Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Location: Books & Such Central Valley Office, CA
In a series of my blog posts, we discussed career killers–those missteps that spell the “kiss of death” to a writer’s career. Several of you commented, asking what can be done to save a flagging career, regardless of whether you had committed any of my career no-nos.
Before we can talk about jumpstarting your career (or your hoped-for career), we need to assess the situation. What are some of the indications of stalled aspirations or failing career?
You may be still trying to get published and feeling as if you can’t even get the engine to turn over. Today we’ll talk about some strategies to jumpstart that dream.
Or maybe you’re already published. Remember when you sold your first book? You knew your worries were over. You’d successfully navigated the obstacles to getting an agent. You’d sent a successful query followed by a partial manuscript. You received a request for the full manuscript and then– be still, my heart– received an offer for representation. You’d worked so long and hard to get an agent it almost felt like icing on the cake when your agent sold your book. Or maybe she sold two. Or three. Your career was on its way. Nothing could stop you. No way but up. Thunk! Somewhere between the promise of the first sale and the realities of the publishing industry, your career seriously stalled. What to do? Hang on, we’ll tackle these issues on Tuesday and Wednesday.
And finally, you may have experienced some nice steady success early on but, for one reason or another, you took a hiatus from writing. You’re raring to come back but no one even remembers your name. The publishing world moved on and you’re yesterday’s news. Is there a way to make a successful comeback? Let’s explore that on Thursday. But for now. . .
How do you jumpstart your dream? Let’s say you’ve been writing for a while. You’ve got what you believe is a great idea, you’ve written the manuscript, you’ve learned to write a query and a proposal but you can’t seem to get the attention of either an agent or editor.
Let me ask you the following questions:
- Have you had your work– query, proposal and manuscript– evaluated by a competent critique group or critique partner? The best critique partner would recognize good writing, would know your category or genre and would have a feel for the market. That kind of honest analysis will save you much wasted time and frustration. How do you find such a person? If you are in online writing groups you should soon be able to spot the wisest, most connected members. Figure out how you can strike up a reciprocal relationship. If you are not as experienced, perhaps you can offer something else of value in exchange– say, graphic design or marketing help.
- Are you querying the right people? Just looking up agents in listings is not the way to find an agent. I would guess that 75% of the queries I receive are not appropriate for me. Had the writer read our website he could have saved both of us the time. The best way to find an agent is through referral, through meeting that agent at a conference or by studying the website and reading some of the books that agent represents. By targeting your query carefully, you’ll raise your chance of success exponentially.
- Have you tried to be strategic? For instance, these days we often hear of laid-off editors deciding to become agents. A new agent is often building a list from scratch and may be more open to a beginning writer who shows great promise.
- Are you networking? With Facebook, Twitter, online groups and writing conferences it’s easier than ever to become known in writing circles. Read agent blogs and comment on them. Get to know other writers. When agents or editors come to like you first, it’s natural that they are more open to considering your work.
If you answered yes to all of the questions above, if you’ve sent out numerous queries or manuscripts and still haven’t had a nibble, maybe your book is the wrong book. I’ve heard editors talk about writers who come to conference after conference, clutching the same beloved dog-eared manuscript. It’s become almost an icon to them. It’s time to put that manuscript in a drawer and start something new. Most writers, me included, will tell you that the first book written was not the first book sold. In my case, I sold my second book first. My editor then asked if I had something else and I sent that first manuscript and got a two-book offer. But it was the second book that caught her eye.
The key to jumpstarting your dream of a writing career is to be proactive. Do everything in your power to be strategic, to have the best book, to choose the right editor or agent, to be connected and to be prepared to change course if need be.
It’s your turn: If you’re not yet published, what has been been your biggest frustration? (Yes, venting allowed.) If you are already on your way, what advice would you give to those who long to jumpstart their writing dreams?
Teri D. Smith
My biggest problem was the huge learning curve. I’d written non-fiction and taught high school students how to write essays for college, but I’d never tried my hand at fiction.
