Blogger: Wendy Lawton
How often do writers encounter a wrinkle of one sort or another and wonder, “So what do I do now?”
When I was writing my very first middle grade book on an obscure figure from history I was shocked to find my character featured in another middle grade book by a well-known children’s writer. I was devastated. I figured my story was already done. My big question was, “So what do I do now?” Happily I stepped back and realized that the story treatment was very different from mine and that my concept offered a series that was a unique presentation. I kept plowing forward and not only finished the book but found a publisher for the series.
We come across many a situation where we ask the question. Let me describe a couple. . .
Wrinkle: Say you are a writer who has been slaving away on a steampunk novel only to read that steampunk is dead in the water.
So what do I do now? Take a deep breath. The article is only one opinion in a world of opinions. Do some research. If you discover, from tapping into many sources, that it’s true– that steampunk (or whatever you’re writing) is dead– change it up. Don’t call it steampunk. You’re now writing historical fiction with a technological edge. Or you take out some of the quirkiness so it fits another popular genre. You remind yourself that regardless of what you call it, a story well-told is always in style.
Wrinkle: You are happily completing your nonfiction book in full before submitting it. It clocks in at about 85,000 words. You’re at a writer’s conference and you hear that publishers only want those big books from known authors since the cost of producing it will be significantly more and the retail price will reflect that. Most publishers would prefer to see a book in the 50,000 – 60,000 word range. Gulp!
So what do I do now? If your book is a heavy theological tome or a reference work, don’t sweat it. The academic market loves big books. If your book is for the people in the pew or the man on the street, start editing it down before submitting it. You’ll find that tightening it up will make a better book.
Okay, now it’s your turn. I’m here today– ready and willing to tackle your real life questions. Use the comment section to describe your particular wrinkle and ask “So what do I do now?” I’ll do my best to suggest some possible solutions.
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Yep, I had the genre thing happen…um every single year at the writer’s conference I go to. “YA won’t sell” is a pretty consistent theme. So I just kept writing YA until I had a romance Idea. I’m still working on my YA and some romances too but I saw over at the Chip MacGregor blog how well YA is doing statistically and it heartens me to keep at it.
I have my heart set on YA too, though I’ve heard some of the same things about it not selling well…
I just love YA. They are some of the most fun and thoughtful and exciting books to read. Keep plugging away, if we become totally fabulous eventually they won’t be able to resist, right???
Kristen, I love your attitude. If you have a passion for YA, it can’t help but show in your writing and the connections you make with your future reader.
I just heard from an ABA editor that YA is “still challenging.” Grrrr. Books cannot be “too small [storywise] nor too quiet.” That’s for the general market.
In CBA there is some movement but it’s definitely a watch-and-see attitude. But as I said, a good story, well told. . .
Well, this isn’t quite a wrinkle. But it’s definitely something that’s been on my mind. And I may ask it all wrong. But when I’m finished with my WIP, I’m nervous about submitting it. Submitting it to the perfect person … who will love the story the way I do? Every one has different personalities, different preferences. Here’s the question finally 🙂 — If I submit to one who doesn’t love it, is that the end of the road for me? Or can I still try my best to sell it at the conference? Can I place it in front of a person twice, if needed? If one doesn’t love it, can I offer it to another at the conference? Are you restricted? You know, in a polite, professional manner. 🙂
It’s really nerve wrecking trying to take all the proper steps, and definitely not wanting to be the one to blow it for your own work. I’m already praying for guidance.
And I’m sure it’s been said, but the “one sheet” that everyone talks about to have on your person at the conference … is that a basic query letter, or a one page synopsis? I’ve never been real clear on that.
Shelli,
Since I began sending query letters in November, I have sent 19.
12 received polite “no”.
1 received super encouraging “no” (from a dream publisher I met at a conference)
1 request for full manuscript (no word yet)
others – no reply yet.
Note: one agent that I submitted to has stated on a blog that since August, she has gotten 750 queries, she asked for full MS on 25, and signed 1 (ONE!) writer. So the lesson is: keep plugging away.
My husband feels terrible with every rejection, but somehow it really doesn’t bother me. I have sort of taken the mindset that my job is to write a really good book and the rest is out of my hands. BTW – I pray EVERY time I hit “send” – that much is in my hands.
