So, prithee, inform me: where are you in the publication process? Do you have a finished novel? Are you agented but unpublished? Have you already penned fourteen bestsellers?
The thing is, the sales aspect of book publishing is (I hope) interesting to you, but I want to make sure PMN's content is as helpful to those of you who aren't yet published as those of you who have been through the gauntlet of the Great Publishing Rube Goldberg Machine and are now wondering about everything from cover art to comp titles.
So, if you don't mind: to the comments, and let me know where you are on your fantastic voyage!
I've finished a manuscript and am currently editing the hell out of it while working on my query. I hope to be done soon so I can finally jump into the querying rat race and finally get an agent (and hopefully, after that, get pub-ed <3). I'm pretty young (early twenties) and I've never had an agent before, nor have I been published. I also don't have any Important Connections (TM) that will help get me through the door so reading blogs like these is really helpfull and informative. I especially love your Genre posts :D
ReplyDelete....verily!
A handful of published novels with a Random House house, working on a new contract. Not young. (Sarah: early twenties isn't just -pretty- young!) There are plenty of blogs for people looking to break in--virtually all of the agent-run blogs--but I don't see much for those of us in the muddling midlist. That's what I like best about this blog, when you cover stuff from a deeper perspective than 'find an agent' 'get your book published'.
ReplyDeleteOne novel sold, coming out 2010. Another undergoing revisions before my agent begins to submit. I'm not yet 40, but can see it from here.
ReplyDeleteRecently agented, preparing a MS for submission to a publisher. Several other WIP stand waiting in the wings while the front burner MS gets all the love and attention.
ReplyDeleteI have my book completely polished, edited, and am submitting to agents.
ReplyDeleteBut...I'm not a newbie, either. I've submitted before (and come *very* close to publication), and have a hefty drawer full of shelved books.
Got an encouraging enough rejection from a reputable publisher to go ahead with self-publishing (getting some help and advice from them). thesnowcow.com is the site - the book's out on 19 November - and I must say that actually doing the publication helps me to understand the whole publishing business much better than any amount of spectating.
ReplyDeleteI am at work on my fourth novel. The first one is in the drawer. The second needs a complete editing that I've put away for another day.
ReplyDeleteThe third I devoted two full years to so far, including five complete editings. After 11 rejections and the sour news of the publishing industry, I've started to lose confidence in myself for ever being published. I still completely believe in that novel. I just don't know if it has a chance in this climate or if I can withstand all the odds against it even being read by an industry insider. It has been read by a few very well-read readers who love it. I am not sure how to proceed. I need a mentor and/or an angel.
So, like a nut-case, I found myself, a couple of months ago writing still another novel. It's like I can't help myself.
I'm enjoying it tremendously. I just can't devote two years to it. I am writing it slower. Enjoying myself on the journey. I write... but who knows if I will ever publish.
1 shelved book, 1 WIP underway. Haven't queried yet, but that's coming soon. Semi-published (some shorts and newspaper columns). Find your blog helpful, though!
ReplyDeleteI have one novel that will be forever placed in the dark recesses of my hard drive. I'm currently about 10,000 words into my second novel and roughly 45,000 words into another novel that I've been working on for 7 years. So far I've yet to reach the query stage so I am unpublished, unagented, and incomplete.
ReplyDeleteStill, it's interesting to note the current trends and have a place to keep up on this aspect of it so that when I do hit the process I can sort of have an idea of which novel might have a better chance at selling.
Agented but unpublished, and working hard on my next novel.
ReplyDeleteI find your blog very informative, and for me, it's definitely a fresh take on publishing. Thanks very much for doing this!
I hope the broings-on have been awesome. What a great phrase! :)
I started querying my first novel, but recently decided it needs another editorial pass. I'll work on that once I finish the first draft of novel #2 (I'm 75K in).
ReplyDeleteI have a published memoir and another coming out in April. Starting my first novel, and trying to figure out if I'm a plotter or a pantster as I face the challenge of creating characters and their adventures for the first time. Excited to have found this blog.
