Showing posts with label agents. Show all posts

EVERYONE WANTS TO BE AN AUTHOR

Hi again, to all my faithful friends and followers.

So, how are you doing with your writing. Did last week's post teach you what not to do? I ran my review past the author of the novel I was reviewing and she agreed with my rating of 3 stars out of 5 and understood why: that I wasn't trying to be critical, but helpful. Maybe she's following this blog??? If so, I'd love for her to comment.

This week, I'm going to talk about what it takes to be a best-selling author. A long time ago, 1972, Dean Koontz published a very helpful book titled: "How to Write Best-Selling Fiction." I cut my writerly teeth on that book and wish I had a copy of it, even today. But I did take some notes that have helped me a great deal. Over the weeks I'll share some of them with you.

The first notes I have, he quoted his high school teacher who said the following: "The average reader demands eight things of a novel: 1) a strong plot; 2) a great deal of action; 3) a hero or a heroine or both; 4) colorful, imaginative, and convincing characterizations; 5) clear, believable motivations; 6) well-drawn backgrounds; 7) at least some familiarity with the rules of English grammar and syntax - the more familiarity the better, of course 8) a style which embodies at least a trace of lyrical language and as many striking images as possible, for good writing is always vivid and visual."

I could write a college thesis on each of those subjects. Maybe I will go over them in greater detail in the coming weeks. I think they give a lot of food for thought - to spin a cliche'.

One thing Mr. Koontz didn't cover was how publishing has changed from the old find an agent who will find a publisher for you. Today, agents are still around, but difficult to find, and most traditional publishers these days require authors to do most of their own marketing, and independent self-publishing requires writers to do pretty much the same (a lesson I still haven't digested).

Take a close look at the list of eight things readers demand and see how they can help with your writing.

In the meantime, please "Share" and "Like" this blog post on Facebook , and "Retweet" it on Twitter yet. Also have you signed up for my email letters on my Blog Site? I would love to see you there and have you introduce yourself and give comments to my posts. And also keep in mind "Bridgetown High" is still available on Amazon, Goodreads and Barnes&Noble and a few other places I can't remember. You can read some GREAT reviews of Bridgetown High on all of these sites.

More on: agents, Blogs, book review, bridgetown high, creativity, critiquing, grammar, john swett high, john swett high school, marketing, novels, paul west, plotting, publishing, revewing, writing

About Paul West

Paul West is a freelance writer and novelist. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Paul claims to be a "Prune Picker," though he now makes his home in Taylorsville, Utah.

You can follower him on Twitter: @PaulWWest

Published: Thursday, May 12, 2016

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WOW! To all my faithful followers, I ask: Is this timely or not?

NOT!

I just got this note in my email.

Dear Paul,

Hi there, and thanks for thinking of me! I just reviewed the opening pages of BRIDGETOWN HIGH, and I must say -- the concept of your novel intrigued me. I've been looking to build my YA fiction list, so I was looking forward to your pages.

That having been said, I'm afraid I'm going to have to pass on your project because I didn't really connect with your writing voice as much as I would have liked. Your narrative flowed well, and you're definitely a competent writer -- I just thought your opening scene was slightly too emotionally overwrought, to the point where I found myself unable to sympathize with Mark, despite his terrible tragedy. Perhaps you could approach the scene from a different angle, one that's more heart-wrenching in a subtle way?

I wish I had better news for you -- I always like to remind writers that regardless of my subjective opinion, there are lots of agents out there. Who knows, someone might just feel that "spark" for your project and want to represent it as it currently stands. Please continue to persevere, and I wish you the very best of luck in securing representation!

My best,

If I had gotten this a bit earlier, I might have been able to mull it over and see what I could do to improve things.

Oh, well

Well, it's been about two weeks now and no word from my (hopeful) publisher. For my faithful followers (all 1 or 2 of you), I say hang in there. The Submissions say to give them four weeks.

OK, in the meantime, I'm not letting grass grow under my feet. I've sent out 5 or 6 query letters to agents, and looking into all the latest marketing methods to sell my novel (BRIDGETOWN HIGH) when it ever gets published.

Wow, there are a ton of methods. Some carry a minimal cost, but most are free, just take up some time and imagination. I think I have a good plan (and this blog is part of that plan). I just need a published novel.

I know. Some of you are going to say, "why don't you self publish?"

I've considered that, but for a first novel, I don't see that as a viable alternative.

Just wish me luck, or better pray for me.

