This is goodbye.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
My LAST Post... EVER
Monday, February 27, 2017
WOTP: Erynn Newman, Adult Author
Hey, everyone. *waves* I’m Erynn
Newman. I’m a thirty-mumbles-year-old wife/mom/author/editor from the foothills
of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I have a couple of opinionated kitties who help me
get my writing done and a rambunctious three-and-a-half-year-old (halfs are
really important when you’re three) that helps me NOT get my writing done.
What
is your “how I got my agent” story?
When I first decided I wanted to
be a "real" writer, I asked the only writers I knew, "where
should I go for information on how to do this?" And they all recommended
Rachelle Gardner's blog. I pored over it, devoured every post, even printed
some out to study them. She was my dream agent, but one I put soundly in the
“unattainable” category.
So, of course, I registered for a conference she was attending, but I couldn’t get an appointment with her. Instead I got one with another agent who told me that my novel was "unsellable" and that I should just chalk it up to experience gained, put it in a drawer, and write something else.
So, of course, I registered for a conference she was attending, but I couldn’t get an appointment with her. Instead I got one with another agent who told me that my novel was "unsellable" and that I should just chalk it up to experience gained, put it in a drawer, and write something else.
But directly after that awful agent meeting, I volunteered to help with place settings for our lunch, and I just happened to note where Rachelle's table was, and find my way to a seat at it. She allowed everyone at the table to pitch, and she ended up asking for my full manuscript.
I sent my first novel to her and heard nothing for almost a year, not realizing that she wasn’t taking on fiction clients at the time. While I waited, I sent queries to four other agents, three of whom also asked for my full manuscript. And then I made friends with the one of Rachelle's clients over Facebook, and she agreed to put in a good word for me. Shortly after that I attended another conference where a well known writer took an interest in me and actually called Rachelle right there in front of me to basically say, “represent this girl, or I’ll find her someone else today.” And then . . . (insert several months of sheer agony and two more rejections) she called.
I guess the moral of that story is that actually meeting people can make all the difference. And that a little bit of friendly stalking doesn’t hurt either.
What
novel landed you your agent?
My novel is entitled, Out of Darkness. It’s Inspirational
Romantic Suspense.
When her husband is killed by a car bomb on their
wedding day, Elisabeth literally watches her dreams go up in smoke. Three
years later, she’s beginning to figure out life without Drew—with the help of
his best friend and CIA partner Gabe. But Drew returns, and they must rebuild
what was lost with international arms dealers on their trail and an ever
shrinking list of people they can trust. Gabe should be at the top of that
list, but his feelings for Elisabeth may stand in the way. All three of them
end up in a fight for their lives that will test their loyalty to God, country,
and each other.
Tell
us about the much anticipated and nerve-wracking “Call” with your now agent.
Well, after my author/mentor
friend called her during that conference, she promised that she was still
interested, so I was just waiting…and waiting…and waiting. And wondering if
there was really a guarantee. Finally, I got an email asking if she could call.
Once I said yes, and gave her a window, then it was just…more waiting. The call
came while I was at work, and fortunately, I had an employer who was really
supportive and let me run out the door to take the call. We talked some
details. I asked the couple of questions I had written down, and then I said .
. . “can I call you back?” And then I freaked out in the bathroom.
By this point, I was waiting to hear back from that one last agent that hadn’t said no, and nervous to say yes, and wondering if I was making the right decision. But pretty much as soon as I got off the phone, and called my author/mentor friend, I realized I had the option in front of me to sign with my dream agent, and that seemed like a no brainer, so I called her back pretty much immediately and said, “I’m sorry. Yes, please.”
Have
you written/queried other books before?
I actually got my start in
Fanfiction, and no, I won’t divulge my fandoms, so I’d written a couple of
novel-length stories. And I worked on Out
of Darkness off and on at the same time as two other novels until I decided
it was the one I wanted to devote all my energy into publishing first.
So, no. It’s actually the first original novel I completed and the first I queried.
So, no. It’s actually the first original novel I completed and the first I queried.
But I do have those other two
still in the works. Another romantic suspense and a new adult romance.
What
is the hardest part about being on submission?
If you’re beginning to detect a
theme here, you’re absolutely right. It’s waiting.
