Calling All Published Authors - Guest Blogging Opportunity

In all honesty, as agents (and editors too) there are only so many ways we can make suggestions on how to make it in this business. The reality is that sometimes, the best advice can come from the people in the trenches. So, with that in mind, I want to open this up to you (whether or not you are a Greyhaus author).

Tell us your story! Give us the advice that you wish you had when you were starting out, or some of the lessons you have learned so far.

If you are interested in this, send me an email at scott@greyhausagency.com. In the subject line write BLOG PROPOSAL.

In the proposal query, tell me about your writing (# of books, publisher, genre). Also, tell me something that you think you would like to blog about.

If selected, I will post your blog post, you can respond to any comments that come in, and certainly, have a chance to link the post to your upcoming book releases.

No, Not everyone will be selected.
Yes, if this is successful, I will make this a running element of this blog.
No, you do not need to be a Greyhaus author (but if you are looking and I like your writing... we can talk)
Yes, you can have give-aways/contests.
Yes, you can respond to questions.
Yes, if selected, you can blog at a later date for another book if you want to.

Scott

A Moment To Remember Some Swim Coaches

I normally want to leave you with some things to think about in terms of your writing on a Friday, but today, I feel I need to do something different.

A couple of days ago, here in Washington, we had a small plane crash into a mountain just outside of Seattle. All three passengers on board were killed. Now, I have to say, when I hear of any person dying, it always shakes me up a little. In this case, it really hit home. Did I know the people? Not directly. But I knew of them and I knew what they did.

Two of the passengers were swim coaches working with a local USA Swim Team that practices at the King County Aquatic Center where my kids swim team practices. Along with that, they were both high school swim coaches getting ready to take kids to the state meet this weekend.

Being a coach is a tireless job but one that has a huge impact on so many youth. These kids come day in and day out to practice, giving all they can to score one more point, to drop a few seconds, or run a few extra yards. And for many of these kids, that coach is sometimes the only person they can really go to if there is a problem or a concern.

Today, we are now missing two coaches who have touched so many youth during their time as a coach, teaching and mentor. Unfortunately, we can't tell them thank you now. That moment is passed. But, for those that we still have around. Those coaches, teachers and mentors that still touch our lives and the lives of our kids, we have to remember to say thank you for all that they do.

So I guess I did have some project for you to take care of this weekend...

And for me, my public thank you for the time and effort you have put forth for my kids to make them a little better, a little faster and a little smarter goes out to the following (in no particular order other than how I remembered the list). You have been a HUGE impact on my kids lives!:

Doug Djang
Keith Ure
Nate Hawthorne
Thomas Cunningham
Jon Hiatt
Amanda Swanson
John Tacke
Kim Michaelson Estrada
Lisa, Kelsey, Michaela, Angie
The Dance Coaches at the Mel Korum YMCA
Shawn Jones
Diana Eckstom

And like the Academy Awards, I am sure I am missing a few. You know who you are and my heartfelt thanks go out to you too.

Something To Think About

Hmmmmm?

Scott Changed His Mind... and other misc. stuff.

SUBMISSION CHANGES

Just wanted to let you know, I have changed my mind in terms of submission material.

Beginning in March, I will accept BOTH single title and CATEGORY romances and women's fiction. I will still focus on the same areas I have always focused on.

There will be a change in how submissions are done from the website. Now, if you want to submit for a category line, there is a specific form you can use that gives you the chance to indicate exactly which line you are submitting for.

Just wanted to keep you posted on this!

NEWSLETTER

Please remember that you can sign up for the quarterly newsletter from Greyhaus. The link is on the website in the News section. Next one comes out in March!

BRENDA NOVAK AUCTION

I'll be giving out a huge auction item this year. A partial edit of either the first three chapters, a synopsis or query to one person for an entire year. Authors can submit EVERY OTHER MONTH (yes this means 6 critiques for 1 author).

WEBINAR TIME
On March 29th, I will be presenting a webinar with Writer's Digest. This one focuses on the successful key elements of romance and women's fiction writing with a section also designed for authors wanting to write for Harlequin. Stay posted for more information.

CONFERENCES AND VISITING WRITING GROUPS
If your chapter will be attending RWA this year in Anaheim and will be getting together, make sure to send out your invites soon. I would love to come and chat and certainly to listen to "elevator pitches." Along the same lines, if you are a writing group, and want me to come and present or run a workshop, all you have to do is ask.

I DO NOT CHARGE speaking fees.

Have a great weekend.

Greyhaus and 2012

Throught I would give you a bit of an update as to what Greyhaus will be up to in the coming year.

CONFERENCES, ETC.

• Olympia RWA - Feb. 2nd
• NOLA Stars RWA - Mar. 3-4
• Writers Digest Webinar "The Keys to Romance and Women's Fiction - Mar. 29
• Chicago RWA - April 27-28
• Pacific Northwest Writers Association July 19-22
• RWA Nationals July 25-28

I wanted to list these and let you know, if you wish to have me come and visit, chat, or teach a session to your writer's group, RWA Chapter, etc. Just email me or have your conference coordinator contact me. All you have to do is ask.

Also, if you are an RWA Chapter and want to have me visit at Nationals when your group gets together (for receptions or small meetings) again, all you have to do is invite. And yes, this goes for the PRO workshops.

OTHER HAPPENINGS

• Beginning in March, I will be increasing my focus for looking for Harlequin authors. You will see more details on the website and with the contact information. If you are a Harlequin author start gettng your things ready now. This does not mean I will not be sending authors to other publishing houses. Authors currently with me will continue to be marketed to single title house. Authors signing on with Harlequin books will also have the chance to eventually market to the single title houses.
• Newsletter continues. Greyhaus will continue to put out a quarterly newsletter. Sign up information is found on the main website in the News and Information section.
• Critiques and contests are still a big thing. I believe in working with a lot of new authors. For this reason, I will continue to be open to judging contests and providing critiques to writing chapters. Again, all you have to do is ask. Along the same lines, I will continue to offer my services to RWA Nationals in the hopes to make some big strides in seeing that the Golden Heart and RITA truly do recognize the best of the best in romance and women's fiction (yes RWA, the offer still stands to work with that committee).

Have a great weekend.

Scott

It's Catch Up Day At Greyhaus

I'm playing hooky from the Blog today (sort of since you can see I am posting anyway).

I'm starting the weekend early, not so much to play, but to play catch up on a lot of paperwork floating around my desk.

See you all on Monday. I expect to hear great things from all of you then about the quality of writing you have been working on.

Scott