Thank you, Sheila, for sharing that. I know it can seem discouraging, yet somehow, it’s encouraging, too. I’ll keep plugging away! 🙂
Love those stats and love your perseverance.
I’ve always seen the submission process as one of elimination. You have to make it through a whole gauntlet of declines before you land on the one who was always supposed to have it in the first place.
Make it perfect. Submit it to the people you think will love it and keep writing and submitting the one that is finished. I pitch every year at the local writer’s conference I attend. Usually I get at least one request to see material. Then I get form rejections or sometimes super encouraging rejections. I sent out queries and pitched steadily for six years before getting an acceptance…and that was for a completely different ms. than the one I had revised so many times. Keep at it, grow each year, be patient and hang in there. That is what we are all doing. Trying to become fabulous, perhaps one day we’ll get there?
Thank you, Kristen! 🙂
When I was in your shoes I used to keep a binder for rejection letters divided into 1. Form rejections, 2. Form rejections with comment, 3. Encouraging rejections, 4. Request to stay in touch, see more material.
I loved it that as I improved my rejections improved as well until I finally found my yeses.
Shelli, this writing and trying to get published journey reminds me of the long road I traveled trying to start a family (infertility).
It will be worth every bump in the road to hold that newborn book, whichever way it’s birthed.
I believe in you. ❀
Thank you, Wendy! That is a great comparison. After perfecting the work, those first steps are completely intimidating. 🙂
And those who hold the submissions are often embarrassed at the long road until the writer hears back. (She blushes.)
I received two requests for a full. One agent passed, one agent said maybe. A year later, the maybe became an invitation to work together. Blessed beyond belief, but I still have much to learn. For that reason, I’m glad the road to publication is, more often than not, a slow one.
Yes, Jenni, that slow road is preparation. 🙂 Thank you for encouraging me.
Isn’t that the truth, Jenni. It takes so much patience (and grace) on the writer’s part even after they are signed.
Submitting is nerve wracking. But yes to all those things– there are no rules. For instance, if you submitted to one agent in our agency and she declined, you can certainly send to another of us. We all have different lists and different things we’re looking for.
And should I say no today, say, because I’m concerned about the market for your particular genre, that could change in a year or so. It wouldn’t be inappropriate if you resent with a cover letter that said, “I read in several places that editors are again looking for —–. You looked at my proposal several months back and turned it down because of the market realities. Would you be willing to take another look?”
You asked if you send it to one agent/editor at a conference, can you send it to another. YES! Get it out as widely as possible. Competition makes us act faster. 🙂 We always assume you are sending it to multiple agents. Editors assume the same if they request it at a conference.
You’ve brought me to tears, Wendy. You are so encouraging. You are filled with grace … just what I needed.
Shelli, I’d be happy to help you in any way I can…next week (long story) and chat about one sheets and pitching at conferences.
Jennifer, why does that not surprise me. You are “class favorite” … “best all around” … I love you. 🙂
wow, thank you!
your 20$ is in the mail. 😉
I’ll take it! 🙂
Shelli, Our ACFW South Denver Chapter is having our 6th annual One Sheet Contest starting on March 1st. For those who don’t know what a one-sheet is, we offer some guidelines and an example to help. I’d be happy to give you more information. You can look our our chapter and the contest on our website by going through the acfwcolorado.com website.
Elaine, thank you. I’ll check into that.
Blessed by you.
Generally, my what-do-I-do-now questions involve plot or character development.
I introduce a goat. A real one. Here’s an except from my current WIP. Setting is contemporary West End London, where the American expat Bubba is picking up Jane for their first date at her posh digs.
Jane dropped the necklace she was trying to put on, the chain broke, and suddenly there were pearls everywhere, rolling hither and yon. Bubba did not doubt that they were real, and that he was walking on cash.
“Blast!” Jane looked at Bubba with a winsome smile. “You won’t mind waiting, will you, while I just get another choker?” Without waiting for him to reply, she dashed up the stairs.
Bubba sighed, and turned to look at the pictures on the mantel. He was examining a glossy print of Jane losing her seat in a steeplechase, when he felt a slight tug at his hip. he turned, and there stood a large brindled goat with a wise expression.
From the goat’s mouth hung half of Bubba’s wallet, removed from his hip pocket with the deftness that would have done an East End urchin proud.
