"We'll Call You"

I've come across this variation on several agent sites. It's not necessarily "we'll call you", but "we will respond only if we are interested". There have been many discussions about this being rude, unprofessional, or it makes totally sense so stop your whining.

I'm curious to know how often do authors get the short end of the stick in this business. All these invisible rules are set up to further our career (don't talk bad about other author's books, don't make fun of psycho fans, don't react to horrible reviews, don't bad mouth agent/publisher/editor but only if they are scammers, ESPECIALLY don't talk about being dropped as an author, never talk about the publishers who give crappy advances....)

I've witnessed more than one author crucified in this business. Some well deserved, especially when a normal person would have walked away with what little dignity they had left. And, then there are the authors who are just crucified.

So, what parts of publishing do authors truly get the short end of the stick? Or what do you consider the cost of doing business and authors should just suck it up?

The Call or Email

I can't remember what I used to think about being published. Okay, I can sum it up as: Sell book to publisher. Book comes out. I'd sell millions.

I'll give you moment to stop laughing...

Not what happened at all. It seemed like overnight I had to worry about a million things and the last thing on the list was the actual book I contracted. I needed a website. I needed to wait on my first round of edits. I had to think about promotion, sells--cue debut author's head exploding. I can say with honesty I never thought past the sell. Of course I imagined holding my book in my hands, but never the process from submitting to selling. It was very overwhelming and eye-opening at the same time.

So today's questions: Were you prepared for your first sell?

The the unpubbed: Are you ready?

What Does It Take To Make It?

Okay, if you base success on being able to write books that sell (both to houses and to readers) then what does it take to make it?

My answer to this question is you have to want it. You have to have the drive to keep going when you get kicked down in this business. You have to be able to set goals and see them through. If you make a goal to write at least two full length novels a year something has to push you in order to do it. It could be deadlines, the advance check you just received and don't want to HAVE to payback. Writing is your livelihood, but to me it has to be more.

I've seen people chuck this writing business. I used to wonder how they were able to. And then I became published. The pressure went up more than a few notches. There is a difference when you are in essence writing toward getting published and knowing the book you write will be published.

It goes without saying that wanting it enough is loving the writing part of the process.

Trust me, you don't HAVE to love the publishing process, because it will kill you eventually or just suck out your soul.

What do you have in your arsenal to keep you going?

Agent Blogs: The Blessing and The Curse

I'm sure I'm not the only writer who subscribe to agent blogs. These blogs are a wealth of information. Unlike places like Agent Query, Query Tracker, and Publisher Marketplace (these places give you the bare essentials) you get a sense of who the agent is, how they work, what they like or whether or not they are insane. There is nothing worse than finding out your dream agent doesn't fit after you've signed. (Well, finding out your agent doesn't have the contacts necessary to sell your manuscript.)

I know I've found out how an agent likes query letters including what you can leave out. I've also found out what they love and things that will get you an automatic rejection. But at some point reading these blogs can become an information overload. On one hand they tell you what the hell send the query. In the next blog post they complain about people who don't read their guidelines i.e. what they represent.

Today's question: How helpful have you found agent blogs?

Just Chew Your Writing Hand To Get Away From Them

Yesterday my post was geared toward the healthy writing relationships. The ones that uplift you. Of course, not all writing friendships and/or associations are like this.

Signs you may need to chew your writing hand to get away from this person:

1. They are move in love with the idea of being a writer than actually writing.
You've met this person before. They could have even gone to a big, expensive conference. Every year they will pitch the same unfinished manuscript. They might be the one to sit next to you at your writerly meeting, asking “what's the trick to finishing an manuscript” You may have the same answer every time “Butt in Chair”. Or you just sandwich yourself between two other people to get away from said “writer”.

2. The first person to cheer you on and then tell you why YOU made a bad writing move.

Ex: You sell. They congratulate and then tell you how bad that publisher is.

Ex: You get a request to send a full. Their reply: “Congrats, but I decided not to query that agent. I've heard things about them.

Ex: You finally get a CP you are comfortable with, who loves your voice, but will tell you when you've strayed. Their reply: “Are you sure they won't steal your idea. That's why I don't have a CP.”


3. Any helpful advice starting with “ Such-N-Such genre is dead. You should write “fill-in-blank with-whatever-is-selling-hot-at-the-moment.
The CP that changes the books they send to you, but each one is the same just with different character names.


Ex: Roger meets Samantha. Samantha is in a relationship with Bob. She's conflicted because she has the hots for Roger.


Example of Next Book: Charlie meets Lynette. Lynette is in a relationship with Donovan. She's conflicted because she has the hots for Roger.


Example of Third Book CP sends to you: Michael meets Gabriel. Gabriel is in a relationship with Chuck. She's conflicted because she has the hots for Michael.


I could go on about these toxic relationships, but I'd rather know if you have ever chewed off your writing hand.

Writing Friends Are Like A Good Support Bra

...they can make you look great or cut you deep.
~NerdSnark (2008)

When I first started writing I had no one. Nobody for me to call and whine about my writing troubles or triumphs. Talking to non-writers just isn't the same as talking to someone who has been there. Someone who knows how deep a rejection can cut. How thrilling it is to finally get a request for a partial. You know, all those little writing moments that you need to share.

Nope, I braved the black hole of publishing on my own for a very long time. Can't say I regret those years, because I wouldn't be able to truly appreciate the circle of friends I now have around me.

Yet some people don't think they need that type of circle. Some people have been badly burned. And, of course when you first start out you are paranoid someone will steal your incredible, one-of-a-kind idea/plot/line/witty dialogue/character name--take your pick.

So, today's questions:

Do you have writing friends? At what point in your career did you get them?

Or do you think you don't need them?

* Sidenote- Even if you are not published writing is still your career. Don't fool yourself into thinking otherwise. *

The Publishing Bed You Make

i think it's important to consider your publisher when looking at the numbers of books you sold. it's very hard to know if you're making comparatively good money at a publisher or not when they don't tell you info on what to expect.

Very good point I wanted to draw attention to. This is when sites like "Show Me the Money" are a good reference. The problem I see with it is that not many e-presses are listed. Even with the top 5 Big E-Presses racking in the $$$, e-presses are still new (and in some places still not respected).

But the first question I want to put to you today is:

What do you consider a reputable and established publisher? Both for NYs and E-presses.

Sales can even be broken down to what the publisher is known for selling well. So, the second question:

What publisher sells a certain genre really, really well?

Crash and Burn

I’ve been looking for a website, blog anything that is honest about what goes on behind the publishing doors. Also one that goes beyond generic answers. I’m aware every experience is different and that’s really what I’m looking for. An experience more like mine. Or more like my writing buddy’s.

I want to know it without rebuff from the publishing community. “Author is ruining his/her career by asking/saying/implying *insert your choice of crash and burn*.

Well, we’ll see how it goes.

So, tell me did you jump up and down your first royalty check or sob?

*Of course, you can answer anonymously*