ReplyDeleteRecently agented, final polishing stage of my MS before agent sends it out to editors.
ReplyDeleteQuite the day for bro-peeps, today. We must have had a psychic moment.
ReplyDeleteI have one finished novel sent back from a publisher with revision suggestions, they are willing to look at it again. I don't have an agent, will try to get one after I finish revisions. I have another almost finished novel. (Note: I tried to find agent when MS was at Publisher, no luck. I decided I better polish more before I try again.)
ReplyDeleteAgented. A YA novel recently sold.
ReplyDeleteStill, I enjoy learning about all aspects of the process from people who are involved. I do want to pimp my novel when the time comes, but I'll always be doing proposals, queries, etc., too. Creating original viable fiction concepts, whether someone has never published or has published 28 book, fascinates me.
Discussions of things like queries and the submission process eventually come back to what's in the book in the first place and that is always a concern... story, structure, character... whether Amish Vampires are already overdone...
I just found your blog a few days ago, but it is fast becoming an all-time favorite.
My manuscript is in the revision stages. My goal is to have it polished in the next three weeks and then send it out to my trusty beta readers.
ReplyDeleteWoohoo!
I'm in the same place as Sarah, maybe a little earlier - after I finish polishing the first draft, I will send it to Deadly Prose for a few critiques.
ReplyDeleteI have a trilogy of Middle Grade Fantasy fiction, complete. I'm working on editing and rewriting. Because I live abroad, and the books are set where I live (Turkey) I would like to have them published here first, perhaps translated into Turkish. This genre does not exist here except for imports. I am also interested in pod casting at least the first book, in English. I understand that trying to get published in the US from abroad is very difficult-- in addition to the difficulties as described in your blog. I like reading about the publishing industry in the US as I work in academic publishing here.
ReplyDeleteI have one MS done and out to crit group, and am roughly 14,000 words into second, unrelated novel. I'm going to rewrite the completed MS to put it firmly into a different subgenre (one it flirts with now), which will make it easier setting wise for me to compose.
ReplyDeleteUnagented and unpublished -- I also haven't queried on either of these stories yet.
I have one manuscript in the drawer. My second is complete...been revising. Revising isn't really true. It's being completely re-written. So I feel like I've completed two novels and working on a third. Not anywhere near querying, but did win a 30 page critique by two different agents through Brenda Novak's auction for diabetic research. Have to get my 30 pages in by November 30. So working hard on that.
ReplyDeleteI'm pre-published. No, I'm kidding, really.
ReplyDeleteRecently signed with an agent; 1 MS currently being submitted to (at last count) 5 publishers.
2nd MS about half-way to completion (sequel to first, in a planned series of four).
And a bucketful of other ideas waiting for their moment in the sun.
Agented. Polishing first YA novel for submission.
ReplyDeleteI am currently querying agents, nothing published.
ReplyDeleteI have one complete novel in the query process. It's been through the alpha and beta readers, two critique groups, five deadly edits, and now is as polished as I can make it. I've had some nibbles from agents and will have a meeting at a writing contest with a major agent already set up.
ReplyDeleteI have the sequel in first draft stage, four more in blueprint phase. Plus, a trilogy that has been back burnered for several years.
Will somebody stop me? I live to put my fingers on the keyboard and write, write, write, plus edit, edit, edit, and polish, polish, polish.
wow, lots of more experienced writers here. i'm late 20s mmidway through the first draft of my first book.
ReplyDeleteOne finished novel, out on submissions.
ReplyDeleteAfter a quarter life crisis and soul searching on my 26th birthday (What do I really want to do with my life??), I'm halfway through my first novel.
ReplyDeleteFinished first novel and still trying to get feedback. Started second novel. Hope to get first novel submitted for publication, but it still needs a lot of work. I find I enjoy the writing process, and reading blogs like this, and wish I had found this passion earlier in my life (I'm now in my 50's). I'm hoping it will at least be a neat retirement job (if I'm lucky to ever get published, that is).
