Because it's true.
The difference between the writers who make it and ones who don't is often not measured by the quality of their writing.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The News about Gothic is so sad***
***the clue for the meaning of the title is in the table; do you see it?
Ruthlessly lifted from these guys after
a link on twitter from @mwtavani
(thanks!!)
Monday, March 28, 2011
Thursday 3/31, come hear The Ulitmate Florida Challenge Winner!
Warren Richey kayaked around the entire state of Florida.
His story is terrifying and hilarious. Come hear him talk about it at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, 3/31, at the Blake Library, 2351 S.E. Monterey Road in Stuart, Florida.
If you're not near Stuart, Florida on Thursday, you can always buy the book!
His story is terrifying and hilarious. Come hear him talk about it at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, 3/31, at the Blake Library, 2351 S.E. Monterey Road in Stuart, Florida.
If you're not near Stuart, Florida on Thursday, you can always buy the book!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
The best writing advice of the week month.
Read this blog post by Alison Janssen on 10 Things You Can Do To Make Your Editor Love You.
Print it out.
Memorize it.
Implement it.
Repeat as needed.
Print it out.
Memorize it.
Implement it.
Repeat as needed.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
SERIOUS error on BACKSPACE contest
And it's on me. I just realized I made a mistake on the last entries. I thought they had to be received by 3/15. In fact the rules clearly say postmarked by 3/15. Bad shark.
IF you get your SASE back with a note saying you were disqualified, RESEND.
Include the note you got so we can be sure you are in that group.
I'm VERY sorry for the consternation.
Three chomps of the shark jaw for me.
Questions? Email me.
IF you get your SASE back with a note saying you were disqualified, RESEND.
Include the note you got so we can be sure you are in that group.
I'm VERY sorry for the consternation.
Three chomps of the shark jaw for me.
Questions? Email me.
Friday, March 18, 2011
ahh, those shots to the foot, are they painful?
We've been working on answering queries here in the Lair.
Today we got this reply to the form letter we send not requesting pages:
Not a problem. thanks for getting back to me, no hard feelings but you probably will regret your decision.
The hard truth is, even if you own the NYT Bestseller list tomorrow, I won't remember you. And I won't remember you because you didn't tell me what the book was about.
"Story" doesn't tell me if it's fiction or non-fiction.
No plot. No characters. No choices. No stakes. ...ok, maybe this isn't a novel.
No description of a problem and a solution. No mention of platform. Hard to see if this is non-fiction.
Even if it was a topic I cared about passionately, this would get a form rejection.
You absolutely positively must tell me what the book is about.
Today we got this reply to the form letter we send not requesting pages:
Not a problem. thanks for getting back to me, no hard feelings but you probably will regret your decision.
The hard truth is, even if you own the NYT Bestseller list tomorrow, I won't remember you. And I won't remember you because you didn't tell me what the book was about.
"Story" doesn't tell me if it's fiction or non-fiction.
No plot. No characters. No choices. No stakes. ...ok, maybe this isn't a novel.
No description of a problem and a solution. No mention of platform. Hard to see if this is non-fiction.
Even if it was a topic I cared about passionately, this would get a form rejection.
You absolutely positively must tell me what the book is about.
why Jeff isn't out bribing people for votes, I do not know
Perhaps because he's busy writing or something.
The things I must do for that man.
Here; a book bracketing contest. Vote for Jeff Somers. I dare you.
The things I must do for that man.
Here; a book bracketing contest. Vote for Jeff Somers. I dare you.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Why there are poets
I received very sad news today that the wife of my oldest client died this morning. Mrs. Gilbert lived a long and happy life, filled with people who loved her very much. I include myself in that number although I knew her only in this last decade.