Always with the waiting. I think that’s actually the theme of traditional
publishing at every step of the process—which is a small part of the reason I
*plot twist* decided to go Indie. You know, that and being able to take back
total control and make a larger percentage of profit.
What
is the best part about having an agent?
I love having someone who knows
the industry so well in my corner. She’s taken a step back since I decided to
Indie publish Out of Darkness, but
she’s still my cheerleader and still someone I can go to any time I have
questions about decisions I’m making for my career.
And I’d be lying if I didn’t say that there’s part of me that loves the validation that someone I respect so much thought I was good enough. I still like referring to “my agent,” and pretending to be a big deal. *winky face*
And I’d be lying if I didn’t say that there’s part of me that loves the validation that someone I respect so much thought I was good enough. I still like referring to “my agent,” and pretending to be a big deal. *winky face*
How
do you cope with waiting to hear back from publishers?
Honestly, the best thing I could
do was try to forget about it. Just work on the next thing, so that when
deadlines loom, you’ll have a head start. When that doesn’t work…ice cream.
Do
you have any tips for writers who are querying?
Research, research, research.
Only query agents who are actively acquiring (and contracting) your genre and
who have established relationships with the houses you’re interested in working
with.
And, truly, it really helps to
meet people in person. Not just people who you think can help you, but other
authors who will support you, mentors, industry professionals, and even authors
come up behind you in the process. Helping other people is a good distraction.
And the friends I’ve made in this industry are some of the biggest blessings
along the journey.
So, what made you decide to go Indie instead of continuing the traditional route?
I waited a year for Rachelle, and
then she shopped Out of Darkness for
another year (during which time, I started a family and began focusing on
editing instead of pursuing my own writing), and we got a number of responses
along the lines of, “we love this girl’s writing. Does she have anything else?”
One even suggested that she might be able to market my novel if I turned the
best friend character into a villain (to make the reader less conflicted), but
that very conflict is the heart of my
story, and that wasn’t a change I was willing to make.
What it came down to is that my
story isn’t an exact fit for the genre, so the houses I’d be interested in
working with consider it (and me, as a debut author) an unknown variable. And
no one really wants to take risks right now in traditional publishing. Rachelle
offered to shop around with some of the smaller houses, but with what they have
to offer, I felt like I’d be better off doing it myself.
As an editor, I’m working with
scores (okay tens) of Indie clients who are coloring outside the lines all the
time and making it work. They have the freedom to write the stories they love
and the bravery to tackle it all themselves. So I’m stepping out with that same
bravery—even though it’s super scary to me and not how I envisioned my
publishing journey. I’m learning that things don’t always look the way we
expect or want them to, but that’s part of the journey too.
Did you end up breaking things off with your agent?
Ha! Almost. When there was no movement on my manuscript for a year, and I first thought about going Indie, I asked her if I needed to acquire my rights back from her or if she would take a percentage if I did decide to self publish, but she assured me that she would just step back and let me do it on my own. She's my official cheerleader (and sometimes guide), and who knows, maybe she'll be able to help me with International rights should I make it big and need to negotiate translations.
It's so awesome you're an editor too! What services do you offer in case any readers are interested?
I edit all kinds of fiction (but paranormal, urban fantasy, and speculative are my favorites). And I offer everything from proofreading to in-depth developmental. Line edits--just tweaking the language to put a shine on my clients' words is my favorite. Their voice with just a bit of polish. I love helping make their stories everything they've envisioned.
You can check out my editing website and see the books I've helped make publish ready here: ALittleRedInk.com.
You can check out my editing website and see the books I've helped make publish ready here: ALittleRedInk.com.
What an interesting experience! It's proof that there is no one way to get published. We all take different journeys--and that's what makes being a author so exciting!
To stay in touch with Erynn and her Indie exploits make sure to check out her:
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
WOTP: Emily Layne, Young Adult Author
To
start on a personal note, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
It feels silly to tell myself a little about myself... But here it goes. I'm a Christian, the oldest of four girls, and I'm the cliche I've loved to write since I was a kid story. Courtesy of writing so many stories as a kid, my typing speed is 105 WPM and courtesy of my dad I'm a potato chip fanatic. Since I was eighteen I've been writing with the intent of getting published. Six years later (you can do the math to how old I am!), I'm still determined to see my novels on the shelves and to discover fanfiction about my characters. And, honestly, I don't think that dream will ever die.
