Things I’d do differently if I were just beginning to write
and hoped to be published.
1. I’d have my website up and running before I submitted my
work to a publisher. I’d make the website bold and catchy, and reference it in
my letter of submission. I would NOT wait until I was pubbed and needed it.
2. I’d have at least two friends ready to critique your
masterpiece before I sent it to a publisher. Friends already authors are the
best. Nobody, but nobody, can catch all your glaring errors by themselves.
3. I’d be sure I understand POV and be especially careful to
stick to one point of view per scene. I didn’t at first, and still tend to
blithely head-hop, not even knowing I’m doing the big no-no. My current editor,
the wonderful April Chapman, is deadly on catching my errors. Yes, I know some
of the most successful authors blithely ignore POV and head-hop all over the
place. None of us are Nora Roberts, at least not yet.
4. This is tied to three. Check and recheck the rules of
submission at the publishing house you plan to submit to.
Ellora’s Cave, where I’m lucky enough to have a new series
going, will not permit the slightest change of POV. I’m just lucky I have a
patient editor. A newcomer can’t afford to twist the rules in the slightest.
But it’s also important to be sure your book is submitted in the right format,
and right type, the right everything.
5. Spend a lot of time perfecting your submission letter.
Again, give them exactly what they want, plus a smidgeon of originality and
humor. But don’t come off like a smart aleck.
Stormy Pursuit, the second book in the Passionate Pursuit
series, will be out quite soon. It’s undergoing it’s last edits, catching all
the nasty POV changes which I’m still bad at. Forbidden Pursuit has been
accepted and I’ve sent in the cover art request. Dangerous Pursuit is in the
hands of my beta editor. Haven’t named the next one yet but it takes up the
story of the Erricksen family with the first grandchildren. Elves all, I’m sure
they will have passionate and lives that make their elfish peaked ears show
enough to enchant you all.
12 comments:
Great post, Jean, especially #1. It took me a long time to realize that a lot of the promo is up to the author. Getting a website up is so critical.
I have reminder notes all over my office to keep me aware of important writing skills, POV being a major one for me. Fortunately I have an editor who is a master at targeting my headhops. What I'd do differently if I was just starting my writing career is take how-to online classes BEFORE I'd finished that first manuscript! I've taken many since then that have helped me improve my writing.
I agree with you both, of course. So much to learn besides just having a great idea
Excellent advice, Jean! Doing networking before you sell is another good one. Don't just have a website, but join groups of writers, published and getting there, who are committed to supporting each other. That way you start out with friends who can help you out.
Loved the post and all of your wonderful advice. Good luck with the new series!
I agree. We are blessed with a fantastic writing group with over twenty years experience. Many of them are published - quite a few many times over. Having a variety of people doing the critique helps a lot since we are each sensitive to different things.
Also, have someone else read your work aloud! It's amazing how much you catch when someone else reads it. And it really helps to hear dialog actually spoken. Any stilted places become easily identified.
And know your potential audience. Who will read this book? Target your marketing to that group. You may be surprised at who else becomes interested, but start with a target audience.
Talk about your book as soon as you know it's going to be published. Mention it on all the social media.
Join a few industry groups and post to their email loops.
I guess the best thing is to plan ahead and not wait for the book to come out.
All of you have added wonderful input. Thanks so much...Jean
Forgot to say I need a second beta editor. Anyone got advice on that? Would be glad to reciprocate, of course....
I wish I'd known all of those things in the beginning!
Thank you Jean.
XXOO Kat
So do I!!!!! Maybe it will help somebody else...
I agree with all five statements! I always carry business cards with me and hand them out to EVERYONE! You never know who just might try one of your books.
Carlene Rae Dater
Thanks, Carlene. I do the same but I use bookmarks now. Those are prettier than my cards right now.
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