Mrs. Gilbert was a lady in the best meaning of the word. She was stylish and smart. She had a wicked sense of humor and a glint in her eye, particularly when I talked to Mr. Gilbert, Richard, my client. Richard Gilbert is a man of Madison Avenue. Never met a problem without a solution, exuded optimism at every turn, gung-ho to the max. "Now Richard, listen to Janet" was the phrase I came to depend on during the editing of Richard's book MARCHING UP MADISON AVENUE.
Mr. and Mrs Gilbert met me when I was a wet behind the ears agent. They took me to lunch in places I could never hope to afford on my own back then. They believed in me although there was no logical reason to do so. When I signed Richard, I'd sold one book. But that was how they were. They took their measure of you, and trusted you to do right by them. I'm one of hundreds of people who count Richard Gilbert as the first person to give them a professional chance.
And, I did sell the book. And we did celebrate. But I knew the clock was ticking. No one lives forever. When the call came this morning I knew instantly what the bad news was.
The only thing that says exactly what I feel right now is Jane Kenyon's marvelous poem:
I am very sad Mrs. Gilbert has left us; but the sadness is tempered by how grateful I am to have known her and counted her as a friend, and ally.
Mrs. Gilbert was a lady in the best meaning of the word. She was stylish and smart. She had a wicked sense of humor and a glint in her eye, particularly when I talked to Mr. Gilbert, Richard, my client. Richard Gilbert is a man of Madison Avenue. Never met a problem without a solution, exuded optimism at every turn, gung-ho to the max. "Now Richard, listen to Janet" was the phrase I came to depend on during the editing of Richard's book MARCHING UP MADISON AVENUE.
Mr. and Mrs Gilbert met me when I was a wet behind the ears agent. They took me to lunch in places I could never hope to afford on my own back then. They believed in me although there was no logical reason to do so. When I signed Richard, I'd sold one book. But that was how they were. They took their measure of you, and trusted you to do right by them. I'm one of hundreds of people who count Richard Gilbert as the first person to give them a professional chance.
And, I did sell the book. And we did celebrate. But I knew the clock was ticking. No one lives forever. When the call came this morning I knew instantly what the bad news was.
The only thing that says exactly what I feel right now is Jane Kenyon's marvelous poem:
Happiness
There's just no accounting for happiness,
or the way it turns up like a prodigal
who comes back to the dust at your feet
having squandered a fortune far away.
And how can you not forgive?
You make a feast in honor of what
was lost, and take from its place the finest
garment, which you saved for an occasion
you could not imagine, and you weep night and day
to know that you were not abandoned,
that happiness saved its most extreme form
for you alone.
No, happiness is the uncle you never
knew about, who flies a single-engine plane
onto the grassy landing strip, hitchhikes
into town, and inquires at every door
until he finds you asleep midafternoon
as you so often are during the unmerciful
hours of your despair.
It comes to the monk in his cell.
It comes to the woman sweeping the street
with a birch broom, to the child
whose mother has passed out from drink.
It comes to the lover, to the dog chewing
a sock, to the pusher, to the basket maker,
and to the clerk stacking cans of carrots
in the night.
It even comes to the boulder
in the perpetual shade of pine barrens,
to rain falling on the open sea,
to the wineglass, weary of holding wine.
There's just no accounting for happiness,
or the way it turns up like a prodigal
who comes back to the dust at your feet
having squandered a fortune far away.
And how can you not forgive?
You make a feast in honor of what
was lost, and take from its place the finest
garment, which you saved for an occasion
you could not imagine, and you weep night and day
to know that you were not abandoned,
that happiness saved its most extreme form
for you alone.
No, happiness is the uncle you never
knew about, who flies a single-engine plane
onto the grassy landing strip, hitchhikes
into town, and inquires at every door
until he finds you asleep midafternoon
as you so often are during the unmerciful
hours of your despair.
It comes to the monk in his cell.
It comes to the woman sweeping the street
with a birch broom, to the child
whose mother has passed out from drink.
It comes to the lover, to the dog chewing
a sock, to the pusher, to the basket maker,
and to the clerk stacking cans of carrots
in the night.
