.....what happened 29 days ago?
got it here
(via an Amazing Editor who cracks me up)
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
Friday Night at the Question Emporium
At a recent writers conference I pitched my story to several agents, some of whom requested partials/fulls. I just got some critique back from one of those agents which apply to the whole manuscript (I'm working on the revisions right now). The agent wants me to resubmit the revised version, but at this point would I also send that revised version to the other agents? If so, do I shoot them an email first asking if they want that revised version? Or do I just do nothing? What's the protocol?
You send the revisions to the agent who guided you in making them first. If that agent passes (or dawdles too long!), you email the other agents to say you have a spiffier updated version of the manuscript and would they like to see it?
You send the revisions to the agent who guided you in making them first. If that agent passes (or dawdles too long!), you email the other agents to say you have a spiffier updated version of the manuscript and would they like to see it?
oh how I love it when I "have to" order comp titles
Particularly today cause the comps are these:
The Sharkly Assistant took one look at MONSTERS and seized it from my fins. After reading it she said "If I had children, this is a book I'd read to them. Which is probably why I don't have children."
I love GOODNIGHT IPAD. I love it so much I'm going to give it to my youngest friend Charlotte. Don't tell her, ok?
And this darling book I'M A SHARK should be a required gift for every youngster in the whole world.
You'll notice Swoops the Bat is making sure no one steals this from The Reef. Yes he is perched in a mint julep cup. Yes this picture says everything you need to know about our office.
The Sharkly Assistant took one look at MONSTERS and seized it from my fins. After reading it she said "If I had children, this is a book I'd read to them. Which is probably why I don't have children."
I love GOODNIGHT IPAD. I love it so much I'm going to give it to my youngest friend Charlotte. Don't tell her, ok?
And this darling book I'M A SHARK should be a required gift for every youngster in the whole world.
You'll notice Swoops the Bat is making sure no one steals this from The Reef. Yes he is perched in a mint julep cup. Yes this picture says everything you need to know about our office.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Building Platform
Given that my book is not super commercial, would it behoove me in a query letter to include info such as:
Over 11,000 people subscribe to the WartHogs** mailing list (the book is set at WartHogs). The (church I belong to also in the book) boasts 4 million members. I teach at (name of college) and have wide connections to the (church) world, etc, etc. [That is, should I try to suggest the potential audience a la a typical nonfiction book?]
You can certainly suggest the size of the audience, but the only thing publishers are really interested in is if you have something in place NOW to reach them, and in fact you've been reaching them before this book gets published.
Thus: "this book will appeal to all women" is hilarious because the unspoken reply is "do you have email addresses and personal connection to all women?"
One of the most heartbreaking things I have to do disabuse writers of how many people they "know" will actually shell out money to buy their book.
It's one of the most shocking moments of a writer's career when they realize that not all 10,000 members of a mailing list will be interested or hooked enough to buy a book that speaks directly to the interests of that list.
(this is one of the places where "they're not buying this because my books sux" can REALLY creep in)
Being on a mailing list is not the same as having access to the mailing list; having access to the mailing list is good but it's only the start. Studies show (and your own buying habits if you track them will verify) that people buy books based on word of mouth. In other words, those people on the mailing list have to be talking about this book for it to be an effective part of your platform.
So, you might ask, why will people be talking about your book? They'll talk about it if they know you. "Oh look Prunella Smithee has a book coming out. And it's all about WartHogs School of Deportment for Young Ladies!"
What does that mean for you? It means the 10,000 person mailing list is more effective if you are a regular contributor. It's MOST effective if it's YOUR mailing list: ie people who have signed up to hear from you.
Building a mailing list takes enormous time and effort. Maintaining it takes even more time. There are some nifty electronic tools out there to help you. My guess is some contributors to the comment column of this blogpost will offer up some ideas for you.
Blog readership is also a good piece of your platform. One of the things I always look at when I'm checking out blogs is how many people comment. More = better (unless they're all idiot trolls.)
Another tool is GET KNOWN BEFORE THE BOOK DEAL by Christina Katz. I don't rep this author and didn't sell this book so I've got no vested interest in whether you buy it, but you should.
You don't need platform for novels but it doesn't hurt if people know you before hand.
You DO need platform for non-fiction, and that includes memoir.
The number of people on a mailing list, or who belong to a church, does not translate to how many people will buy your book. I wish it did.
Over 11,000 people subscribe to the WartHogs** mailing list (the book is set at WartHogs). The (church I belong to also in the book) boasts 4 million members. I teach at (name of college) and have wide connections to the (church) world, etc, etc. [That is, should I try to suggest the potential audience a la a typical nonfiction book?]