I jumped in and wrote a whole book knowing little about the craft specific to fiction, but I was also hooked. So I’ve gone to conferences, taken online classes, joined a critique group, got a professional critique, and read a whole shelf full of books. A friend and I have even started a local Christian writers group.
Now I’m hooked even more on writing fiction and having the time of my life. I’ve written two books, and I’m loving the brainstorming on the third. Who knows, maybe I’ll be ready to submit before long. In the meantime, I’m here to continue learning, and I’ll be off to more conferences soon.
I’m looking forward to more, Wendy. It’s good to learn where the pot holes are before we step in them!
Julie Gillies
Hi Wendy,
Great post.
I’m in the querying stage and have sent out queries to seven agents (including you). So far I’ve received two responses, both negative.
I’m happy to say that I’ve done everything on your list, with the exception of locating an upstart agent. Aside from perhaps Sally Stuart’s blog, can you recommend a reputable resource that lists newer agents?
I’m looking forward to the rest of your posts this week!
Jill Eileen Smith
My case is slightly different in that I carried around that beloved, dog-eared manuscript for years – rewrote it to death and tried to sell it (on and off) multiple times – with some interest, just no sale. (In my case, the timing for the genre was partly to blame, but God knew I wasn’t ready to sell it any sooner.)
At the same time, I wrote in several other genres, book after book, seeking my niche. In other words, I kept honing the craft, so that when I went back and rewrote that beloved, dog-eared manuscript one more time (the story of my heart that wouldn’t let me be) it finally caught the eye of my wonderful agent (waving at you Wendy) – the first person who loved the story, smoothed those dog-eared corners, and in time sold it for me!
Of course, my career is just beginning, but all of this back-story taught me one thing. Hone the craft as you test the genres to find your niche. But ultimately, write what you love! Agents and editors may take notice when the writing reflects well-crafted passion – even on a dog-eared manuscript. 🙂
Dawn Maria
I’m about to start my second book. I’ve sent out queries for my first, but word on the street (Janet Reid, Nathan Bransford and now you) kindly, but firmly, suggests that my time will be better spent on the next book.
On the one hand, I’m very excited to begin a new project, on the other hand, I’ll still need to find an agent and the process has been much more time consuming than I imagined it would be. When you really look thoughtfully, there aren’t as many agents out there looking for what you’ve got. (Believe me, I’m almost tempted to turn one of my characters into a zombie!)
For the past six weeks, I’ve been following agency blogs and staying on top of the industry as I send out my queries. While I’m learning a lot, it does zap creativity when I get hyper-focused on the business end of things. My question is- do I stop paying attention to the business of writing while I’m working on my new MS? I think this might be hard to do, especially given how fast everything is moving these days.
As for frustrations, I’m pleased to say there have been few. I’ve received no nastily worded rejections, and I have lots of support at home. Occasionally, I suffer from one of those “everything I write is crap” panic attacks. I knew this was a hard business to get into. Every now and then I ask myself if I want to stop. The answer is always no.
As Anne Lamott says of writing, “… there are few better ways to spend your life.”
Nika Dixon
I agree with Teri. My biggest stumbling block was moving from classroom and business writing, to the world of fiction. It was a huge learning curve for me.
My first novel was a contest finalist, and I received several full requests, but no “deals”, and with the generic rejection letter, I never knew why. I do understand agents and agencies are very, very busy, but without knowing what to fix, I had to just keep submitting it as is. The book was picked up, but it too FOUR years to go from writing to publishing.
I guess the only advice I could offer is don’t give up!
– Nika
Sharon A Lavy
Thanks for the great information.
Wendy Lawton
Teri, I love that you’ve been working on the craft of writing long before submitting. At some point, though, you need to start submitting and getting that market feedback, even if it’s just an enigmatic, “not for me.” Many writer’s conferences offer professional feedback as well.
Some writers fear that if they submit too soon they’ll ruin their chances. Not so. Agents see so many queries, I can’t believe anyone has a system so sophisticated that they could note each specific submission and start tracking that writer so that when the writer submits that winning query the agent would say, “Yeah but I saw three queries from her I didn’t like.”