It even comes to the boulder
in the perpetual shade of pine barrens,
to rain falling on the open sea,
to the wineglass, weary of holding wine.
I am very sad Mrs. Gilbert has left us; but the sadness is tempered by how grateful I am to have known her and counted her as a friend, and ally.
For the entryway to The Reef!
Or wait...this could be the Best Christmas Present EVAH for my most slithery colleague of all: Barbara Poelle!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Lists of agents
There are lots of ways to find agents. In my case, stand on a street corner near Penn Station, pop open a bottle of Macallan 12 and you won't need to wait long.
In the case of other more sober and circumspect of my ilk, there are resources like AgentQuery.com, AbsoluteWrite.com and the annual published editions of Guide to Literary Agents and a myriad of other, lesser known sites as well.
Not all of them are created equal.
If you use any of those sites, check to see if there's a way agents can update their info, or give feedback to the site manager.
I've found a lot of sites that purport to list essential info about agents that have my details including sales and what I'm looking for, just plain wrong. I'd send them an email to fix it, but there's no way to do so.
And when I get a query that references one of those sites, I know I'm looking at a query from someone who didn't do much research.
Research can be over-rated. There's no way to make a list that won't have a bad fit or two or ten on it. The trick is to realize research means checking more than one site, starting with the ones that are most up to date, and most readily correctable.
My list of where to start: AgentQuery.com; QueryTracker.net, AbsoluteWrite.com, PublishersMarketplace.com
If you've got others, list them in the comment column, and I'll be glad to check them out.
In the case of other more sober and circumspect of my ilk, there are resources like AgentQuery.com, AbsoluteWrite.com and the annual published editions of Guide to Literary Agents and a myriad of other, lesser known sites as well.
Not all of them are created equal.
If you use any of those sites, check to see if there's a way agents can update their info, or give feedback to the site manager.
I've found a lot of sites that purport to list essential info about agents that have my details including sales and what I'm looking for, just plain wrong. I'd send them an email to fix it, but there's no way to do so.
And when I get a query that references one of those sites, I know I'm looking at a query from someone who didn't do much research.
Research can be over-rated. There's no way to make a list that won't have a bad fit or two or ten on it. The trick is to realize research means checking more than one site, starting with the ones that are most up to date, and most readily correctable.
My list of where to start: AgentQuery.com; QueryTracker.net, AbsoluteWrite.com, PublishersMarketplace.com
If you've got others, list them in the comment column, and I'll be glad to check them out.
BACKSPACE query contest update!
Sadly, we had our second disqualification. No contact info on the sent material. I have a feeling the query got left out of the packet but with no email address in the footers, there was no way to find out.
The contest is now closed.
We've sent the last of the SASEs back in today's mail.
If you entered, and have not heard back from us by 3/21, email me and ask if we have it.
If we don't have it, you can't send a replacement. (Sorry)
If we do have it, we'll let you know.
Winners will be announced the first week of April.
The contest is now closed.
We've sent the last of the SASEs back in today's mail.
If you entered, and have not heard back from us by 3/21, email me and ask if we have it.
If we don't have it, you can't send a replacement. (Sorry)
If we do have it, we'll let you know.
Winners will be announced the first week of April.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
We ALL want you!
Dealing with multiple offers of representation sounds like a dream come true, right? Except, how do you choose?
There've been some good posts on this topic recently, from BookEnds LLC here, and from Jodi Meadows here
What neither post mentions however is one of the questions you absolutely MUST ask, and will have an impact on your decision: how long are they offering to represent you? Is it for life (as in, there's no automatic end date, but there is a termination clause if either of you want out) or is it for a year, or is it for just this project?
You'll want to know that going in. There's no one right answer. It depends on your project and your professional goals. Mostly I sign people intending to be their agent for the rest of their career. Other agencies sign clients for a year, or for just a single project (particularly for non-fiction.)