You can certainly suggest the size of the audience, but the only thing publishers are really interested in is if you have something in place NOW to reach them, and in fact you've been reaching them before this book gets published.
Thus: "this book will appeal to all women" is hilarious because the unspoken reply is "do you have email addresses and personal connection to all women?"
One of the most heartbreaking things I have to do disabuse writers of how many people they "know" will actually shell out money to buy their book.
It's one of the most shocking moments of a writer's career when they realize that not all 10,000 members of a mailing list will be interested or hooked enough to buy a book that speaks directly to the interests of that list.
(this is one of the places where "they're not buying this because my books sux" can REALLY creep in)
Being on a mailing list is not the same as having access to the mailing list; having access to the mailing list is good but it's only the start. Studies show (and your own buying habits if you track them will verify) that people buy books based on word of mouth. In other words, those people on the mailing list have to be talking about this book for it to be an effective part of your platform.
So, you might ask, why will people be talking about your book? They'll talk about it if they know you. "Oh look Prunella Smithee has a book coming out. And it's all about WartHogs School of Deportment for Young Ladies!"
What does that mean for you? It means the 10,000 person mailing list is more effective if you are a regular contributor. It's MOST effective if it's YOUR mailing list: ie people who have signed up to hear from you.
Building a mailing list takes enormous time and effort. Maintaining it takes even more time. There are some nifty electronic tools out there to help you. My guess is some contributors to the comment column of this blogpost will offer up some ideas for you.
Blog readership is also a good piece of your platform. One of the things I always look at when I'm checking out blogs is how many people comment. More = better (unless they're all idiot trolls.)
Another tool is GET KNOWN BEFORE THE BOOK DEAL by Christina Katz. I don't rep this author and didn't sell this book so I've got no vested interest in whether you buy it, but you should.
You don't need platform for novels but it doesn't hurt if people know you before hand.
You DO need platform for non-fiction, and that includes memoir.
The number of people on a mailing list, or who belong to a church, does not translate to how many people will buy your book. I wish it did.
**obviously not the name of the actual place, but you knew that right?
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
8/11 Chum Bucket results
One of my favorite replies of all time:
I like you too but you scare the shit out of me. (name withheld)
I got 50 queries in the hour window. Here's a rundown on what best described the responses:
Queries for a category I don't take on: 21
Query needs work/some words of advice: 10
Not right for me: 5
Not a clue about what's happening in the novel/some words of advice: 3
Can't sell this: 4
Get to QueryShark please: 2
Not big enough: 2
Tried a book like this and it flopped/learned my lesson: 2
No second editions: 1
Not enough platform: 1
too scary: 2
Questions?
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Meet Dan Krokos!
1. Tell us what FALSE MEMORY is about
A girl with no memory discovers she's a genetically altered weapon of mass destruction. Her creators are planning to sell them off to the highest bidder. Miranda is not okay with this. Chaos ensues.
2. How long did it take to write?
The first draft took 12 days, which was a pretty bad idea, but at least I got the frame in place. I was pretty much just trying to stay ahead of my doubts. After that I worked on it for about 2 months. After it sold, I probably put another month into edits.
3. Do you outline, or just write by the seat of your britches?
I like the headlight method for outlining. I like to have a vague idea of where the story is going when I sit down to write. I also usually know how the story ends, so I have that end point in mind. I'm not comfortable outlining in great detail, because I like some creative wiggle room, but I also don't think I could just sit down and write something without thinking about it first.
4. What did you learn when you wrote it?
Writing from the POV of a teenage girl is painful.
5. When you're stuck while writing, what do you do?
Stop writing. Or come up with something crazy to get me entertained again.
6. What did the copy editor catch that made you groan?
A couple things that showed my grasp on grammar is not nearly as firm as I thought. It was a while ago, but I know there were a few sentences that really surprised me. But each copy editing session makes me better, so I'm happy about it.
7. Do you have a favorite book about the craft of writing?
James Scott Bell's Plot and Structure is a great starting point. When I started writing I knew what I liked in stories, but I didn't know why things worked the way they did. This book gives a good overview and framework for you to put the pieces of your story into. I feel like you need structure ESPECIALLY in the beginning, when things are so new.
I also liked On Writing by Stephen King. Even though it has some crazy advice (don't write a 180,000 word novel)
8. A memorable book you've read this year, and what made it stand out?
A Storm of Swords by George RR Martin. Mr. Martin taught me a valuable thing about stories with his series. If you can make people feel like any character could die at any moment, you will increase the tension dramatically. I wish more of today's writers were willing to kill off members of their main cast.
9. Is there a book that makes you think "if I could write something like this, I'd die happy?"
Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell. It is brilliant, and all the things I like in a novel. It is funny yet has gut-punching drama. The balance and mastery is something I can only hope to achieve one day.
