tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11638298871629550582024-03-17T20:03:30.802-07:00Babbles from Scott EaganScott Eagan is the literary agent for Greyhaus Literary Agency.
Greyhaus Literary Agency focuses exclusively on the traditional romance and women's fiction genres. Scott believes through increased education as well as communication between publishing professionals and authors, these two genres can continue to be a strong force in the publishing world.Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.comBlogger3104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-28896147810780855182024-03-10T08:46:00.000-07:002024-03-10T08:46:11.619-07:00Thoughts on Grammar Checkers<p>Grammar matters.</p><p>Spelling matters.</p><p>When you are writing, those mistakes are called "typos." After you submit it, these are now mistakes and your readers WILL catch it!</p><p>So, what do you do? You can pay someone, but unless this person is a grammar guru, you may be spending money uselessly. But, can you do this on your own? </p><p>The answer is YES!</p><p>HOWEVER...</p><p>There are things known as grammar checkers and spell checkers on most quality writing programs. I do use the word quality because you get what you pay for. If you get the free stuff, the quality of the program is what it is. Still, these programs have limits. If you do not know grammar, spelling and punctuation rules, these programs are useless. Remember, grammar checkers tell you "THIS MAY BE A PROBLEM."</p><p>But even then, when the error show up, you have to take the time to read the errors. Simply saying <br />FIX IT, could create more problems.</p><p>Let me show you. I am editing a project now but take a look at this mistake that popped up. I had to totally laugh at this. I would love to see how someone would drink a glass of pork. "OINK!"</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKsEg60ascXsBeMsxCUSUbd5jpmgVKEd_lU4YCpsICZJCuhaRX0W7WNlJJY6KEpcvtuXR2-gINqlE6aFNNLADN_i0BnbIh2weHZ_8sny6uVBQBzh9zc7lZdo_cob9U1uCSejZoRynQ60w8lzZdQQ6WvOb58b9q5Hef22Yzz_o7oIqHGJNnlAbhVg8IpL6A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="833" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKsEg60ascXsBeMsxCUSUbd5jpmgVKEd_lU4YCpsICZJCuhaRX0W7WNlJJY6KEpcvtuXR2-gINqlE6aFNNLADN_i0BnbIh2weHZ_8sny6uVBQBzh9zc7lZdo_cob9U1uCSejZoRynQ60w8lzZdQQ6WvOb58b9q5Hef22Yzz_o7oIqHGJNnlAbhVg8IpL6A" width="227" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Still, as an author, you have to take the time to do this on your own. You cannot just assume that your copy editors are going to catch every mistake. I am not saying they aren't doing the job. They are. But even the best editors are going to miss things. Heck, you missed things too. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So take the time. </div></div></div><p></p><p><br /></p>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-12719393486924779462024-03-04T06:58:00.000-08:002024-03-04T06:58:00.124-08:00There Is A Need For EducationWhen the self-publishing/e-book revolution started, I began seeing a trend in authors and the quality of their writing. Then conferences started catering more to this group of writers, the trend became worse. But then, when Covid-19 hit, that trend exploded beyond belief. Now, the majority of submissions I see are rejections due to this issue. So what is it? Writers are simply lacking knowledge of how to write and the business of writing. <div><br /></div><div>What I am seeing are stories that "tick all of the boxes" of what should go into a story, but simply lack the quality of a book worthy of being published. I can see the authors doing what they were told to do, but really are not able to execute the story properly. I see the same with their knowledge of what individuals do in the publishing business, or even the steps it takes to create a novel I have explained this before using this model, but I do think it might be time to bring it up again. </div><div><br /></div><div>Below is what is known as Bloom's Taxonomy. This is something individuals in education have worked from as they create curriculum and instruction within their classrooms. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggsOi2ARHQ-PZexRdHYuPmKW-YloZWbtsdXogFjaDHJpSbr7lqlQRUlYxjccUvSqDyduOTuvEmJYD03d_Q0OR96qaMP2f_4UHmKjk4FJhlbpoAqV_-8dBK66vuYiARvgsMYrHfWpkm268G56VUnH_Icaz8dBz7XC6_KGPTtSk2eSvBPiVa86JLNB-Iugul" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="650" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggsOi2ARHQ-PZexRdHYuPmKW-YloZWbtsdXogFjaDHJpSbr7lqlQRUlYxjccUvSqDyduOTuvEmJYD03d_Q0OR96qaMP2f_4UHmKjk4FJhlbpoAqV_-8dBK66vuYiARvgsMYrHfWpkm268G56VUnH_Icaz8dBz7XC6_KGPTtSk2eSvBPiVa86JLNB-Iugul=w545-h307" width="545" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>As individuals move up the model, they are becoming more proficient in that skill. Right now, writers are falling in the lower two and maybe three levels. Let's talk about this in terms of writing a standard contemporary romance. </div><div><br /></div><div>A writer at that lower level has read traditional contemporary romances and, if the writer sees one sitting on a book shelf, the writer could identify it. The writer could probably tell you the terms commonly associated with this genre. </div><div><br /></div><div>When the writer starts their novel, the odds are the story might be finished, but the reading of it clearly shows that there is something substantial missing. </div><div><br /></div><div>Moving to the second level of UNDERSTANDING, the writer has moved a bit further in his or her understanding. The story is not missing anything, but it is clear that the writer is "just going through the motions." Often, stories like this will use writing techniques simply because someone told them it works, but not really knowing why it should be used. Writing will be very formulaic, almost as if this is a fill in the blank worksheet.</div><div><br /></div><div>We don't get to writing this "might" (and I say that very loosely) have a book being worthy of being published. These will be starter novels. Success as a writer beyond this point will not happen unless the author can move further up the pyramid. These authors are probably able to know why they use those writing techniques, however, being able to duplicate that process from novel to novel will likely be inconsistent. </div><div><br /></div><div>It isn't until the author gets to the ANALYZE level that the writer can start to show success. These authors have the ability to watch trends, adjust their writing and be able to apply those skills to their new Work In Progress.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know I have taken a while to explain this, but I think it is important to understand where I am going to in this post. For many in the current writing population, they are simply looking things up on the Internet, and gambling on A) finding a quality piece of information; and B) being able to understand that skill. This current population are also learning from people who haven't figured it out either. It is a case of the blind leading the blind.</div><div><br /></div><div>I would also add that for many, they see "the ability" to self-publish and think the process is simply that easy. For some of these authors, they have taken this approach because of the number of rejections they have received and are now blaming the publishers for not appreciating their work.</div><div><br /></div><div>The reality of all of this is that we need to bring back teaching people how to write. We need to teach people how to study GOOD pieces of literature to understand what those authors have done and why it works. We need to bring back education of how publishing really works, including the roles of individuals in the business, the strengths and weaknesses of any approach, and certainly, the reality of how much money people can make in this business.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-11450903802425892062024-02-23T18:13:00.000-08:002024-02-23T18:13:35.119-08:00Getting A Lot of Rejections? It might be you!<p>I am sitting here watching my guilty pleasure of Shark Tank and watching these two guys just tanking it hard core. They are making money, but failing horribly! They have made millions of dollars but lost a ton of cash. I listen to this, and I think about so many authors out there. Rejections pile up and still they continue to do what they are doing. </p><p>I am not sure if writers think that getting rejections is a sign of success, or if it is something they can use to justify something else. Maybe authors feel that this is something they will be able to tell everyone when they make it big... "I was rejected 420 times before I made my first sale..." We have all heard those stories. </p><p>But the reality is, if you are getting a ton of rejections, the problem may well be something you are doing. So, what could it be? Here is the list of my common rejections:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>You sent me a project I don't represent.</li><li>You sent me writing that was not ready.</li><li>You are writing something that is not marketable.</li><li>You are still learning to write.</li><li>You don't understand the business.</li><li>You sent a submission package that would be rejected by any employer.