“Jane,” Bubba called, “do you happen to own a goat?”
“Why, yes, that’s Chaucer.” There was a pause. “He didn’t lift your wallet, did he?”
“Yep.”
“Oh, I AM sorry. You don’t know HOW many boyfriend’s he’s cost me!”
“Uh-huh.” Bubba’s tone was strangled. Part of an International Driving License dropped to the floor.
“You’re not going to kill him, are you?”
Bubba reached down, handed the goat the moist remains of a twenty-pound note, and scratched the animal’s forehead. Chaucer belched contentedly.
“No, of course not,” said Bubba, adding the silent thought, He wouldn’t be first on the list anyway.
– The goat was a catalyst that solidified the tension that was already there in the relationship – I just couldn’t get a good handle on it writing the scene conventionally.
Will Chaucer stay in the story? I doubt it. I’m weird, but not totally gone. Yet.
I like the goat, Andrew. You should totally leave the goat. But that is me. I tend to put interesting animals into stories. What good is a story without pets in it?
OK, Chaucer stays.
I think Julia Roberts said it well, in “Notting Hill”…
How can Heaven be Heaven without a violin-playing goat?
Goat – unconventional. Dog – conventional.
Makes Jane with the conventional name rather unconventional–and intriguing (weird can be good).
Well, Chaucer’s just been gifted permanence. He says thank you, but don’t turn your back on him.
I like the goat. 🙂 I’m not expert enough to steer you in any direction, but this made me smile. I laughed at “blast and Bubba” … I love the word “blast” … it may have once been considered a curse word, I don’t know … but it was used in Little Women, and I liked it. 🙂
Thanks for the input, Shelli.
The basic premise is that Bubba’s an ex-Ranger (veteran of the Black hawk Down incident in Mogandishu) who writes a rather wistful bestseller, filmed in England…and he falls in love with the country. He’s a man without an anchor.
Jane’s a daughter of privilege who’s lived a life of wayward innocence – racing hoses, racing cars, and breaking more of her bones than Bubba knew existed.
Their initial meeting come from the fact that she’s the only person willing to do an extreme HALO (high altitude-low opening) parachute jump required for the filming of his book. Her faith’s so strong, she’s completely fearless, to the point of looking insane to the layman.
And she, in her completely unlettered love of Christ, is Bubba’s salvation.
You described that so greatly, Andrew! Gave me chills. “A man without an anchor” … gracious me! 🙂
I do hope you put a doggie diaper on the goat. And make it a female. No one could stand the smell of a billy goat in the house. (We live in a town with a couple of goat dairies. They do keep a billy or two on the premises– pungent!)
Amen to that, Wendy. We have two sheep … I can’t imagine them coming into the house. Because all they do is … well, you know. When they ever make it onto our decking, not very often … get out the broom! 🙂
I like the goat too. 🙂 It stands out and adds dimension to your heroine. 🙂
I like the goat, but can I recommend you do more research on the British setting? “West End London” in local parlance means theatreland. I think you’re more thinking of Kensington or Chelsea, the really posh parts of London? And if she’s really that posh, she probably wouldn’t say ‘Blast’ (says this non-posh transplanted Yank-in-the-UK).
Great post, Wendy. It’s so practical.
Here’s a question: If an agent requests to see a manuscript, how long is too long for a writer to send it into the agent?
I’m loving reading and learning from the other questions and responses here. 🙂
I guess that should have been: How long is too long for the writer to send it in to the agent….” My fingers move faster than my brain some days. 🙂
I knew what you meant. Great question! 🙂
Jeanne, I’m so glad you asked this one. It was on my mind last night. ❀
For me, there’s no time limit. Things may change market-wise but a request for a manuscript is as much about the writer as about the book.
And there’s no need for apologies when you send. No “I’m so sorry to be so late, but. . .” Just say, I met you at [conference name] and you asked me to send my manuscript. I’m the one who went and brought you a Starbucks before our meeting. I can spot a caffeine deficiency a mile away. . .”
In other words, try to jog a memory. Be winsome. We see so many writers at a conference when we are often half brain dead already it helps tremendously to get a little memory poke.
I love that! Jim Rubart talked about “shocking Broca” at the MBT pitch session at ACFW in 2013. I learned a TONNE in that one hour session about pitching well at conferences.