What
is your “how I got my agent” story?
My story is definitely a long
one, but I’ll shorten it as much as I can! I wrote four books before I signed
with my agent and didn’t sign with her until the fifth one! In total, I had
over 250 rejections for all four books (one was a sequel).
For THESE WICKED WATERS, the
novel which got me my agent, I sent out fifty-three query letters that all
ended in rejection, one way or another—except one. In fact, I’d closed out the
query because I hadn’t heard back from the agent in over three months. Time
went by during which I was busy giving THESE WICKED WATERS a massive overhaul.
A year later, almost to the day, I got an email from literary agent Becky
LeJeune, asking to see the full of my book. And within a week, I had an agent!
It’s still hard to believe how everything worked out. The timing was perfect!
What
novel landed you your agent?
Well, I kind of gave this one
away! THESE WICKED WATERS (currently a working title until a publisher decides
otherwise!) is the novel that landed me my agent. TWW is a mix of different
genres, but I suppose it could be classified as a Young Adult Paranormal
Thriller. I won’t give too much away, but it involves an island resort, a
centuries-old vendetta, and vicious sirens.
Tell
us about the much anticipated and nerve-wracking “Call” with your now agent.
I did tons of research
beforehand. I wanted to know exactly what to expect. But of course, you can
only do so much research! I will share a few facts for the Call that I found
helpful:
- Make sure you write down all of your questions beforehand. Nerves will make you forget what you wanted to ask!
- Just because an agent is interested in your book, doesn’t mean they’re the perfect fit for you. Don’t let the allure of “literary agent” tempt you to choose a relationship that isn’t right for you or your book!
- Take lots of deep breaths. Pacing in circles also helps!
Have
you written/queried other books before?
Yes! I’ve queried three other
books. Books that I will never let see the light of day again! The books were:
ELEMENTALS: a story about a
college student who finds an evil locket and also discovers she can control all
four elements and also happened to be stolen away as a child into the human
realm. (Yeah, way too much was going on in this book!)
BOUND: a time-travel romance
where a sixteen-year-old and her bad-boy classmate are thrown back in time, their
only way back home is for them to stop a murder.
AFTER ALICE & SHATTERED: a
darker, steampunk reimagining of Alice’s
Adventures in Wonderland.
What
is the hardest part about being on submission?
Realizing that there’s more
waiting ahead. I thought that as soon as I got an agent, the hard part of
getting my book published. When, in fact, getting an agent was just the
beginning of a long (and sometimes discouraging process). But slugging through
the querying slush was great preparation for being on submission!
What
is the best part about having an agent?
Having someone who believes in
your book as much as you do. That, and a buffer for when the rejections come
in!
How
do you cope with waiting to hear back from publishers?
I’m supposed to be plotting a new trilogy, but it’s hard to get geared
up to write knowing another project is out in limbo. Other than trying to
write, I’ve been building up my author platform—which is more work than you’d
think!
Do
you have any tips for writers who are querying?
Make sure your query letter is
the absolute best it can be. And don’t get discouraged with rejections. Though
it might not be what you want to hear, sometimes the first book you write isn’t
The One. Keep learning and keep imagining!
Finally,
how will you celebrate when you eventually get your book deal?
I have a certain cookie recipe
that I’ve been waiting to make since I got the idea for my book. You can bet
that I’ll be baking and singing and dancing and probably crying.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
WOTP: Heather Christie, Young Adult Author
To
start on a personal note, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am a wife, mother, writer, real
estate broker, amateur cook, exercise freak, and avid reader. When I’m not
selling houses, I’m writing books and blogging at www.HeatherChristieBooks.com.
I have a BA in Literary Studies from the University of Texas, Dallas and I
recently received my MFA from Pine Manor College, Boston, MA where I completed
my first novel WHAT
THE VALLEY KNOWS. My work has appeared on Scary Mommy, Elephant Journal, Mamapedia, The Good Men Project, Grown & Flown, Parent.co, Bon Bon Break, Her View From Home, the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop, Sammichs and Psych Meds, and The Lighter Side of Real Estate.
What
is your “how I got my agent” story?