ReplyDelete-Stacy
Agented with first book currently being subbed.
ReplyDeleteI plan to start querying this week. I've finished four novels, but I consider only one up to snuff. Your blog has been extremely helpful to me. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteTwo completed manuscripts which I am editing and one WIP. My goal is to begin querying by the end of this year.
ReplyDeleteI've finished one manuscript for a novel, had it requested by an editor, and received a request for revisions and a resubmission.
ReplyDeleteI am currently working on my final round of edits on a non-fiction manuscript so that it's ready for querying.
I LOVE your blog. Smart, funny, and coming from a different publishing industry perspective. Thanks!
I have three contracted novels. First one comes out March 2010, from an indie publisher.
ReplyDeleteAgented, contract sold for nonfiction book and am now working on the ms with a Nov. 15 deadline.
ReplyDeleteSo I've moved from the "how do I get an agent" and "how do I write a proposal." Now I'm into "what do I do with the advance money" and "how am I going to market this book on this advance?"
One WIP and one never to be finished co-authored manuscript languishing at the bottom of my closet never to see the light of day.
ReplyDeleteJust had to comment because you referenced a Rube Goldberg Machine, lol.
ReplyDeleteI've finished a number of novels, and queried them. Unsuccessfully, so far, but I keep writing and querying.
First novel (technically my seventh, but ya know) came out last month, just closed a new two-book deal, next book in spring 2011. All three with the same major publisher.
ReplyDeleteOne novel completed and making the agent rounds. Three short stories published so far this year, with three more scheduled for publication this year and one next year. Just finished my first 15,000 word novella (novellette?) which will be getting sent out as soon as I finish the synopsis, hopefully later today. Doing research for two unrelated younger-audience books, one will probably be YA and one middle-grade, but not sure yet, as well as another adult novella. Have a start on a sequel to the novel that's making the rounds, but I may put that off for now.
ReplyDeleteI'm particularly interested in marketing and promotion. How can I promote my brand(s) and build my readership?
Started a small publishing company 20 years ago to reprint children's classic non-fiction. (didn't know any better - hah!). Now have 40 titles in print - staying alive thanks to POD. Along the way I wrote two bio collections to extend a line first published 100 years ago. 2nd one went online in August. Working on the 3rd. Each is about 200 pages, written for the YA reader.
ReplyDeleteI'm agented with one YA ms out on submission and one MG ms that I'll be revising with an editor. Hoping to get a contract (or two) out of these soon!
ReplyDeleteCounting time while waiting to hear back from agents about my queries.
ReplyDeleteI'm finishing my fourth manuscript (first draft) this year. One shelved, the other two are getting edits and revisions and beta-read. When this one is done, I'll be devoting my time to editing book two and then shopping to agents. Lots of finger crossing.
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of curious how the publishing industry feels about National Novel Writing Month. Thumbs up, or thumbs down? Flood of people who shouldn't be submitting let loose, or great exercise and community for writers?
A novel and short story published four years ago, one short story in a second round of submission hell after a major overhaul following its first round of submissions, and about 20k words into the MS for my second novel.
ReplyDeleteWorking on second draft; unpublished, unagented.
ReplyDeleteOne completed novel that's never to see the light of day. A sequel to that that will really be the first in the series, half way through, but on hold for the moment.
ReplyDeleteAnd part way into a third novel - hoping this one will be something I can start querying about.
But I'm 18, so there's loads of time to get this practiced, and work out what I write best.
Do you have a finished novel?
ReplyDeleteThis describes me, and I'm most of the way through another. The last novel got an assortment of bites for partials and fulls but no representation offers; you can see an early version of the main query letter I used here.
The latest is quite different.
Agented and currently on submission to editors! Yippee!
ReplyDeleteWorking on a first draft, unagented, unpublished. But I devour industry blogs like they're double-chocolate brownies.
ReplyDeleteFourth completed novel, third that was actually worth querying, first that really feels like it could float in this market. Really enjoy the blog - thanks for all the tips and inside perspective!
