Miss Snark's First Victim is having a critique contest. Not sure if it's an actual "contest" per se because Authoress isn't sure what the winner will win. Or how the winner will be chosen? Point is, it's an opportunity to have a 250 word except of your work critiqued. The category this time is "Dialogue." Entries will be accepted until 9 a.m. on Thursday, then I imagine the excerpts will be posted on the blog soon thereafter. Best go to the blog website for details, though.
I entered a rough section from Mystic Taxi that I just wrote on Sunday. So if you're curious to read something from my slowly progressing steampunk urban fantasy, stop by Miss Snark's First Victim blog for a look. I'm totally open to feedback, so comment away. It's a draft so will obviously be rewritten at some point anyway.
Non-writing related, you won't believe what happened to my daughter's puppy a couple of weeks ago. OMG, it got attacked by a deer. Bambi broke my grand-puppie's leg! Seriously! The dog, Bindy, is a 4 1/2 month old German Pointer and just the sweetest dog ever. Bindy is usually scared of the deer that come in my daughter's yard, but this time she got curious and gave the cloven beast a sniff. The deer reared up and trampled her. My daughter got to the dog barely in time, and thank God it was only her back leg that got broken. Her leg's in a cast, but according to my daughter it hasn't slowed her down much. Bindy is a puppy, after all. But her potty training has understandably done a backslide. Sigh. My daughter's hard wood floors will never be the same.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Marketing Monday on a Wednesday
I got news on Monday! Well, sorta. It was an update and I really needed it. Just to know what's happening with my manuscript in the big scary publishing world is a huge relief.
My agent sent me an email to let me know she'd followed up with all the editors currently reading Knight's Curse, and though no decisions have been made, they're all enjoying the story. Phew. As I understand it, it's important for agents to check in now and then on status of submissions because it gives editors a nudge to possibly push a manuscript higher up on their long reading list. Considering how many manuscripts agents are peddling, and how few editors there are to peddle them to, an agent really needs to stay on top of things. I'm fortunate to have one who does.
There's a post on the Editorial Ass blog that specifically addresses this and a few other good points about agented submissions. Moonrat says she expects agents to nudge her because if left up to her, she'd take forever to read a manuscript. She's busy, but if she knows an agent is passionate about an author's work and cares enough to follow-up, it must be a good book and she'll make the extra effort to read faster.
Also good news on the St. Martin's Press editor who loved the unfinished steampunk urban fantasy manuscript I workshopped at the Colorado Gold conference. My agent sent her Knight's Curse last Tuesday. So another iron is in the fire. Yes! It feels very, very good.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Thursday Thoughts
Am I done talking about the Colorado Gold Conference? Absolutely not! It's time to cover the editors now and since I missed the editor panel on Saturday morning, I'm borrowing the lovely Cindi Myers' report from her Market News newsletter.
This year's editor guests were Ben LeRoy from Bleak House Books, Daniela Rapp from St. Martin's Press, Denise Little from Teckno Books/Five Star and Faith Black from Avalon Books.
Benjamin LeRoy founded Bleak House Books in 1995. The Madison, Wisconsin-based company publishes approximately 20 titles a year, focusing on crime fiction and dark literary fiction. These are character-driven stories featuring flawed protagonists. Several Bleak House titles have been nominated for Edgar awards. The company will consider unagented submissions, though they want to see a query only at first. Detailed submission guidelines -- be sure to follow them -- are available here. Also, check out the blog and some of their upcoming titles to get a feel for what they're looking for.
Daniela Rapp is an Editor at St. Martin's Press, where she acquires thrillers, mysteries, literary fiction and upmarket women's fiction, as well as narrative non-fiction. St. Martin's press accepts only agented submissions.
Faith Black is an Associate Editor at Avalon Books. Avalon publishes romance, mystery and westerns, in hardcover, primarily for the library market. Avalon stories contain no graphic violence, no swearing and no sex -- "good stories and wholesome entertainment." The books are short -- 40,000 to 60,000 words. Avalon accepts unagented material. See their submission guidelines here. They also have an FAQ page with a lot of useful information.
