage. Instead: Write freely without self-editing Focus on content development Maintain consistent voice and tone Ensure logical progression of ideas Consider the first draft as the foundation upon which you'll build your final manuscript rather than a finished product. After completing your first draft, begin the substantive editing process. This phase addresses big-picture elements such as: Narrative coherence and logical flow Character development (for fiction) Argument consistency (for non-fiction) Pacing and structure Content gaps or redundancies Many authors find it helpful to set their manuscript aside for a few weeks before substantive editing to gain fresh perspective. Once you've addressed structural issues, move to line editing. This process examines your manuscript at the sentence and paragraph level, focusing on: Sentence variety and structure Word choice and vocabulary Voice consistency Paragraph transitions Dialogue effectiveness (for fiction) Line editing transforms adequate writing into compelling prose, ensuring your ideas are communicated clearly and effectively. Proper formatting demonstrates professionalism and helps editors focus on your content rather than presentation issues. Most publishers have specific formatting requirements, but these general guidelines apply broadly. Set up your document according to industry standards: Use standard 8.5 × 11 inch page size Set margins to one inch on all sides Number all pages consecutively Include a header with your last name, shortened title, and page number Start each chapter on a new page Create a title page that includes your complete manuscript title, your full name (or pen name), word count, and contact information. Format your text for maximum readability: Double-space all text, including dialogue and quotations Indent the first line of each paragraph (0.5 inches is standard) Use a single space after periods and other punctuation Avoid tabs for indentation; use paragraph formatting instead Don't add extra line breaks between paragraphs For chapter headings, use consistent formatting throughout your manuscript. Typically, chapter titles appear in all caps, centered, with the chapter text beginning a few lines below. Handle special text elements consistently: Italicize words requiring emphasis (use sparingly) Format dialogue according to standard conventions for your genre Use proper citation formats for quoted material Format scene breaks with a centered '#' or three asterisks (***) For fiction manuscripts, dialogue formatting is particularly important. Each new speaker requires a new paragraph, and dialogue should use double quotation marks (in American English) or single quotation marks (in British English). Beyond basic formatting, several technical elements require attention during manuscript preparation. Nothing undermines credibility faster than grammar and spelling errors. After completing your content revisions: Run spell-check and grammar-check tools Look for common errors like homophone confusion (their/there/they're) Check for consistent verb tense usage Verify proper noun spellings, especially character names Consider using specialized grammar software like Grammarly or ProWritingAid as supplements to manual proofreading, not replacements. Maintain consistent punctuation and style choices throughout your manuscript: Use either American or British English conventions consistently Follow a single style guide (Chicago Manual of Style, AP Style, etc.) Be consistent with serial comma usage Maintain consistent formatting for time, dates, and numbers Create a style sheet documenting your choices to ensure consistency throughout your manuscript, especially for longer works. Proper headers and page numbering help editors navigate your manuscript: Include a header with your last name, a shortened title, and page number Position the header in the upper right corner Number all pages sequentially throughout the manuscript Begin page numbering on the first page of chapter one (not the title page) Most word processing programs allow you to set up headers and page numbering automatically through document section features. Complete manuscripts include properly formatted front and back matter elements that complement the main text. Front matter typically includes: Title page with complete title, author name, and contact information Copyright page (for self-publishing) Dedication (optional) Table of contents (especially for non-fiction) Foreword, preface, or introduction as appropriate For submission to traditional publishers, include only the title page in your initial submission unless otherwise specified in their guidelines. Back matter may include: Acknowledgments Appendices Glossary Index About the author Bibliography or reference list Include only relevant back matter elements appropriate for your manuscript type. For fiction, acknowledgments may be the only necessary back matter component. Before submission, seek professional editing and feedback to polish your manuscript to professional standards. Beta readers provide invaluable perspective on how your target audience might receive your work. When working with beta readers: Choose readers who represent your target audience Provide specific questions or areas of concern Set clear expectations for feedback timeframes Be open to constructive criticism Beta readers can identify issues with pacing, character relatability, and overall engagement that you might miss due to your closeness to the material. Professional editing elevates your manuscript significantly. Consider hiring: Developmental editors for big-picture feedback Copy editors for sentence-level