ReplyDeleteI have one completed manuscript that is embarassingly bad--I hope that everyone has one of those! I have another completed manuscript that I thought was good until I started amassing form rejection letters from agents, now I'm wondering if the first one was better. And I have a WIP that I can't seem to find the time to work on. Unagented. Unpublished. But you couldn't pay me to stop writing.
ReplyDeleteAgented, nothing sold yet. Not on submission yet. I am a permanent resident of Hell's waiting room.
ReplyDeleteHollie Sessoms: Everyone has at LEAST one of those. :)
ReplyDeleteIncluding me! I have a finished first draft which I'm trying to make LESS embarassingly bad. Unagented, unpublished, and enjoying your blog. :P
(Word verification: vablypec.Hmmm...)
Querying. Rejections. More Querying.
ReplyDeleteBut I did get a request for a partial!
I'm working on my first novel - middle grade science fiction - and just finished the first draft. I'm polishing like crazy, while reading blogs and getting up to speed on the business side. Thanks for the great blog! I'm looking forward to querying when the MS is up to snuff.
ReplyDeleteCompleted and revised manuscript, out to reading group for input. Once I get that feedback, second revision and off querying. So hard to wait. Want to submit now!
ReplyDeleteOne contemporary fiction stalled at 37,000. Second WIP underway - complete research 2009 / Write 2010. Semi-published (one short story and handful of paid magazine articles). Have not yet sought representation, since as yet I have nothing to show.
ReplyDeleteI am working on my first draft of my first novel.
ReplyDeleteStill finishing/polishing first novel. Hopefully I'll have it done and at least agented before I hit thirty... which is rapidly approaching. I have published a few magaine articles and have a short story that needs to be shopped around.
ReplyDeleteI have one recent manuscript completed and am in the query process for an agent. Manuscript two is a WIP - undergoing rewrite. I have a closet full of unfinished stories/manuscripts and one shelved manuscript from several years ago.
ReplyDeleteI've published non fiction with Mcgraw Hill. Have been editing a long historical novel for a couple of years now with the guidance of a really great agent. Submitted it last November (GREAT timing, eh?) and got great feedback, but no one took a bite. Decided to re-work the opening and will now resubmit soon.
ReplyDeleteI read for the inside scoop--from the perspective of someone who already knows something about the business but wants to know even more!
www.katrinschumann.com.
One finished novel. Working on a sequel that I think is better than the first one (and the first one is pretty good). In the process of querying, but no agent yet. (My favorite rejection to date: the agent told me that my query was intriguing but she just couldn't work up the enthusiasm necessary to request the manuscript. I may be warped, but I thought that was funny.)
ReplyDeleteEarly 30s, started writing seriously two years ago. Love it, can't live without it now. I don't dream of being the next Dan Brown (horrors!) but I wouldn't mind selling a few books.
I seem to be in the minority here. My tenth book - for my fifth house - is due Wednesday. There are three more books in the works. Two of these are written. One is a mystery even to me.
ReplyDeleteaprilhenry.livejournal.com
Agented, but unpublished.
ReplyDeleteThree completed manuscripts in assorted stages of re-editing and revision. Queried one for a year and a half before another round of revisions to ensure the problem with the query letter was not a problem with the story. Currently working on another MS - ~75% of the way through the first draft. Two others waiting for me to finish it so I can get back to them (one over 50% complete, the other less than that).
ReplyDeleteMy Queries are out.
ReplyDeleteI wait.
I'm author of 12 books for kids and a non-fiction book for adults. I have an agent, however, my next book is about something very personal and I would like to write it anonymously to spare the innocents (mostly my children) any pain/embarrassment. My agent is convinced that it's all but impossible to sell a book in this market written anonymously because the writer has to do so much promo. I'm trying to find a way to prove her wrong...
ReplyDeleteHappily writing away at my third MS, second in an action-adventure mystery series set in the Southwest. Unagented, unpublished, undaunted. Querying agents to rep the second MS, doing the research to find the best fit. If this one doesn't do, the next will..or the next after that...Thanks for your blog- love, love, love it!
