My apologies for not posting last week. I have an excuse, that goes beyond "the dog ate my post". Actually "the publisher ate my week".
Okay, to be fair it wasn't the publisher who ate my week, it was the learning curve I'm on as I figure out how to "wow 'em" with my proposal package.
My last post, as it turns out, was predictive - or at least a nice piece of timing. In it, I shared with you some of the head knowledge I have accumulated since making the sudden and arguably rash decision to chuck all other plans and become a full time writer. It was a decision that has reaped a good deal of promise in a comparatively short time. It's been less than a year since I up and became a writer (I started April, 2007).
In that time I've managed to be included in an anthology called Hot Apple Cider ( From That's Life! Communications. And while I'm not named in the one sheet, my story is a highlight in both the Canadian and US one sheet promos. You can see them at: http://www.hotapplecider.ca/ go to the bottom of the page and click "media". My story is the first one highlighted which reads: "A lonely waitress stuck in a small town in the middle of nowhere wonders how God could possibly use her."
It's a small but happy step, and I'm thrilled to be included in the anthology.
I've also found my way into a second anthology, my short piece Master of the Sneaky Hug is included in Women of Passion (have a peek at what they are all about at: http://womenofpassions.net/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx). Again, I was amazed and thrilled when my submission was accepted (actually it was referred to as "exquisite").
Last spring I wrote my first book proposal ever, for a non-fiction book. I had to run out and buy a book to teach me how to write a proposal. It was a good book (get it from amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Write-Book-Proposal-Michael-Larsen/dp/1582972516/ref=ed_oe_p) and my proposal was successful. The book is in it's first draft (and I'm aware that anything can happen from here - but I'm keeping a positive attitude), and I have a contract with Beacon Hill Press (http://www.nph.com/nphweb/html/bhol/index.jsp?nid=ban). Yes, I'm planning to learn how to embed these links into the text of my posts - please forgive my archaic copy and paste approach.
Which brings us to last week. I have a novel I'm awfully fond of. I don't have an agent, nor do I have any other published novels, so I was sort of hooped when it came to getting a large, royalty paying publisher to read my ms.
I decided to try The Writer's Edge . I paid my money and took my chances - which I admit were slim to none. But praise the Lord, I received an e-mail from a publisher. A large publisher. You'll forgive me for not naming them right now, as I've only just submitted my ms to them. I will update you on the outcome when I know about it.
Now, I was faced with putting into actual practice everything I have learned so far. It took me a week to put together a synopsis, chapter outline, cover letter, and do a hard edit of the first three chapters.
Okay, part of that time was because of the learning curve - I've never actually submitted a fiction proposal before - but mostly it was because I take the profession of writing seriously. Perhaps my approach will help you when you face your next (or first) fiction proposal:
1) Picture yourself working for a large corporation. As you write your proposal, pretend you are working on a HUGE project that has come down from the big wigs. You're the project manager and the buck stops with you. Get it right, or risk losing your job. (Sound dire? Think about it for awhile - it makes more sense the longer you think about it.)
2) Research first. There are LOTS of resources on how to write the different components of a proposal package. I strongly suggest you look at several different ones before you start writing yours. Check the Internet, sure, but you really need some books that give you depth and perspective you don't see on web sites (cough, cough).
3) Only research what you need to know. What you include in your proposal depends on many factors. Is is a query? Was the ms requested? Did you meet the agent or publisher in person? For me, it was easy. The e-mail I received clearly stated what was expected of me. I sent what was asked for an nothing more (or less). Therefore I didn't spend any time researching the perfect query letter - I didn't need to include that. But I did need to figure out the best sort of synopsis to include when also sending chapter outlines.
4) Take time to craft a pitch line. This is a "hook" a sentence or two that grabs the reader's attention. It's ideal if you can include your "hook" and your "handle" in the pitch line. That way the reader is interested in the idea, and also is able to understand what the book will be about.
5) Write several versions of your synopsis. Remember, you're the project manager, and you need to see this thing from several angles. With each revision focus on tone (your synopsis should read like your novel does), action verbs and fantastic nouns. Also, ensure every action has a reason.