</li></ul><p>Look, I get this is a tough business. Publishers are simply not buying now, or at least at the level we were once used to. Right now, publishers need to see something amazing.</p><p>Still, it is always important to look to yourself first. Is there something you could be doing to fix the problem? Start there. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-44227032826899542222024-02-19T08:52:00.000-08:002024-02-19T08:52:22.632-08:00Who Is Your Street TeamSimple question - Who is your street team?<div><br /></div><div>If you are a published author, you need to make sure you have a team behind you. Yes, you should always have your family, your editorial team and your agent, but there is another team you need to count on. That is your street team.</div><div><br /></div><div>These are the people who have your back when you have a new book coming out. These are the people who are always on social media, and hopefully, on platforms that might be different than your platforms. Here's how it works.</div><div><br /></div><div>You have a book cover that just showed up. You are 6 months out from that book being released, but you still want to show off. Hey, you should be proud of it! So, you post it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now the street team kicks in. They immediately dive online, see your picture, comment on your picture and start sharing it all over the place! These people are overly excited. Comments such as: "Can't wait for Steven's story after seeing him in your last book!" and even more importantly, "What is the exact date? You will share when we can pre-order, right?"</div><div><br /></div><div>But they don't stop there. These are the people who are on all of your ARC sites. They are reading those books early and cranking up reviews. If they post on one site, the post on ALL of the sites! And yes, they are putting out all of those great quotes you can use in your personal promos.</div><div><br /></div><div>When those reviews show up, then you step in. Now you take the quote, with the cover, and the release information and start sharing it on your social media sites.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h1 style="text-align: left;">AND THEN YOUR STREE TEAM GOES AT IT AGAIN!</h1><div><br /></div><div>The key is getting your name out there. If you only share to your closed network of friends and they do nothing, you won't get those sales numbers flowing in!</div>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-86237984271406248922024-02-16T11:49:00.000-08:002024-02-16T11:49:39.256-08:00When Queries Tell Me NothingI am working my way through submissions today and decided to take a break. Actually, it was a coffee break that extended to blogging but hey, it is still a break. Needless to say, I was once again finding a common trend in submissions today that authors need to consider.<div><br /></div><div>As always, we know that. in the end, it is about the story. Is it quality writing? Is it marketable? Blah, blah, blah... However, for us to get to that manuscript, we have to get through that query letter. If that query letter doesn't sell the story, then we will never see your writing.</div><div><br /></div><div>The majority of rejections that I sent out today so far were for query letters that simply were not interesting. Not that the project wasn't, but the letter just sat there. Essentially it was:</div><div><br /></div><div>Dear Mr. Eagan,</div><div><br /></div><div>I have written a contemporary romance called Come On Baby Light My Fire. It is a 70,000 word story about a fire fighter falling in love with a girl. </div><div><br /></div><div>I can send it to you. It is finished.</div><div><br /></div><div>Signed,</div><div><br /></div><div>Everyday Author</div><div><br /></div><div>What I find amazing is that authors are told, time and time again, to SHOW DON'T TELL in their stories, and yet, when it comes to business writing, they can't do the same thing.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you are someone saying, "Here is another example of how the industry makes you jump through a hoop" I guess I am going to have to agree with you. This is about marketing. Just throwing a book out there and hoping someone will just jump at it because you liked it is not going to work. </div>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-58424069688853377662024-02-13T06:46:00.000-08:002024-02-13T06:46:00.134-08:00Quit Thinking AI Will Get You A Contract<p>Look, I get that AI is the new in-thing out there. I get it that so many people seem to think that using AI to write their query letters will speed up the process and get remarkable responses. Sorry to say it, but it won't. You here me all the time saying, it takes time and it takes work to be successful as a writer.</p><p>I did a quick run of making up a query letter using an AI App. Here is the result:</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, Roboto, SegoeUI, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Microsoft YaHei", "Meiryo UI", Meiryo, "Arial Unicode MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variation-settings: var(--cib-type-body2-font-variation-settings); line-height: var(--cib-type-body2-line-height); margin: 12px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: var(--cib-type-subtitle2-stronger-font-size); font-variation-settings: var(--cib-type-subtitle2-stronger-font-variation-settings); font-weight: var(--cib-type-subtitle2-stronger-font-weight); line-height: var(--cib-type-subtitle2-stronger-line-height);">Subject: Query for Contemporary Romance Novel: “Hearts on the Range”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, Roboto, SegoeUI, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Microsoft YaHei", "Meiryo UI", Meiryo, "Arial Unicode MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variation-settings: var(--cib-type-body2-font-variation-settings); line-height: var(--cib-type-body2-line-height); margin: 12px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; word-break: break-word;">Dear Mr. Eagan,</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, Roboto, SegoeUI, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Microsoft YaHei", "Meiryo UI", Meiryo, "Arial Unicode MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variation-settings: var(--cib-type-body2-font-variation-settings); line-height: var(--cib-type-body2-line-height); margin: 12px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; word-break: break-word;">I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am excited to introduce my contemporary romance novel, “Hearts on the Range,” which is approximately 73,000 words long.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, Roboto, SegoeUI, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Microsoft YaHei", "Meiryo UI", Meiryo, "Arial Unicode MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variation-settings: var(--cib-type-body2-font-variation-settings); line-height: var(--cib-type-body2-line-height); margin: 12px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: var(--cib-type-subtitle2-stronger-font-size); font-variation-settings: var(--cib-type-subtitle2-stronger-font-variation-settings); font-weight: var(--cib-type-subtitle2-stronger-font-weight); line-height: var(--cib-type-subtitle2-stronger-line-height);">About the Novel:</span> “Hearts on the Range” is set against the rugged backdrop of Wyoming, where a hardened rancher and a spirited school teacher find themselves entangled in a passionate and unexpected love affair. As they navigate the challenges of life on the open range, they discover that love can bloom even in the harshest of landscapes.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, Roboto, SegoeUI, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Microsoft YaHei", "Meiryo UI", Meiryo, "Arial Unicode MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variation-settings: var(--cib-type-body2-font-variation-settings); line-height: var(--cib-type-body2-line-height); margin: 12px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: var(--cib-type-subtitle2-stronger-font-size); font-variation-settings: var(--cib-type-subtitle2-stronger-font-variation-settings); font-weight: var(--cib-type-subtitle2-stronger-font-weight); line-height: var(--cib-type-subtitle2-stronger-line-height);">Why Greyhaus Literary Agency:</span> I have chosen Greyhaus Literary Agency specifically because of your agency’s unwavering commitment to romance and women’s fiction. Your focus on these genres aligns perfectly with the heart of my novel, and I believe that “Hearts on the Range” would be a great fit for your list.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, Roboto, SegoeUI, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Microsoft YaHei", "Meiryo UI", Meiryo, "Arial Unicode MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variation-settings: var(--cib-type-body2-font-variation-settings); line-height: var(--cib-type-body2-line-height); margin: 12px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: var(--cib-type-subtitle2-stronger-font-size); font-variation-settings: var(--cib-type-subtitle2-stronger-font-variation-settings); font-weight: var(--cib-type-subtitle2-stronger-font-weight); line-height: var(--cib-type-subtitle2-stronger-line-height);">Author Background:</span> I hold a BA in English . My passion for storytelling drives me, and I am an active member of the Romance Writers of America. “Hearts on the Range” is my third completed novel, and I am eager to find the right home for it.