ReplyDeleteOne completed novel undergoing the query process. Another manuscript is in the editing process. I'm polishing, I'm querying. Let's see what happened.
ReplyDelete70,000 words into first draft of first novel. What fun!
ReplyDeleteTwo works in progress....I'm a greenie, I know!
ReplyDeleteEric, even though I'm no where near ready to jump into the publishing business, your blog posts are entertaining and help me dream about the day I get to apply all the information I glean from your and other's posts.
Even the posts regarding subject matter which more advanced novelists can use is helpful in forming my dreams. They're like the small words in a word cloud on my brain: hidden in plain sight until someday, they become useful and more prominent.
(Yes, I did just spend two hours on www.wordle.net)
Agented, one novel out on submission, over 70K into my fifth novel.
ReplyDeleteAlmost finished with my first draft of my first manuscript. Obviously I'm a newbie, and have been working on it since May, but should have it edited and sent out to agents by March or April of 2010.
ReplyDeleteI have a few finished novels that I'm still polishing. Haven't looked for an agent yet.
ReplyDeleteI have one complete manuscript that I'm currently shopping to agents. I have another attempt at a novel that I'm considering my dry run/learning curve. It will likely stay locked inside the proverbial drawer. At the moment, I'm working on the rough draft of what will be my second complete manuscript, and am in the planning stages for the next couple after that.
ReplyDeleteI'm line-editing my second novel, and querying agents hopefully isn't far off. But I'm still glad to get sales info that I'll need sooner or later!
ReplyDeleteI'm a NYT-bestselling author of nearly two dozen novels. But I still find your blog endlessly fascinating and useful. Love the business news/thoughts/angles.
ReplyDeleteOn Submission this week! First novel!
ReplyDeleteI'm still working on my manuscript. I revise obsessively as I go but will probably need to do more once it's completed.
ReplyDeleteStupidly, I submitted to an agent when I first began it, listening to friends, who were pitching unfinished manuscripts to agents at a writers conference. Fortunately, she rejected my sample. But she sent a nice letter that was encouraging. I'll always have a warm spot in my heart for that agent.
It's blogs like yours, and those of agents and other writers, that are helping me to avoid making these dumb mistakes again. I appreciate your work.
Four novels written and in the process of finding an agent.
ReplyDeleteSix novels written and edited/revised at least once or thrice. Trying to market two. Still, a wanna-be, but I'm hopeful.
ReplyDeleteI'm inspired by all of you! You make "the dream" seem possible. I'm 31 and polishing my first manuscript. Another few months I'll get my beta readers on it and then another few weeks??? (I hope the changes needed are not too extensive LOL)I'll be querying. A few outlines sitting in the drawer, too.
ReplyDeleteAgented but unpublished. Damn the economy; full speed ahead!
ReplyDeleteFirst memoir published last year, currently mired in second book that is not a cat book, which would make more carreer sense.
ReplyDeleteSeven novels finished. First two agented but agent died. (not my fault!) Haven't looked for one since, just kept writing. Now I wonder whether to try again, spending time retyping etc. with people saying it's as hard to get published as to win the lottery, or should I just go ahead with the enjoyment of writing my next one?
ReplyDelete13 books out to date, contracts for 5 more (4 for sure in 2010, maybe all 5). I've been writing for publication for 5 years.
ReplyDeleteI have 6 more books ready to submit. Just started looking at agents.
I am newly agented, and my agent is starting editor submissions tomorrow! YAY! I have one novel in a drawer and a few more that aren't finished yet (actually, "barely started" is probably a more accurate description).
ReplyDeleteThis is a fun blog. I enjoy reading it.
Agented but still unpublished. Started my next novel today. Have forgotten what the word "sleep" means.
ReplyDeleteAgented and published (10 books) in two genres Midlist. Contracted for 2 more. Have proposal out for more in the other genre.
ReplyDeleteI have two finished novels (a series with female protagonist) - police procedurals - loosely based on my nearly 30 year career in the "business". Going through a final review of First in the series with my writers group and then on (once more) to finding an agent.