improvements Proofreaders for final error detection Many successful authors work with professional ghostwriters or editors to ensure their manuscripts meet industry standards. The investment typically pays dividends in improved quality and publication chances. When receiving feedback: Consider all suggestions objectively Look for patterns in feedback from multiple sources Prioritize changes based on importance and impact Maintain your authentic voice while addressing valid concerns Remember that you don't need to implement every suggestion, but dismissing feedback without consideration limits your manuscript's growth potential. A complete submission package includes more than just your manuscript. Prepare these additional elements to maximize your submission's impact. A query letter serves as your manuscript's introduction to agents or publishers. Effective query letters: Follow a professional business letter format Include a compelling hook that captures your manuscript's essence Provide brief but comprehensive plot summary or content overview Explain your book's target audience and market potential Include relevant author credentials Keep query letters concise (typically one page) and tailored to each recipient. Most publishers request a synopsis along with sample chapters. A strong synopsis: Summarizes your entire manuscript, including the ending Focuses on main plot points or key arguments Introduces primary characters or concepts Maintains your voice while being concise Follows the publisher's length requirements (typically 1-2 pages) For fiction, ensure your synopsis demonstrates character arcs and conflict resolution. For non-fiction, highlight your main arguments and conclusions. Publishers assess not just your manuscript but also your ability to help market it. Prepare a professional author bio that: Highlights relevant credentials and experience Mentions previous publications if applicable Describes your author platform and audience reach Includes relevant personal information that connects to your manuscript Projects professionalism and authenticity If you have significant social media following or other platform elements, highlight these assets in your submission materials. Modern publishing often requires digital manuscript preparation beyond standard document formatting. Follow these practices for digital manuscript files: Save your manuscript as both .docx and PDF formats unless otherwise specified Use clear file naming conventions (AuthorLastName_Title_Manuscript.docx) Create separate files for each submission component (manuscript, synopsis, query) Keep backup copies in cloud storage and local drives Test all files before submission to ensure they open properly Some publishers specify preferred file formats in their submission guidelines, so always check before sending. Many publishers use electronic submission systems or email submissions. When using these systems: Follow all platform-specific instructions Complete all required fields accurately Upload correct files in specified formats Save confirmation emails or submission numbers Note submission date and expected response timeframes If submitting via email, maintain professional communication standards and include all requested materials as attachments. If targeting digital publication: Consider e-reader formatting requirements Prepare appropriate digital front matter Optimize chapter breaks for digital reading Create clickable table of contents Select appropriate metadata categories Children's book publication and Christian publishing often have specific digital requirements worth researching if your manuscript falls in these categories. Different types of manuscripts require specific preparation strategies beyond general guidelines. Fiction manuscripts require particular attention to: Character consistency and development Plot coherence and pacing Dialogue formatting and attribution Scene transitions and chapter breaks Show-don't-tell narrative technique For genre fiction, ensure your manuscript meets genre conventions while offering fresh perspectives that distinguish your work from competitors. Non-fiction manuscripts require: Comprehensive research and fact-checking Logical argument development Appropriate citation of sources Useful tables, charts, or illustrations as needed Clear organizational structure Academic non-fiction typically requires adherence to specific style guides and citation formats relevant to your field. Children's book writing presents unique requirements: Age-appropriate vocabulary and concepts Appropriate word count for target age group Illustration notes (if you're not the illustrator) Visual pacing considerations Consistent character presentation Picture book manuscripts typically include illustration notes in brackets, though you should avoid dictating exact illustrations unless necessary for story comprehension. With your manuscript properly prepared, you're ready to navigate the submission process effectively. Develop a system for tracking submissions: Create a spreadsheet with publisher names, submission dates, and response deadlines Record all communication with publishers Note any feedback received, even from rejections Track manuscript versions if you revise between submissions Set follow-up reminders if you haven't received responses within expected timeframes Organized tracking prevents accidental simultaneous submissions to publishers who don't allow them and helps you follow up appropriately. Rejection is common in publishing. When receiving rejections: View them as part of the professional process, not personal failure Look for actionable feedback within rejection letters