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, Roboto, SegoeUI, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Microsoft YaHei", "Meiryo UI", Meiryo, "Arial Unicode MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variation-settings: var(--cib-type-body2-font-variation-settings); line-height: var(--cib-type-body2-line-height); margin: 12px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: var(--cib-type-subtitle2-stronger-font-size); font-variation-settings: var(--cib-type-subtitle2-stronger-font-variation-settings); font-weight: var(--cib-type-subtitle2-stronger-font-weight); line-height: var(--cib-type-subtitle2-stronger-line-height);">Closing:</span> I have attached the first three chapters of “Hearts on the Range” to this email for your consideration. I would be honored if you would take a moment to review them. If you require any additional materials or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, Roboto, SegoeUI, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Microsoft YaHei", "Meiryo UI", Meiryo, "Arial Unicode MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variation-settings: var(--cib-type-body2-font-variation-settings); line-height: var(--cib-type-body2-line-height); margin: 12px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; word-break: break-word;">Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the possibility of working with Greyhaus Literary Agency.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, Roboto, SegoeUI, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Microsoft YaHei", "Meiryo UI", Meiryo, "Arial Unicode MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variation-settings: var(--cib-type-body2-font-variation-settings); line-height: var(--cib-type-body2-line-height); margin: 12px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; word-break: break-word;">Sincerely, [Your Full Name] [Your Email Address] [Your Phone Number]</p><p>So, here is what I would say immediately about this AI composed letter. I am rejecting it.</p><p>Now, I get that the program had to insert information that I did not give it, such as the title, but let's get to the real part of this letter:</p><p>There is no personality. I have no sense of you as an author. This reads simply as if you are sending this to any editor or agent who is breathing, and probably to those not breathing. </p><p>The blurb tells me nothing. I have no sense of why this is going to stand out among all of the other projects out there. </p><p>You state you chose me because the genres I represent fit with your story. Again, is this something I actually like? </p><p>You have already attached the first three chapters to the email even though I am very explicit that I don't want that material. </p><p>Your bio gives me nothing to work with. Even stating this is your third novel, I have no idea if the other stories have sold or if these are books you would want me to consider.</p><p>This letter, in simple terms is milk toast. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi43GOMIshnVb2cQ0DpwOg3uISbNIiuoVbpmcLo-Tx6N1BNtRLH3m8v_hEWWPcHHI_gR4JaU12rkxx9XoBzVmoONlRJVpKPISEXA3PqTOO_m7srA2N031JIdemZsFoxcwZThtDkn6kAxrrwm0X1Aoz188XqGdjeffnLB3jmcpRVsOYHp3eY7CNWkJOm2d7C" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="680" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi43GOMIshnVb2cQ0DpwOg3uISbNIiuoVbpmcLo-Tx6N1BNtRLH3m8v_hEWWPcHHI_gR4JaU12rkxx9XoBzVmoONlRJVpKPISEXA3PqTOO_m7srA2N031JIdemZsFoxcwZThtDkn6kAxrrwm0X1Aoz188XqGdjeffnLB3jmcpRVsOYHp3eY7CNWkJOm2d7C" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>You look blah and like all of the other blah authors out there. </p><p>Consider this. SHOW me you are a great author. If you have to use AI to write an email then clearly you are not an great author. You knew how to type into your AI Bot a phrase (Heck, you probably used Speech To Text). </p><p>I would also add that even if you did get your feet in the door of an agency or publisher, you will not know how to truthfully write the next book, complete the revisions and all of the other things a true author would know to do.</p><p><br /></p>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-47991280944649740962024-02-12T05:11:00.000-08:002024-02-12T05:11:00.124-08:00Maximizing Your Submission ChancesEven though, in the end, it all comes down to the manuscript and the potential of sales in the current market, there are a lot of things an author can do to maximize the chance that an editor or agent might go a bit further than a fast rejection letter. <div><br /></div><div>Consider first the fact that we are reading your submissions between a ton of other projects. I heard this from a great editor when I first started, Ms. Kate Duffy, who stated, "Until I sign you as an author, you are the least of my priorities." This is not to say we are not interested in reading your work, it is the simple fact that reading new submissions is sort of, "outside" of what we are really doing, which is working with our current clients. </div><div><br /></div><div>I want you to also consider that many of us don't really have to read the entire query letter when it comes in. We utilize that wonderful READING PANE.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjY69UR2xr1pHBbRLOH_ceHKHjYuHq6gRqRzzikxqKd2KaFPivaxSPEpAw8ZR9xB5e5H4lq4JzntUwTiVxI0I9VVQMJUsYNR2YMA7g5suphUo_TDFhdf36lYPCAZh2fd6pQPGC9pqSu_uq3AfT8o32bUlLgN7Sv5OKFzjJFZHsBMtfYCHa-XMFNDNzIoNwH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="985" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjY69UR2xr1pHBbRLOH_ceHKHjYuHq6gRqRzzikxqKd2KaFPivaxSPEpAw8ZR9xB5e5H4lq4JzntUwTiVxI0I9VVQMJUsYNR2YMA7g5suphUo_TDFhdf36lYPCAZh2fd6pQPGC9pqSu_uq3AfT8o32bUlLgN7Sv5OKFzjJFZHsBMtfYCHa-XMFNDNzIoNwH=w453-h302" width="453" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Now, the example you see here has the pane to the right side. For me, I keep it below the list of emails. This means that if you are not maximizing the space at the vert beginning of your query letter, you may lose us. If you find a way to show us, early on, that you really have no clue what you are doing, you will get that rejection letter. In the end, you can see that we can make a decision relatively quickly.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, let's get to the point of those submissions and how to really make it work in your favor:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY - You have to know how this business works. That means the time it takes to move a book along from submission to the bookshelf. It means knowing what editors and agents do. </li><li>KNOW HOW TO WRITE - Yes, this sounds silly, but a lot of authors out there just wrote something, their friends like it, and immediately they think they are the next Tom Clancy. Writing is a skill. It is not just about typing words on a page.</li><li>KNOW WHY YOU ARE SUBMITTING TO THAT EDITOR OR AGENT - Yes, this is something I talk about all of the time and it is still true. We all acquire different genres. We all have likes and dislikes. And, more importantly we ALL clearly post that information on our websites. Read the information. It is not rocket science.</li><li>SHOW YOU WANT TO WORK WITH US - When I teach resume writing, one of the things I point out is that the hiring process is not just about you. It is about how the employer sees you as a part of their system and their company. The same works for publishing. If you write a generic letter and don't showcase why you fit with my agency, I am less likely to want to look at your writing. </li><li>SHOW YOU AREN'T A ONE HIT WONDER - Editors and agents are not interested in one book, but a future with you. You may only have one book right now, but show you have a career planned out.</li><li>DON'T SHOW US YOUR FAILURES - Telling me you have written 20 self-published books and you now realize you are getting no where fast tells us something. You can't write or you don't understand the business. If you have gotten a ton of rejections, consider that a sign but certainly, don't tell us about the problems.</li><li>DON'T OVER HYPE YOURSELF - I always laugh at this approach so many authors try in their letters: "This project is currently under consideration by Oprah for her bookclub." or "This book has personally been praised by James Patterson." Ummmm, right. Think about this. Oprah is not going to consider an unpublished author, and James Patterson, if he truly loved it, would have pulled strings with his editor to get you signed.</li></ol><div>Look, it all comes down to how you present yourself. Try doing what I tell authors all the time during my presentations. Look at your query letter. Without knowing who you are, or knowing the project, would you hire you?</div></div>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-78335726539461288852024-01-31T15:35:00.000-08:002024-01-31T15:35:21.364-08:00#MSWL - Wanted Authors<p> I'll keep this short and simple:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Category/Series writers for Harlequin. Looking for new and established authors at Harlequin</li><li>Contemporary Authors - Looking for romances. 