Comments on: Answers to A Few Questions http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/ America's Mad Professor of Fiction Writing Wed, 16 May 2012 16:36:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: Ben http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7367 Ben Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:35:07 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7367 Unfortunately I don't have a completed manuscript for pitching this year, but the potentially reduced crowd should be beneficial, especially in the workshop. Question: Even though my WIP is unfinished, would it be a good idea to make appointments with editors to discuss the project/gauge their interest in the one-sentence summary? Unfortunately I don’t have a completed manuscript for pitching this year, but the potentially reduced crowd should be beneficial, especially in the workshop.

Question: Even though my WIP is unfinished, would it be a good idea to make appointments with editors to discuss the project/gauge their interest in the one-sentence summary?

]]> By: Andra M. http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7373 Andra M. Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:02:31 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7373 I always figured we should follow our passion regardless of what the economy is doing. We shouldn't worry about the future, nor ever give up on our dreams. That said, to Ben, I would make appointments with editors, so you can get comfortable with speaking with them. They can give you advice on what steps to take when you're manuscript is ready. You also might have such a fantabulous idea, they'd be willing to see your manuscript once it's finished (and polished to a blinding sheen). I always figured we should follow our passion regardless of what the economy is doing. We shouldn’t worry about the future, nor ever give up on our dreams.

That said, to Ben, I would make appointments with editors, so you can get comfortable with speaking with them. They can give you advice on what steps to take when you’re manuscript is ready.

You also might have such a fantabulous idea, they’d be willing to see your manuscript once it’s finished (and polished to a blinding sheen).

]]> By: Lynn Rush http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7374 Lynn Rush Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:48:18 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7374 Great post. I like the idea of a new writer breaking in easier now because we're cheaper....but still, I hear it's very difficult. But hey, if it was easy, everyone would do it, right? I wish I could do Mt. Hermon. I'm saving to do ACFW in September...so maybe Mt. Hermon next year? Thanks for the post, it's most helpful. Great post.

I like the idea of a new writer breaking in easier now because we’re cheaper….but still, I hear it’s very difficult. But hey, if it was easy, everyone would do it, right?

I wish I could do Mt. Hermon. I’m saving to do ACFW in September…so maybe Mt. Hermon next year?

Thanks for the post, it’s most helpful.

]]> By: A J Hawke http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7377 A J Hawke Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:07:10 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7377 Thanks for the post on the Kindle and on Writer's Conferences. I'm waiting for the price to come down on the Kindle. I would rather put that money toward my next Writer's Conference. In February, I attended my first Writer’s Conference. I went with concern but without worry or fear. I probably should have gone with fear, but I have a realistic view of where I am as a writer, what publishers are looking for, and what it takes to get published. In addition, I have read everything that Randy has put forth on how to be successful at a conference. It truly helped. What I found was many people in attendance who had not done their homework (pitching picture books to editors who had stated in their bios that they only looked at adult fiction for example.) Attendees who had nothing definite to discuss with an editor, just wanted to be a writer. That amazed me for they had paid a lot of money to attend. I also found that I was more prepared than I thought on leaving home. I went with four novels completed. I think it was you, Randy, who wrote somewhere to write a million words before considering oneself a writer. I have about 600,000 under my belt. I had pitches ready for two of the novels. I spoke with four editors and two agents. I had two editors request that I send a proposal (by email, synopsis, first three chapters.) One agent said they were definitely interested as soon as I had a contract from a publisher. Am I seeing a catch-22 for unpublished writers here? What I returned home with was renewed energy to write, more self-confidence, and a greater understanding of how to prepare to get published. I now understand the place of the Writer’s Conference in the universe of Publishing. I can’t make Mt Hermon, but does anyone know anything about the Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference in May? I might be able to make that one. I intend to keep following Randy’s blog because I am finding the information put forth here as useful as any college course, maybe more so. And maybe one day I will be able to be in a class at a Conference with you all. A J AJHawke.blogspot.com Thanks for the post on the Kindle and on Writer’s Conferences.

I’m waiting for the price to come down on the Kindle. I would rather put that money toward my next Writer’s Conference.

In February, I attended my first Writer’s Conference. I went with concern but without worry or fear. I probably should have gone with fear, but I have a realistic view of where I am as a writer, what publishers are looking for, and what it takes to get published. In addition, I have read everything that Randy has put forth on how to be successful at a conference. It truly helped.

What I found was many people in attendance who had not done their homework (pitching picture books to editors who had stated in their bios that they only looked at adult fiction for example.) Attendees who had nothing definite to discuss with an editor, just wanted to be a writer. That amazed me for they had paid a lot of money to attend.

I also found that I was more prepared than I thought on leaving home. I went with four novels completed. I think it was you, Randy, who wrote somewhere to write a million words before considering oneself a writer. I have about 600,000 under my belt. I had pitches ready for two of the novels. I spoke with four editors and two agents. I had two editors request that I send a proposal (by email, synopsis, first three chapters.) One agent said they were definitely interested as soon as I had a contract from a publisher. Am I seeing a catch-22 for unpublished writers here?