I did a first round of forty
queries. I had nine request for either partials or fulls. All passed, except
for one who said that if I did “certain things” to the manuscript, she would
reread it. I worked with a developmental editor for a year, revised the novel,
and sent it back to that agent. I
didn’t hear a peep! In the meantime, I attended the New York Pitch Conference
and received two requests from editors to see the manuscript. I emailed the
agent again, saying that I had interest from two editors. She got back to me
immediately and we set up a phone call for the next morning.
What
novel landed you your agent?
My first novel is titled WHAT THE
VALLEY KNOWS. (YA-Women’s Fiction crossover)
Tell
us about the much anticipated and nerve-wracking “Call” with your now agent.
At first I thought her interest was
stirred because I said I had two editors wanting to see the book, but during
the call, it became obvious that she’d read the manuscript very carefully as
she had several suggested edits before she wanted to go on submission. We
agreed to a timeframe in which to complete the edits and set up a time to meet
the following week.
Have
you written/queried other books before?
No, this is my first attempt.
What
is the hardest part about being on submission?
The waiting is by far the hardest
part. I’ve been on submission for sixteen months. We’ve had several “almosts.”
My novel is told from three points-of-view: two kids and one adult. The YA
editors have asked for revisions, removing the adult voice. My agent and I have
decided I need to revise, but that it would be best to have a second novel
ready and lead with it before going out on submission again.. Ugh! So, I’m back
to my writing desk.
What
is the best part about having an agent?
The access to the top houses.
How
do you cope with waiting to hear back from publishers?
The waiting is brutal. To stay sane,
I started a blog
in an attempt to begin growing my author platform on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. My hope
is that a publisher will recognize that I have a bit of a built-in audience and
be willing to roll the dice on me. Plus, the positive feedback from readers is
the shot in the arm I need to keep plugging away. I’ve also had a bunch of my
pieces re-syndicated on larger sites and they’ve gotten great feedback (and
I’ve even been paid for a few essays)!
Do
you have any tips for writers who are querying?
Make it perfect out of the gate. You
only get one chance to make a first impression. Study great query examples,
take a webinar, find a trusted reader to tear it up, and then rewrite it again!
Finally,
how will you celebrate when you eventually get your book deal?
I will break down and cry! The
process has been so long and taxing. Sometimes, it feels like it is never going
to happen. When the deal finally comes to be, I plan the relish in the moment,
savor it with every particle of my being, AND shout the good news from my
rooftop! And then I’ll frame the book cover and hang it on my wall!
Framing the book cover sounds like an awesome idea! Who knows, ten years down the road you may need to get a new wall to hang all your shiny book covers.
Want to keep in touch with Heather? Make sure you check out her:
Until next Tuesday!
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
WOTP: Tracy Auerbach, Young Adult Author
My name is Tracy Auerbach, and I’m a STEM (science,
technology, engineering, and math) coach and curriculum writer. I’ve been
working for the New York City public school system for eleven years, but before
that I was in film and television production for a few years. I have a husband,
and two sons, six and eight years old. I love reading with them and discussing
television, books, and movies.
What
is your “how I got my agent” story?
I had published an ebook with an indie publisher in 2011
and it was released in print in 2014. I figured it couldn’t be too hard to land
an agent after that. Yikes, was I wrong! I completed a novel which I thought
was a true work of art, and sent out 150 queries over the course of six months.
I only received one request for a full and it was eventually a pass. I was
devastated. But I picked myself up and completely restructured my story. I took
time to hone my craft. I also hooked up with some awesome beta readers and
learned to take suggestions.
Cautiously optimistic, I sent out
50 queries. Right away, I received a few rejections that weren’t form letters. Agents
gave me feedback! I celebrated. The agents specifically told me they liked the
story and the writing, but didn’t feel they were a good fit. I ended up with
six requests, but I ultimately loved the first agent I interviewed with. I just
felt that we ‘clicked’ so I signed with him.
What
novel landed you your agent?
The novel that landed me my agent (Evan Marshall of the
Evan Marshall Agency), is a young adult science fiction novel. THE SIN SOLDIERS
is its working title.
Tell
us about the much anticipated and nerve-wracking “Call” with your now agent.