Denise Little, Executive Editor at Tekno Books has worked in almost every aspect of the publishing industry. She was the national book buyer for Barnes and Noble before she joined Kensington Publishing in 1993, where she oversaw her own romance imprint, Denise Little Presents. She has been executive editor at Tekno Books since 1997. Tekno is a book packager. A packager acquires and oversees projects which are then sold to various publishers. Tekno acquires titles for Five Star Books. Like Avalon, Five Star publishes hardcover titles, primarily for the library market. Five Star Expressions is the company's romance and women's fiction line. They're looking for 75,000 to 100,000 word manuscripts in any sub-genre of romance, including contemporary, historical, inspirational, sweet romance, romantic comedy, romantic suspense, time travel, fantasy and paranormal and gothic romance. They will also consider chick lit. They also publish women's fiction. . Five Star also publishes mystery of 75,000 to 100,000 words. They are interested in cozies, private detectives, hard-boiled mystery, suspense, techno-thrillers and historical mystery. They pay a $1000 advance against royalties. They accept unagented submissions, but not simultaneous submissions. They accept email submissions only. For guidelines and more information, email Rosalind Greenberg at tekno@new.rr.com
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
What's Up Wednesday
Continuing my report of the fabulous Colorado Gold Conference held last weekend, I'm going to attempt a play-by-play of the agent panel from Friday afternoon. The moderator took questions from the audience and presented them to the 4 agents sitting on the panel: Kristin Nelson, Becca Stumpf, Miriam Kriss, and Donna Bagdasarian. See yesterday's post for more info about these agents and their agencies.
Tell us what you're looking for and how you want your queries.
Kristin: Looking for YA and romance. Email queries only. She doesn't want anyone to ever show up at her office in person, and never call her on the phone.
Miriam: She wants commercial fiction only, she represents mostly urban fantasy. Takes email queries only. Doesn't want authors to claim they were her lover in a past life (I guess someone actually did this).
Becca: Used to be an assistant at Writers House and has been an agent with Prospect for one year. She's looking for MG, YA and romance (paranormal and fantasy). Query her based on the agency guidelines and only use their website submission form.
Donna: Though she loves vampires, she does not represent urban fantasy. She admits to being snotty and elitist (this said tongue in cheek and had everyone rolling in the aisles). She doesn't want any guy fiction, like military and techno thrillers, Clancy type stuff. No gimmicks in queries. Be straightforward, and don't make threats or dares. (Again, said in good fun)
What do you see too much of? What do you want to see more of?
M: Doesn't like light paranormal romances, time travel for example. Darker is better. Prefers smart, sexy and funny. Looking for YA and urban fantasy.
B: Wants more strong voices. Would like to see some literary. Science fiction for young people with a girl protagonist. Serious science fiction with romance.
D: The book just has to be good. She's a book slut. She doesn't care what it is. Doesn't want stuff that makes no sense, nothing weird for the sake of weirdness.
K: No picture books, no thrillers, no mysteries.
What makes a great client?
B: Have a personal connection and trust. No high maintenance.
D: Someone who's sane and not neurotic, who has realistic expectations.
M: She must fall in love with the writing and be able to work with the writer. Wants her clients to be clear about their expectations.
K: Have a connection on a professional level.
Is it a waste of time to pitch an unfinished book?
B, D, M & K: YES!!!
Do you have an agency agreement?
They all said yes. Donna said it used to be a handshake, but now everything is on paper to protect everyone. Most often the agreement will either state a specific time period the work is represented, and indicate if it's for one title, or for everything the client writes. The others said pretty much the same. The one difference is that Donna's agreement states she will be the agent in perpetuity, meaning she will be the agent of record on that particular book forever, even after the rights of a published book reverts to the author. The other 3 don't have that stipulation in their agreement.