I think there must be a purpose to editors and publishers taking so long to get back with you. I think it's either to overcome our hyperventilation, or to die from a lack of oxygen while waiting.

In other words, no word yet on the status of "Limitless Publishing," though this waiting period is giving me more time to prepare for the marketing efforts to come. I'm learning that blogging is one of the best marketing tools available. So, I guess I should write more here on my personal blog. Only problem is, how do I get this blog read? How do people, all 1 or 2 of you potential readers, even know I have this blog? Once in a great while someone will stumble on it, but that's not nearly good enough if I expect to attract readers, and ultimately buyers of my novel.

Anyone know how this works?

Is it time to get excited yet? Just got this email from my potential publisher:

"Paul,

"Limitless Publishing would like to request the full manuscript for Bridgetown High. Please send at your earliest convenience.

"Thank you,"

Not holding my breath just yet, but it's getting difficult to not hyperventilate.

I've been sending out tons of query letters, re-written query letters, and re-re-written, etc. query letters all to no avail. It seems most literary agents prefer to represent fantasy and science fiction rather than a more serious novel set in the mid-1960s. I can understand that. There probably isn't a lot of demand for such novels, yet. But I've seen some best-selling, award winning young adult novels set in the 1950s.

I think a lot of agents' reluctance is that they don't think there's a market for my novel. Thus, I'm starting an undertaking of a new tact. Even though my novel isn't published (it could be if I wanted to self-publish it) I need to start marketing it throughout the literary world. Therefore, this post to my blog will be the beginning of my new marketing effort. I need to make my presence known to as many people, including writers, readers, literary agents, publishers, etc., as I can.

So, how am I doing? Are you (all 1 or 2 of you) actually reading this? What do you think of my plan? Do you have any suggestions?

OK, so, I've sent out 11 query letters so far. I hope all of you (all 1 or 2 of you) are still with me. It's gonna happen!!! This time I'm going to get some requests for partials and even fulls. Then someone will offer me a contract for representation and that person will find a publisher who will relish the idea of representing me and will turn my novel into a big-screen movie and I'll make millions of dollars.

Wish!

Hope!

Dream!

I'm now working with a new and revised query letter. My sweet daughter reviewed it and made some great suggestions. Now, I've sent it out to three agents, so hang in there (all 1 or 2 of you). Maybe one of them will respond??? LOL, not really likely, but wishful thinking. I don't intend to stop there with just 3 query letters sent out. There are something like 400 agents handling young adult novels. Not all of them will be interested, however, since they mostly rep fantasy/sci fi. Wish me luck in finding that one agent that will love my novel.

Got an interesting rejection:

"Thanks for your interest in our agency. Unfortunately you've caught me at a time when the demands of my current clients leave me with very little time to devote to exploring new talent and unfortunately in this case I have to pass on the opportunity to pursue this. I am being extremely picky so please seek many opinions since my decision may have little to do with the salability of your work."

I appreciate his sending me a rejection note. Many won't even do that much.

After my last post, it occurred to me that some of you (all 1 or 2 of you) might not get what I was talking (writing) about. They didn't get that I was talking about publishing my novel, that I still prefer to have a traditional publisher publish my novel.

A lot of writers are self-publishing lately, but when I consider the quality of self-published books, there's a much greater chance the book will not be a quality work. Publishers (at least most of them) know and only accept quality work to publish. With self-publishing there's no guarantee.

Sure, some self-published work is great, well done. But I tend to think most are trashy with little or no editing. Let's face it. Hiring an professional editor is expensive. I can't afford it. And that's a huge reason I need to go traditional.

On another subject, sort of. I've sent out nearly 20 query letters so far in the past month. Here's to not holding my breath. I intend to send out more. I've heard back from 3 or 4 of them, all negative with no helpful notes, but I ain't given' up.

Wish me luck.

I agree with the old school thinking about finding an agent/editor. It goes: "If it's not good enough for a traditional publisher, it's probably not good enough."

I just can't get over that idea. I know a lot of people will disagree with me, and some of them are actually selling a lot of books, but I think they are the exception, not the rule, and probably could do even better with a major publishing house.

Hang in there you faithful followers (all 1 or 2 of you). I ain't giving up. It's gonna sell!!!

To all of you (all 1 or 2 of you) who are following my rantings here, I hope you'll hang in there with me. Knowing you are with me gives me hope.