ReplyDeleteGlenna Fairbanks
I'm just finalising a contract for a second novella. Still trying to interest agents in various completed single-title length manuscripts.
ReplyDeleteAs far as RWA National are concerned, I'm too published to be eligible for their unpublished Golden Heart contest and not published enough to be eligible to enter their published RITA contest. Go figure. I daringly consider myself to be "published", LOL.
For me, your content is extremely relevant--not to mention damned entertaining!--and I've recommended your blog to other writers/authors many times!
First novel (YA crime thriller called When I Was Joe)being published in UK January 2010, Australia, Feb 2010, US and Germany Autumn 2010. Second novel (a sequel, called Almost True) - just completed, due to be published later in 2010. Your blog is educational and always fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI have three YA fantasy novels out, one coming out in October, under contract for two more.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to get the sales and business perspective because sales drives the bus in publishing.
First novel sold,Will coming out in 2011. Working on second novel.
ReplyDeleteJust started querying a few weeks ago. Currently deciding on reworking an old idea or starting with a fresh one. Too many ideas in my head trying desperately to get out - wish I had more time to write!
ReplyDeleteNearly been writing for a whole year. The book is finished and I am submitting to agents. Do you have an opinion on blanket submissions? Sending out one at a time and waiting cannot be the way forward.
ReplyDeleteHello PMN, this is a great blog, I love coming here.
ReplyDeleteI have an agent and two book deal with Egmont UK - first book is out in April 2010.
I love reading about all the industry information.
Unagented and unpublished here. My first manuscript is in rewrites and I'm working on the query/synopsis as well.
ReplyDeleteThis blog is informative on so many levels... thanks!
Finished my first book and am querying. Have the sequel outlined and need to start writing it.
ReplyDeleteQuerying is hell.
"How Far Along Are You?"
ReplyDeleteWell, my wife is 4 months now and just back from her ultrasound appointment.
*reads post*
Oh.
Unpublished. Unagented. Queried and quit on one WIP. Editing a second. Planning a third.
I'm closer than all that makes me sound. Really.
Agented. First book on submission. Waiting...
ReplyDeleteI have been agented, on submission and made it all the way through to acquisitions before falling through the net.
ReplyDeleteNow my agent has retired and I am half way through an entirely new novel so I can start again with a new agent. Not upset about any of this - it's all a learning experience and I got a lot out of it all. (Namely confidence - if anything makes you feel like you're on the right track it is having editors who call you up to tell you how much they love your writing/book/concept.)
So currently 45k words into my third unpublished novel and taking my time to keep it tight, clean and well plotted.
I've written many books, self-published three, and published one other person's with my publishing company. I have one book e-published by a research think tank. Currently I am actively marketing one book to agents, and another is about to be finished and ready to be shopped around.
ReplyDeleteI'm unpub, 1 novel in rewrite (midlist romance); sequel waiting for rewrites. 1 memoir in final edit stage with self-pub plan early 2010.
ReplyDeleteMany novels in the drawer, :) I've attended numerous conferences, workshps, etc. Member of RWA since 2002.
Keep up the good work!
Got my dream agent this year, ms still on submission.
ReplyDeleteWaitin'... just waitin' and wonderin.'
ReplyDeleteBut I am not idle. I'm workin' on my Zen Master Badge in sling-shot, a MG Super-Hero story, a MG ghost story inspired by TALE OF TWO CITIES -- where *heads must fall.* And finally, lot's of drawin' for a project directed at the wee little ones!
Haste yee back ;-)
Finished a couple novels, looking for an agent.
ReplyDeleteUnagented with finished novel, historical fiction + suspense. Encouraging feedback from several beta readers. About 30 queries have yielded two partials, one full, no offers.
ReplyDeleteI'm increasingly skeptical about the prospects for debut novelists in traditional retail channels, especially for novels outside YA, MG, or SF genres. Also skeptical about publishing industry's overall health and prospects.
