My FAQ - You Want to Be A Bestselling Author....
Today, we're going to cover a romance writer's FAQ part 1, "I could be a bestseller. I know it!". I've been meaning to write these up anyway...
I have this great idea and I want to write a book and make a million dollars. What do I do?
OK, this one is easy. You must write the book. From Page one, all the way to the end. This will separate the men from the boys. EVERYONE wants to write a book, but very few people have the discipline nor the persistence to actually pull it through to completion. (I've completed 11 books, but my cross-stitch completion ratio is running about 33%. Hats off to you cross-stitchers out there).
I've finished my book. Now what?
First of all, congratulate yourself on completing the hard part. Now you can try and sell it. It's a good idea to have an agent to represent you, although authors sell books without agents all the time. When you're agentless, it takes a lot longer, and you'll probably get less money.
How do I find an agent?
There are several books on agents at the book store. Jeff Herman writes a great one. Buy it, and read it, and make a list of the agents you think would be interested in your manuscript. Generally, agents and editors are divided up by genre (if you don't know this word, look it up, because I'm not going to tell you, because you REALLY need to understand this.) Then write them a query letter.
What is a query letter?
A query letter is a short (1-2 pages) letter that introduces yourself and describes a bit about the book. You will have to hook your audience here, so I would suggest writing a paragraph that boils down the story into 2-3 sentences. Focus on the conflict of the story -- the thing that will keep the reader turning the pages.
What happens if the agent likes my query letter? Will they agree to represent me?
Very rarely. If that does happen, go out and buy a lottery ticket because that is truly your lucky day. First the agent will request either a partial, or a full of the manuscript. A partial is three chapters and a synopsis. A full is the full manuscript.
What is a synopsis?
A synopsis is the summarizing of your story. It can be as short as 4 pages and as long as 30. Agents are busy people so shorter is probably better, but if you can't make a short, don't kill yourself, go with longer.
Okay, the agent called and wants to represent me, but he/she said that my manuscript needs work and I need to pay him/her $100 or more to fix it. Is this normal?
NO. In 90% of the cases, this is a scam. There are many, many unscrupulous agents who want to take advantage of your desire to get published. Agents make their income from selling your book, if they are generating income from other means, in my mind, that says they're not any good at selling books and should find another career.
I can't find an agent. I keep getting these rejections. Should I give up?
This is another turning point for many aspiring writers. Rejection is part of this business. From agents, from publishers, from book reviewers. Not everyone will like your book. You have to decide if you can deal with that and keep trying. If you can stare at those pile of rejections and say, "I think I can," then you start over at the query letter, only this time you send to publishers who edit books in your genre.
I've sent my book to every agent and every publisher and they have all rejected me. Should I give up?
This is the time when you put that manuscript in the drawer and begin a new book. And then the process starts all over again. Best of luck with it. It's hard. Harder than most people realize, and to make a career from writing (i.e. actually earn a living from it) means that you write several books, not just one. However, it's a nice job. You get to hang out at home. It's very portable. Your characters will travel with you wherever you go.
Kathleen's Current Events
Men petition for writes to wear skirts.I say, you go, boys! Give them skirts. Give them pantyhose. Give them one-hour make-up routines. Then men will become just as neurotic and insecure as women. As Martha would say. "It's a good thing."
Singapore needs more sex. Sometimes it's funnier to be quiet and just let the mind wander.
Headline from the Times. "Endorsement from Gore Becomes a Dubious Prize." Like I need the NY Times to tell me this? The dumbing down of America. Sad. Just sad.
Faberge eggs are going home.I like this. I don't know if the collection is still available for viewing before they're shipped back to Russia, but if they are, you should go see them. I have. This is MY kind of art.
KO
OK, this one is easy. You must write the book. From Page one, all the way to the end. This will separate the men from the boys. EVERYONE wants to write a book, but very few people have the discipline nor the persistence to actually pull it through to completion. (I've completed 11 books, but my cross-stitch completion ratio is running about 33%. Hats off to you cross-stitchers out there).
First of all, congratulate yourself on completing the hard part. Now you can try and sell it. It's a good idea to have an agent to represent you, although authors sell books without agents all the time. When you're agentless, it takes a lot longer, and you'll probably get less money.
There are several books on agents at the book store. Jeff Herman writes a great one. Buy it, and read it, and make a list of the agents you think would be interested in your manuscript. Generally, agents and editors are divided up by genre (if you don't know this word, look it up, because I'm not going to tell you, because you REALLY need to understand this.) Then write them a query letter.
A query letter is a short (1-2 pages) letter that introduces yourself and describes a bit about the book. You will have to hook your audience here, so I would suggest writing a paragraph that boils down the story into 2-3 sentences. Focus on the conflict of the story -- the thing that will keep the reader turning the pages.
Very rarely. If that does happen, go out and buy a lottery ticket because that is truly your lucky day. First the agent will request either a partial, or a full of the manuscript. A partial is three chapters and a synopsis. A full is the full manuscript.
A synopsis is the summarizing of your story. It can be as short as 4 pages and as long as 30. Agents are busy people so shorter is probably better, but if you can't make a short, don't kill yourself, go with longer.
NO. In 90% of the cases, this is a scam. There are many, many unscrupulous agents who want to take advantage of your desire to get published. Agents make their income from selling your book, if they are generating income from other means, in my mind, that says they're not any good at selling books and should find another career.
This is another turning point for many aspiring writers. Rejection is part of this business. From agents, from publishers, from book reviewers. Not everyone will like your book. You have to decide if you can deal with that and keep trying. If you can stare at those pile of rejections and say, "I think I can," then you start over at the query letter, only this time you send to publishers who edit books in your genre.
This is the time when you put that manuscript in the drawer and begin a new book. And then the process starts all over again. Best of luck with it. It's hard. Harder than most people realize, and to make a career from writing (i.e. actually earn a living from it) means that you write several books, not just one. However, it's a nice job. You get to hang out at home. It's very portable. Your characters will travel with you wherever you go.
Kathleen's Current Events
Men petition for writes to wear skirts.I say, you go, boys! Give them skirts. Give them pantyhose. Give them one-hour make-up routines. Then men will become just as neurotic and insecure as women. As Martha would say. "It's a good thing."
Singapore needs more sex. Sometimes it's funnier to be quiet and just let the mind wander.
Headline from the Times. "Endorsement from Gore Becomes a Dubious Prize." Like I need the NY Times to tell me this? The dumbing down of America. Sad. Just sad.
Faberge eggs are going home.I like this. I don't know if the collection is still available for viewing before they're shipped back to Russia, but if they are, you should go see them. I have. This is MY kind of art.
KO
posted by Kathleen at 9:54 AM
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