I got 5 rejections so far. Most won't let me know, however, so I should probably log all of them as rejections. j/k. Still, who knows. Maybe one will eventually prove positive. I've thought about self-publishing but I just can't bring myself to go that route.

Hi gang - all 1 or 2 of you.

Sorry for abandoning you. I've been gone and when I was here, I was too busy to get onto this blog site.

So, what have I been up to? Lots. I've reworked my query letter - again, and my synopsis. You know, it's really tough boiling a 83,000 word novel down to 3 or 4 sentences, but I think I've done it - I hope. We'll see when the rejections come through - hahaha.

If it doesn't work this time, I'm seriously considering going the self-published route. I don't like doing it that way, however. I feel "if it ain't good enough for a traditional publishing house, it probably ain't good enough."

Hang in there, fans (all 1 or 2 of you). The bumpy ride isn't done yet. So, if you enjoy hearing about my agony, keep tuned. I need y'all to be there when I finally publish my novel - and purchase it, hehehe.

BTW, you do remember the title don't you? Vengeance or Vindication?

Thanks y'all,
Paul

Reworking my query - again. I hate writing query letters, but I guess they're a necessary evil if you ever want to be published.

Because of the rewrite of my novel, a new query is needed. I think what I have could work, but I'm still open to comments and critiquing. I've posted it at a couple of sites that do query reviews. I'm hoping they will help me get to a quality query.

Wish me luck, all 1 or 2 of you.

Thanks

Finally finished the rewrite of my novel I'm calling "Vengeance and Vindication" (V&V) for now. It's about 490 pages, 85,000 words. It's about a young man who loses his family in a fiery automobile accident on the Carquinez Bridge and struggles to be accepted at a new high school in the shadow of the bridge where his family died, while trying to discover who caused the accident.

I think I'm ready to resume sending out query letters now. Wish me luck, all 1 or 2 of you.

If any of you (1 or 2 of you) would like to review it for me, I'd be open to that, but I need an honest critique and I can't pay anything. However, I would be open to paying a percentage of the advance and royalties, assuming there are any.

Any takers?

You can contact me at paulwwest@q.com.

I think I posted about a company, that will remain nameless, that wanted $700 to market my novel to agents and publishers. As I'm going through my novel, making major and minor changes, I'm realizing more and more that this company is a scam. They claimed to have read my novel and made some comments (that I agree helped a little). But as I'm going through my novel, I'm becoming more and more aware that they couldn't have read the entire thing. In their comments, they totally missed the meaning of the novel. I really think all they wanted was my money, regardless whether or not the book is publishable.

Fat chance!!!

Keep following (all 1 or 2 of you). I'm sure I'll have many more exciting adventures along the publishing trail as time goes by.

For all of you (all 1 or 2 of you) who are new to this site, just a word of explanation. I have written one complete novel and am working on two others. The first novel I am tentatively calling Bridge to Destiny, or B2D for short. It is set in my childhood community of Crockett California and in particular my alma mater, John Swett High School, in 1965, the year I graduated. It's about a young man (seventeen) who loses his family on the Carquinez Bridge and vows to get even with whoever cause the accident that killed his family. Of course there is a lot more to it than that, including a love story, but that should give you some idea of what my novel is about. I'm currently searching for an agent and/or publisher if anyone knows of one who might be interested in handling my novel. I'll fill you in on the other two novels later. Stay tuned.

Well, that publisher that I had so much hope for, finally gave me a rejection. It was a nice one, I have to admit, but I can't tell if it was a form rejection or a personal one. Here it is. What do you think:

Dear Mr. West,

Thank you for submitting your work, Bridge to Destiny. After careful consideration, we have decided not to publish your manuscript at this time. While your writing is very good, it was felt that the story did not have a strong enough hook to compete with other similarly themed books aimed at the same audience. Please be aware that we offer to publish less than six percent of the manuscripts we review, and although we did not offer to publish your manuscript, we encourage you in your endeavors to get it published. We do not feel like we could effectively represent your book in the marketplace right now and hope that you can find a publisher to better suit your needs.

Again, thank you for sending us your manuscript.

Sincerely,

The Editorial Board

Just wondering. Do any of you (all 1 or 2 of you) have any idea which is better?

Is it better for a publisher to take a long time in responding or respond quickly?

My submission to the small publisher was done 3 months ago. They said they would respond in 2 to 8 months. I'm pretty sure they said they would respond either way.

Any possible answers from any of you?

Sent off two more query letters yesterday. Still trying, but not holding my breath.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

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