Tell us what you're looking for and how you want your queries.
Kristin: Looking for YA and romance. Email queries only. She doesn't want anyone to ever show up at her office in person, and never call her on the phone.
Miriam: She wants commercial fiction only, she represents mostly urban fantasy. Takes email queries only. Doesn't want authors to claim they were her lover in a past life (I guess someone actually did this).
Becca: Used to be an assistant at Writers House and has been an agent with Prospect for one year. She's looking for MG, YA and romance (paranormal and fantasy). Query her based on the agency guidelines and only use their website submission form.
Donna: Though she loves vampires, she does not represent urban fantasy. She admits to being snotty and elitist (this said tongue in cheek and had everyone rolling in the aisles). She doesn't want any guy fiction, like military and techno thrillers, Clancy type stuff. No gimmicks in queries. Be straightforward, and don't make threats or dares. (Again, said in good fun)
What do you see too much of? What do you want to see more of?
M: Doesn't like light paranormal romances, time travel for example. Darker is better. Prefers smart, sexy and funny. Looking for YA and urban fantasy.
B: Wants more strong voices. Would like to see some literary. Science fiction for young people with a girl protagonist. Serious science fiction with romance.
D: The book just has to be good. She's a book slut. She doesn't care what it is. Doesn't want stuff that makes no sense, nothing weird for the sake of weirdness.
K: No picture books, no thrillers, no mysteries.
What makes a great client?
B: Have a personal connection and trust. No high maintenance.
D: Someone who's sane and not neurotic, who has realistic expectations.
M: She must fall in love with the writing and be able to work with the writer. Wants her clients to be clear about their expectations.
K: Have a connection on a professional level.
Is it a waste of time to pitch an unfinished book?
B, D, M & K: YES!!!
Do you have an agency agreement?
They all said yes. Donna said it used to be a handshake, but now everything is on paper to protect everyone. Most often the agreement will either state a specific time period the work is represented, and indicate if it's for one title, or for everything the client writes. The others said pretty much the same. The one difference is that Donna's agreement states she will be the agent in perpetuity, meaning she will be the agent of record on that particular book forever, even after the rights of a published book reverts to the author. The other 3 don't have that stipulation in their agreement.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Tuesday Tidbits
I'm still riding that conference high, people. Since I've attended the Colorado Gold every year for what seems like ages, it's become more like a reunion with friends.
Catching up with everyone was marvelous, but it was also a lot of fun to meet the agents and editors there. The group this year was more sociable than in years past, and they didn't hide in their rooms after hours, but instead mingled with the attending writers at the bar and in the hospitality suite.
Kristin Nelson was one of the agents in attendance, but I think because she lives there in Denver, she went home at the end of the day. I don't blame her. She must have been exhausted. I've met her at conferences in the past but never got a feel for her personality. I hear she's a nice person.
Becca Stumpf (The Prospect Agency), on the other hand, has got to be one of the friendliest, most enthusiastic agents I've ever had the immense pleasure of hanging out with at a conference. I'm extremely social, and so is she, so we had a wonderful time chatting. She chatted with everyone and thoroughly enjoyed herself. The writers at this conference are professional enough to know better than to annoy an agent or editor, and she felt comfortable around us, which is great.
Miriam Kriss (Irene Goodman Agency) is a delightful, gregarious person who's passionate about books. OMG, the woman's intense. I can see why she's such a successful agent. Since some of her clients happen to be favorite authors of mine, it was fun talking with her about their books. I think Miriam knows her clients' work better than they do. Like Becca, Miriam was social and generous with her presence at the after hours events, and she imparted a lot of helpful information to anyone who asked. I was impressed.
Donna Bagdasarian (Maria Carvainis Agency) is an amazing person who's hysterically funny and pulls no punches. To say she tells it like it is would be an understatement. She was a joy to listen to on the agent panel and had everyone rolling in the aisles. Donna was socially present and mingled with the writers after hours. There's a lot to be said for agents who aren't afraid to jump in with both feet and get involved.
