Publishing
| Publishing, Submitting
Proposal to Publication – Part 2 of 5
The Contract Stage4 So, you’ve heard that your book has been accepted for publication. Yipee! 4 Your biggest question will probably be: How much MONEY do I get? You’ll be offered an advance which might be lower than your lifelong dream, but more than you have in your checking account right now (if you’re lucky).…
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Proposal to Publication – Part 1 of 5
This week I’m going to take you on a journey through the publishing process “From Proposal to Publication.” I’ll give brief explanations of what’s happening at the publishing house during each of the stages, and what’s expected of the author. Please note this a generic overview… the process can vary substantially from house to house.…
Read More | A Writer's Life, Publishing
What is ICRS?
I’m spending most of this week preparing for my meetings at ICRS, so I thought I’d explain it to you in case you’re wondering. ICRS stands for International Christian Retail Show. If you’re familiar with BEA (Book Expo America), ICRS is a smaller version for the Christian publishing and retailing world. It’s a trade show,…
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Should You Try to Write What’s HOT?
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the difference between good projects and hot projects; and I followed it up with a post about why your project can sell even if it’s not “hot.” So that begs the question (which many of you asked): Should you try to write what’s hot? Should you be…
Read More | Announcements, Just for Fun, Publishing
Thanks for Coming to the Party!
I’m amazed at how many party animals showed up at my little shindig on Friday… and kept coming all weekend! Thanks for coming, and thanks for leaving your contact information. I hope you take advantage of it, visit blogs, follow people on Twitter, and make those connections with other writers! That was a fun party.…
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It’s a Blog Party!
So, it’s Friday and I just feel like hanging out, shootin’ the breeze, and getting to know everyone. Doesn’t that sound like fun? Come on in, grab a beverage (cooler’s over there) and start mingling. How do we do that on a blog? It’s easy. In the comments, leave your blog and/or website URL, Twitter…
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Two Conversations
Any of you who write a blog, or participate in blogs like this one, know that it feels like an ongoing conversation. I’m having this conversation with all of you; you’re talking to one another as well. It’s pretty cool the way we’re all sort of hanging out talking to one another every day. I…
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Memoir Guidelines
Alexis Grant asked: Would you consider a post on memoir guidelines, since memoir falls somewhere between fiction and nonfiction in many ways? For my travel memoir, should I query when I have a proposal and several sample chapters, like nonfiction, or wait until the manuscript is complete, like fiction? What’s the usual word-count window for…
Read More | Just for Fun, Publishing
Special Sunday Extra
I just had to take a moment to tell everyone how much I’ve enjoyed reading your 100-word bios. If you haven’t read them, click on the comments for the post below. I’m impressed by the quality of writing overall, and amazed at some of the fascinating details shared. I’m so lucky to have such an…
Read More | Agents, Editing, Publishing
Which Comes First – Agent or Editor?
A lot of people think it’s a chicken-or-egg question: Do I pitch to agents or editors first? But it’s really not that hard. The truth is, if you want to sell your book to a commercial royalty-paying publisher, you’re going to need either an agent, or some kind of personal contact with editors. Since it’s…
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Attention Fantasy/Sci Fi Writers
Okay, I know you think I hate you just because you write about zombies and martians and the apocalypse. I don’t hate anyone, I swear! And to prove it, I have a special gift today just for you. It’s a blog I found out about: “The Spectacle,” on which “Authors talk about writing speculative fiction…
Read More | Announcements, Just for Fun, Publishing
Thanks!
Wow, I did not expect such a response to today’s post about rejection letters. Hmm, I wonder why writers are interested in this topic? 😉 I’ll spend some time mulling your comments, suggestions and questions, and will probably write a follow-up post next week. Meanwhile, thanks for your comments. This really helps me understand what…
Read More | About Me, Publishing
My Tweets from QueryDay
As you know, Friday was QueryDay on Twitter. I think it went exceptionally well. Lots of great questions from authors, lots of agents and editors chiming in with answers. An incredible wealth of information was passed around! Several people asked me to compile my tweets from the day. So here they are. Just a whole…
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QueryDay… and a Q4U
Okay, now that we’ve all had sufficient time to totally deconstruct QueryFail and AgentFail (and hopefully recover), I wanted to let you know that today is QueryDay on Twitter… and yes, I’m participating. Why, oh why, would I do such a thing? Well, here’s why. In the interest of grace, and second chances, and the…
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