6) Get other people to read every version you write. If you're not in a critique group, this may be a good time to get in one. You need someone else's eyes on this puppy. Preferably someone who hasn't read your book and doesn't know what its about.
7) Take your time. Take your time. Take your time. Give yourself time to get it right. Never submit a proposal in a hurry. Publishing doesn't fly, it crawls - by nature of the business things take time. An agent or publisher would rather wait (it's not like they can't find things to do!) for a great proposal than receive a prompt mediocre one.
8) If you are submitting sample chapters (not the whole ms) they are asking for the FIRST THREE chapters. Not your best three. Chapter 1, chapter 2 and chapter 3. Make sure chapter 3 ends on the right note. If you have to rearrange your ms to end the samples on a sandbag, then do it. You want to ensure when they get done reading, they are wishing they had the whole ms.
9) Even if you've edited your chapters to death, do it again. Then get someone else to do it for you. Then do it again. Don't send in anything less than your best. It's a waste of every one's time to send in less than your best.
10) Keep your job! Send it and pray. You may not get it (I may not get it) the first time, but you will know you did it right.
Here's something to think about: I believe one of the reasons that it is so difficult to get published is because there are too many people out there who think writing is some fun thing and you can just 'take a stab' at it. Because of the over abundance of unprofessional (and in some cases - lousy) submissions, publishers have been forced (yes, I think they've been forced - they love books, authors, and the written language and the sharing of ideas, they are not thugs who want to be mean to people) to tighten up submission protocol to near impossible levels.
If we all decided to treat writing like the profession it is, and only submit the best of our best, it would benefit all of us.
Peace.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
"Christian" Publishing - The Pared Down "How to get Published"
Excuse me while I smack my forehead with the palm of my hand
.
No, it's not that I "could have had a V-8", it's just that I'm trying to remember when the word "Christian" became an adjective.
Hmmm. . .
The last time I checked "Christian" was a noun (although, truth be told, I'm trying to make it a verb in my life - but that's another issue).
We have "Christian" everything these days. Someone asked me if I had plans to go to the "Christian store" on the weekend. I gave her a blank look and asked if they were having a sale on Christians. She gave me a blank look in reply. Apparently they aren't.
But, if I were to go to this Christian store, I would find all sorts of Christian things. Wall hangings, music, posters, nic-nacs and doodads of all kinds. And books. Shelves and shelves of wonderful books. "Christian books" published by "Christian publishers".
Recently, I enrolled in an online discussion with several Christian publishers. They discussed what they are looking for in a book proposal (they discussed fiction and non-fiction). What I came away with from that discussion was that "Christian publishers" are publishing books for the same reason secular publishers are publishing books: to make money.
That's it. No loftier goal in mind. They have to make money.
"Oh, sure," you say. "But their real goal is to spread the Gospel."
Probably many of them do, but the whole horse and pony show swings on the hinges of making money. I'm not saying this as criticism. Just stating the facts.
So, in order to make money, publishers are looking for certain things in a proposal.
Get a pen.
Go on, go find one. I'll wait.
Got one? Good.
Here is the secret to getting published:
Ready?
Seriously, I think you should write this down.
Here it is: Be amazing.
Okay, go pick up that pen you just threw across the room. You'll want it. Honest.
What a publisher is looking for is someone who can be excellent at the following things (this goes for agents as well):
1) Knows how to research specific publishers to find out what they are looking for. This is important. Really, really important. Write it down. You need to know how to research specific publisher's needs and then tailor your proposal to fulfill their requirements. You also need to know which publishers NOT to send your proposal to. Don't send you sci-fi thriller to a publisher specializing in Mennonite romance novels. Do that a few times and you'll end up with a reputation - not the kind you want.
2) Knows how to write a proposal. This is an industry unto itself and you can't figure it out by yourself. You MUST go get resources about proposal writing. If you write fiction collect resources that show you how to write fiction proposals. They are different from non-fiction. You must couple this skill with the first point (above). Now, go get your resources. Go on. I'll wait.
