Taking Advantage of Networking Opportunities

In today's world, success is all about networking. It is about who you know and about getting your name out there. If you think about it, how many of you have heard friends getting jobs because of a friend making a connection for them. Heck, that was the original purpose of social media sites such as LinkedIn. As an author, this is something you need to invest in.

Unfortunately, too many authors simply do not do this. Part of the reason is that writing really is a solitary activity. Writers sit in their offices, working away on their laptops with their only friends being their characters on the page. The only time they may interact with someone is their critique group (if they have one) and their editors and agents (if they have those people). Outside of that, they are alone. 

Still, they are going to have to step out of that bubble and talk to people. The amazing part is, you never know where those people might show up. I remember someone talking early on with my work at Greyhaus mention this. If your neighbors don't know you are an author, you are already missing out. Sure, you might think that is TMI, but hey, if they know you are a writer, that is at least one more person who might read your book and post a review. They can be a part of "your street team." OK, I do get it when you might write erotica and you don't want you pre-school parents to know this, so leave them out, but tell everyone else.

Here is another example. One of my writers just got back from a small cruise. She was attending a chocolate and liquor tasting (OK, I want to be invited!!!!) and she started chatting with people around the table and her being a writer came up. So.... she tossed out her name but no one at the table knew her name. That's fine, there are a ton of writers out there. But then they asked for some titles to read so she tossed out a couple of titles that are doing really well and one of the women pulled out her phone. Lo and behold, one of the books was on her TBR pile at home. BINGO! NAILED IT!!!! She now has a new Reviewer! This woman had read several of her books and had loved the stories! They connected and they are off and running. 

Now here is an example of a failed networking situation. In one of my UCLA classes, I had two USA TODAY Bestselling Authors taking my class (they were doing so to get some ideas for an outside project they were working on). These two authors openly told the other class members who they were. I kept mentioning this is a great way to connect!

And no one did. 

Bummer. 

Did I? You better believe it!!!!!

The key is to keep your ears open and don't be afraid to ask. Who knows what might land in your lap! 

Why Are You Writing Your Book? What Is Your Take Away?

There are so many times when I have started reading a book, and simply put it down and asked a simple one word question - "Why?" No, it was not, "Why on earth did this author think this story was a good idea?" although yes, that has crossed my mind a lot. It is more of "Why am I reading this?" Or, maybe the better question is, "What is the big take-away?"

This is a concept a lot of business people use in meetings or when looking at proposals. What do you want me to take away from this concept? As I walk out of the room, or leave this Zoom call, what do you want me to leave with? 

The same can be said with a book. It doesn't matter if it is to be a humorous book or a serious book. It can be a romance or a thriller. An author needs to have something that is going to guide the reader through the story. No, just simply saying you want them to have fun is not it. We are talking about a hidden message that maybe only the author is aware of. It doesn't even have to be stated.

Over the weekend, I was reading a book that was pretty well written. Now, when I say pretty well written, I am not saying it was blow my socks off written. I was there reading it and I kept flipping the pages so something was going well. Characters were fine. Writing was fine. Plot was Ok. (I haven't finished it yet so I will have to let you know later). At this point, I'm giving it a B-ish grade???? (maybe????) Yes, I know there are a ton of question marks but it is early.

And......

I am stuck with that single question of the big WHY?

I think there MIGHT be a why in the story, but I am not sure. Because I am a literature major I can pretty much create a theme in almost anything so I have to be cautious when I am in a situation like this. It is the responsibility of the author. 

This "take away" by the way, is really what builds your "high concept" of your story. And no, you cannot make this up after you have written your story, which is why I am sitting here with this book struggling with wondering if I am trying to force that take away and why on a book that doesn't have one.

So, why do you need it? This why gives your story meaning. It gives yours story purpose. The why gives every action and every scene in the story a reason for existence. For most writers, you are just putting things in your story to move to the next scene or to add word count. That creates a lifeless story, and yes, to rejections.

Your homework? Do you have a why?

Don't Try To Write For Everyone!

You Can't Please Everyone!

OK, we all want to try and do this, but the reality is, it is completely impossible to please everyone out there. This is especially true when it comes to writing. You have heard me say this here, but writing and publishing is completely subjective. You know this even if you as writers often want to deny it when you submit stories to editors and agents. 

Think about it. When you have a friend hand you a book they totally loved and you start reading it and start questioning your friendship because of this book. What on earth were they thinking. This book is complete garbage. That, my friends is the subjectivity I am talking about. 

So, with that said, when you are writing your novel, quit trying to please everyone. Focus on YOUR audience. Yes, this does mean you need to do some market analysis and know who your market is, but that is who you have to focus on. It is that simple. This means, if you are an Inspirational Romance author then focus on that group. I don't care if what is hot right now in other genres might be dark romance, or romantic comedies, or even romantasy, stick to what YOUR group wants to hear. Don't leave your lane!

Another way I see people trying to do this is when they think "cross genre writing" will take care of everything. The issue here is you are not going to bring in people, you will actually drive off your readers. You can't say "My book is a historical, romance with a science fiction/fantasy feel that is part erotica but also will speak to those looking for a Christian message." Ummm, excuse me? Not going to happen. All you have here is a huge mess.

The same goes for your marketing of your books. You need to only focus on marketing in a way that your people will respond to. You should also only spend your effort marketing on platforms that they will be seeing your message. Consider this. If your audience is primarily an older audience, do you really think they will be learning the latest dance on TikTok? Probably not, so why would you be out there filming reels? This is a waste!

Just stick to one area and focus. You might be surprised at the success you will see!

How Fast Should You Complete Revisions For Editors and Agents

Let's talk about something that all writers would love to have happen. You received in your email inbox the following message:

Dear Author,

There are a lot of things about your story that work. At this time, I am passing on your project, however, if you wish to make some changes to it, please feel free to resubmit. 

At that point, they even tell you the things that they liked, and more importantly, the things that they would love to see changed. They even told you to take as much as time as you needed. There is no rush.

Woo hoo! Time to celebrate!

But the real question here is, how much time should you take to get those revisions finished? Well, you came to the right place. My answer? 

AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!!!

Consider this. You are still fresh in that editor or agent's head. They are still getting a ton of manuscripts coming in. They are editing and working with all of their own clients, BUT, you still have the chance that they still will remember you and they will still likely remember what they told you to do. So take advantage of it. 

Secondly, you are also showing them how fast and how expertly you can take their advice and turn it into the project that they wanted to see. In the world of publishing, it is a hurry up and wait business. You will be asked to get those revisions back quickly when you do get that elusive contract so why not prove it to them now. 

Finally, remember that the market changes constantly. They are asking for something because it is what they want NOW. If you wait too long, it might not be what they want later. By the time you get around to getting that project in because you "too your time" someone else may have swooped in and taken that slot. 

All of my authors know this. When their editors ask for revisions, or even when they have any deadline, they always push to get that project in BEFORE the deadline. Doing so gives the editor a little breathing room on their end. Right now, I have a client who we have a proposal out to a couple of editors. Two responded with the same type of email we started with. The cool thing is that both came back with the same suggestion for fixing the problem. Are we rushing to make those changes? You better believe it!!!! The author is working like crazy and I am working hard to make sure the editors are still remembering all of the cool things they liked about her writing. 

Oh, and by the way... the same goes with when you send in a query and get a request, or when you pitch at a conference and get a request. DON'T WAIT! Get it to them ASAP!!!!!