As I have seen on the loops out there, many of you are just as excited about nationals this year as I am! I've already got my calendar filling up like you!
I did want to remind all of you about Query Fest!
Saturday morning from 8:30-10:30 in the Americas Seminar Room we'll be talking query letters. Jessica Faust, Christine Witthohn, Miriam Kriss, Paige Wheeler and myself will be taking the first hour and reading through query letters that come in. Bring in that query letter and we will do some cold reads. Yes, if we hear something we like, we might be asking for more.
During the second hour, we'll be breaking up into small groups, you get to work with agents one on one to clean up those queries.
Don't forget that the handouts are located online this year. I will have them on a computer with me but during the workshop portion, we will likely be using that information so don't forget to bring your copies with you!
Yes this will be early in the morning but I am convinced this will be a session you don't want to miss out out.
Make sure to get there early. I am sure this will be a standing room only session.
Scott
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The Art of the Deal - Sell Yourself AND Your Book
I honestly have to say that many authors seem to think the story is the only thing we are looking at when we deal with submissions. This couldn't be further from the truth. For some reason, writers seem to think there is a difference between the publishing world and the real world. Honestly, this just makes me scream!
Let's start witht he business world. If you apply for a job, what do you do? You make sure you are right for the position before you apply. You research the company to make sure this is the place you want to be. You take time to prepare your resume. You draft a cover letter and letter of application that showcases your abilities. Assuming you get an interview, you go in to sell yourself. You dress the part, you talk the part, you show the employer you are a professional.
And yet...
In publishing, what do people do?
They submit stories to editors and agents that would never like it in the first place. They have no idea who they are working for in terms of how they operate. They send out stories that still need revisions. They have query letters where they tell us openly they are bad writers with no experience or skill. They have pitch sessions reading their pitches and acting like it is a first date. They simply don't show us they are professionals.
Now, I am not saying every writer out there does this, and I am sure many of you will want to chime in here saying your are not among the crowd, but there are still far too many that do. Every day when I open up e-queries or read my submisisons, I see this all of the time. When I attend conferences, I get people who openly walk in and state, "I'm really nervous and I don't think I will do well."
I am sorry to say this, but the publishing world is just like anything else in the business world. When you get ready to send any agent or editor a project, you better be assuming this is a job application you are sending out. Treat it the same way. And for those of you that just signed up for appointments at nationals, make sure you treat this like an interview.
No excuses.
Scott
Let's start witht he business world. If you apply for a job, what do you do? You make sure you are right for the position before you apply. You research the company to make sure this is the place you want to be. You take time to prepare your resume. You draft a cover letter and letter of application that showcases your abilities. Assuming you get an interview, you go in to sell yourself. You dress the part, you talk the part, you show the employer you are a professional.
And yet...
In publishing, what do people do?
They submit stories to editors and agents that would never like it in the first place. They have no idea who they are working for in terms of how they operate. They send out stories that still need revisions. They have query letters where they tell us openly they are bad writers with no experience or skill. They have pitch sessions reading their pitches and acting like it is a first date. They simply don't show us they are professionals.
Now, I am not saying every writer out there does this, and I am sure many of you will want to chime in here saying your are not among the crowd, but there are still far too many that do. Every day when I open up e-queries or read my submisisons, I see this all of the time. When I attend conferences, I get people who openly walk in and state, "I'm really nervous and I don't think I will do well."
I am sorry to say this, but the publishing world is just like anything else in the business world. When you get ready to send any agent or editor a project, you better be assuming this is a job application you are sending out. Treat it the same way. And for those of you that just signed up for appointments at nationals, make sure you treat this like an interview.
No excuses.
Scott
Monday, July 5, 2010
Taking Advantage of Opportunities
I am borrowing this idea from one of the RWA Chapter presidents but I really do think her ideas she told her chapter in a recent newsletter article were spot on. Successful writers take advantage of opportunities placed in front of them. In fact, to take it a step further, successful writers find a way to seek out those opportunities or even find a way to make those opportunities happen.
I do want to note that I am not saying that you are finding a short cut to publishing. There simply isn't one. You have to work hard at this business. Still, there are things that can make your life a bit easier.
Opportunities are not simply situations where you can get your manuscript in front of an editor or an agent. It goes much further than this. When I am talking about opportunities, I am talking about chances to learn and grow as a writer. If you are sitting at a table during a conference with an editor or agent, discuss the business. If you have a chance to get online during a guest blogging opportunity with someone in the business, be it a writer, agent or editor, then get on there and talk. Ask questions.
This is not a business for the passive person. You can't afford to do so.
I get a lot of people who email me after I do a Radio Chat and they tell me that they have questions for me but are afraid to ask. So they turn around and send me a question instead. O.K. they were making some effort, but I have to say, they just blew an opportunity to really chat. During our talk, we might have been able to really dissect their issue and REALLY help.
If you are a writer sitting there thinking "gosh, I wish I had what X has..." my question to you is what are your doing to get it? Make those opportunities occur for you! It is possible.