70K-100K word count. Not looking for Romantic Comedies but fun stories that bring a new twist that is out there.</li><li>Multi-cultural authors - Your stories need to bring the culture to the forefront. Stories need to be enlightening. Must be ROMANCE or WOMEN'S FICTION</li><li>New Adult - I want contemporary stories with a Sarah J. Maas character approach. NOT paranormal, but contemporary</li></ul><div>Bring it on! </div><div>I dare you!!!!!</div><p></p>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-78703252378060413872024-01-24T07:38:00.000-08:002024-01-24T07:38:00.245-08:00Publishing IS Tough - Quit Making Excuses<p>I posted on my FB site about the issue of authors who are just emailing everyone to get their writing published. One author wrote back saying that people have to try anything just to get someone to look at their writing. For authors like this, there is a belief that the publishing industry is just ignoring them. They believe that their writing is great but agents and editors don't care about their writing. They seem to believe that publishers and agents are only concerned about money and not about their writing. </p><p>It is all a conspiracy and a bunch of hoops they seem they have to jump through.</p><p>But here is the reality.</p><p>This is a business. Yes, publishers, who "sell" books have to find products that will "sell". So what does this mean? They are looking at the following criteria:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Is this quality writing?</li><li>Is this a theme or plot that the market is currently interested in?</li><li>Is this novel bringing something new to the table?</li><li>Are there already novels out there doing this and would this be a repetition of what they already have?</li></ul>Decisions are not made because they don't want to find good books. They are looking at your writing when anyone considers changes or new developments in their business. <p></p><p>When writers then seem to think if they just send projects to anyone regardless of whether someone acquires that project, it will get that books sold, they are mistaken. This equals a rejection. Sorry, we don't acquire this.</p><p>When writers send writing to editors and agents that is not something that the market is interested in right now, it will not change things. This too will equal a rejection.</p><p>When writers send projects that are written 100% guided by passion, but they really have not taken the time to learn the craft, the odds are, this will also equal a rejection.</p><p>I want to let you know, I eagerly open my emails when submissions come in with the hope of finding something good. </p><p>I want to let you know, when I say I am eager to come to conferences and talk to authors, find great authors and teach authors the business of writing, this is 100% an attempt to be there for you. And I am not the only person doing this.</p><p>Again, this business is tough. Readers are not buying books like they used to. Just check those quarterly reports from publishers and you will see what I mean. This business is tough because there are more writers than places on a bookshelf. Supply is exceeding demand.</p>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-46920852847154490932024-01-23T07:12:00.000-08:002024-01-23T07:12:00.141-08:00Rejections - Reading Skills MatterI am starting to think that there is a large population of authors out there who like negativity. These are people who like to be told they are a loser and they are not worthy. I am betting these are the people who show up to conferences and writing groups being stoic and showcasing how they are still fighting though the unfair world of publishing. These are the authors who like to speak up in a workshop talking about the number of rejections they have received and how they are not going to give up until they convince agents and editors they are making a huge mistake passing on their works. <div><br /></div><div>As I was answering submissions this last Saturday, the majority (and I am not talking about 50% +1) of the submissions were projects that I do not represent. </div><div><br /></div><div>All of these authors proclaimed the time they spent researching their writing; the great feedback they have received from their beta readers; their past writing successes (which they never state specifically); the number of books they have written already (never stating these books were published); and more to the point, how, after researching my agency, how my story fits with the similar books I have sold. </div><div><br /></div><div>And yet, I don't represent that writing. </div><div><br /></div><div>As the title suggests, reading skills DO matter. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have said this before and I will say it again. Editors and agents put on their websites everything you need to be successful. We tell you what genres we represent and what we do not represent. We tell you if we are open to submissions or not. We tell you our preferences and the tropes we fall for and those that turn us off. We post frequently #MSWL ideas on social media.</div><div><br /></div><div>Those of you relying on the large databases and websites that claim they have a one-stop shopping approach to finding editors and agents are not helping you. These sites DO NOT have all of the information you need. You have to visit the site.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, I have had authors tell me that researching each editor is too time consuming. How do we expect them to spend the time researching when they need to be writing and sending out submissions? Well, the simple answer is: YOU NEED TO. </div><div><br /></div><div>Unless you are using those rejection letters to wall paper your bathroom.</div>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-54565297376022380042024-01-22T06:31:00.000-08:002024-01-22T06:31:00.145-08:00Remember When The Latest Release Was Written<p>The publishing timeline is a bit wonky/ Too often, I believe authors, miss this mark. </p><p>When you are looking at submitting projects to editors and agents, one of the first things you do is look at what is currently out there so you can demonstrate (and rightfully so) how your story matches up with the current competition. You want to make sure your stories are in line with the current trends. </p><p>And this is good.</p><p>However, this is where that wonky timeline comes into play. What authors fail to remember is that the book that just came out, has been in the pipeline for some time. Let's back track this a bit with a made up example.</p><p>If the author is already under contract, this author has already discussed the idea with the editor when the contract was signed. They are already thinking way in advance of a potential series and what they are thinking will do well. During this time, that book is already placed in a slot for a publication date. That date may be at least a year out.</p><p>Now the author starts writing. Depending on the author's speed in writing, this may be anywhere between 3-6 months. Those bigger "best sellers" may be a year in the works, but please note, I am talking about those BIG NAME AUTHORS!!!!!</p><p>That book will then go through edits. This means the manuscript gets to an editor, a week or two later, the manuscript goes back to the author and is revised - add another 2+ weeks. If all goes well, the book can move on, but if the editor reads the revised manuscript (1-2 more weeks), and finds things that need to get changed, the book goes back to the author for another round. </p><p>Note that this book will be in months before the release date. Along the way, this book is in the middle of cover production and early marketing on platforms such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble. </p><p>The book will be printed and ready to go, easily a month before the release date. Why? It has to get to the distributers. Your favorite book, that you plan to get in February is sitting in a warehouse and ready to go by potentially December.</p><p>Remember all of those ARC's. Authors are getting copies of their books months before you see it on the shelf. Come on, you had to have figured this part out. How did they get reviews for that book before the release date? </p><p>So, what does this mean? Those rejection letters that you get that say something such as "Your writing is fantastic but the historical romance market is totally full now and we can't sell..." should start to make sense. Yes, the shelves may be packed. Yes, those books may be selling, but it the books in the pipeline that have bogged down works. </p><p>Hope that helps! </p>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-36122017544900915822024-01-18T04:05:00.000-08:002024-01-18T04:05:00.133-08:00#MSWL - Contemporary Category Romance Authors<p>Keeping it short and sweet today!</p><p>Looking hard core for Category Romance Authors. Very much interested in contemporary projects.