This is not something you want to find out the hard way. Ask ahead of time.
There've been some good posts on this topic recently, from BookEnds LLC here, and from Jodi Meadows here
What neither post mentions however is one of the questions you absolutely MUST ask, and will have an impact on your decision: how long are they offering to represent you? Is it for life (as in, there's no automatic end date, but there is a termination clause if either of you want out) or is it for a year, or is it for just this project?
You'll want to know that going in. There's no one right answer. It depends on your project and your professional goals. Mostly I sign people intending to be their agent for the rest of their career. Other agencies sign clients for a year, or for just a single project (particularly for non-fiction.)
This is not something you want to find out the hard way. Ask ahead of time.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
It took awhile, but here are the 2/22/11 contest winners
Honestly, I've never laughed so hard reading the entries in a writing contest as I did this one. You all really outdid yourselves!
Without further ado, here's the rundown:
These lines just cracked me up:
Alwayscoffee 8:55pm
“P.S. Your industry is dying.” Helen shook her head. “I know you have already seen the implosion.”
“Of Border's Ranch?” I asked, squinting at the choppy picture of Helen on the screen.
“And B&N is not far behind.”
“Well, roping cattle isn’t what it was, but Buckwheat & Nancy treats their people like shit.” No excuse for that.
“...internet publishing and self-publishing.”
“Helen, turn that damn radio off. This Skype crap is bad enough already.”
“...is going to eat you ass-holes for lunch,” she finished, glaring.
“Watch your mouth, young lady.” Why my daughter had to harass an old cowboy was beyond me.
“But you just sit there and keep rejecting writing that you haven't even read!” Helen clenched her fists.
“Jesus Christ, Helen.” I peered at her. “I’m not going to read those old man articles.” Grinning assholes in turtlenecks and recliners.
“Dad, please. David says...”
“Oh, do you have a rich husband or something?” I asked. She inhaled deeply. Helen hated when I brought up David. That smooth-handed bastard.
“Dad,” she said quietly, “I worry about you. I don't see how you make an income.”
“Oh, honey,” I said. “What’s this bullshit? ‘Make an income.’ Kiddo, I live.”
Without further ado, here's the rundown:
These lines just cracked me up:
Alwayscoffee 8:55pm
I also have a hyphen addiction
Alywn 9:01pm
do you have a rich husband or something? (Because I do, and he tells me I’m brilliant!)
Tally 9:16pm
Internet Publishing and Self Publishing is going to eat you ass-holes for lunch (they’re the protagonists of the novel.)
Lynn(e) 9:27pm
internet publishing and self-publishing is going to eat you ass-holes for lunch (but with my help, I can protect your asshole, I have magical ass protecting powers).
Domain 10:10pm
Jesus Christ (was my agent for years, but he took me for every penny, so) do you have a rich husband or something? (Do you think he’d like me?)
Summer 10:55pm
but you just sit there and keep rejecting writing that you haven't even read(so that it won’t distract you from your new role as Supreme Empress of the Written Word, Foreign and Audio included.)
Cheryl 11:56pm
Swim carefully, chum, ‘cuz from where I’m skulking the industry’s looking to order shark-fin soup.
kzukus 12:15am
Jesus Christ (even promised to blurb my book; at least that’s what the grilled cheese sandwich with his picture on it told me.)
Sarah 1:31am
I don't see how you make an income but then, I'm not a CPA with X-Ray vision- I'm just a cannibal with a keyboard… and a dream.
Steve Forti 10:58am
my finest work since graduating from dynamite academy
Catherine 7:23pm
Ellipses are sooooo last week. Don't you think???
Several of you employed the Zombie Motif:
Dawn Embers 9:39pm
Rona 10:06pm
Katherine Hazen 11:15pm
Amber Argyle 12:02pm
One of you reached for The Bard for inspiration:
Shtrum 10:43pm
What's more inspiring than Aliens, and John Cusack!