I even taped a family sized Cadbury Dairy Milk to my business card and got a “I don’t usually say this, but…” from a very nice agent.
Wendy, this is so helpful. Thank you!
Jennifer, I’ve heard Jim Rubart’s talk about breaking broca. It’s so goooood, isn’t it?! So glad you mentioned it here.
I MEANT shocking broca. It’s one of those days . . .
Wendy, thank you for offering to help us iron out a wrinkle or two. My questions are: Does Books and Such tell a writer if a full MS has been passed on? And is it alright for a second query to be sent to the same agent for a new MS, even if another agency is looking at the first one?
Hope that makes sense (I’m not finished my coffee yet).
Blessings ~ Wendy Mac ❀
Yes to both questions. If another agent gets back to you to offer representation be sure to give the lagging agent a chance to stay up all night and read your manuscript so he or she can try to woo you as well. Then you get a choice.
As always, I love your answers. ❀
Great question, Wendy Mac! 🙂
Is committing to blog consistently the best use of my time in this pre-published season? I’ve heard mixed opinions about the importance of blogging as a fiction author.
I’m afraid I’ll neglect my WIP if I jump into the blogging ocean with two feet, but my ideas are churning and clawing to get out. Trying to do the behind the scenes work on my own website is a bit overwhelming.
Jenni–I’m not sure what the market demands, but I, for one, was glad I had been blogging for a while pre-publication. Of course, the reason I had one was that I really enjoy writing it. While Facebook is great for interacting with folks, the blog lets me get a little more in-depth. That said, if blogging is going to stress you out and steal your time, it may not be worth it. The only thing worse than no blog might be a hit or miss, unenthusiastic blog . . .
Thank you for this perspective, Sarah.
I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately, especially since the blog world is crowded and many people are writing to an audience of 10 people on a good day.
If you’ve been blogging and you have a nice, growing readership, keep blogging. You are building your tribe.
If not, consider the blog version of couch surfing. Instead of your own blog, visit around. Become a regular in the comments, a regular member of high traffic communities. A recognizable personality. Instead of asking people to come to your house go out to theirs.
Glad to get your take on this, Wendy.
I chuckled at your mention about the house, because that, in essence, would be the theme around which my blog posts center. The home in history and art, and also as a character in memory and imagination. This something I’m very passionate about.
Me, too, Jenni. I’d love your take on a blog about houses and homes. As you know I’m crazy about the way you do Facebook. (Wishing you your very own California Craftsman.)
Jenni, even a blog with small posts can be a great way to mingle with others. Seth Godin’s is a good example of short but strong.
Most of the books I’ve read over the past year are ones I’ve heard about on a blog, or noticed on an author’s website (Shelli Littleton for example).
A tribe needs a meeting place.
I love what you post on Facebook. Your blog will be great. Let me know when I can invite my friends to your “place”. ❀
I love you, Wendy Mac! Your blog amazes me. I always think … I’ll never have a successful blog like you. You are amazing.
You made my day, Wendy!
You blog with amazing authenticity and an obvious love for your reader.
I’m down to blogging once a week. And discussing things that are relevant to my work, as well as the occasional “Ohhh, Jennifer said THAT?” blog post.
I’m trying to blog with the intent of educating my readers and build up to the release of my books. Soon, I’ll be delving into more history, but with a twist on things. Such as Navajo silversmithing, or weaving, or even the joy that is fry bread.
I found that any more than once a week wore me out, along with everything else in life, AND writing.
No possible way could I blog more than once a week. I hear you, sister.
Jennifer, I’m amazed at how you infiltrate social media with candor and compassion, and here’s another C for you, consistency.
So many will celebrate the release of your books.
I was certainly glad I was blogging for several years prior to my first book coming out, but it isn’t for everyone. While I honestly didn’t consider the focus of my blog at the time (big mistake) potential readers got to know me and my writing style because I blogged. Since I was also active in commenting on other blogs, I had a hands up when contacting potential bloggers to review my books when they came out.
That’s great advice, Cheryl. You gave to the community long before you came on with an ask. That’s the thing few guerrilla marketers ever get. You can’t just show up in a community with a book to sell. Building a tribe is about relationship.