</p><p>When you submit, use the FORM on my website. In the ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section, make sure to state the following:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Which category line you believe your story would be a perfect match</li><li>Explain why<br /></li></ul><div>If you are already a current writer for a publisher such as HARLEQUIN or ENTANGLED, let me know. I would love to work with you.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p></p>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-83952000546791145582024-01-17T08:15:00.000-08:002024-01-17T08:15:15.440-08:00Blurbs and Queries - Don't Just Ask Questions<p>I recently ran into a stack of submissions where, either in their query letter, or in their "blurb" about their book, instead of telling me about their story, these authors simply asked questions. These were questions, I know the author wanted us to "think about" but in the end, I was left with one big question: "What on Earth is the story about?" Let me explain...</p><p>This is 100% made up so if the story line sounds stupid, understand it is not to sell you a great story but just to give you a sense of what I was seeing.</p><p><i>Alien Vampire Bunnies in Suburbia is a 85,000 word Inspirational Erotica exploring the strange and wonderful world of Victoria Bitemore. Waking up one more she started to wonder. What should I do with my life? Where should I go from here? Even after talking to her pet tarantula, Peter, she began to wonder, is my life supposed to focus on a life of loneliness? Enter Fiver Epimetheus. During a cold morning of wandering through the suburban gardens of East Plasmica, he became fascinated with a young girl beyond a window. What would a world be like with her? Could his existence be more than what he is living now. And when they do finally meet, the question is, can a life be possible for two different individuals? Is there love and passion hidden behind their secrets?</i></p><p>Get the idea?</p><p>Sure, you might use questions like this to set up how YOU want to write your novel, but in the end, I have absolutely no clue what the heck you are writing about.</p><p>The purpose of this blurb is to tell me EXACTLY what your story is about. If you are thinking I will be so intrigued and want to know more about this mystical tale of whatever, the answer will be NO. </p><p>You just earned yourself a rejection!</p><p><i><br /></i></p>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-89128280940660235832024-01-16T07:25:00.000-08:002024-01-16T07:25:00.147-08:00Multicultural Fiction - Culture Must Be A Character<p> Culture is a part of your personal life. You love your culture and you want to share it with the world. What better venue than to write a novel centered on that culture? It is a perfect idea.</p><p>And yet...</p><p>So many authors miss the mark. </p><p>Oh, the idea is there, but in the end, the execution of the story fails epically, and the reason is simple. The author forgot the culture. They forgot to make the culture a character in the story. </p><p>Consider this information from Texas A & M</p><ul><li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Culture refers to the cumulative deposit of knowledge, experience, beliefs, values, attitudes, meanings, hierarchies, religion, notions of time, roles, spatial relations, concepts of the universe, and material objects and possessions acquired by a group of people in the course of generations through individual and group striving.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Culture is the systems of knowledge shared by a relatively large group of people.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Culture is communication, communication is culture.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Culture in its broadest sense is cultivated behavior; that is the totality of a person's learned, accumulated experience which is socially transmitted, or more briefly, behavior through social learning.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">A culture is a way of life of a group of people--the behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that they accept, generally without thinking about them, and that are passed along by communication and imitation from one generation to the next.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Culture is symbolic communication. Some of its symbols include a group's skills, knowledge, attitudes, values, and motives. The meanings of the symbols are learned and deliberately perpetuated in a society through its institutions.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Culture consists of patterns, explicit and implicit, of and for behavior acquired and transmitted by symbols, constituting the distinctive achievement of human groups, including their embodiments in artifacts; the essential core of culture consists of traditional ideas and especially their attached values; culture systems may, on the one hand, be considered as products of action, on the other hand, as conditioning influences upon further action.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Culture is the sum of total of the learned behavior of a group of people that are generally considered to be the tradition of that people and are transmitted from generation to generation.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Culture is a collective programming of the mind that distinguishes the members of one group or category of people from another.</span></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiv7dGMNSS1qgXfWYQ7cj-Krh21hNroo-VYycK9DCv2Uft1uuqbrlgxxeZAh-L_I3U9U97ZuZc710izXjyjAhU07ZdorKX8p0abhM0gSjuREDINifgPZ7rk4AL3LYx0hIBm5xrJIsAwfItv7eiDq2-JCFwMgRNIz5-toxiQ-bGc0vPUPCBllrjxNvgU2uSk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="405" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiv7dGMNSS1qgXfWYQ7cj-Krh21hNroo-VYycK9DCv2Uft1uuqbrlgxxeZAh-L_I3U9U97ZuZc710izXjyjAhU07ZdorKX8p0abhM0gSjuREDINifgPZ7rk4AL3LYx0hIBm5xrJIsAwfItv7eiDq2-JCFwMgRNIz5-toxiQ-bGc0vPUPCBllrjxNvgU2uSk=w329-h328" width="329" /></a></div><br /><br /><p>Your characters and all of their experiences have to be immersed in the culture. Actions, behaviors, communication and language should be there for us to be a part of. Authors should be immersed in the culture. Don't just tell us, show us.</p><p>Personally, as a literature major, one of my favorites who does this so well is Sandra Cisneros. </p><p>Just as a side note... #MSWL I am looking for Multicultural romance and women's fiction.</p>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-65576010211564468792024-01-15T07:12:00.000-08:002024-01-15T07:12:20.006-08:00Greyhaus Literary Agency - No Speaking Fees<p>When I opened Greyhaus Literary Agency, I had three goals in mind. The first is to focus exclusively on romance and women's fiction. The second was to increase communication between the professional side of publishing and authors. Finally, it was to promote education. Working with writing organizations all around the world is one thing I can do that helps out with all of the goals. </p><p>This last weekend, I had the chance to work with Romance Writers Online. It was a fantastic 90 minutes of talking about writing and the role of agents. The next day they reached out to ask how to pay for the talk. I think they were shocked when I said I don't charge. This has actually happened during the last three presentations. I don't charge.</p><p>I personally feel that this is a part of the job. If we want to see publishing continue to be strong, and to find some great authors, we as professionals have to reach out with ways to help out writing chapters. </p><p>We can teach writing. We can teach the process. We can talk about approaches to writing. We can just motivate authors. </p><p>I bring this up again to let authors know I am here for you. If you are in charge of finding speakers or setting up conferences, reach out to me. If you are just an author, let your chapter leadership know I am here. </p><p>And if you are thinking, "Our chapter isn't focused on romance and women's fiction, can you help?" The answer is yes! I have presentations on determining the need for agents, figuring out what agents really want, and yes, even motivating people to get over those writing hurdles. The cool part is - when I get to you, I want you to work me. Don't just have me listen to pitches. I'll teach workshops all day. I'll listen to pitches. Use me!</p><p>I do often ask to have you help out with hotel and air. If you are in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia, I can get to you. </p><p>How do you make this happen? It's easy...</p><p>ASK!</p><p>That's it. </p><p>I'll be watching my email. Hope to see you soon in 2024</p>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-28736017842259552012024-01-08T08:05:00.000-08:002024-01-08T08:05:00.145-08:00Siri, Fix My Novel's Problem<p>The Internet is a wonderful thing. We can order food and have it delivered to our home. We can check out the weather in some location where we really want to be. We can play games, socialize with people who we "just friended" and, most importantly, do that latest dance our kids learned on TikTok.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zX3IyFUM5xc" width="320" youtube-src-id="zX3IyFUM5xc"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>As writers, this is also a fantastic source for everything we need to be a successful writer... ummm, wait a minute. This is here they myth falls apart.