What I returned home with was renewed energy to write, more self-confidence, and a greater understanding of how to prepare to get published. I now understand the place of the Writer’s Conference in the universe of Publishing. I can’t make Mt Hermon, but does anyone know anything about the Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference in May? I might be able to make that one.

I intend to keep following Randy’s blog because I am finding the information put forth here as useful as any college course, maybe more so. And maybe one day I will be able to be in a class at a Conference with you all.

A J
AJHawke.blogspot.com

]]> By: Robert Treskillard http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7378 Robert Treskillard Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:26:36 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7378 Thanks for your thoughts, Randy. I've got a proposal out right now, and I think it depends far more on my own writing than the economy. And all your help writing the synopsis and summarizing the book is a real help, too, because a writing sample can only tell part of the story. Thanks for the encouragement! -Robert Thanks for your thoughts, Randy.

I’ve got a proposal out right now, and I think it depends far more on my own writing than the economy.

And all your help writing the synopsis and summarizing the book is a real help, too, because a writing sample can only tell part of the story.

Thanks for the encouragement!

-Robert

]]> By: valerie http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7379 valerie Thu, 12 Mar 2009 23:58:20 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7379 Last year the odds of a newbie selling a book were what, a million to one? This year, they're two million to one. In practical terms, that's about the same thing! So I'll keep doing my thing. This might be the year. I'll never know if I don't follow through. Last year the odds of a newbie selling a book were what, a million to one? This year, they’re two million to one. In practical terms, that’s about the same thing! So I’ll keep doing my thing. This might be the year. I’ll never know if I don’t follow through.

]]> By: Lynda http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7380 Lynda Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:58:24 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7380 Hey Randy, I've never seen a Kindle. Hope you bring yours to the conference. Hey Randy,

I’ve never seen a Kindle. Hope you bring yours to the conference.

]]> By: Pam Halter http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7381 Pam Halter Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:41:52 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7381 Randy said: Nothing happens unless you take action. How true!! We must never give up. Randy said: Nothing happens unless you take action.

How true!! We must never give up.

]]> By: Camille Cannon Eide http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7382 Camille Cannon Eide Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:10:00 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7382 Ben: If you're going to a conference, TALK TO THE MAN. Or woman. Do like Randy sez and take action. Take advantage of a window of opportunity you get to meet editors face to face at a conference. You may find they are interested in seeing it when it's finished (I speak from experience!) or maybe you'll build some repoire with an editor and he/she may want a future book of yours. You PAID for the chance to meet editors...take it!! Ben: If you’re going to a conference, TALK TO THE MAN. Or woman. Do like Randy sez and take action. Take advantage of a window of opportunity you get to meet editors face to face at a conference. You may find they are interested in seeing it when it’s finished (I speak from experience!) or maybe you’ll build some repoire with an editor and he/she may want a future book of yours. You PAID for the chance to meet editors…take it!!

]]> By: Ben http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7383 Ben Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:16:34 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7383 Thanks, Camille. I will check the list to see which editors correspond to my work and try to set appointments with them. I'll just plant the seed and let God do what He wants with it. Thanks, Camille. I will check the list to see which editors correspond to my work and try to set appointments with them. I’ll just plant the seed and let God do what He wants with it.

]]> By: Tonya Root http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7386 Tonya Root Sun, 15 Mar 2009 16:48:49 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7386 A friend of mine brought to my attention the other day a website called Authonomy. This website, created by HarperCollins which is basically set up with the premise that every day readers will critique and recommend books that newbies post on the site and the books will then be brought to the attention of HarperCollins editors. It is supposed to be a way to sort of skip the slush pile and be helpful to new authors and editors. I don't have enough of my WIP complete to post, but I'm working on it to try and get it up as soon as possible. Sounds like a good way to get noticed right now. Thoughts, Randy and other readers? A friend of mine brought to my attention the other day a website called Authonomy. This website, created by HarperCollins which is basically set up with the premise that every day readers will critique and recommend books that newbies post on the site and the books will then be brought to the attention of HarperCollins editors. It is supposed to be a way to sort of skip the slush pile and be helpful to new authors and editors. I don’t have enough of my WIP complete to post, but I’m working on it to try and get it up as soon as possible. Sounds like a good way to get noticed right now. Thoughts, Randy and other readers?

]]> By: Pam Halter http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7388 Pam Halter Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:18:53 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7388 I checked it out with Writer Beware (Victoria Strauss commented on it). She's not totally sure it's a good thing. http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2008/09/victoria-strauss-authonomy-slushkiller.html I checked it out with Writer Beware (Victoria Strauss commented on it). She’s not totally sure it’s a good thing.

http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2008/09/victoria-strauss-authonomy-slushkiller.html

]]> By: Tonya Root http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7409 Tonya Root Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:30:45 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/03/11/answers-to-a-few-questions/#comment-7409 Thanks Pam! I've never been to that blog before, but it looks interesting. That blog along with the associated comments, many of them from former and current users of Authonomy, gave me some interesting food for thought on how the site works. Thanks! Thanks Pam! I’ve never been to that blog before, but it looks interesting. That blog along with the associated comments, many of them from former and current users of Authonomy, gave me some interesting food for thought on how the site works. Thanks!

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