3) Be famous already. Painful as it is, publishers are jumping to publish people who are already famous (for something - not necessarily for writing). Not famous? Go get yourself some fame. It's called a "platform" and its the single most important selling point to getting published these days. How do you get famous? Hard work. Get online, get blogging, join groups with common goals that will allow you to showcase your work, build an audience locally, and spread out. Also, use your field of expertise (do you have a degree? have you worked in an exotic local? do you have a rare skill that others will find useful? do you have a position or title? Do people hire you to speak at events?) to play up your 'sale-ablity'. Basically, you are saying, "People will buy my books because I'm amazing and they love me!"
4) Know the rules cold - so you can break them. You need to be original in order to get noticed. But you can't simply go off and be kooky original with your proposal or your fiction. You need to demonstrate that you know the rules of writing so well that you can break them - and when you do the result is fantastic. It works. So, this step requires both a slavish dedication to the rules of style, voice, POV, characterization, plot, and all the rest, AND a distinctive flare. One could call this the perfect marriage of substance and style. You need both. Not sure you have them? The first part is time consuming, but easy enough. You can take writing classes, workshops, read books, and do research. In time you will improve. The second one is a bit trickier, as it involves both talent and personality.
5) Be interesting. It's not enough to be an excellent writer. You have to have an excellent story to tell. Yes, often the story is in the telling, but there are so many books published every year that the market is clogged. You need to be able to take readers where they haven't been taken before. Exotic locals, inside secret organizations, behind the scenes, inside the mind. Show the publisher that you have a unique perspective that is fresh, exciting, and intriguing.
6) Don't preach. The term "show, don't tell" applies to more than just a style of writing. It applies to the whole novel. If you have a message (be nice, don't lie, grace is for everyone, Jesus forgives, green beans are best, etc.) show your message by unfolding the interesting details before your reader's eyes. Publishers don't enjoy reading someones preaching.
7) Have a killer opening line. Lean how to craft excellent opening lines for your novel (and your proposal). You need to start your story in the middle - get to the point right away. Don't save your best stuff for later as a "nice surprise". The publisher or agent won't read that far down the page. You have less than a minute to grab them by the shirt front and thrill their socks off.
8) Know your genre. Sure, your book is one of a kind, no one has ever written anything like it. Get over it. It has to fit in a category. All publisher's are category driven. You must know what it is you're writing, where it fits, and who else is writing in the genre. Simple explanations of your work are the best. As one publisher I listened to put it, "Beaches in South Africa" says so much. Right away the publisher knows its a friendship story, someone will die, and it's set in exotic South Africa. A winner!
9) After doing all else, be persistent. Persistence is great - but it shouldn't be your first step. First, be amazing, then be persistent. Don't allow rejection letters to stop you from shopping your novel. Much of this is about being in the right place and the right time with the right manuscript. That takes persistence, and perseverance (The Left Behind series was rejected by publishers)
Ok, off you go. There's much to do.
.
No, it's not that I "could have had a V-8", it's just that I'm trying to remember when the word "Christian" became an adjective.
Hmmm. . .
The last time I checked "Christian" was a noun (although, truth be told, I'm trying to make it a verb in my life - but that's another issue).
We have "Christian" everything these days. Someone asked me if I had plans to go to the "Christian store" on the weekend. I gave her a blank look and asked if they were having a sale on Christians. She gave me a blank look in reply. Apparently they aren't.
But, if I were to go to this Christian store, I would find all sorts of Christian things. Wall hangings, music, posters, nic-nacs and doodads of all kinds. And books. Shelves and shelves of wonderful books. "Christian books" published by "Christian publishers".
Recently, I enrolled in an online discussion with several Christian publishers. They discussed what they are looking for in a book proposal (they discussed fiction and non-fiction). What I came away with from that discussion was that "Christian publishers" are publishing books for the same reason secular publishers are publishing books: to make money.
That's it. No loftier goal in mind. They have to make money.
"Oh, sure," you say. "But their real goal is to spread the Gospel."
Probably many of them do, but the whole horse and pony show swings on the hinges of making money. I'm not saying this as criticism. Just stating the facts.