10. Care to confess to any guilty pleasures?
I don't believe in guilty pleasures. If you enjoy something and it doesn't hurt anyone, why should you feel guilty? (I enjoy romantic dramas)
11. What's your ringtone?
The chant from The Dark Knight Rises. When all the guys in the prison are going DESHAY DESHAY BASARA BASARA DESHAY DESHAY BASARA BASARA.
12. Will the world end in fire or ice and why do you think so?
Fire, most likely. Why do we have so many nuclear weapons? We have enough to destroy everything a bunch of times over. After a while were they just like "Okay might as well, what are we gonna do with all this Uranium?"
Monday, August 13, 2012
Results for the You SEND Me writing contest!
What a great array of entries for the You Send Me writing contest! Way too many of you have brilliantly disturbed minds...it bodes well for horror fiction for years to come.
With no further ado, here are the results:
Kudos for a lovely beach story for the summer!
After much gnashing of fangs, I gave up trying to pick a winner and called in reinforcements. Fortunately Patty Blount is a writer, thus I knew I would find her draped over her computer at 11:30pm on a Sunday night.
I emailed outlining my predicament. She read the entries and tried to weasel out of picking just one winner. Only after dire threats of defenestration, exsanguination and discombobulation, did she give me a number.
With no further ado, here are the results:
Kudos for a lovely beach story for the summer!
Alec Breton 6:04pm
An entry that gives a whole new meaning to beach read!
Cat 6:22pm
Special recognition for a great line!
"These are from a genuine Query Shark. She grabbed hold, and shook all the adverbs outta me"
Laura Hughes, MittensMorgul 7:37pm
"These are from a genuine Query Shark. She grabbed hold, and shook all the adverbs outta me"
Laura Hughes, MittensMorgul 7:37pm
Debut reference to the Chum Bucket in a writing contest!
Ninidee 8:18pm
Oh how I love my fellow minimalists!
ShoppingQueen 8:35pm
One of the best typos of all time!
"explanation marks"
"explanation marks"
Wendy 8:37pm
GREAT punchline!
Eileen 8:58am
Judith Gonda 2:54pm
And here are the finalists!
Bellamama 6:14pm
She knelt in the brush between the trees, watching the men around the campfire argue, punch each other, and stir their beans.
Her brother joined her. “How meny you see?”
“Mor’ en three, but they don’ scar me!” She patted her riffle.
“You sure these is them what killed our ken?”
“Tha’s the one.” She jerked her chin. “Him wearin’ the red. Son of a beach!”
“We’ll git ‘im. Him that send gots to pay, so the good book says.”
“I’ll git Pa.” She backed away into the brush. “Don’ go shoot’n…I git the firs shot!”
Her brother joined her. “How meny you see?”
“Mor’ en three, but they don’ scar me!” She patted her riffle.
“You sure these is them what killed our ken?”
“Tha’s the one.” She jerked her chin. “Him wearin’ the red. Son of a beach!”
“We’ll git ‘im. Him that send gots to pay, so the good book says.”
“I’ll git Pa.” She backed away into the brush. “Don’ go shoot’n…I git the firs shot!”
Maggie 7:25pm
When you regain consciousness, your limbs are sore and heavy. Your mouth is sour. And you are totally confused by this fake beach, perched on the lido deck of a Festival Fun ship.
It takes several hazy moments to assess the situation and send the information back to your brain.
Anything broken? No. Good.
Bruises? Yes. Of course.
Scar? Nothing yet.
Blood? Splattered across your bikini. Must’ve been the last punch to that bitch Brandi’s face.
You stand up and the crowd cheers. “More!” they yell.
If only you hadn’t misheard Ken when he invited you on a Bruise Cruise
It takes several hazy moments to assess the situation and send the information back to your brain.
Anything broken? No. Good.
Bruises? Yes. Of course.
Scar? Nothing yet.
Blood? Splattered across your bikini. Must’ve been the last punch to that bitch Brandi’s face.
You stand up and the crowd cheers. “More!” they yell.
If only you hadn’t misheard Ken when he invited you on a Bruise Cruise
DSH 11:09pm
AN UNFORTUNATE FACEBOOK DISCONNECT (100 words)
Beach trip cancelled. Post-op. Home recovering.
You had the operation?
Yeah. Doc snipped it off.
Dude, intense.
Show you the scar later.
I'd rather a punch in the face.
Chickenshit. Sending photos.
DO NOT! Miss it?
? It was tiny. Didn't know about it, 'til it got infected. Can't use it for anything.
I use mine . . . ALL THE TIME.
You do? What for?
Duhhhh, whatever I can.
Use your appendix?
Appendectomy! Thank God :) :) :)
?