You are doing everything right! Working on the craft, spending time reading writing blogs, starting a critique/writing group and going to conferences. I’m guessing we’ll see your book on a shelf in the future.
Wendy Lawton
Jill, I had to laugh when I read your comment. it just goes to show how much those of us in publishing know. I wonder how many agents and editors have seen that beloved, dog-eared manuscript of yours? After I had signed you I even got a boatload of “no thanks.” We finally found an editor who loved it as much as we did.
The rest of the story? The book is Jill’s debut novel, Michal. The first in a series about the wives of King David. It’s received rave reviews and earned back every cent of the advance (plus more) before the book even hit the shelves.
Just goes to show. . .
Wendy Lawton
Dawn Maria, I don’t know how to answer your question.
If you’ve had specific advice to put that first manuscript in the drawer, then I’d say jump into book #2. But if you’ve not had specific input how can you know? What if you keep making the same mistakes you made on #1? What if you miss the elements that made your first manuscript shine? what if the first manuscript is already ready for prime time?
That’s why writing in a vacuum rarely works. Agents and editors are not the people to give you feedback– there’s barely the time for them to work with their own clients and projects. The best you’ll usually get is a yea or nay. anything more should be taken as as a huge encouragement. The people who can give you the feedback you need are writers much further along the career path than you. If you find someone who can spot your blind spots and will honestly critique your work, treasure them.
This is why we talk so often about writing conferences. It’s important to go to writing conferences where you can submit your work and where they have trained critique teams.
Unfortunately, we’re just not equipped to judge our own work. Any chance you can do both? Keep submitting and trying to get feedback and keep writing at the same time?
Julie Gillies
Hi Wendy,
Thanks for this great post. Currently I’m in query mode; I’ve sent queries out to seven agents. So far I’ve heard back from two…unfortunately both negative.
I’m happy to report that I’ve done everything on your list with the exception of locating an upstart agency. Aside from perhaps Sally Stuart’s blog, are you aware of any reputable resources that list newer agents?
I’m looking forward to the rest of your blog posts!
Wendy Lawton
Julie,
As to a list that notes newer agents, I don’t know of any. If you read any of the trade newsletters (Publisher’s Lunch, PW, Religion Book Update, etc.) they’ll often mention job shifts and new agent announcements.
Holly Bodger
The two things I’ve found have helped the most are both listed in your post:
1) Following agent blogs and tweets
2) Finding a critique group. I only recently realized how important this one was after I read a post on Rachel Gardner’s blog. It was then that I went looking for a real crit group and discovered an online critique site called Critique Circle. It has made the world of difference to my process. Getting real critiques of your work is very valuable but so is the experience of giving critiques to others. I’d highly recommend it!
Gina
I haven’t reached the point where I am ready to send out query letters but I am compiling a list of the agents that I want to send them to. Is there a magic number to send them to at one time? How do I know that I am sending them to the right agent within an agency? I don’t want to waste anybody’s time by sending them a query for the type of book that they don’t represent.
Marilyn
This was a very timely post for me, Wendy. Thanks!
I took a year off from article assignments to complete a book project, was well into it, then got waylaid when my husband was diagnosed with leukemia. Priorities shifted, and while I don’t regret my choices, there have been moments when I can barely remember ever writing. It looked like that was going to continue, but just TODAY we learned we have a breather, of sorts, at least several months of semi-normalcy….if only we can remember what we did before cancer.
I’ve been writing right along, but distracted, to say the least.
Your post was good for me to read!
Dawn Maria
Even though you didn’t have an answer for me Wendy, your response was very encouraging.
When I went back to work last year (oh that pesky day job!), I had to give up my spot in a wonderful daytime writer’s group. I just found one that will work with my schedule. I’m scheduled to attend a conference in November and I do plan to workshop one of my books.
I think the hardest thing for me is balancing business and creativity. I’ve only been doing both for a short time, so it feels a bit uncomfortable. I really hate to give up following agency blogs like this because they are so informative and do provide a sense of community that is priceless. I’m really looking forward to the topics for the rest of the week. Thanks for listening!