Given that debut authors are expected to underwrite essentially all marketing efforts anyway, why not just sell the novel direct to online readers for $5?
So I uploaded it to Scribd today as an experiment. Would rather get started on second novel than spin my wheels with endless querying.
I'm unagented. I have one completed manuscript that I shopped to agents last year, but didn't land representation. I'm currently finishing up work on a second novel and hope to start the query process by the end of this year. I've had several short stories published.
ReplyDeleteI'm published as a freelance journalist but began writing novels several years ago. I'm on my third but keep revisiting the others so haven't pitched often. When I have, the results have been encouraging. I need to push past the revisions and do some serious agent querying. Now if only I could myself that I'm ready. :)
ReplyDeleteOops, that would be, "... convince myself that I'm ready."
ReplyDeleteI'm 20 and editing my third novel, hoping to query for the first time this winter.
ReplyDeleteI have an agent, but she has not managed to sell my brilliant literary novel yet. (It's my second agent and my second brilliant literary novel, but I am still, alas, unpublished. Hopefully this will change. Very soon. As in, tomorrow.)
ReplyDeleteI'm writing my first novel.
ReplyDeleteThe only publishing experience I have is with a few of my poems -- they were printed up in an edgy, off-campus college rag back in 1994 (which two people probably read). I was also a Librarian for a non-fiction publishing company for a few years (Greenhaven/Lucent books at the time... which later were acquired by Gale).
PS: I'm also currently dabbling in writing essays and poetry. Considering writing short stories, children's picture books, and taking up macrame.
I'm 41 and I'm on the second draft of my first novel, a fantasy. I've always wanted to write, but work and family were my priorities up until two years ago. Now my kids are old enough that I'm embarrassing to be with in public, so I don't feel guilty taking time to write.
ReplyDeleteI'm not one of those writers that can write a book or two every year. I don't know how they can do it, unless they are able to focus on writing full-time.
I can see such huge improvements in my writing skill and the story in general, that I expect to spend another 2-3 years getting my first novel as polished as I can before even thinking of querying for an agent.
I like to think slow and steady wins the race (if it doesn't, don't tell me!)
Hi there. Rebecca Lloyd here. I'm a writer and former magazine editor living in the San Francisco Bay Area, and I'm currently doing the agent-search thing.
ReplyDeleteDeath's Apprentice, the first novel in my dark urban fantasy series is finally done--at least, until an agent or editor tells me otherwise (at which point I'll dust off my old editor's hat and set to work). It's around 200,000 words, so I'm scoping it for places I can cut if a word-trim is requested. Other than that I have forced myself to quit twiddling and keep submitting on the stern orders of my one friend in the business.
I'm...not holding up well in the search for an agent. I'm still turning around and querying regularly, but rejection letters don't get easier to take as I go. I admit, even though most of the letters I have gotten are relatively positive ("your project shows merit", "your sample was well written", "I'm simply not taking anything in that genre right now", etc.) it is very hard to just keep taking it on the chin. I know I'm a good writer--I have been published before--but every form letter makes me see a hopeless hack in the mirror for a while. (Apparently, this is normal when shopping your first novel. Oh. Joy).
Nevertheless, I have a dozen books planned in that series, a dark science fiction trilogy and one-shot, a dark high fantasy series, and a comedic fantasy planned, and am already working on my next book--a 110-120k dark fantasy from the same universe called Feral.
I'm determined that my work will see print in some form even if an agent never makes a dime off of me, but I'd greatly prefer to work with one. However, I keep debating on how long I am willing to keep wooing agents past, say, the first hundred "this is good but not for us" letters. If no one in the first hundred agents takes me I may turn to small press or self-publishing. Until then, I'll keep trying.
I've completed my second novel, Eastlight and am in the querying the process. My first novel is a skeleton in the closet. I learned a ton writing it, though I look back at it now and cringe at some of the mistakes I made. I see the current project as a massive improvement. I'm 15,000 words into my next project and hoping to get a full draft together for critique by Christmas.
ReplyDelete