I didn't even see Rachelle Gardner (WordServe Literary), and that's because she had to leave for another conference before ours was over. Considering she reps mainly Christian fiction, I can understand why she wouldn't want to hang out in the bar or attend the after hours party where massive quantities of alcohol was consumed.
Kate Seever couldn't make it to the conference due to a family emergency. Poor girl. I hope everything turned out okay. Laura Rennert (Andrea Brown Literary Agency) couldn't make it at the last minute, but I don't know why.
I'll share my notes on the agent panel tomorrow in a separate blog. Right now I've got to get back to work!
Catching up with everyone was marvelous, but it was also a lot of fun to meet the agents and editors there. The group this year was more sociable than in years past, and they didn't hide in their rooms after hours, but instead mingled with the attending writers at the bar and in the hospitality suite.
Kristin Nelson was one of the agents in attendance, but I think because she lives there in Denver, she went home at the end of the day. I don't blame her. She must have been exhausted. I've met her at conferences in the past but never got a feel for her personality. I hear she's a nice person.
Becca Stumpf (The Prospect Agency), on the other hand, has got to be one of the friendliest, most enthusiastic agents I've ever had the immense pleasure of hanging out with at a conference. I'm extremely social, and so is she, so we had a wonderful time chatting. She chatted with everyone and thoroughly enjoyed herself. The writers at this conference are professional enough to know better than to annoy an agent or editor, and she felt comfortable around us, which is great.
Miriam Kriss (Irene Goodman Agency) is a delightful, gregarious person who's passionate about books. OMG, the woman's intense. I can see why she's such a successful agent. Since some of her clients happen to be favorite authors of mine, it was fun talking with her about their books. I think Miriam knows her clients' work better than they do. Like Becca, Miriam was social and generous with her presence at the after hours events, and she imparted a lot of helpful information to anyone who asked. I was impressed.
Donna Bagdasarian (Maria Carvainis Agency) is an amazing person who's hysterically funny and pulls no punches. To say she tells it like it is would be an understatement. She was a joy to listen to on the agent panel and had everyone rolling in the aisles. Donna was socially present and mingled with the writers after hours. There's a lot to be said for agents who aren't afraid to jump in with both feet and get involved.
I didn't even see Rachelle Gardner (WordServe Literary), and that's because she had to leave for another conference before ours was over. Considering she reps mainly Christian fiction, I can understand why she wouldn't want to hang out in the bar or attend the after hours party where massive quantities of alcohol was consumed.
Kate Seever couldn't make it to the conference due to a family emergency. Poor girl. I hope everything turned out okay. Laura Rennert (Andrea Brown Literary Agency) couldn't make it at the last minute, but I don't know why.
I'll share my notes on the agent panel tomorrow in a separate blog. Right now I've got to get back to work!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Marvelous Monday
Today is marvelous because I had a great weekend and I'm still riding on the high. I attended the best conference EVAH, but of course, I say this every year because it's the best every year. The Colorado Gold can't be beat.
So here I sit in my Denver hotel room, all packed and ready to walk out the door, but I have a few minutes left to take advantage of the free Internet connection. And since I've neglected my blog for the past week or so, I figured I'd spend a few minutes tapping on my laptop before closing down and heading to the airport.
Not much news on the marketing front. My agent did send me an email last Thursday to let me know we we got our first publisher rejection, but she was quick to tall me I shouldn't let it get me down. I wasn't too down about it, but it was the first, so there's a special kind of sting that goes with that. I've been obsessively checking my email over the weekend to see if more news was forthcoming, but alas I found only crickets chirping in the silence. Sigh.