Consider revisions based on consistent feedback Continue submitting to appropriate publishers Remember that many successful books faced multiple rejections The most successful authors maintain persistence through rejection, using feedback to strengthen their manuscripts. Requests for revisions indicate strong interest in your work. When receiving such requests: Consider all feedback carefully Clarify any confusing feedback points before revising Create a revision plan addressing all concerns Complete revisions thoroughly but efficiently Maintain professional communication throughout A thoughtful, timely response to revision requests demonstrates your professionalism and commitment to your manuscript's success. Even during preparation, consider how your manuscript will be marketed after publication. Begin building your author platform before publication: Establish professional social media presence Create an author website Develop relationships with other authors Engage with potential readers in your target audience Build an email newsletter list Publishers increasingly expect authors to participate actively in marketing, and established platforms make your manuscript more attractive to acquisition editors. Clearly define your target audience to strengthen your submission package: Demographic characteristics Reading preferences and habits Competitive titles they enjoy Unmet needs your manuscript addresses Where and how they discover new books Include this audience analysis in your submission materials to demonstrate market awareness and commercial potential. Familiarize yourself with book marketing strategies before submission: Research comparable titles and their marketing approaches Understand standard book promotion practices Identify your manuscript's unique selling points Consider potential marketing hooks and angles Prepare to discuss marketing ideas if asked Knowledge of book marketing services and approaches demonstrates your commitment to your manuscript's commercial success, making you a more attractive publishing partner. Consider professional assistance for manuscript preparation, especially if you're a first-time author. Professional services benefit manuscripts when: You struggle with specific aspects of writing or editing You need objective feedback on your manuscript's strengths and weaknesses English is not your first language You lack time for comprehensive self-editing You want to maximize your manuscript's publication potential The investment in professional services often yields significant improvements in manuscript quality and publication chances. When seeking professional writing and editing services: Request samples of previous work Check client testimonials and reviews Verify experience with your specific genre Ensure clear contracts and deliverables Establish communication expectations upfront Professional associations like the Editorial Freelancers Association provide directories of vetted professionals with transparent pricing and qualifications. When considering professional services: Compare service costs against potential publication benefits Consider which services provide the most value for your specific needs Look for packages that combine multiple services at reduced rates Remember that quality services are an investment in your manuscript's success Balance budget constraints with quality considerations Many authors find developmental editing provides the highest return on investment, as it addresses fundamental manuscript issues rather than surface-level corrections. Preparing a manuscript for publication requires attention to detail, persistence, and a methodical approach. By following this comprehensive guide, you've positioned your manuscript for the strongest possible reception by publishers, agents, and ultimately readers. Remember that manuscript preparation is both an art and a science. While following technical guidelines demonstrates professionalism, your unique voice and perspective provide the essential elements that make your manuscript stand out in a competitive marketplace. Take the time to prepare your manuscript thoroughly before submission. The care and attention you invest in this process directly impacts your work's reception and increases your chances of publication success. With proper preparation, your manuscript will stand out as a polished, professional product ready to find its place in the publishing world. Whether you're submitting to traditional publishers or preparing for self-publication, these guidelines provide the foundation for presenting your work in its best possible light. Your manuscript represents not just your ideas but your professionalism and commitment to quality—prepare it accordingly. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Business Wire
02-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Design Increases the Likelihood of Readership