So, in order to make money, publishers are looking for certain things in a proposal.
Get a pen.
Go on, go find one. I'll wait.
Got one? Good.
Here is the secret to getting published:
Ready?
Seriously, I think you should write this down.
Here it is: Be amazing.
Okay, go pick up that pen you just threw across the room. You'll want it. Honest.
What a publisher is looking for is someone who can be excellent at the following things (this goes for agents as well):
1) Knows how to research specific publishers to find out what they are looking for. This is important. Really, really important. Write it down. You need to know how to research specific publisher's needs and then tailor your proposal to fulfill their requirements. You also need to know which publishers NOT to send your proposal to. Don't send you sci-fi thriller to a publisher specializing in Mennonite romance novels. Do that a few times and you'll end up with a reputation - not the kind you want.
2) Knows how to write a proposal. This is an industry unto itself and you can't figure it out by yourself. You MUST go get resources about proposal writing. If you write fiction collect resources that show you how to write fiction proposals. They are different from non-fiction. You must couple this skill with the first point (above). Now, go get your resources. Go on. I'll wait.
3) Be famous already. Painful as it is, publishers are jumping to publish people who are already famous (for something - not necessarily for writing). Not famous? Go get yourself some fame. It's called a "platform" and its the single most important selling point to getting published these days. How do you get famous? Hard work. Get online, get blogging, join groups with common goals that will allow you to showcase your work, build an audience locally, and spread out. Also, use your field of expertise (do you have a degree? have you worked in an exotic local? do you have a rare skill that others will find useful? do you have a position or title? Do people hire you to speak at events?) to play up your 'sale-ablity'. Basically, you are saying, "People will buy my books because I'm amazing and they love me!"
4) Know the rules cold - so you can break them. You need to be original in order to get noticed. But you can't simply go off and be kooky original with your proposal or your fiction. You need to demonstrate that you know the rules of writing so well that you can break them - and when you do the result is fantastic. It works. So, this step requires both a slavish dedication to the rules of style, voice, POV, characterization, plot, and all the rest, AND a distinctive flare. One could call this the perfect marriage of substance and style. You need both. Not sure you have them? The first part is time consuming, but easy enough. You can take writing classes, workshops, read books, and do research. In time you will improve. The second one is a bit trickier, as it involves both talent and personality.
5) Be interesting. It's not enough to be an excellent writer. You have to have an excellent story to tell. Yes, often the story is in the telling, but there are so many books published every year that the market is clogged. You need to be able to take readers where they haven't been taken before. Exotic locals, inside secret organizations, behind the scenes, inside the mind. Show the publisher that you have a unique perspective that is fresh, exciting, and intriguing.
6) Don't preach. The term "show, don't tell" applies to more than just a style of writing. It applies to the whole novel. If you have a message (be nice, don't lie, grace is for everyone, Jesus forgives, green beans are best, etc.) show your message by unfolding the interesting details before your reader's eyes. Publishers don't enjoy reading someones preaching.
7) Have a killer opening line. Lean how to craft excellent opening lines for your novel (and your proposal). You need to start your story in the middle - get to the point right away. Don't save your best stuff for later as a "nice surprise". The publisher or agent won't read that far down the page. You have less than a minute to grab them by the shirt front and thrill their socks off.
8) Know your genre. Sure, your book is one of a kind, no one has ever written anything like it. Get over it. It has to fit in a category. All publisher's are category driven. You must know what it is you're writing, where it fits, and who else is writing in the genre. Simple explanations of your work are the best. As one publisher I listened to put it, "Beaches in South Africa" says so much. Right away the publisher knows its a friendship story, someone will die, and it's set in exotic South Africa. A winner!
9) After doing all else, be persistent. Persistence is great - but it shouldn't be your first step. First, be amazing, then be persistent. Don't allow rejection letters to stop you from shopping your novel. Much of this is about being in the right place and the right time with the right manuscript. That takes persistence, and perseverance (The Left Behind series was rejected by publishers)
Ok, off you go. There's much to do.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Blog Rolls That Matter
Blogging is more about connections than anything else.