Teri D. Smith
Wow, Wendy, you made my day saying your guessing you’ll see my book on a shelf some day. Just the motivation I need to keep pressing on. I’m signed up for the ACFW conference and hope to pitch something there.
Kristen Torres-Toro
I’m one of those who queried too early. It’s a mistake I don’t want to ever repeat, but it has taught me a lot. By the time I realized it and wrote a better query, I started getting replies that cited the state of the economy and my status as an unknown as reasons for a pass. Though it felt good to not be rejected for the merit of my story (at least, that’s not what the letters said), it is frustrating to watch and wait for something magically to happen so I get my shot.
My mistake cost me a lot, but it gave me so much. It’s forced me to do the research I didn’t know to do before. Now I read several agent/editor blogs daily, I’m planning on joining ACFW next month, and I’m actively working on building both my resume and my platform, so that I come with a strong reader base the next time around. I’m still writing, honing my craft, and strengthening my manuscript. As soon as I have the money saved, I’m going to submit it to an editorial service as well.
The most maddening part of all of this is waiting for it all to come together! But I know it will be worth it!
Thank you so much, Wendy, for your post! It gave me so much to think over!
Nikki Hahn
Recently, I received a rejection from a magazine. They loved the story, but couldn’t tell why the heroine left the town and finally returned anyway. The title and the story play together. I reread the story, but saw the why was spelled out. Normally, I reply and ask if I rewrite, would they reconsider the rejection. In this case, I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to rewrite the story to please the editor. I resubmitted it elsewhere.
Writers, particularly, young writers need to realize theirs is not the only good writing on the market and they need to be patient, get some good life experience, and keep striving for their dream. If they have talent, the rejection notices will acknowledge this.
Nikki
Nikki Hahn
As soon as we can fit it in the budget, I am sending in my membership fees to ACFW. I realized I can’t try to get published on my own and I need to strategize. Thank you.
Bethany Neal
Wow, this was very informative. Thank you 🙂 I’m in the post query stage having submitted queries to several agents (including Rachel Zurakowski. I was happy to read that I’m doing almost all the things you suggest. I’m definately going to start Tweeting
One question I had was regarding an agency that requested money up front to represent my manuscript. Everything I’ve read tells me not to do this, but it’s been my only positive response so far.
My gut says an agent should get paid when I do, but the fact that I am a total virgin in the publishing world leaves me a little lost in the process. Is this standard practice?
Wendy Lawton
Bethany,
Your gut instinct is spot on. No agent should ever ask for money up front. A reputable agent gets paid when you get paid. (It’s biblical 🙂 if we don’t work, we don’t eat.) An agent who collects money from you will not be the kind of agent with the contacts to sell your book. History has proved this out.
It is tough getting a reputable agent– there are simply more writers than slots– but you’re doing everything right. querying, learning about the agents on their blogs, asking questions. Keep working on your writing and your ideas while you’re in the process of finding representation. Go to conferences and network with writers.
In the end, it will all be worth it.
Bethany Neal
Thanks for the reassurance, Wendy. I’ll be researching conferences in my area (Michigan)- good suggestion. Your blogs are always so helpful 🙂
Bethany Neal
I feel like I’m all over this post (sorry) but I’m researching conferences and am wondering if you have any suggestions as to which ones are best for an unpublished author (like me) to network w/other authors and agents. Thanks!
Janet Grant
Bethany, to respond to your question about writers conferences, the “best” for you depends so much on what you’re writing. You want to attend a conference that tends to draw the types of editors/agents who work with what you write. So if you write fiction for the Christian market, you’d target one sort of conference; if you write nonfiction for the general market, that would be a different conference. Wondering where you can find a list of conferences? Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers Market Guide has a complete list for that market. The Writers Digest also creates a book (that is available online, I believe)for the general market. Also, you could google using key word such as “writers conference fiction.” Or use “Michigan,” “Illinois” in your search, if you hope to target a conference close to you.
Britt
A wonderful entry! I am still working on my manuscript and learning about the daunting “do’s and don’ts” of publishing. The part of your post about “the wrong book.” After I’ve put my heart into a book that I love, I think I too would be hardpressed to believe that no one else loves it back! I’m going to pray for the strength to accept rejection, to acknowledge where I need to change, and to not be stubborn about what I think is grand when in reality, its rubbish.