Great question, Jenni. I love how Wendy responded, too. No guilt either way. I’ve been working hard on my WIP … it’s hard to shift to my blog. I shifted today, but it was hard to relinquish my time away from my WIP.
Jenni, I’ve blogged pretty consistently for about four years now, although I recently scaled back to a W/F format to gain precious writing time.
While I believe every writer/author should have a basic landing page with contact info, etc., not everyone feels called to blog. Personally, I’ve loved it and it’s grown me as a writer. Now, that being said, blogging IS time consuming and it requires commitment. One day, I may scale back further. Who knows?
I don’t think blogging is old hat, but I do think we’re seeing a new trend–more writing, less blogging.
The thing about a blog is it’s YOURS. While FB and Twitter and other mediums restrict their bells and whistles, your blog is only limited by your own imagination. And we know that’s not something you lack. 🙂
And I agree with Sarah, if blogging is something you’re not sure about yet, wait for a while. I love Wendy’s suggestion.
I appreciate that you shared your experience, Cynthia. Obviously your readers have benefited from your commitment to them and the encouragement you extend.
This isn’t a question, but an observation. I’m not a writer, but an avid reader. Over the last several years I have paid close attention to comments from pre-published authors on other author and agent blogs. They always post a profile picture, their personality comes through, and one gets a feel for their future writing style. I remember reading posts several years ago and taking note of the frequent comments from these pre-published authors. They didn’t have blogs that I knew of at that time, but they were making a web presence. The comments came from then unknown authors Katie Ganshert, Melissa Jagears, Melissa Tagg, Dawn Crandall, Sarah Loudin Thomas, and more. They are now all traditionally published authors and very familiar faces to me. When I heard about their contracts I immediately was interested in reading their books. Now, I’m starting to take note all over again. The frequent commenters with profile pictures are becoming new-to-me authors that I hope to see published in the near future.
On the subject of pre-published author blogs. I would say that the blogs I pay most attention to in that category are the group blogs. Six or seven pre-published authors get together and blog only at one location. Blogs like Seekerville and The Writer’s Alley started this way. Once the author becomes more known a personal blog could be a great addition to the group blogging. I paid attention to Dawn Crandall, Rachel McMillan, and Amber Perry’s blogs because of their very informative book reviews. Book reviewing was almost the whole point of their blogs. Their unique writing style and review techniques shone brightly and made me sit up and take notice. Reading their book review blogs definitely made me want to read their books.
Sylvia, your comment is such a blessing.
I started blogging before I’d made a decision to try writing a novel. And when I mentioned to my blog friends that I was working on my first manuscript, they were so supportive. Their enthusiasm was just as strong for the second WIP too.
You’ve just reconfirmed for me that blogging is more than worth the effort for writers (I happen to love it anyways). Thank you. ❀
Wise, wise observations, Sylvia. Readers, listen to her.
This is very insightful, Sylvia! Thank you for sharing your perspective. It’s encouraging. 🙂
Thank you, Sylvia! 🙂
Sylvia, the group blog that comes to my mind is http://www.inspiredbylifeandfiction.com/. I popped over there to read a post from Julie Klassen which then led me to peruse through posts from nine other authors.
Wrinkle: As a result of a search for new writers, an editor requested my full manuscript. Ultimately, it was rejected but with a great compliment, copious notes, and an invitation to rewrite and resubmit or send her something new. I was already writing another ms, so I sent that when it was completed. I have not received a response, but it is not yet overdue. I am now revising the first ms according to the editor’s notes. When that is complete, would it be appropriate to query agents with that revised ms? Or should I wait for a response to the current submission?
So what do I do now? Thank you, Wendy.
Yes. You can query agents at any time during the process. Even when you are offered a contract by a publisher. An agent is to be there for your whole career, not just selling the first book for you.
I asked this question to someone who is actually quite famous, and I really liked his answer, but I’ll pose it here: when a client of yours achieves a level of “fame”, what are your words of advice for him/her? I know you have experience in this area, and I’m wondering what you’d say, from a Biblical perspective, to help a client learn how to be well known, especially when that client started out as a civilian, and now has to deal with real life issues involving a professional.
You are right to guess that there are just as many pitfalls for the celebrity writer as for the novice.
The one thing I believe true of every writer is that God blesses some writers with success and he blesses others with failure. And God curses some writers with success and curses others with failure.