This is what I've heard, and as I've browsed the interweb looking for the useful, the insightful, the compelling, I have to agree.
Thus my decision to start a blog roll.
Tis woefully weensy at the moment, I admit. But Fiction Matters is a blog dedicated to fiction that matters.
In the coming days, I'll be adding blogs to my blog roll that I believe are:
1) Useful. I'm looking for blogs that can add to the experience of writing and reading fiction.
2) Insightful. I'm looking for people who have something to say other than rehashing what everyone else is talking about.
3) Compelling. Well written, well thought out. Interesting. I'm hoping to hear your voice in your blog. Funny is always a plus as well.
Sound like your blog? Drop me a note and I'll check your blog out.
This is what I've heard, and as I've browsed the interweb looking for the useful, the insightful, the compelling, I have to agree.
Thus my decision to start a blog roll.
Tis woefully weensy at the moment, I admit. But Fiction Matters is a blog dedicated to fiction that matters.
In the coming days, I'll be adding blogs to my blog roll that I believe are:
1) Useful. I'm looking for blogs that can add to the experience of writing and reading fiction.
2) Insightful. I'm looking for people who have something to say other than rehashing what everyone else is talking about.
3) Compelling. Well written, well thought out. Interesting. I'm hoping to hear your voice in your blog. Funny is always a plus as well.
Sound like your blog? Drop me a note and I'll check your blog out.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Books That Matter
I'm ripping off the idea for this list from someone else's blog (Missio Dei - if you're interested. His blog deals with things far more important than this one http://jonathanbrink.com/)
One book that changed your life: It's not fiction, but I can't say there was a fiction book that changed my life. If I think of one I'll let you know. But this book did. When my husband left me for another woman I bought this book. I can't articulate how profound an influence it had on me. I've not seen it's equal. I've read it many times, and it sits beside my bed even now, years later.
One book you read more than once: Pick a Susan Isaacs' novel, and I've read it more than once. She is my writing mentor. When I'm writing a scene for a smart, funny, interesting character, I re-read it and ask "Is this what Susan would write?" This one is, in my opinion one of her very best. Pure fun.
One book you would want on a desert island: Ok, it's two books (It's my blog and I can cheat if I want to.....cheat if I want to......). These two books got me re-interested in fiction written for a Christian audience. I had long grown bored with the tepid topics and unthrilling plots between the pages of so-called "Christian fiction" (pardon me, but isn't Christian a noun?) These two books (the first in a three book series, but the third is forgetable) saved the day and set the bar higher for the industry. Her research is flawless, and her prose is engaging.
One book that made you laugh: Olive Ann Burns did us all a big favor by working so hard to get this book right. She created a world you feel you can step right into. Her dialogue is second to none, and her characters are richly southern without being overwhelming. Its a story of family, secrets, and love, but written with such a bright hand it had me chuckling and smiling through the whole thing. Sadly, this gifted writer died before she was able to finish the sequel Leaving Cold Sassy, but it was published as an unfinished sequel which has all the finished scenes, unfinished scenes, and her notes about the book, as well as some commentary. Read them both.
One book you wish you'd written: Oh gosh. One day I will write a time travel novel. I only hope it will be half as compelling as The Time Traveller's Wife. Gorgeous, human, amazing. The characters grow, change, mature, and evolve as the story unfolds. It's brilliant, sad, and achingly lovely. Something to aspire to.
One book you're currently reading: Oh stop. I'm on vacation.
One book you've been meaning to read: Hard to pick one, but with The Kite Runner film coming out, Hosseini's name is everywhere and I keep thinking I should read this one. I can't help but be inspired by his debut novel, and I suppose expectations are high for this one too.
I'm not recommending the blog necessarily, but I believe in giving credit where credit is due. And I snagged the list from his site.
One book that changed your life: It's not fiction, but I can't say there was a fiction book that changed my life. If I think of one I'll let you know. But this book did. When my husband left me for another woman I bought this book. I can't articulate how profound an influence it had on me. I've not seen it's equal. I've read it many times, and it sits beside my bed even now, years later.