Evan scheduled a call with me to
discuss my book, my writing style, and some of my goals. I so wanted to impress him, and I was super nervous. But he came
across as extremely personable, smart, savvy, and a huge fan of my writing…
which is why I ended up signing with him.
You
have also published through a publisher, only. Can you tell us a little bit
about that experience?
I published my new adult urban fantasy novel with
an independent publisher called 48fourteen. It’s called THE HUMAN CURE, and
it’s a new twist on the vampire mythology out there. I wanted to keep my
vampires gritty, bloody, and original. No sparkles, but plenty of gore. I have
Juanita Samborski, who acquires titles for 48fourteen, to thank for my first
big break, and a lot of what I’ve learned about the industry.
In
your opinion, what are the pros and cons of having an agent/publishing through
a publisher solo?
Through my experience with an indie publisher, I learned
so much about the industry; how to self-promote, how important relationships
with bloggers and reviewers can be… just so much invaluable knowledge. But it’s
a lot of maintenance and my sales were never amazing. It’s hard to get noticed when
there are so many talented authors out there with more time or money to pool
into publicity. My agent has a ton of established relationships with bigger
name publishers, and there’s a higher potential for visibility if I publish
through a larger imprint.
What
is the hardest part about being on submission?
The waiting and the rejections. It’s completely
devastating to have come so far and gotten an agent, and then enter into
another round of rejections. But it only takes one ‘yes,’ so I remain hopeful.
How
do you cope with waiting to hear back from publishers?
I write! I already have another novel out with beta
readers, and I’m working on a brand-new story as well. If I didn’t love writing
for the sake of writing, I don’t think I could have dealt with so many
rejections and still stayed afloat. Even the early versions of my books that
need a ton of work are fun to write, so I never feel like I’m wasting my time.
Do
you have any tips for writers who are trying to decide whether to go the publisher
or agent route?
I think it all depends on how
savvy they are with social media, and how much work they’re willing to put into
selling their books. A lot of bigger publishing houses don’t take un-agented
submissions, so the onus falls on the author to publish smaller and make a name
for him or herself.
Finally,
how will you celebrate when you eventually get your book deal?
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
WOTP: Michael Eigbadon, Adult Thriller Author
Lucky for us, January has five Tuesdays in it! So say hello to the final querying writer in my Wielders of the Pen series: Michael Eigbadon. I had the privilege of critiquing Michael's query letter and a few chapters of his novel. He possesses a wealth of imagination that makes the worlds he builds amazing!
To
start on a personal note, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hi! My name is Michael Eigbadon.
I currently live in Miami, doing an MBA and running several businesses (data
analytics and housing). I am also a writer. Writing is something that I got
into in 2004 with my first book, THE LEGEND OF ARCON (or Avarcon in the
Arconian language—I invented). I cancelled that book for personal reasons and
completed the first draft of my latest novel, DARKNESS AND THE CITY, by the end
of that year.
After years of working
professionally as a Performance Analyst, Business Support Analyst and Data
Quality Analyst, I returned to the book in 2016 to prepare it for querying.
What
novel are you currently querying? What is it about in a few sentences?
I am trying to query the novel,
DARKNESS AND THE CITY, a dystopian political thriller. It is follows
Intelligence Agent Gee van Gauss in his bid to stop several secret societies
from destroying the new superpower, the FRON, in the year 2100.
Who
is your favorite character from this book?
Gee van Gauss, because he is the
protagonist.
Have
you written/queried other books before?
No,
I have not queried other books before. As I mentioned earlier, my first book
was Avarcon, which was about the descendant (set in 2004) of a powerful
sorcerer at the height of the Sumerian civilization. He finds himself on a
mission to stop an evil secret society from resurrecting the wicked Sumerian
High Priest and save his father.
What
is the hardest part about querying?
Obviously the rejection and not
knowing what the agents want, even when you think that you have a slam dunk.
How
did you go about picking the agents you wanted to query?
I went about picking agents based
on Genres and if they were in New York, California, London, or Florida.
How
do you cope with waiting to hear back from agents?
Doing other things like focusing
on businesses and school work.
Do
you have any tips for writers yet to query or people who are writing query
letters?
For a person who hasn’t gotten an
offer to represent, I can’t say much. But a lady called Emily Layne is my
secret weapon; I recommend her for writers that have no idea where the sun is
during a hot summer’s afternoon. (Aw! Thank you! I'm glad I can help.)