So if you are a success it’s what you do with that– it could end up a curse instead of a blessing.
Thank you, Wendy.
One thing I’ve noticed about many of the writers I’ve “met” online, and in real life, is their deep levels of humility and their keen awareness that they are not, in fact, all that and a bag of chips.
Most are quite humble, and after being blessed enough to observe some in their element, I took away the incredibly important lesson that it is hard for one to be arrogant when one approaches the throne on one’s knees.
Wrinkle: When I published my second book, I did so under a pen name–something I came to regret. Spending the additional money to reformat and have the digital version come out a year later under my actual name hasn’t resulted in a return on investment, so I am hesitant to spend additional money to re-print the book; though I am worried it will cause confusion with consumers. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Are these both self-published? One traditional and one self?
It’s hard to answer this question because there are so many potential layers to this. If you published on the Amazon/ CreateSpace platform there is little or no cost.
But regardless you are trying to build a brand and that brand needs to be unified under one recognizable name. In a sense, by using a new name, you started a second business. It is hard enough and expensive enough to run one business effectively, let alone two.
I don’t have enough info (like why did you change your name?) to advise but I’m guessing as soon as you can you need to merge these two “businesses.” Time for a hostile takeover. 🙂
Both were published by small presses.
The reason I changed my name was simply because one was a Christian book and the other wasn’t. If I had thought deeper into it, I would have realized both had a message to convey, so they could be branded under the same name.
Thanks for your direction, Wendy. I appreciate your insights.
Thank you for this post and all the wonderful information. I went to a writers conference 4 years ago and learned so much!really wanted to go back but finances has always been a problem. I just graduated from grad school in Moody Chicago last December and want to be a full time writer now. In the last 5 years I have self-published 9 books. That is because I was too impatient to go the long road of many rejectionswith school and all. But now I want to come to Wheaton for the conference again. I am afraid it might not seem good that I have selfpublished my books when I am looking for an agent. Should that be an issue?
Congratulations on grad school, Luisette! 🙂
Those books definitely have a numbers trail that needs to be taken into consideration but these days self-publishing is neutral– neither a plus (unless you have off the chart numbers) or a minus.
I hope you can get back to the conference. Congratulations on your graduation!
I had a big moment like this when I got feedback on the first fifty pages of my first novel. The editor’s suggestions were spot-on–I knew they were–but I didn’t know how to implement many of them. I was overwhelmed and felt completely stuck. So I decided to put the manuscript aside for a while and focus on writing short stories, where I could more easily work on character development, pacing, etc in bite-sized chunks. This allowed me to keep writing and not get depressed, but also to improve in the areas which I was weakest.
What a great strategy. Of course a short story is a far different challenge than a full book– in some ways much more difficult.
So are you feeling ready to tackle that book again? 🙂
Maybe not yet. But last year a short story of mine won the Hal Prize for fiction and this year I was published in the literary magazine ‘Literary Mama’ so I’m making progress, I think. I won’t be satisfied, though, until I write another novel incorporating better techniques and stronger characters. 🙂
Great blog!
My question is about doing second editions. The publisher wants me to rewrite what I feel needs rewriting. Of course it’s my first novel and I see all kinds of edits I should do. I do have great reviews on Amazon, but I know it could be so much better.
How do you know what to change and what to leave? Should I just leave it and let the publisher decide the changes? With that said, my publisher is Tate publishing, so the conceptual editing isn’t what I wished it was (I like being red-lined–I thrive on that kind of editing). Any tips would be so helpful.
Thank you in advance!
Thanks for your blog today, Wendy! You remind me of how many wrinkles you’ve helped me straighten when it comes to writing and publishing. The most recent instance: I panicked because, after working halfway through a draft of a historical novel involving a unique situation, I discovered a well-known author was releasing a novel that involved a similar “unique” situation. You reminded me that our approaches appeared quite different. Her earlier release might even pave the way for mine, creating interest for that subject matter. Thanks for helping me gain a positive perspective. Also, thanks for heading me off at the pass when the wrinkle actually forms a canyon that should be avoided!
I’m writing a collection of short stories. I’ve been told that (1) no one will publish them because I’m not a celebrity and (2) besides that, there is no market for collections of short stories anyway. 🙂