Scott
I do want to note that I am not saying that you are finding a short cut to publishing. There simply isn't one. You have to work hard at this business. Still, there are things that can make your life a bit easier.
Opportunities are not simply situations where you can get your manuscript in front of an editor or an agent. It goes much further than this. When I am talking about opportunities, I am talking about chances to learn and grow as a writer. If you are sitting at a table during a conference with an editor or agent, discuss the business. If you have a chance to get online during a guest blogging opportunity with someone in the business, be it a writer, agent or editor, then get on there and talk. Ask questions.
This is not a business for the passive person. You can't afford to do so.
I get a lot of people who email me after I do a Radio Chat and they tell me that they have questions for me but are afraid to ask. So they turn around and send me a question instead. O.K. they were making some effort, but I have to say, they just blew an opportunity to really chat. During our talk, we might have been able to really dissect their issue and REALLY help.
If you are a writer sitting there thinking "gosh, I wish I had what X has..." my question to you is what are your doing to get it? Make those opportunities occur for you! It is possible.
Scott
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Thank You NW HOUSTON RWA
This is one great group of writers! What more can I say!
We had a great weekend discussing pitches and the whole business of writing professionally. I was completely amazed at the level of quality in the writers as well as their professionalism. If you ever get a chance to work with this group, I strongly encourage you to do so.
For those of you that pitched to me, I am looking forward to seeing those projects. Will keep an eye out for those as well.
Can't wait to come back everyone. And for those of you in Orlando, make sure to swing by and say hi!
Scott
We had a great weekend discussing pitches and the whole business of writing professionally. I was completely amazed at the level of quality in the writers as well as their professionalism. If you ever get a chance to work with this group, I strongly encourage you to do so.
For those of you that pitched to me, I am looking forward to seeing those projects. Will keep an eye out for those as well.
Can't wait to come back everyone. And for those of you in Orlando, make sure to swing by and say hi!
Scott
Friday, July 2, 2010
Quit Comparing Yourself To Others - Compare Yourself to You
I always laugh at people who compare what they do to other people and then use this as proof of why they can't do something well. I see authors do this all of the time. "You know, I might be an OK writer but I am certainly not as good as Author X." Really?
Authors spend a great deal of time trying to rate their own ability and successes based on what other people do. We see this with those religious followers of the New York Times Best Seller list. We see this with those writers that constantly track their rankings on Barnes and Noble or Amazon (yes, I know one writer that had it on a chart). But I am sorry to say, those comparisions say nothing.
When we look at the list on those ranking sites, they are based on a lot of factors other than simply the writers' abilities to tell great stories. Some of those books move up and down the ranks when they "sell" a lot of the story as a free give-away. This tells us nothing.
Along the same lines, your writing may be a different style that isn't something that sells like the next great pop-culture craze. A friend of our family is a poet. He currently lives in Bisbee, AZ and many have never heard of him. Yet, a far great number have and he is what I would call a success. He decided to be a poet in college and he never looked back. WTG Dick Baaken!
Your writing might also be a different place then someone else. I am sure I have mentioned this before but it is worth restating. I always get frustrated when I hear those big name writers discussing where they are at in their career and the struggles or successes they were having at that moment. I want to scream out loud on this one! They are at a different point in their life. One author I listened to had been writing for over 30 years, and the first 15-20 were real struggles. It wasn't until the end of that time that she had finally "made it."
So, who do you compare your writing to? Yourself! Go back and look at that first piece of writing you did. Piece of garbage, right? Now look at your writing. Better? You are being successful then. Keep it up!
Have a great 4th. I am off to the airport for Houston. See you there ladies!
Scott
Authors spend a great deal of time trying to rate their own ability and successes based on what other people do. We see this with those religious followers of the New York Times Best Seller list. We see this with those writers that constantly track their rankings on Barnes and Noble or Amazon (yes, I know one writer that had it on a chart). But I am sorry to say, those comparisions say nothing.
When we look at the list on those ranking sites, they are based on a lot of factors other than simply the writers' abilities to tell great stories. Some of those books move up and down the ranks when they "sell" a lot of the story as a free give-away. This tells us nothing.
Along the same lines, your writing may be a different style that isn't something that sells like the next great pop-culture craze. A friend of our family is a poet. He currently lives in Bisbee, AZ and many have never heard of him. Yet, a far great number have and he is what I would call a success. He decided to be a poet in college and he never looked back. WTG Dick Baaken!
Your writing might also be a different place then someone else. I am sure I have mentioned this before but it is worth restating. I always get frustrated when I hear those big name writers discussing where they are at in their career and the struggles or successes they were having at that moment. I want to scream out loud on this one! They are at a different point in their life. One author I listened to had been writing for over 30 years, and the first 15-20 were real struggles. It wasn't until the end of that time that she had finally "made it."
So, who do you compare your writing to? Yourself! Go back and look at that first piece of writing you did. Piece of garbage, right? Now look at your writing. Better? You are being successful then. Keep it up!