Finally,
how will you celebrate when you eventually get your agent?
Pray I get a massive advance fee
for the book J. I’m a business man. What do you
expect?
Michael's a busy man, but he always takes the time to respond to messages (and do interviews!) so make sure you check out his links to stay up-to-date with his querying journey:
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
WOTP: Lindsay Adams, Young Adult Author
Like my writing, I’m a bit of a
niche person. I do 3D art and animation for a living, and spend my free time
painting ducks for contests, and participating in a very old sport known as
falconry.
What
novel did you query? What was it about in a few sentences?
I queried for my novel GRYPHON'S PROPHECY, under the working title GRYPHON LEGEND. It’s the tale of two gryphon
brothers who find themselves pitted against each other in a war that
encompasses not only the mortal lands, but also the realm of the gods.
 |
| An amazing drawing by Lindsay of her gryphon character, Nimure. |
That’s a tough one. I love my
main character because I feel like I’ve been through this entire adventure with
him, and more. However, his brother is one of my favorite types of characters,
so I’m also very fond of him, and I enjoy writing his segments.
Have
you written/queried other books before?
This book was my first book to be
finished. Since then I’ve written two others, both of which take place in the
same world, but with different characters. I queried for two of my three
completed novels
What
was the hardest part about querying?
Probably the synopsis. I enjoy
the process of writing query letters, but I really struggle with the synopsis.
What to leave out, what to keep. It’s just way over my head.
Recently you decided to stop querying and pursue a different publishing route. Why
did you decide to forgo traditional publishing and pursue independent
publishing?
 |
| Lindsay, her husband, and the adorable Ender |
I have gone back and forth for
years now, but a couple months ago I decided I was finally going to self
publish my novels. I decided on this route for a number of reasons, the main
one being that I write very niche fiction—animal fantasy, and while I believe I
can market this to specific readers who will enjoy my books, I understand from
a traditional standpoint it’s just not profitable. My chances of seeing my
books published are slim unless I can write something else that has a better
market, and publish my animal fantasy later. I also have a friend who is a self
published author and I like the community she has built. I enjoy how close she
is with some of her readers, and I honestly believe that’s something you’re
only really going to see with indie books.
I’m also one of those world building writers. I have ideas for many books, all based in the same world but with different characters. Sort of like what Mercedes Lackey did with her Valdemar series. I realized that I’m more likely to publish every book in my series if I go indie. Whereas traditional may not want every book.
I’m also one of those world building writers. I have ideas for many books, all based in the same world but with different characters. Sort of like what Mercedes Lackey did with her Valdemar series. I realized that I’m more likely to publish every book in my series if I go indie. Whereas traditional may not want every book.
Do
you have any tips for writers who are trying decide whether they should query
agents/publishers or go indie?
It took me years to decide, and
even now I don’t want to sway people one way or another. I guess if I were to
offer tips it would be to sit down and figure out what you really want as a
writer. Do you want to make a living off of writing? Do you just want to
publish one book? Do you want to write a 50 book series all in one world? Are
you happy just having your story out there? Once you find out what it is you
want, research both traditional and indie thoroughly and then decide what you
think will best get you and your writing where you want to go.
Finally,
how will you celebrate when you publish your first book?
I’ll probably have a little party
at home, while I dust off my webpages and prepare my marketing strategies. Or
I’ll just start writing the next book. haha.
Isn't it amazing where our different writing journeys take us? There are so many different paths authors can take in modern society--it's fantastic!
To keep in touch with Lindsay as she forges her own path make sure you follow:
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
WOTP: Fiona Claire, Young Adult Author
To
start on a personal note, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
In Ireland,
I’m what is known as a “seanachai” (pronounced shawn-akee). That’s a
story-teller. And, no that doesn’t necessarily mean I’m great at making up
lies, although I can do that too. I carry on the tradition of oral
story-telling as a Bard. I’m a member of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids
(or, a Druid, duh), which means I’ve done a good few courses and study on
spirituality, my native Celtic heritage, meditation, natural healing, and
eco-psychology. In short, I love nature, trees, and anyone with four legs.