David Todd
My main frustration has been the continuous appearance of hurdles on the publishing road. I finished my novel in a rush of creative passion, then began honing it while beginning the conference circuit to learn about publishing. The first hurdle was learning I would have to do most of the marketing. The second hurdle was learning I had written an un-publishable novel (dead genre, wrong voice, too long). The third hurdle was learning about the need to have the dreaded platform or no editor or agent would be interested.
I’m now scared to go to another conference, where I’m sure I will learn about the next hurdle.
Help. My legs are tired!
Wendy Lawton
David, take much of what you hear with a good dose of skepticism and keep on keeping on. Yes, you will market but so will your publisher. And you’ll find ways of marketing that will feel comfortable. Just remember that by marketing we really mean building your list of readers or potential readers. Every business does this.
As to unpublishable genres– everything changes. What may be “out” right now may be “in” next season. A too-long novel can be broken into two or edited. For now, you may want to put that novel away for a time and resurrect it after you write the next one. Just don’t “chase the market.” think of yourself as a storyteller. What story will engage your readers? And make sure you know who your reader is and then be faithful to that reader throughout your whole career. (Brand)
A novelist doesn’t need a platform in the traditional sense of the word. You just need to begin gathering your potential readers. Your first book is going to sell because it knocks everyone’s socks off and starts getting some buzz going. Then you are going to build on that buzz.
All that to say, don’t be discouraged. You’re on the right track because (1) you are writing not just talking about writing (2) you’re learning the business by reading blogs and attending conferences (3) you’re meeting editors and agents at conferences.
You’re are already ahead of 90% of those who say they want to write.
KC Frantzen
Thanks. 🙂
These are truly so helpful.
Lynn Dean
As encouraging the second time as it was the first. Thanks!
Eva Ulian
Hi Wendy, I smile about this now because years and years of it has made me become quite thick skinned- but when you say the first book is probably the wrong one, I will agree with that. I can even take a second book, but when it comes to a third or even fourth then I start thinking fate is really against me. But as Cassius says to Brutus “The fault dear Brutus lies within ourselves and not in our stars, that we are the underlings…” or words to that effect, I’ve decided to take fate into my own hands and not let what I can’t do get in the way of what I can do- take a completely different course from traditional publishing, especially now with the new imprints of WestBow and DellArte. I think I am quite happy with that- an opportunity I must not sneer upon as many have suggested I should do, because it is my only opportunity of dying a reputably published author. Yet, there are many out there who would so much like to spoil that for me. I can’t understand that- and I don’t believe it’s because I am being ripped off… far from it.
Wendy Lawton
Eva,
It sounds like you are going in to this self-publishing venture with your eyes wide open. I think many of the critics complained of writer-hopefuls being duped but if you’ve studied the alternatives and decided self-publishing is for you, there’s no deception.
For someone who simply wants to hold his book in his hand, it meets that goal. Getting it into the hands of readers is the rub.
Trying to get published is sort of like trying to make it in Hollywood.
There’s a lot of talent out there and the pool is small. Picture a serious actor who simply gets fed-up with the auditions and trying to beat down the doors. He decides he wants to act and doesn’t care if he’s ever a box office hit or even if anyone comes to see him act. He rents a theater and puts on a one-man show. That’s like self-publishing. If you want to be a published author and don’t care whether you are financially successful and want to write whether readers are there or not, self-publishing is a viable option.
As to “fate” being against you, I’m so glad not to have to depend on some whim of the Fates. God is still in charge and calls on us to be “workman who need not be ashamed.” (2 Tim 2:15) It’s so hard when we want something and his answer seems to be not now. But keep working on the craft. If you decided to self-publish do it as an adjunct. Start your next book and keep banging on those doors.
Eva Ulian
Thank you Wendy for your reply, but I don’t have that much life left to do all the things I have to do to get traditionally published. Yes, I agree self-publishing is as you describe it is hence I’ve refrained from doing just that. However, strangely enough, I don’t think WestBow will let me act out all on my own to an empty theatre, do you?