Girl Friday 1:43am
Homage to The Shark, and the Mer-Bear
Marybk 3:29pm
Here are the entries that rose to the top:
Megan K. Bickel 9:13pm
p.s.- your industry is dying (because no other writer knows how to use the ellipse as art - like I do) you have already seen the implosion of Border's (because they have nothing but an apostrophe in their name) and B&N is not far behind (because they have only have that sad ampersand) internet publishing and self-publishing is going to eat you ass-holes for lunch (because editors don’t get in the way of grammatical creativity there) but you just sit there and keep rejecting writing that you haven't even read (because you claim “eye strain brought about by ellipse overload”). Jesus Christ (often spoke of the need for grammatical forgiveness). do you have a rich husband or something?(because I need a financier for my School..,. of,…. English,,….Writing,….and Tirades) and I don't see how you make an income (so you may want to sign up to be my first student).
Deadly Accurate 9:32pm
p.s.- your industry is dying (to see who drinks more, you or Barbara Poelle). you have already seen the implosion of Border's (co-op displays after a new Somers book is released,) and B&N is not far behind (you. You might want to file a restraining order.) internet publishing and self-publishing is going to eat you ass-holes for lunch (which will go straight to its hips), but you just sit there and keep rejecting writing that you haven't even read (by the late, great) Jesus Christ (and you better pray lightning doesn't strike you down.) do you have a rich husband or something? (And does he need a valet)? I don't see how you make an income (that exceeds your scotch intake).
A.S. 10:56pm
p.s.- your industry is dying for some great erotic fiction. Border Jones is a self-published author who misfiled her tax return. B&N Smith is the hunky IRS auditor. By the time you finish reading AUDIT ME, BABY you have already seen the implosion of Border's quivering love-button in a throbbing, mind-blowing orgasm, and B&N is not far behind – like all great heroes, he believes the lady should go first. When Border's best friend Amazon comes over during the audit, B&N tells them, "Ladies, the hottest auditor of internet publishing and self-publishing is going to eat you ass-holes for lunch, if you're into that." Snookums, I know you're impatient to get home and finish reading this, in the bath, with your special showerhead, but you just sit there and keep rejecting writing that you haven't even read, knowing that when you get home you're going to be shouting "Oh God! Jesus Christ! Show me your assets!" Do you have a rich husband or something more mechanical? Either way, you'll arrive at work with a smile tomorrow! If you're thinking, "I don't see how you make an income tax accountant look sexy," read AUDIT ME, BABY and find out!
Michael G-G 12:08am
p.s. This is what I proclaimed to fortify the spirits of my Gospel writers in this agnostic age: Your industry is dying to laud and honor you for your work bringing good news to the poor and setting captives free. You have already seen the implosion of Border's (sp?) between Judea and Egypt, and B&N is not far behind, (my code name for Herod, “Bellicose & Nuts”). Even if wiseacres claim that, two thousand years from now, something called internet publishing and self-publishing is going to eat you ass-holes for lunch, (pardon my French), I advise you to retort, with my blessing: “But you just sit there and keep rejecting writing that you haven't even read, you biblical illiterates.” Moreover, many are the snakes, the Judases or Dan Browns, who would put words into the mouth of our beloved son Jesus Christ, having him ask Magdalene “do you have a rich husband or something? Girlfriend, I don't see how you make an income spilling oil all over the place and wiping guys’ feet with your hair.”
What folderol. That’s why I created editors and red pencils.
Blessings to all four of you,
The Maker of All Things, Visible and Invisible
What folderol. That’s why I created editors and red pencils.