Format Your News Release to Increase Readability, Media Coverage, & Consumer Interest Formatting your press release effectively is crucial for increasing readability, gaining media coverage, and capturing consumer interest. The layout of your press release has a significant impact on its success. Before distributing your release, make sure it contains these essential brand elements and action items: Your Logo Including your company's logo at the top of your press release immediately establishes brand identity and professionalism. The logo serves as a visual cue that helps readers associate the news with your organization. Make sure the logo is high-resolution and appropriately sized so that it appears clear and prominent without overshadowing the headline or other critical information. Placing the logo strategically enhances brand recognition and sets the tone for the rest of the content. Hyperlinks and Social Messaging Incorporating hyperlinks within your press release adds depth to your content by directing readers to additional resources such as your website, product pages, or related articles. Hyperlinks facilitate easy access to more detailed information, encouraging readers to engage further with your brand. Including social messaging—such as click-to-tweet quotes or shareable snippets—can increase the reach of your news by making it easy for readers to share content on their social media platforms. Ensure that the hyperlinks are functional and lead to relevant, up-to-date pages to maintain credibility. Your Social Media Profile Links Providing links to your organization's social media profiles allows readers and journalists to connect with you across multiple platforms. This not only broadens your audience but also offers opportunities for ongoing engagement. Including icons or direct links to platforms like LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, or Instagram can encourage readers to follow your brand for updates, fostering a community around your products or services. Be sure to keep your social media profiles active and consistent with your brand messaging to reinforce trust and interest. Your Contact Information Clearly displaying your contact information is essential for facilitating communication with journalists, stakeholders, and potential customers. Include the name, title, phone number, and email address of a media contact or company representative who can respond to inquiries. Providing multiple contact methods demonstrates openness and accessibility, making it easier for interested parties to reach out for interviews, additional information, or partnership opportunities. Place the contact information at the end of the press release in a prominent location so it is easily found without distracting from the main content. Additional Tips for Formatting Your Press Release Use a Clear and Legible Font: Choose a professional font style and size that is easy to read both on screen and in print. Standard fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri at 11 or 12-point size are commonly used. Include a Compelling Headline: Craft a concise and impactful headline that summarizes the key message of your press release. The headline should grab attention and entice the reader to learn more. Write a Strong Lead Paragraph: Begin with a lead paragraph that answers the who, what, when, where, why, and how of your news. This ensures that the most important information is communicated upfront. Use Subheadings and Bullet Points: Break up the text with subheadings and bullet points to improve readability. This helps readers quickly scan the document and absorb key points. Incorporate Multimedia Elements: Adding images, videos, or infographics can enhance the visual appeal of your press release and provide additional context. Ensure that any multimedia elements are relevant and of high quality. Follow the Inverted Pyramid Structure: Present information in order of descending importance. Start with the most critical details and follow with supporting information, allowing readers to grasp the main points even if they don't read the entire release. Proofread Thoroughly: Review your press release for grammatical errors, typos, and factual inaccuracies. A well-edited document reflects professionalism and attention to detail. An effectively formatted press release not only captures the attention of journalists and consumers but also enhances the overall impact of your news. By including essential brand elements like your logo, hyperlinks, social media profiles, and contact information, you make it easier for readers to engage with your content and take the desired action. Remember that the design and layout of your press release are as important as the content itself in ensuring that your message is received, understood, and acted upon.
Forbes
27-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
7 Resume Red Flags Hiring Managers Spot Instantly
Do you think you have a minute to impress a hiring manager? Try just 7.4 seconds. According to research from Ladders, that's all the time recruiters typically spend on an initial resume scan. In those fleeting moments, one mistake could mean the difference between a callback and the rejection pile. To help you stand out for the right reasons, I've compiled the seven most damaging resume red flags that instantly turn off hiring managers—and how to fix them. The surge in AI tools like ChatGPT has made resume creation more accessible than ever. However, hiring managers have grown increasingly adept at identifying generic, AI-generated content. A recent Resume Genius survey revealed that 53% of hiring managers have reservations about resumes using AI-generated content, with 20% seeing it as a critical problem that could prevent them from hiring you. The issue isn't using AI as a starting point - it's submitting content that sounds mechanical, lacks your personal touch, and fails to showcase what makes you uniquely valuable to employers. Leverage AI tools for initial brainstorming or creating a basic framework, but invest time in customizing your resume with specific accomplishments, measurable results, and relevant experiences that highlight your distinct value. Edit thoroughly to ensure your resume reflects your authentic voice rather than sounding like an algorithm mass-produced it. Employment gaps aren't automatically disqualifying—but unexplained gaps raise