</p><p>You can find information about plot items you want to include in your story, or how to pronounce words that your characters are using. But, when it comes to the craft of writing, or the perfect way to submit a story to an editor, this is not going to happen.</p><p>I have seen this a lot recently with my work teaching with the UCLA Extension program. Participants, like so many authors, seem to believe there is a way to just search up the ultimate perfect answer for what they need to fix their problem. In fact, I recently had an author who submitted a project to me stating that they had looked all over the Internet for the answer she was looking for and could not find it. Why? Because it doesn't exist.</p><p>When authors ask question such as "Should I use 1st or 3rd person?" my answer is always the same. What does the story dictate? Not the genre. Not what is easier for you. What works best for the story? </p><p>The approach you take to your story, to your synopsis, to your query letter, all depends on you and the project and who you are submitting to. </p><p>Do not fall into the trap that there is a single answer out there. There isn't.</p>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-57718594424106786902024-01-05T08:14:00.000-08:002024-01-05T08:14:24.232-08:00Shifting Plot Lines - Did You Forget Your Thesis?<p>I am not sure what is going on here (I think I do) but whatever the reason, it is not a trend in writing style that I am loving a whole lot. Why? It is all about planning! Let me explain!</p><p>Throughout pretty much my last round of books in my TBR pile, I have seen the same thing happen. In the first couple of chapters, the author sets up a pretty good storyline. I'm hooked. The characters are great. Their chemistry is great. I see a pretty dang good potential storyline building.</p><p>AND THEN...</p><p>The author takes off on a completely different direction. Something in one of the characters "history" derails the entire story. Let me make up a story idea for you to show you what I mean.</p><p>Heroine gets the job as the head of some major division in this huge corporate company. She has worked hard for this and this is a game changer. Enter hero who is placed in charge of the same company in a bit higher position than her. Sure, let's throw in a back history when they both competed against each other at Harvard Business College. Now, the are back at it again,</p><p>So far so good. Not fancy, but we see where this is going to go to. Standard Rom-Con approach.</p><p>AND THEN...</p><p>She reveals to her best friend that this job, although it is great, is getting in the way of her real dream of working for a NPO to take care of food deserts and food insecurity. </p><p>And now the entire story is focused around this and not the fun competition between the two of them.</p><p>The issue is that you got us hooked on wanting to see how this past history and competition between these two play out, but the author changes course and now wants to spend the entire novel hyping up their personal new social cause.</p><p>We have to remember that each CAN be good storylines, but CANNOT be done together.</p><p>When you get ready to start your story, decide on a plot line, decide on a thesis, and stick to it. If you come up with something that is going to take you off target, write it down for a later book. </p>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-54083392584006070132024-01-04T08:17:00.000-08:002024-01-04T08:17:00.139-08:00Self Publishing After Rejections? Good Idea?I see this a lot with authors. They have their list of publishers they want to work with. In most cases, the list goes from the best of the best that would be a huge reach for anyone, to the lower hanging fruit. They start sending out queries to those "big guns" and sure enough, one rejection comes in after another. The move to the next tier of publishers and the same thing happens. They move to the low hanging fruit and again the same thing happens. Maybe they do get one bite but the offer is not the 6-figure deal they know their Alien Vampire Bunny story deserves, so they pass on that one. Clearly, no editor has a brain cell left and cannot see the writing of a pure genius.<div><br /></div><div>So now, they move to a new line of argument. They'll self-publish it. Off they go now and establish their own publishing company, Hazel and Fiver Books, LLC. These authors have friends who have self-published and proclaim their great successes. Heck, even big name authors self-publish. This is sure to work.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe it does, but most likely, it fails. Why?</div><div><br /></div><div>I would argue that first of all, these authors did not look at the rejection letters they received from those editors (assuming the editors sent something - but that is another blog post). If, however, editors (and agents too) have told them the writing is flat, or the conflict is weak, or the trope is over-done, or that storyline is not selling right now, why on Earth does the writer now think they can do better?</div><div><br /></div><div>What is worse, is if the writer has said the story is not good, why would an author want to put a product out there, with their name on it, showing readers they have no clue how to write the story. No, don't immediately start telling me your beta-readers loved it because the odds are, they are either family who will never say a bad word, your critique partners who love what you bring for libations to the critique sessions, or people who don't know how to write either. The point is, your name is now associated with writing that is not good.</div><div><br /></div><div>I actually heard an author at a writing conference some years ago, during a key-note argue that at least bad publicity is still publicity. <i>NOTE: Let me just tell you at the time of writing this, I did look to see if the author had published anything and the only thing published was the book she had referenced at that conference, and yes it was self-published. It was on sale on Amazon for $0.00.</i> There's a success story for you.</div><div><br /></div><div>The reality is, if people think your story is not good, then your story is not good. Would you serve an under-cooked or burnt turkey to your family at Thanksgiving? I think not. So why are you treating readers with that same level of respect.</div><div><br /></div><div>If your story is not good, either fix it, or learn to write a good story. </div>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-67273871396245783682024-01-03T07:26:00.000-08:002024-01-03T07:26:00.138-08:00Resolutions and Writing: Time for a potential re-do<p>I get it, today is the 3rd of January and some of you have already set that New Year's Resolution about your writing career. Little did you know, there is some fine print that fortunately, I am going to tell you about (I enlarged it so you can read it better):</p><p><i>Upon setting your New Year's Resolution, you have up to 5 days to reset your goal and make it something more manageable and certainly more realistic.</i></p><p>On December 30th or 31st, you made a commitment to your writing. You were going to be serious about your career. You set yourself some serious goals and you were going to nail those goals. No more of that silly NANOWRIMO that only lasted a month. You are going to go for the entire year and not just "some writing" daily. You are going hard-core.</p><p>I have posted several times on here that being a successful writing is about doing something with your career daily. Yes, I did say daily which means 365 days out of the year. However, this is where many of you totally screwed up that resolution. </p><p>You vowed:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>to write 3000 words a day</li><li>to write 1 novel a month</li><li>to write for 2 hours a day</li><li>to take 1 workshop every month</li></ul><div>STOP THE MADNESS!!!!!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaHScIhr0A6VW6tiuzNXmYQrb-WR89NW7Nph4x8bKkuNDPBcBCcgJzgShRPLF70YdHYUFRNOVEYRx1KVUKSD1yOVwpoSFanzF3m_LbD03LPC_7mEnYyKY-VzaFWCXPtR-73aFD2Y-Wc0z8kRe0okwWRQm6qJ_ueHr5Qlb3lJs_Atgmmqas0AK56q7DAEoy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="849" data-original-width="1200" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaHScIhr0A6VW6tiuzNXmYQrb-WR89NW7Nph4x8bKkuNDPBcBCcgJzgShRPLF70YdHYUFRNOVEYRx1KVUKSD1yOVwpoSFanzF3m_LbD03LPC_7mEnYyKY-VzaFWCXPtR-73aFD2Y-Wc0z8kRe0okwWRQm6qJ_ueHr5Qlb3lJs_Atgmmqas0AK56q7DAEoy" width="320" /></a></div><br />You know and I know that life WILL get in the way. You will get sick. Someone in your house will get sick. Your employer (who always knows how to get in the way with your writing) will have more projects for you again. Your computer will crash... </div><div><br /></div><div>So don't make goals that lofty. Still, you can do something with your career every day:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Take some time when you are in the doctor's waiting room to read a new author and figure out why the publisher thought this author was so special.</li><li>Jot down ideas for a new chapter or scene</li><li>Surf the net for new authors being released by publishers and figure out why the publisher thought this author was so special.</li><li>Get on TikTok and check out the influencers and see who they are talking about and figure out why the publisher thought this author was so special.</li><li>When you have a chance to write - write. Don't feel that you have to do clean the kitchen at that moment.</li></ul><div>Goal setting is tough but not hard. Just focus on making your goals SMART:</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZiG_bODUi0A0qHCrq9I9HLZONQPB8a1j2wIAuudQIWbz3PDd8TWqVTFDB7bUSP2ET9i4Y-JWTw4jkv8cUOhKtD8QsQEtwDirZTfzI_3CZROs1JVRV4YVQgOgRR1v_WvOpWnUguuXiiHcFvV57spi9QeKko6yFTHJUXcv25T-EaLwPVYA0upjeevF9HsLS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="1031" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZiG_bODUi0A0qHCrq9I9HLZONQPB8a1j2wIAuudQIWbz3PDd8TWqVTFDB7bUSP2ET9i4Y-JWTw4jkv8cUOhKtD8QsQEtwDirZTfzI_3CZROs1JVRV4YVQgOgRR1v_WvOpWnUguuXiiHcFvV57spi9QeKko6yFTHJUXcv25T-EaLwPVYA0upjeevF9HsLS=w486-h292" width="486" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>So get your butt back to the note you wrote and posted over your computer. This time, focus on the letters A and R.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>You got this!</div><p></p><div><ul style="text-align: left;"></ul></div><p></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p></p>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-78382764186937794292024-01-02T08:28:00.000-08:002024-01-02T08:28:00.149-08:00Conference Opportunities and More<p>This one is going to be a quick post. Please, however, pass this on to your conference coordinators and boards of your writing chapter.</p><p>I am available to come to your conferences to teach workshops, provide critiques and listen to pitches. All you have to do is invite me. I know some agents invite themselves to conferences, but my approach is a bit different. I leave it up to conferences who want me, not the other way around. </p><p>I don't charge speaking fees.</p><p>I only ask for assistance with hotel expenses and travel if this requires an over-night trip. </p><p>If you are a local writing organization here in Washington, remember that you get a big time discount. Since I am local, I can get to you without having a chapter worry about hotel and travel expenses. </p><p>For the larger national organizations, I am also available to provide longer workshops and bigger presentations (Yes, this means you Romance Writers of America and Pacific Northwest Writers Association). Again, all you have to do is ask.</p><p><br /></p>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-85990800753449354462024-01-01T07:20:00.000-08:002024-01-01T07:20:00.142-08:00What Agents/Editors Really Look For<p>It's all about the story, right? Weeeellllllll sort of...</p><p>When we get a project coming across our desk, yes, we start with the quality of the writing. If the writing is awful, it is an automatic NO! However, there is a heck of a lot more that we actually look at before making the call.</p><p>MARKETABILITY? - Remember, this is a business of selling a product. We do our market research and if the project is not something that readers are wanting right now, it is a NO. For agents, we also look at this and determine if this is something we have the expertise and connections to get that book published. </p><p>ONE HIT WONDER? - You might have a great book, but it that is all you have, then we might be tempted to say no. Why? Your success as an author do not necessarily come from one book, but repeated sales. It takes time to build your audience. We want to know what else you have written, planned, or thought about.</p><p>ARE YOU MARKETABLE? - Remember, it is also about you. If you are someone who is hard to work with. If you are someone who cannot accept criticism. If you are going to require an extensive amount of hand-holding, then we might turn away. Let me just give you a hint here. We can see this in your query letter, you professionalism, what you "decide" to leave out of your letter and what you post on social media.</p><p>OUR GUT INSTINCT? - This business is about subjectivity. There are times when we just don't connect to a story. There will be times when we look at a project and something tells us, to pass on it. </p><p><br /></p><p>So let me end this with something I frequently put in my rejection letter... "Just because the story didn't work for me, there is nothing to say it might not work for someone else."</p><p><br /></p>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-66204926390017161042023-12-29T07:20:00.000-08:002023-12-29T07:20:30.630-08:00Is Your Story Idea Really Good EnoughIt's 1 am and sure enough, you wake up with "an amazing idea for a story." You finally get back to sleep but you are now more than certain this will be the greatest novel ever! You are so excited, you are on social media and the phone talking to all of your critique partners about this novel.<div><br /></div><div>But is it really worth it? Is this story "idea" something that can become a full novel?</div><div><br /></div><div>The odds are, the story may not be strong enough. There is a pretty good chance that you are letting your emotions control your critical thinking skills.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is only one way you can figure this out. It is time to start planning. Take the time to figure out the entire storyline. Figure out the Goals Motivations and Conflicts of the characters. Figure out the theme of the story and the message you want to tell. Even if you are someone who thinks you are a pantster, you need to plan this out. I am literally talking about planning this out almost chapter by chapter. Think of it this way:</div><div><br /></div><div>You want to write an 80,000 word story. You want to shoot for 25 chapters. This means you need to be thinking about chapters around 3,200 words. Now, with this in mind, break out the Freytag Plot Diagram. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZQtA-QHk25f5wYeUdfApTbeXiYTjWGYPhrO80qy9Hx2y3HKlPAdOXZwUvcXQkQMX6Xe7vp2iC-JrtTv8hAfUgCpl1FRe_5HFRoD5WDGDAOYPnyGAy_6-vDHnegIK3lYt7G1AhbVST1wNw0Bb3m8HFXgGE5TzTZxjatYvgU5_WicLhG1tWnJW0GFXpFdJZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="750" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZQtA-QHk25f5wYeUdfApTbeXiYTjWGYPhrO80qy9Hx2y3HKlPAdOXZwUvcXQkQMX6Xe7vp2iC-JrtTv8hAfUgCpl1FRe_5HFRoD5WDGDAOYPnyGAy_6-vDHnegIK3lYt7G1AhbVST1wNw0Bb3m8HFXgGE5TzTZxjatYvgU5_WicLhG1tWnJW0GFXpFdJZ=w383-h317" width="383" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This means that when you are hitting the rising action, you should be around chapter 3 or 4... Do you see where I am going with this? I know it sounds a bit scripted and many of you are thinking that this is far from being creative. Nope! You still have the creativity, you are just creating rough bench marks along the way to see if the story is going to work. </div><div><br /></div><div>If, after you have taken the time to do this, and it looks like it is possible, start. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you still think this is too time consuming, consider this. The odds are you will get easily a 1/3 of the way into the story when you finally see the story is not working for you. This means you have wasted the time you took to write those 8 chapters. This might be 8 solid days of writing if you are fast. It may be more days. I don't know about you, but I don't have that time to waste. </div><div><br /></div>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-67179291408456577662023-12-28T07:46:00.000-08:002023-12-28T07:46:20.926-08:00Who Is Writing That Trope You Love<p>Let me first state, before diving into this, that today's post is focusing on traditional print/published books. I am not looking at self-pubs, or digital only books here. These are the books we see on the shelves in the stores.</p><p>I hear a lot of authors doing what they should be doing. They are researching the stories being published. This is really one of the only ways to determine potential trends that are out there, and, more importantly, how your story might fit within that market (no, not what you should immediately start writing). Unfortunately, for so many authors, they are missing an essential element to look at in the research.</p><p>Who wrote it?</p><p>Let's take the trope of a small town romance. Common theme. You find that these books seem to always be on the shelves, so clearly these books are hot themes and something you should be writing. But if you get out there and see who is writing those stories. If these are established authors, you need to understand that publishers know that this author already has the following. Pretty much, everything this author writes, they know the readers will buy it.</p><p>What you should be looking at are trends of new authors. What was it that publishers saw in these debut authors. What commonalities are you seeing in these new authors? This is going to tell you what the publishers are currently looking for. </p><p>With this in mind, you will likely see a new trend. There aren't a lot of those debut authors out there. Why? If you saw latest sales figures from nearly all publishers, sales were down. They are sticking with those known authors for a while. </p>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-39403920708881137022023-12-26T07:32:00.000-08:002023-12-26T07:32:24.338-08:00Predictions for 2024<p>Let me first say, things in publishing are not predictable. Just when we think something is going to be "hot" and a new trend, it disappears just as fast. Still, there are a lot of things we can look at with the current books being published that might give us an idea of what might be to come. </p><p><b>Where will contemporary be? </b>We saw a huge push of contemporary rom-cons this last year. It seemed that we couldn't walk to the romance section and not see another one of those cartoon covers about couples in "funny" situations. I put the word funny in quotes for a reason. Those of you reading these stories have probably noticed the same thing. Remember the movie Groundhog Day? Yep! The stories were not that different from each other. There were only so many of those awkward relationships that could be played out. I met with an author at a conference in November and she said pretty much the same things. She said that one of the authors she read, each new book was pretty much predictable.<br /></p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">So, where will contemporary projects go? </i>I think we are going to start moving to projects that are a bit more serious. Essentially, take the tone of women's fiction and write a contemporary. Now, don't misinterpret this. I am not talking about a drama overload. We aren't talking about stories where the characters are facing divorce, illness, drugs and death. I personally think we are going to see more stories that have a real person feel to them. (<i>And no, these are not fictionalized stories of real people).</i></p><p><b>How about historical romance? </b>Thank you Julia Quinn for turning people on to historical romance. Unfortunately, authors just dove all over this and swamped the market. Regency will still be strong. Thanks to Gilded Age, stories between these to periods will still be out there. These authors have tried to tap into the rom-con approach, but like the contemporary projects, these have sort of run their course with innovative plot lines. </p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">So should I write historical </i>Like I have always said, write what you know and what you want to write. Don't jump into some era you don't understand. I do think we might see some stories moving into more contemporary times. WWII stories (without the war) I believe might do well. It will be limited but I do think authors might be able to do something about characters not involved with the war, but being impacted by the war. We'll have to wait and see.</p><p><b>Demons, dragons, and paranormal, oh my...</b> This genre has a following that is pretty dedicated. I don't see it going off the charts and will continue. I do see more dystopian projects. Sarah J. Maas has pretty much locked into the dragon scene, but I do see opportunities. If you write this, know your market and know what makes your projects unique and stand apart from the others. There won't be a lot of space so you have to be AMAZING!</p><p><b>How about Inspirational? </b>Like paranormal, these authors have their own following. I do think we are going to see a change here, however. Remember the period of time where everyone wanted to write a story about the Darcies? I think we are going to see these same trends. I do think Amish inspirational projects as well as rancher inspirational projects are going to disappear fast. If you think you are going to write the stories about the "good looking single guy next door needing inspiration" I would skip that one. These are pretty stereotypical. You will have to find a new twist.</p><p><br /></p><p>This is just the tip of the iceberg. I do think that publishers are desperately trying to find something new to attract readers. They are still in a fierce competition against the vast population of people who would rather sit on their phone and binge watch new TV programs. They are fighting against schools that are not having students read anymore. </p><p>So, give us a twist! Give us something new, unique and, more importantly, marketable.</p>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-53643492644081003102023-12-11T09:04:00.000-08:002023-12-11T09:04:00.144-08:00Marketing and AuthorsI have been working on Marketing and PR Work with the UCLA Extension program and one of the participants provide three big concepts that I think you all need to consider. For these participants, they have really been in a closed bubble, learning material on writing like many would do in a Creative Writing MFA program. For them, they only saw the writing side of their career and not how to actually turn it into business.<div><br /></div><div><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Lato Extended", Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 12px 0px;"><b>Take-away #1: That when someone is an author, they are also a business and they'll have to do some business things.</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Lato Extended", Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 12px 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">This is a big one and something I try to talk about here as well. When you become a professional writer, you are now in the world of publishing AS A BUSINESS! You will be devoting a lot of your time now on marketing, on promotion and many things that do not involve the latest scene with your character facing the conflict you threw at them. You will have to invest time, and yes, likely money, to get your name out there. Competition is fierce in publishing and those who promote will be those who make it.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Lato Extended", Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 12px 0px;"><b>Take-away #2: That book marketing isn't about the latest new thing.</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Lato Extended", Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 12px 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">This is one that is often hyped up at conferences, workshops and by those you bring into your writing chapters as real experts. These are the people who claim that if you use their approach, you will make it! I call you know what on that one. Just because there is a new gimmick out there in technology DOES NOT mean that your book will sell. Just because your best friend who writes New Adult Dystopian stories is rocking it on TikTok does not mean your Inspirational romance set in Willow Prairie, North Carolina where your heroine gave up her legal career to open a muffin and stationary store (yes I made it up) will do well on that same platform. Marketing is about audience analysis. Marketing is about researching and adapting to your readers. New is not always better. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Lato Extended", Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 12px 0px;"><b>Take-away #3: That book tours are only a part of book marketing and that digital marketing makes up the bulk of it.</b> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Lato Extended", Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 12px 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">I am in no way going to say book tours are bad, but as this person found out, there is a lot more to this. Digital marketing is where people are at now. Everyone lives on their phones. Yes, digital is a big element of your marketing plan, but you still have to remember something...</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Lato Extended", Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 12px 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">PEOPLE WILL ONLY KNOW ABOUT YOUR PROMOTIONS</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Lato Extended", Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 12px 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">IF</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Lato Extended", Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 12px 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">THEY ARE ALREADY FOLLOWING YOU!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Lato Extended", Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 12px 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">If readers do know know you, they will not discover you. If you are a new author, or someone with a small following, you have to figure out how to increase that audience. Just posting more is not going to get you new readers. All you are doing is preaching to the choir and filling up the phones and computers of the people who already know you.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Lato Extended", Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 12px 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Lato Extended", Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 12px 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Lato Extended", Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 12px 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 12px 0px; text-align: left;">To be successful will require you thinking outside of the box!</p></div>Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.com0