I did have a wonderful experience on Friday, though. I was in a critique session led by an editor from St. Martins press who represents thrillers, suspense and women's fiction. Though I knew she didn't work with speculative fiction like UF, I still wanted professional feedback on my latest project (unrelated to the manuscript my agent has out on submission). My little group of fellow critiquees had submitted sample pages last month to be read by the editor, and then critiqued live during conference. I have to say this is one of the best features of this conference.
Anyway, the editor goes through the submissions one by one, gives big picture comments and critique, and we all chime in with our own opinions. This was an amazing group of writers, too. The level of quality was quite high and I thoroughly enjoyed each and every one. Of course there were no fantasy manuscripts in the bunch, but I'm fine with that. I read across all genres. Not one manuscript was anything like another. They were unique and original, some more literary than others, some with more action and adventure than others, and all were written with a captivating voice. The editor thought so, too. She admitted to being impressed with everyone's work.
When it came to mine, she said it was exactly what the market is looking for and she loved my pages, the story's premise, and the characters. She said, "Please send me the full manuscript right away." I wasn't expecting this. She doesn't even read the kind of weird stuff I write. But worst yet, the book's not close to being done. That's why I was workshopping it, to get feedback and to see if I was on the right track. I told her so, and her face fell with disappointment. I told her about Knight's Curse and she perked up, asking me to have my agent call her about it.
That was very exciting. I'd been straddling the fence on the new project, which I've discussed a bit on my blog, so this experience gave me the boost I needed. I emailed my agent about it, and now I keep refreshing my email queue to see if she's responded yet. Obsess much? Ahem. I try not to, but you know...
Okay, time's up. I've got loads to report on the conference and I'll do it after I get home. Right now I've got to check out and shuttle over to the airport.
So here I sit in my Denver hotel room, all packed and ready to walk out the door, but I have a few minutes left to take advantage of the free Internet connection. And since I've neglected my blog for the past week or so, I figured I'd spend a few minutes tapping on my laptop before closing down and heading to the airport.
Not much news on the marketing front. My agent did send me an email last Thursday to let me know we we got our first publisher rejection, but she was quick to tall me I shouldn't let it get me down. I wasn't too down about it, but it was the first, so there's a special kind of sting that goes with that. I've been obsessively checking my email over the weekend to see if more news was forthcoming, but alas I found only crickets chirping in the silence. Sigh.
I did have a wonderful experience on Friday, though. I was in a critique session led by an editor from St. Martins press who represents thrillers, suspense and women's fiction. Though I knew she didn't work with speculative fiction like UF, I still wanted professional feedback on my latest project (unrelated to the manuscript my agent has out on submission). My little group of fellow critiquees had submitted sample pages last month to be read by the editor, and then critiqued live during conference. I have to say this is one of the best features of this conference.
Anyway, the editor goes through the submissions one by one, gives big picture comments and critique, and we all chime in with our own opinions. This was an amazing group of writers, too. The level of quality was quite high and I thoroughly enjoyed each and every one. Of course there were no fantasy manuscripts in the bunch, but I'm fine with that. I read across all genres. Not one manuscript was anything like another. They were unique and original, some more literary than others, some with more action and adventure than others, and all were written with a captivating voice. The editor thought so, too. She admitted to being impressed with everyone's work.
When it came to mine, she said it was exactly what the market is looking for and she loved my pages, the story's premise, and the characters. She said, "Please send me the full manuscript right away." I wasn't expecting this. She doesn't even read the kind of weird stuff I write. But worst yet, the book's not close to being done. That's why I was workshopping it, to get feedback and to see if I was on the right track. I told her so, and her face fell with disappointment. I told her about Knight's Curse and she perked up, asking me to have my agent call her about it.
That was very exciting. I'd been straddling the fence on the new project, which I've discussed a bit on my blog, so this experience gave me the boost I needed. I emailed my agent about it, and now I keep refreshing my email queue to see if she's responded yet. Obsess much? Ahem. I try not to, but you know...
Okay, time's up. I've got loads to report on the conference and I'll do it after I get home. Right now I've got to check out and shuttle over to the airport.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