One book you read more than once: Pick a Susan Isaacs' novel, and I've read it more than once. She is my writing mentor. When I'm writing a scene for a smart, funny, interesting character, I re-read it and ask "Is this what Susan would write?" This one is, in my opinion one of her very best. Pure fun.
One book you would want on a desert island: Ok, it's two books (It's my blog and I can cheat if I want to.....cheat if I want to......). These two books got me re-interested in fiction written for a Christian audience. I had long grown bored with the tepid topics and unthrilling plots between the pages of so-called "Christian fiction" (pardon me, but isn't Christian a noun?) These two books (the first in a three book series, but the third is forgetable) saved the day and set the bar higher for the industry. Her research is flawless, and her prose is engaging.
One book that made you laugh: Olive Ann Burns did us all a big favor by working so hard to get this book right. She created a world you feel you can step right into. Her dialogue is second to none, and her characters are richly southern without being overwhelming. Its a story of family, secrets, and love, but written with such a bright hand it had me chuckling and smiling through the whole thing. Sadly, this gifted writer died before she was able to finish the sequel Leaving Cold Sassy, but it was published as an unfinished sequel which has all the finished scenes, unfinished scenes, and her notes about the book, as well as some commentary. Read them both.
One book you wish you'd written: Oh gosh. One day I will write a time travel novel. I only hope it will be half as compelling as The Time Traveller's Wife. Gorgeous, human, amazing. The characters grow, change, mature, and evolve as the story unfolds. It's brilliant, sad, and achingly lovely. Something to aspire to.
One book you're currently reading: Oh stop. I'm on vacation.
One book you've been meaning to read: Hard to pick one, but with The Kite Runner film coming out, Hosseini's name is everywhere and I keep thinking I should read this one. I can't help but be inspired by his debut novel, and I suppose expectations are high for this one too. What about you?
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Lessons from the Vinyl Cafe
Stuart McLean leads a charmed public life. He hosts a radio program on CBC that reminds us of the quirky wonderfulness of being Canadian, and being human.
My husband bought me Secrets From the Vinyl Cafe for Christmas. I read it in large bites, often at the end of the day when I picked it up looking for respite- and finding it within these pages.
What's great about the book isn't the writing (although it's very good), it's the feeling. Tone, voice. McLean nails it on nearly every story.
Oh, yeah, the book is a composite of stories about people who live in the same town. The secrets are often funny, sometimes absurd, but always human. And that's why these stories stand out in today's marketplace. There is a Paul Harvey feel, a Norman Rockwell tone that one never quiet gets tired of. In fact, there were times I found myself looking forward to joining these characters again, to see what's next. There is a calm gentleness to the series that you don't find often anymore. I'm not complaining. I don't think every book should be like this one. I'm just very glad there are books like this around still.
It was a Christmas of secrets. From those found at the Vinyl Cafe, to those found in the pages of PostSecret.com's newest book A Lifetime of Secrets. Not strictly fiction, not strictly non-fiction, the book is a collection of postcards each of which contains a single secret. The artwork is enough to make you want to read the book. More than a foray into voyeurism, this collection (and the other three postsecret.com books, which I also received, all from my wonderful hubby), is a journey into what was, what is, and what could be about being human. I include it here because I think it deserves to be talked about, but also because I think the postcards contain enough fiction to count. Sometimes the secret is that they wish the thing they write about really was their secret (I suspect). Anyway, it's lovely and should be read. You can check out new secrets each Sunday at www.postsecret.com.
Both these books serve as inspiration for my writing. As I contemplate a book series based on my short story The Stuckville Cafe, I draw both inspiration from McLean, and hope that a book about the quirky, but, ultimately quiet lives of human beings can be enjoyable and successful in today's Marketplace (I feared I may have come to the party too late). From the PostSecret books I pull inspiration for characterization. It's a reminder to ensure no character is flat, or one dimensional. Everyone has secrets (I have written about secrets in a previous post you may enjoy, just scroll down from this post), and every secret, in one way or another, plays out in public.
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