Have a great 4th. I am off to the airport for Houston. See you there ladies!
Scott
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Question from a Writer - On Agents And Submissions
Because you have already rejected my ms I am hoping you may be a safe agent for me to ask this question.
Is it resonable to ask agents to review sample pages before sending a full ms hard copy to them. I have had several agents read sample pages and request the full. I am happy to provide it for them. I have also had several agents ask to just have the full MS sent to them right off the bat. After sending it to three agents who have viewed the sample pages I am feeling the cash crunch.
Also, what is your view on agents asking for exclusives?
These are great questions and I want to make sure we cover all of them. You actually have several issues that I want to touch on.
#1 I may have passed on a project but that doesn't mean stopping. There have been times that the first project doesn't work, but a later project ends up being the right one. If that agent or editor is someone you really want to work with, keep trying. Learn from the comments and find that right project.
#2 You are correct. The money flow with submissions will get up there. Unfortunately there is no way you can work around that one. Now, I can't answer this question for every agent out there. Some want partials, some want fulls, some want hard copies and some want electronic copies. I honestly don't know why some agents and editors ask for a full sometimes. I hear the pitches (when we are at conferences) and I know that piece of writing will never work with that person. It might be the style, the writing, or even the plot, still they ask. I have heard some say that they have found "gems" in some things that didn't sound good in the pitch. That might be the case. Still, in answer to the question, send them what they want. If they ask for a full, there is a chance it was because there was something good. There is a chance you might have enough momentum in the early chapters to get them to that scene that will knock them dead. It is a chance that has to be taken.
I guess I would also say that this is an issue of really narrowing down those agents you might want to work for. You had stated you sent it to three people, and I was one of them. I am assuming I might be on your list of potentials. Were the others? If not, don't send it to those people. Target your submissions.
#3 On to exclusives. I can understand why editors might do this. Some editors might not want to get into a fight with another editor over a submission. It might cost them financially as they bid for something that they could have gotten cheaper. As with agents, IMHO there is no reason to do this. If they are afraid someone will beat them out to a great project, maybe moving it to the top of the stack is the way to go. I know I don't move projects like that. I get to yours when I get to it. But asking for an exclusive has always seemed to me (again, IMHO) as a way to take their time on a project. Hey, if you like it, read it. If you want it, sign it.
I would also say that if someone asks for an exclusive, it is your choice to send it or not. Again, if you have submitted to that person, I have to assume the agent is on your list of agents you would work for.
As for me here at Greyhaus...
Scott
Is it resonable to ask agents to review sample pages before sending a full ms hard copy to them. I have had several agents read sample pages and request the full. I am happy to provide it for them. I have also had several agents ask to just have the full MS sent to them right off the bat. After sending it to three agents who have viewed the sample pages I am feeling the cash crunch.
Also, what is your view on agents asking for exclusives?
These are great questions and I want to make sure we cover all of them. You actually have several issues that I want to touch on.
#1 I may have passed on a project but that doesn't mean stopping. There have been times that the first project doesn't work, but a later project ends up being the right one. If that agent or editor is someone you really want to work with, keep trying. Learn from the comments and find that right project.
#2 You are correct. The money flow with submissions will get up there. Unfortunately there is no way you can work around that one. Now, I can't answer this question for every agent out there. Some want partials, some want fulls, some want hard copies and some want electronic copies. I honestly don't know why some agents and editors ask for a full sometimes. I hear the pitches (when we are at conferences) and I know that piece of writing will never work with that person. It might be the style, the writing, or even the plot, still they ask. I have heard some say that they have found "gems" in some things that didn't sound good in the pitch. That might be the case. Still, in answer to the question, send them what they want. If they ask for a full, there is a chance it was because there was something good. There is a chance you might have enough momentum in the early chapters to get them to that scene that will knock them dead. It is a chance that has to be taken.
I guess I would also say that this is an issue of really narrowing down those agents you might want to work for. You had stated you sent it to three people, and I was one of them. I am assuming I might be on your list of potentials. Were the others? If not, don't send it to those people. Target your submissions.
#3 On to exclusives. I can understand why editors might do this. Some editors might not want to get into a fight with another editor over a submission. It might cost them financially as they bid for something that they could have gotten cheaper. As with agents, IMHO there is no reason to do this. If they are afraid someone will beat them out to a great project, maybe moving it to the top of the stack is the way to go. I know I don't move projects like that. I get to yours when I get to it. But asking for an exclusive has always seemed to me (again, IMHO) as a way to take their time on a project. Hey, if you like it, read it. If you want it, sign it.
I would also say that if someone asks for an exclusive, it is your choice to send it or not. Again, if you have submitted to that person, I have to assume the agent is on your list of agents you would work for.
As for me here at Greyhaus...
- I only ask for fulls if there is something I really think has that nugget of something I am looking for.
- I have not moved to 100% electronic yet, but I am working toward that. I have to get my system working the way I want it to.
- I will never ask for an exclusive for submissions. You can trust that from me.
Hope that helps...
Scott
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