Wendy Lawton
Eva, I haven’t really studied the Westbow model but it’s a good question to ask them. I wish you the very best.
Crystal Laine Miller
I’m networked, etc. but have been unable to find reliable critique(meaning no crit partners) in the genre I had piled up writing in (Jill’s “dog-eared” manuscript is familiar to me. ha I adore Jill’s Michal, by the way.)
Then, fueled by family stories, I began exploring just in this last month a totally different genre–and immediately found someone already published willing to critique in this genre only.(But not the other.)
That is frustrating to me. Do I go with the genre I thought I should be writing in with no critique and what I’ve built networking around, or change to the other genre with critique?
Ok, I will try finishing both, but it takes so much energy. And my advisors say I can’t do both.
I just have this last hurdle to go, ready to jump into the landmine field. (Ha!)
sharla
I too have been nursing my first, dog-eared ms for years, and finally started querying it earlier this year. I got some nibbles but no real bites, so I moved on to a second book. I hit that “middle” (don’t we all love middles?) section where all went blank, so I took that as a sign to switch back to number one for a while, revamping my query to within an inch of its life and throwing it back out there. Still nobody banging my door down, so I’m not sure if I need to improve that further or move on again. I’ve worked on AbsoluteWrite quite a bit, critiquing queries and getting critiqued, so I know the value of that. I may check out what someone mentioned above: Critique Circle. That might be a good idea. I know I learned so much from critiquing others work. It’s so much easier to see other people’s problems! LOL.
I live in a small Southeast Texas town, unfortunately many hours away from any organized groups or conferences. I did actually sign up for my first conference, the DFW Writers Conference in Dallas (Grapevine)in April, and I’m SO excited about that opportunity. Just to be in the company of that many writers at one time…has got to be a heady experience.
Thanks for all your helpful info, Wendy!
I’m thinking about trying to start up a critique group locally…maybe place an ad and see if there are any other loner writers in my area besides me, looking for an outlet! I used to own a small bookstore years ago, and I know we have many readers….surely there are a few writers in the bunch.
Wendy Lawton
Crystal, because I know your work I know you could be successful in whatever direction you choose. I don’t know that I’d choose my direction based on a critique partner, however. Besides, a good writer should be able to critique across genres, right?
You might want to stick with the more commercial for a start– especially since you know that market so very well. It may make it easier to break into publishing there and then save your family stories (the stories of your heart) until you’ve built your readership.
Deciding on a direction is always one of our hardest tasks. The way we usually do it is to set out in one direction until a door gets slammed in our face and then off we go in the other direction. It’s more time-consuming and more painful but sometimes we don’t know until we try. Oh for that crystal ball. . .
Wendy Lawton
Sharla, you might be surprised how many writers are around your area. We started a critique group in our church library and over time ended up with the best critique group ever! Established writers found us. We even had to start a break-off group to handle the numbers.
When you go to your conference make an announcement that you’d like to start a group in your area. Maybe there will be other writers from your area. ACFW has many local chapters now. Check with them as well.
I have two writing groups. One is an online group but we take retreats together as well. We’ve been together for more than ten years. These writers have become like sisters to me. My local in-person writing group is no less important to me. We are serious about writing and critiquing but we’ve become forever friends. This is a tough business. Having friends to share it with makes it so much more palatable. It’s one of the best things you’ll ever do for yourself.
Cat Woods
What a wonderful and uplifting post this is. Thanks so much for taking the time to encourage the writers who follow you.
I write juvenile literature and am finding the market to be too tight. It is extremely difficult to track down agents who will even consider a picture book or chapter book manuscript, and many publishing companies are closed to unagented submissions and are highly selective in these age groups due to the financial aspect of printing them.
I try to choose my agents wisely before submitting, as I don’t want to waste their time or mine by pitching a book they don’t typically rep. However, this means my lists are very short.
Thankgfully, it’s a little more open in the middle grade and YA genre.
I know it’s a matter of time/timing, but sometimes I get impatient!