(*side note: this does not exclude two-legged individuals)
My first
career was as a dancer with two different U.S. ballet companies, where I
learned to tell stories without words. From there, I segued into an acting
career and worked as an actress in L.A. for over twenty years, telling stories
with words other people had written. Finally, I enrolled in writing courses and
learned how to write my own stories. Sort of. That’s actually an on-going
process, isn’t it. So now I’m the reclusive writer by the lake in the wild west
of Ireland, where I have my own tour business and put together writers’
conferences combined with tours of Ireland, called Ireland Writer Tours. I love introducing people to this country, as well as
meeting the successful writers and editors who teach at the conferences.
I was the sole
reporter/photographer for the local village news, until it folded. My
fiction has been published in Athenia West, Triad and Touchstone and my play
“Sorted Out” won first place at the Beehive Theatre New Playwrights’
Competition. When not writing or guiding tours, I work as head cook and housekeeper for two demanding black men who
worship tuna and catnip. I also enjoy dancing, late night horseback riding and discussing
existential realism with the neighbours' sheep.
What
novel are you currently querying? What is it about in a few sentences?
ISLE OF NO RETURN – It’s a YA thriller
about two girls from Palo Alto, California on vacation in Ireland who get
kidnapped and taken to a remote island. The query for this is a masterpiece thanks to Emily,
Goddess of Query-topia, who assisted in its creation. (Oh, you make me blush!)
Who
is your favorite character from this book?
Hmm. It would have to be the MC, I
guess, because she’s a driven ballet dancer on the fast track to stardom. She’s
sidelined by an injury, which is what lands her on vacation in Ireland, and
she’s a total romance-geek. Write what ya know (ha)!
Have
you written/queried other books before?
Yes! A historical fiction opus that had
two agents foaming at the mouth for a while, but they gave up before ever
starting.
A YA time-slip about a miserable teen
who moves from southern California to a remote lake island in Ireland and
discovers her past life.
A middle-grade novel about a boy with
Asperger’s whose condition sends him straddling a parallel dimension.
And I’m also currently working on a
non-fiction manuscript and another YA thriller.
Plus ISLE OF NO RETURN cooooouuuld maybe
be a duology, but Ima hold off on that and see if anyone takes the bait.
What
is the hardest part about querying?
Pressing Send. Waking up in the morning and seeing an
empty inbox. Getting back on the horse and doing it
all over again.
How
did you go about picking the agents you wanted to query?
- Publisher’s Marketplace
- Writers’ Conferences
- Talked to loads of other writers – (for me that’s frequently via skype because I live in a really remote location)
- Stalked agents on the internet
- Read the Acknowledgements pages of books similar to mine
- Joined a singles website (just kidding)
How
do you cope with waiting to hear back from agents?
Eat red licorice
Clean the kitty litter boxes
Write something else
Talk to friends and let them remind me
I’m not a useless piece of goat poop.
And GOD BLESS OUR WRITERS’ GROUP coz
they always help!
Do
you have any tips for writers yet to query or people who are writing query
letters?
Yes. Always brush your teeth after
eating garlic.
Also, the usual stuff: Join a critique
group and get as many people as possible to read your ms before you query (btw,
we have one available spot in the group I’m in); REALLY consider feedback and rewrite
before querying. Do. Not. Rush. Subscribe to Publishers Marketplace (you can
split the cost of the subscription with another person. Study agents before you
query. Who have they represented? What do they tweet? Do you hate their
favourite books? If possible, talk to their clients and find out if that agent
is an all-business-type or an isn’t-my-puppy-cute type. In other words, try to
query people you’ll be compatible with. Go to writers’ conferences whenever
possible, not only to meet agents, but also to take pitch workshops. These can
really show you where there might be holes in your story.
Long ago, my college professor in
Theatre Arts told us, “Practice does not make perfect. It makes consistent. And
that is not success.” While a consistent writing practice is great, if you’re
simply rushing to get 50K words down, you’re missing the point. Just putting
words on a page does not make you a better writer, and it won’t necessarily get
you traditionally published. We need an awareness of the QUALITY of our work. Also,
how do people react to what you have written? And most importantly before we
query, we need to know how we fit into the market.
Finally,
how will you celebrate when you eventually get your agent?
Well, bless your sweet heart, Emily, for
saying that day will come. Here’s how I see it:
