Quit Looking For Shortcuts

I don't know how many times I keep saying this. but please, quit looking for short cuts. To get anywhere in any career takes time and you cannot use ways to speed up the process. Let me put it this way.

Today, I was reading submissions and passed on a project because it was not something I acquired. This happens all of the time because people are not taking the time to read or do their research. This one, however, was even more devastating. 

The author wrote back stating...

I got a list of  children’s literacy agents on Fiverr from a lady I paid.. I guess I got scammed. I just assumed the list was valid and did not double check.. 

I feel sorry for this author. There are too many people out there willing to take advantage of so many new authors trying their best to make it in this competitive market. 

Please forward this to everyone. 

DO YOUR RESEARCH

TAKE YOUR TIME

LISTEN TO ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE THE QUALIFICATIONS TO TELL YOU THINGS.

What Writing Chapters And Conferences Are Missing

 Earlier this week, I had the chance to meet with a few authors talking about starting up an RWA Chapter in Oregon. One of the ideas that was floated around was what they were all missing with the discussions in writing chapters today. The big take-away was a lack of just talking about the craft. The focus all seems to me on selling digitally, new marketing techniques for self-pub authors and how to essentially do this all on your own. The joy of just talking about stories was just missing.

I bring this up because one of my authors spent sometime this morning talking with her editor about her upcoming book. When she talked to me about the conversation, she was amazingly excited! You could hear it in the passion in her voice. She spoke about how she and her editor really spent time talking "story". The conversation did not focus on sales or what the data said was the best approach.

This is truly what chapters are missing today. This is what conferences are missing. 

While I did not attend the NINC conference, what I found interesting was the focus on all of the social media posts and pictures I saw. Pictures all focused on companies promoting sales. Even people who attended just sent out comments about how cool it was to listen to the head of XYZ company talk about a new approach to increase sales. I saw no posts about people talking about how excited they were to attend sessions on things such as "new ways of looking at character development" or other similar craft ideas. Even seasoned published authors love sessions like this to just get them to re-think their own writing. 

I will continue to say this for a while. This is why I am so encouraged for people such as Megan Crane, Maisey Yates, Jane Porter (I know I am missing one other key name and I am sorry). and their push for this new RWA Chapter. 

The hope is this will really lead to a great HAPPILY EVER AFTER!

RWA Updates

Hey everyone in the PNW.

I had the great chance to sit down (ok, via Zoom) with Megan Crane and a group of great authors talking about reinvigorating the RWA scene. We know there are NO RWA chapters in Washington State. We know there are a lot of you who want to reconnect. Megan is pushing for a great opportunity. She is working to build a new RWA community here in the Pacific NW

While the chapter is based out of Oregon, she wants to reach out to everyone. She and the entire team (Yes Jane Porter and Maisy Yates are right there with her) are pushing to look forward and not backwards. The team wants to get back to what RWA was really about. Talking about GREAT ROMANCE. Talking about CRAFT. And more importantly, not just sitting around and complaining.

I am 100% backing them. 

1) I believe in the romance and women's fiction genre.

2) I believe there is a place for everyone.

3) I believe the only way to grow as a writer is to be a part of the community.

So, with that said, if you are a writer in Washington, Oregon, Northern California, (I'll even throw in Idaho and British Columbia) and you BELIEVE in the romance and women's fiction genres; you DESIRE to be a part of a community that values writing and the craft, then this is the place for you.

Reach out to me directly if you want contact information. Reach out to Megan Crane or Jane Porter if you want more information.

I was so rejuvenated after this meeting. I felt alive again about the romance genre more than I have been for a while (and I am pretty stoked about it already). 

DO NOT let this opportunity go away.

And, if you are not in the PNW, but still want to be part of something AMAZING, please reach out. 

When You Make A Mistake, It Is Not Our Fault

Here we go again...

I always have to laugh when I pass on a project someone submits to me because what they sent was not something I acquire. I was answering submissions this last weekend and had several authors who clearly did not read my submission guidelines on my website (or other public sites that I have that information posted). I get that sometimes small mistakes happen. Not a problem.

But then we get things like this.

I rejected an author who sent me this thriller type story but was really pitching a screenplay and the author hoped to turn that into a novel. Not romance. Not women's fiction. So the answer is no.

The reply was: "

"Well, it sounds that this story is too much for you and you're into books about nothing."

No, this is not that I am into stories about nothing. No, this is not that I am not interested in big and bold stories. It is that I am not into this genre the author is pitching and I do not represent screenplays.

I get it, rejections suck. I hate writing them and you hate getting them. However, when you reply to a rejection out of frustration such as this, the odds of you ever getting where you want will be slim to none. 

Just think before you type.