Blessings to all four of you,
The Maker of All Things, Visible and Invisible
Jared X 12:28am
p.s.- your industry is dying/ (and there can be no denying)/ you have already seen the implosion of Border's/ (too expensive were their bricks and mortars)/ and B&N is not far behind/ (to close more stores they'll be inclined)/ internet publishing and self-publishing is going to eat you ass-holes for lunch/ (and who of us rejected writers won't laugh a bunch?)/ but you just sit there and keep rejecting writing that you haven't even read/ (perhaps you'll reconsider my novel instead/even) Jesus Christ (would've been enticed)/ do you have a rich husband or something/(and might he be Stephen King?!)/ I don't see how you make an income (rejecting great novels when just the query's dumb/ Your rejection of my work was quite obtuse/ Warmest Regards, Dr. Seuss.....)
I purposely did not ask for the entries in story form. Honestly I didn't think it was possible to write a story from these particular prompts. Oh boy was I wrong:
Special recognition for Outstanding Achievement Using Narrative:
Papillon crew 1:23pm
“P.S. Your industry is dying.” Helen shook her head. “I know you have already seen the implosion.”
“Of Border's Ranch?” I asked, squinting at the choppy picture of Helen on the screen.
“And B&N is not far behind.”
“Well, roping cattle isn’t what it was, but Buckwheat & Nancy treats their people like shit.” No excuse for that.
“...internet publishing and self-publishing.”
“Helen, turn that damn radio off. This Skype crap is bad enough already.”
“...is going to eat you ass-holes for lunch,” she finished, glaring.
“Watch your mouth, young lady.” Why my daughter had to harass an old cowboy was beyond me.
“But you just sit there and keep rejecting writing that you haven't even read!” Helen clenched her fists.
“Jesus Christ, Helen.” I peered at her. “I’m not going to read those old man articles.” Grinning assholes in turtlenecks and recliners.
“Dad, please. David says...”
“Oh, do you have a rich husband or something?” I asked. She inhaled deeply. Helen hated when I brought up David. That smooth-handed bastard.
“Dad,” she said quietly, “I worry about you. I don't see how you make an income.”
“Oh, honey,” I said. “What’s this bullshit? ‘Make an income.’ Kiddo, I live.”
Special recognition for Outstanding Achievement Using Narrative:
Shaunna 8:04pm
"Your industry is dying," Vanymeir says, wiping his bloody sword on the grass and sheathing it again. "You have already seen the implosion of Border's."
"Who's that?" Lisander asks. "That gutter town thirty leagues to the east?"
Vanymeir nods. "And B&N is not far behind."
"Bristol and Navarre?" Lisanders sighs and scratches his head. "You know what Falerall said, right? 'Internet publishing and self-publishing is going to eat you ass-holes for lunch.' Any idea what that means?"
"He's crazy, that's what it means." Vanymeir looks Lisander in the eye. "You're a scribe. You could do something about it while you have the chance, but you just sit there and keep rejecting writing that you haven't even read."
"There's no way that text was an accurate biography of Jesus Christ!"
"So? Do you have a rich husband or something?" Vanymeir laughs mirthlessly and shakes his head. "I don't see how you make an income."
"I have a standard to uphold. Everyone keeps talking about some German guy with a machine that can write words, but how will that machine know what words are worth writing?"
Vanymeir squints at the hillside. "If it's not one monster it's another. I'm just glad I have a sword."
"Who's that?" Lisander asks. "That gutter town thirty leagues to the east?"
Vanymeir nods. "And B&N is not far behind."
"Bristol and Navarre?" Lisanders sighs and scratches his head. "You know what Falerall said, right? 'Internet publishing and self-publishing is going to eat you ass-holes for lunch.' Any idea what that means?"
"He's crazy, that's what it means." Vanymeir looks Lisander in the eye. "You're a scribe. You could do something about it while you have the chance, but you just sit there and keep rejecting writing that you haven't even read."
"There's no way that text was an accurate biography of Jesus Christ!"
"So? Do you have a rich husband or something?" Vanymeir laughs mirthlessly and shakes his head. "I don't see how you make an income."