questions. When hiring managers see periods of unemployment with no context, they may assume the worst—that you were fired, couldn't find work, or weren't doing anything productive during that time. They might also worry that these gaps indicate problems adapting to industry changes or suggest you need additional training. Be transparent about employment gaps and frame them positively. If you took time off for education, family care, personal development, or freelance work, include this information on your resume. This approach demonstrates to hiring managers that you remained committed to your professional development and continued building valuable skills even during periods without traditional employment. Recruiters are immediately turned off by poor resume design. In a document meant to showcase your professional capabilities, sloppy formatting signals a lack of attention to detail and poor judgment. Common formatting red flags include: • Inconsistent fonts or font sizes • Cramped text with minimal white space • Poor alignment and inconsistent spacing • Hard-to-read font styles or colors • Resumes longer than 1-2 pages (depending on experience level) Use a clean, professional resume template with consistent formatting throughout. Stick to standard, readable fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Georgia at 10-12pt size. Ensure adequate white space and avoid tables, text boxes or overly stylized formatting to ensure your resume is ATS-friendly. Keep your resume to one to two pages unless you work in an industry that specifically requests longer documents or have extensive, relevant experience that warrants the additional space. One of the most common resume mistakes is listing job duties rather than accomplishments. Hiring managers already know the basic responsibilities associated with your job title. What they really want to see is how well you performed them. Highlighting your achievements demonstrates your actual impact and value to previous employers. Transform duty-based statements into achievement-focused bullets by including specific metrics, outcomes, and the value you brought to previous employers. For example: Instead of: "Responsible for managing social media accounts and creating content for Instagram and TikTok." Write: "Grew Instagram following from 5K to 25K in six months through targeted content strategy, resulting in a 40% increase in social media-driven sales." While job-hopping isn't the taboo it once was—especially in fast-paced industries—a pattern of short stints without clear progression can still raise eyebrows. Employers often hesitate to hire candidates with a history of job-hopping, as it suggests you might quickly leave their organization—wasting their investment in your onboarding and training. Many hiring managers interpret frequent job changes as a sign of potential commitment issues or difficulty adapting to new workplace cultures. If you have multiple short-term positions, consider grouping similar roles under one heading (e.g., "Freelance Marketing Consultant") or highlighting the strategic purpose behind each move. In your cover letter or interview, prepare to explain specifically how each position contributed to your professional development and why you're now seeking a stable, long-term opportunity. Frame your varied experience as a strength that brings diverse perspectives to your work. In a document meant to showcase your attention to detail and professionalism, spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, and typos are inexcusable. Even a single error can signal to hiring managers that you either lack basic communication skills or didn't care enough about the position to proofread your application materials. Don't rely solely on spell-check tools, which often miss contextual errors like using "their" instead of "there." After writing your resume, step away from it for a day, then return with fresh eyes. Read it aloud to catch awkward phrasing, and ask a trusted friend or colleague to review it. Consider using professional proofreading tools like Grammarly as an additional layer of protection against embarrassing mistakes. Including too much personal information on your resume looks unprofessional and exposes you to potential discrimination. Hiring managers should focus solely on your professional qualifications—not personal details that are irrelevant to your ability to perform the job. Information to avoid includes: • Age or date of birth • Marital status or family details • Religious or political affiliations • Personal social media handles • Salary history or requirements • Photographs (in most U.S. industries) • Hobbies unrelated to the position Focus your resume exclusively on professional qualifications. Include your name, professional email address, phone number, city/state, and relevant LinkedIn profile. If you want to include interests or hobbies, only mention those that demonstrate skills relevant to the position. For example, include "Volunteer coding instructor for underprivileged youth" for a software engineering role, but leave out your weekend hiking adventures unless they directly connect to the job requirements. Remember that the purpose of your resume isn't to document everything you've ever done. It's to market yourself effectively for a specific position. When you craft it with precision and purpose, you transform it from a mere list of experiences into a powerful tool that showcases your unique value. Take this moment to set yourself apart. When you invest the time to create a resume free of these red flags, you're not just applying for a job—you're positioning yourself for success.