That it wasn't the other operation.
What other operation?
You know. THE operation.
No.
How you always felt like a woman on the inside.
How I what???
Beach trip cancelled. Post-op. Home recovering.
You had the operation?
Yeah. Doc snipped it off.
Dude, intense.
Show you the scar later.
I'd rather a punch in the face.
Chickenshit. Sending photos.
DO NOT! Miss it?
? It was tiny. Didn't know about it, 'til it got infected. Can't use it for anything.
I use mine . . . ALL THE TIME.
You do? What for?
Duhhhh, whatever I can.
Use your appendix?
Appendectomy! Thank God :) :) :)
?
That it wasn't the other operation.
What other operation?
You know. THE operation.
No.
How you always felt like a woman on the inside.
How I what???
Sheila JG 12:02am
There’s this girl at work, and I’m pretty sure she’s bullying me. The attacks were subtle at first, like sending me to the wrong place. I missed Pablo’s goodbye party, which hurt like a punch to the gut.
Then there were the feigned mis-hearings. “I don’t know how to find a good bitch, Ken,” she’d say loudly. She knew I’d said, “beach.” “You want to eat scar goo?” when I’d said, “escargot.”
It hurt to see her being kind to others. John, Zooey, Samuel, and Martin, they all loved her. Not me. I was shunned; repeatedly told, “Siri is unavailable.”
Then there were the feigned mis-hearings. “I don’t know how to find a good bitch, Ken,” she’d say loudly. She knew I’d said, “beach.” “You want to eat scar goo?” when I’d said, “escargot.”
It hurt to see her being kind to others. John, Zooey, Samuel, and Martin, they all loved her. Not me. I was shunned; repeatedly told, “Siri is unavailable.”
Kate Outhwaite 12:22pm
"Ken!"
The voices ring out across the beach and into the dunes where I ponder changing fashions in names. ‘Ken’ was not in fashion even when I was young, the only child of a late marriage: an unexpected, barely wanted bonus; a scar across a comfortable, controlled union; a punch in the stomach of their existence.
Of course, the voices could be calling a dog but I know they are not.
I scoop up more sand to cover the exposed foot and hum my mother’s favourite song, “You Send Me”, as I slip Ken’s little shoe into my coat pocket.
The voices ring out across the beach and into the dunes where I ponder changing fashions in names. ‘Ken’ was not in fashion even when I was young, the only child of a late marriage: an unexpected, barely wanted bonus; a scar across a comfortable, controlled union; a punch in the stomach of their existence.
Of course, the voices could be calling a dog but I know they are not.
I scoop up more sand to cover the exposed foot and hum my mother’s favourite song, “You Send Me”, as I slip Ken’s little shoe into my coat pocket.
DD3123 3:11pm
My fortress of wood blocks loomed over the kindergarten battlefield. Lego men cheered from the ramparts while plastic soldiers tended the wounded. A full company of My Little Ponies lay broken in the fields. Barbie and Ken never made it off the beach. I don't know why Courtney Williams decided to send a football our way, why she struck my impenetrable bastion dead center, or why my castle's loss would scar me for life. But I do know why I had to punch her in the nose. If I hadn't, my dear boy, I'd have never met your mother.
Mark Koopmans 3:50pm
Scratching her legs – the damned mosquitoes would scar her – Liz stared at her friend.
“Hamish, what does ‘ken’ even mean?”
“It means I ‘know.’”
Taking in the wreckage strewn across the beach, Liz punched the Scotsman in the shoulder.
“Well, do you ken what happened to the outrigger?”
“No idea. Dave was steering, but he –.”
Liz interrupted him. She didn’t want to think about the stacked bodies at the base of the tree.
“Do you think they’ll send anyone?”
“No, but I’ll have enough food.
I’ve never had haggis using a human stomach. I’m sure you’ll taste just fine.”
“Hamish, what does ‘ken’ even mean?”
“It means I ‘know.’”
Taking in the wreckage strewn across the beach, Liz punched the Scotsman in the shoulder.
“Well, do you ken what happened to the outrigger?”
“No idea. Dave was steering, but he –.”
Liz interrupted him. She didn’t want to think about the stacked bodies at the base of the tree.
“Do you think they’ll send anyone?”
“No, but I’ll have enough food.
I’ve never had haggis using a human stomach. I’m sure you’ll taste just fine.”
After much gnashing of fangs, I gave up trying to pick a winner and called in reinforcements. Fortunately Patty Blount is a writer, thus I knew I would find her draped over her computer at 11:30pm on a Sunday night.
I emailed outlining my predicament. She read the entries and tried to weasel out of picking just one winner. Only after dire threats of defenestration, exsanguination and discombobulation, did she give me a number.
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