Comments on: It Doesn’t Have to be Hot to SELL

By: Kira Budge

Kira Budge — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 22:13:32 +0000

I’m in the midst of editing a book to begin querying (this is the fourth book I’ve tried this with), and this was something I was on the verge of having a panic attack about. Thank you.

By: Laptops in pakistan

Laptops in pakistan — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:41:10 +0000

great post like on facebook fan page Thanks 4 share

By: Nikole Hahn

Nikole Hahn — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:57:29 +0000

I don’t know how to measure “what’s not hot” except that I have read a lot of good books–some self-published and some traditional. Some might not be a J.K. Rowling, but their writing is good and their stories better. I have a bunch of keeper novels on my shelf, like C.S. Lakin.

By: Connie

Connie — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:11:57 +0000

Thanks so much!! Those are the exact words of encouragement that I needed to hear today.

By: Tonya Kuper

Tonya Kuper — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:45:04 +0000

Thanks, Rachelle! As a YA writer, I needed to hear those words today.

By: globalgirl

globalgirl — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:04:48 +0000

I am attempting to be a YA author and so I read a ton of YA books. I like the paranormal books and they are really hot right now. I find realistic teen novels to be most interesting, like novels written by Sarah Dessen. I just finished “The Earth, My Butt, and Other Round Things” by Carolyn Mackler. It wasn’t a “hot” novel, but it was still interesting and I got to see life from the perspective an overweight teen living in NYC. I like being able to live life vicariously through these realistic teen characters. Book reading teens probably like to identify with teen characters and situations that help them deal with their lives and problems. So I think it’s important for not only teen readers, but all readers to have exposure to a variety of stories and authors, not just the “hot” ones, but also the warm ones as a means of learning about life and oneself.

By: Reba

Reba — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:33:45 +0000

I look at it this way. God is in control and it will happen when He says it will happen….and yes it is hard to wait.
I have enjoyed many books that were not the ‘hot’ book. For me it was ‘hot’ because I enjoyed it so much I read it a second and third time.
:0)

By: Karen Hooper

Karen Hooper — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:39:13 +0000

A Certain Slant of Light didn’t seem to make the big Hot list, but I adored that story.

Just wanted to say congratulations on Addison Moore’s big news. That was SO exciting! Love her to pieces and I hope her Celestra series makes it onto my TV. 🙂

By: Jessica Nelson

Jessica Nelson — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:46:52 +0000

I’m so glad you shared this post! Thanks. Most books I read are not HOT but they’re enjoyable, and really, that’s why I read. So the not hot books still fill a void.

By: Sarah Thomas

Sarah Thomas — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:52:41 +0000

This is the most encouraging thing I’ve read in a long time. “Not yet” beats the heck out of “never.”

I think most of what I read isn’t “hot.” Last year I fell in love with everything Laura Frantz has written. The great thing about discovering an author after they’ve published several books is that you don’t have to wait for the next one to come out!

By: Sandy Stevener

Sandy Stevener — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:44:58 +0000

Thanks Rachelle, it’s always good to hear about “the other side” of publishing. It seems so mysterious from this side but things we don’t know always seem mysterious until we learn them.

By: Kaitlyne

Kaitlyne — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:43:03 +0000

So you’ve made a really great point, which poses another question. Let’s say you’re an author with a full manuscript that has lingered with an agent (or editor) for several months without a word.

We’re always encouraged to send a nudge as a reminder, I guess with the assumption that the agent/editor was too busy to get to it or had forgotten about it, but do you think it’s more likely that it’s still being considered?

If so, could it actually harm an author to ask for an answer now as opposed to just waiting to see what happens?

Also, I’ve got to say this encouraged me a lot. I’ve been in this position before, taking longer to hear back than expected, and had always assumed it was an automatic negative. In other words, that the book languished because it wasn’t interesting enough to entice anyone.

You hear so many stories about sales being made quickly, and I’ve even seen agents say that if a book didn’t sell in two months it’s likely not going to, which is just very discouraging even when you’ve had nothing but good feedback in return.

You give me hope that there might still be a chance out there. 🙂

By: Kristin Laughtin

Kristin Laughtin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:35:16 +0000

Then, of course, some books that nobody thought would be hot gain a lot of momentum and end up tremendous successes. The trick is to be prepared for anything, and perhaps not to let initial judgments color your perception of what’s possible for your book.

By: melanie

melanie — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:24:06 +0000

I quite enjoyed the Sophie Katz mysteries by Kyra Davis. Can’t even always find them in the store.