"I have a standard to uphold. Everyone keeps talking about some German guy with a machine that can write words, but how will that machine know what words are worth writing?"
Vanymeir squints at the hillside. "If it's not one monster it's another. I'm just glad I have a sword."
Special recognition for Outstanding Achievement Using Lyrics:
Jesse 1:46pm
Your White Knight
A “query” sung by Randy Newman
Your industry is dyin’, you know that I’m not lyin’,
You’ve already seen the implosion(,) Border's is erodin’
and B&N isn’t* far behind-
Not that I needed to remind…
Now Listen Janet,
I know you have a hunch,
That, internet and self-publishing is going to eat you* for lunch,
I don’t want to go from A to Zed,
but you* keep rejecting writing that you haven't even read-
Who do you think you are, Jesus Christ?
Sorry, that wasn’t nice,
But, do you have a rich husband or something, baby?
Or, are you looking, maybe?
‘Cause, I don't see how you make an income,
without me,
I’m the next Grisham-
(refrain)
A “query” sung by Randy Newman
Your industry is dyin’, you know that I’m not lyin’,
You’ve already seen the implosion(,) Border's is erodin’
and B&N isn’t* far behind-
Not that I needed to remind…
Now Listen Janet,
I know you have a hunch,
That, internet and self-publishing is going to eat you* for lunch,
I don’t want to go from A to Zed,
but you* keep rejecting writing that you haven't even read-
Who do you think you are, Jesus Christ?
Sorry, that wasn’t nice,
But, do you have a rich husband or something, baby?
Or, are you looking, maybe?
‘Cause, I don't see how you make an income,
without me,
I’m the next Grisham-
(refrain)
Now honestly, how the HECK do you expect me to pick the winner from these three entries?
Short of rock, paper, scissors there's only one solution: all three win.
Jesse, Shaunna and Papillon crew, send me your mailing address and what kinds of books you like to read and we'll scour the shelves for a good prize to reward your amazing entries.
Truly, you ALL were hilarious, and it really does help give us perspective on the crapola when we have some fun with it.
Thanks everyone for contributing!
Update on Backspace Query Letter Contest
Favorite salutation in the last batch: "Dear Snookums 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5,"
We've replied to everything we've received this week. Your SASE in the mail today.
Remember, the contest CLOSES on 3/15.
Entries received after that date are not eligible for consideration.
We'll return your SASE to you with that sad news if it arrives late.
All entries must be in writing, sent by mail.
Here are the details if you need them again.
We've replied to everything we've received this week. Your SASE in the mail today.
Remember, the contest CLOSES on 3/15.
Entries received after that date are not eligible for consideration.
We'll return your SASE to you with that sad news if it arrives late.
All entries must be in writing, sent by mail.
Here are the details if you need them again.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Tucson Festival of Books This Weekend!
Check it out!
One of the featured authors is Ed de Steiguer author of WILD HORSES OF THE WEST
There's a terrific piece about the book here
You can pre-order his book here!
One of the featured authors is Ed de Steiguer author of WILD HORSES OF THE WEST
There's a terrific piece about the book here
You can pre-order his book here!
Let's talk about non-fiction query letters for a minute
I get a lot of queries for non-fiction; recently I've noticed you're giving in to temptation to list a series of problem, often in the form of rhetorical questions.
(We all know rhetorical questions are the kiss of death in a query right?)
I sense these query writers learned their pitching skills from late night television "What would you say if I could chop that tomato with a sword!"
(to which I'd say "I hope you're not planning to chop tomatoes in MY kitchen" but you get the point.)
Here's the thing about non-fiction; you need to pitch the SOLUTION right up front with the problem. Your book is about the solution first and foremost, not the problem.
Your book is about why your solution is better, faster, smarter than anyone else's.
If you're pitching a book about writing query letters you might say:
This book demonstrates an effective way to write and revise queries so writers communicate what their books are about in clear concise language.