Boston Globe
21-02-2025
- General
- Boston Globe
The most anticipated parenting (and parenting-adjacent) books of spring 2025
'Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change' Olga Khazan, who is anxious and neurotic (join the club!), embarks on a quest to change her personality in just one year. The result is a mix of scientific reporting and immersive anecdata illustrating the malleability of the big-five personality traits: extroversion, agreeableness, openness, neuroticism, and conscientiousness. She also writes about personality transformation and new motherhood on her very funny Substack. It's out on Tuesday, March 11. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'Raising Calm Kids in a World of Worry: Tools to Ease Anxiety and Overwhelm' Advertisement Speaking of anxiety, family therapists Ashley Graber and Maria Evans offer a blueprint for understanding and managing kids' worries, with an emphasis on regulating your own emotions and identifying the best times to bring up challenging topics. Will definitely peruse before engaging with my 14-year-old about his missing homework for the 298th time. It just came out. Sign up for Parenting Unfiltered. Globe staff #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; } /* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe * indicates required E-mail * 'Who Needs College Anymore?: Imagining a Future Where Degrees Won't Matter' Or maybe I should rethink why I'm bugging him about homework at all. Education Design Lab founder Kathleen deLaski, a longtime education reformist, presents a case for equipping kids with non-college pathways and skills to survive in this economy. She presents ideas ranging from apprenticeships to certification programs — and imagines creative ways for colleges to rethink their curricula to meet a new moment. If you've ever wondered where $60,000 per year goes and whether it's all worth it, this book is for you. It's out on Tuesday, Feb. 25. 'The Seven Principles for Raising A Self-Driven Child' Authors Bill Stixrud (a clinical neuropsychologist specializing in childhood anxiety) and Ned Johnson (who runs an educational planning and tutoring service in Washington, D.C.) have encountered streams of high-achieving kids crippled by worry over their academic futures. This book explains how to calmly give them control over their lives and emotions instead of relying on test scores or a college acceptance letter to dictate happiness. It's out on Tuesday, March 25. Advertisement 'Maternal Ambivalence: The Loving Moments & Bitter Truths of Motherhood' What if you resent your kid? What if you feel angry or bored a lot of the time? In a world where curated versions of motherhood persist and undermine, this book from psychotherapist Margo Lowy is a helpful counterpoint that normalizes and unpacks messier emotions that can make so many people feel like not-good-enough parents. It's out on Tuesday, March 11. 'The Power of Parting' That said, not every family relationship is built to last. Simon & Schuster vice president and executive editor Eamon Dolan switches roles to write this book about estrangement from his abusive mom, a process that was liberating. His book offers a roadmap for disentangling and healing from fraught family relationships, something that isn't widely discussed even though roughly 27 percent of Americans are estranged from at least one family member. It's out on Tuesday, April 1. 'The Family Dynamic: A Journey into the Mystery of Sibling Success' Pulitzer Prize-winner (and twin mom) Susan Dominus examines the trajectories of ultra-successful siblings from a range of backgrounds to determine what they have in common. Turns out intelligence and connectedness only go so far: Healthy sibling relationships matter a lot, too. Maybe don't read this when refereeing a fight between your children (or after reading Dolan's book). It's out on Tuesday, May 6. Advertisement 'Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age' Authentic or algorithm? New York Times internet-pop culture writer Amanda Hess navigates the thorny, isolating online world of pregnancy trackers, chat forums, online parenting communities, mom-fluencers, and more, which serve to optimize — and complicate — modern parenthood. If this doesn't make you contemplate leaving Instagram once and for all, nothing will. It's also out on Tuesday, May 6. 'Cook Once Eat Twice: Time-Saving Recipes to Help You Get Ahead in the Kitchen' Now for something soothing: 'Great British Baking Show' champion Nadiya Hussain shares accessible, batch- and freezer-friendly meals that lend themselves to economical ingredients, advance prep, and non-depressing leftovers. It's out on Tuesday, March 18. Naptime? Handout 'Poems of Parenting' and 'Mama Needs a Minute' Last but not least, some laughs: 'Sesame Street' and 'Ms. Rachel' artist Loryn Brantz's book of cheeky poetry is the perfect baby shower gift. It's out on Tuesday, April 8. Pair it with 'Mama Needs a Minute,' a comic memoir about surviving the triumphs and travails of parenthood from Mom_Life Comics Instagram sensation (and Cape Cod resident) Mary Catherine Starr. It's out on Tuesday, March 11. Happy browsing! Kara Baskin can be reached at