The problem is: you know you're writing a crappy query letter.
The solution is: I'm going to show you how to write and revise your way out of the crap heap.
How you phrase that first sentence in a query letter for any non-fiction book can be the difference between me scoffing (tomato/sword) and me being interested (book that solves a problem I see everyday)
Capisce?
(We all know rhetorical questions are the kiss of death in a query right?)
I sense these query writers learned their pitching skills from late night television "What would you say if I could chop that tomato with a sword!"
(to which I'd say "I hope you're not planning to chop tomatoes in MY kitchen" but you get the point.)
Here's the thing about non-fiction; you need to pitch the SOLUTION right up front with the problem. Your book is about the solution first and foremost, not the problem.
Your book is about why your solution is better, faster, smarter than anyone else's.
If you're pitching a book about writing query letters you might say:
This book demonstrates an effective way to write and revise queries so writers communicate what their books are about in clear concise language.
The problem is: you know you're writing a crappy query letter.
The solution is: I'm going to show you how to write and revise your way out of the crap heap.
How you phrase that first sentence in a query letter for any non-fiction book can be the difference between me scoffing (tomato/sword) and me being interested (book that solves a problem I see everyday)
Capisce?
Thursday, March 10, 2011
I like to steal good advice from other bloggers and post it here
Planning on attending a writer's conference this year?
Good.
Conferences can be a rich source of knowledge, new friends, and renewed enthusiasm.
If you spend a lot of time planning your conference experience, make sure you plan for AFTER the conference, and most important What Not To Do After A Conference.
Good.
Conferences can be a rich source of knowledge, new friends, and renewed enthusiasm.
If you spend a lot of time planning your conference experience, make sure you plan for AFTER the conference, and most important What Not To Do After A Conference.
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Here's your chance to kick Severus Snape in the asterisk
Who hasn't wanted to put Snape in his place?
Here's your chance.
Plus you get to prove those Snapians over at DelRey completely and totally wrong. (They're betting against us!) That's almost as satisfying as the thump of your boot on Snape's posterior.
Click here. Commence kicking.
Here's your chance.
Plus you get to prove those Snapians over at DelRey completely and totally wrong. (They're betting against us!) That's almost as satisfying as the thump of your boot on Snape's posterior.
Click here. Commence kicking.
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Researching what no longer exists!
Interesting blog post here today about how to do research for novels set in ancient Athens!
Thursday, March 03, 2011
I'll be gawking at this tomorrow
I've walked past this corner at 34th and Broadway almost every workday for four years now, and never noticed that the corner isn't Macys! It's an entirely different store!
Click here to see the whole story! The picture with the subway? That's the old Sixth Avenue El!
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Wo ist "Endstation Chaos"
This is the German cover for the book titled TERMINAL STATE here in the US. Jeff Somers has a great blog post about it here.
Of course, I made the comment Endstation Chaos was the name of my subway stop.
Jeff quickly corrected me: "It's the name of your office."
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
When wrong is just right!
Cover design is a big deal in book publishing. Get the wrong one, and buyers pass you up in the store faster than you can hiss "don't judge a book by its cover!"
We have been very fortunate to have brilliant covers for Gary Corby's two books from Minotaur. His debut, THE PERICLES COMMISSION is one of my all time favorites:
The Australia editon went in a very different direction but I love it as well:
Now, what you and I probably wouldn't catch right away, but Gary (meticulous researcher that he is!) did was there is something very wrong about this coin! Here's his blog post about finding out what was wrong.
We have been very fortunate to have brilliant covers for Gary Corby's two books from Minotaur. His debut, THE PERICLES COMMISSION is one of my all time favorites:
The Australia editon went in a very different direction but I love it as well:
Now, what you and I probably wouldn't catch right away, but Gary (meticulous researcher that he is!) did was there is something very wrong about this coin! Here's his blog post about finding out what was wrong.
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