Question: (I Have 20 Projects!)
26 Mar
A reader writes:
Help! I have ten paper children and a series of WIP’s that seem to be multiplying behind my back. I can’t stop writing, it’s like crack. I only know writing. I would like to know a literary agent, a publisher, a marketing genius, and perhaps even an author who could steer me in the right direction….oh wait…might that…be you?
If so… Should I have an authors website? It seems a bit presumptuous. I have a blog, I’m not sure anyone reads this blog but it does exist. I write literary fiction and women’s fiction (let’s call a spade a spade, it’s chick lit). I have three partials out and one outstanding query. This past summer I sent (no joke) near 100 query’s. I attended last years BEA and met amazing literary agents all of who requested and rejected partials.
Oddly enough, I’m still not convinced I’m a bad writer. Perhaps I can send you the first page of say, three or four of my novels and maybe you can tell me whether or not I should be watching more TV?
Any help is invaluable as you are the only person (sans a Deity) I am looking to for advice.
First, some light scolding.
If I were still a literary agent, I probably would’ve stopped reading after the first sentence. I have no idea what “ten paper children and a series of WIP’s” means. In the cold, cruel world of publishing, if you can’t be clear in your first sentence, you’re done.
Fortunately, I’m here to help and not to keep gates.
I had an e-mail exchange with the author in which I learned that she has written ten books. Four aren’t marketable. Four are stand-alone novels. The remaining two are part of a “chick lit” series.
Much better. But there is still way too much going on here.
Think of your first book as a small business. You want to start up this little company called Someday I’ll Be Great, Inc. or Everything I’ ve Ever Hoped For, LLC.
Now imagine going to the bank for a loan. You’re not going to tell them you want money for a car wash . . . or maybe a hair salon . . . on second thought, make that a children’s photography studio . . . no, that’s not it . . . how about an organic apple orchard?
Agents are the same way. You may end up getting a multi-book deal, but generally it’s the one book that gets you in the door.
Furthermore, that one book (or any book for that matter) has a very long life cycle. It takes time to sell, time to edit, time to promote in hardcover, time to promote in paperback, time to continue to promote in paperback. (They are, indeed, paper children.)
What is that one book for you? I do not know, my friend. But it is one book. Make your choice, hunker down and get ready to work it to death. (At least, until you write the next one.)
Enlightening dialogue. Book projects way too daunting for me. I’ve been trying nonfiction, 3500-8000 words and discovered the literary quarterlies to be a potential market–after the queries to “The Atlantic”, “Sports Illustrated”, “Harpers” etc, etc. come up empty. Just noticed this morning that the very fine “Missouri Quarterly” accepts less than one percent of its submissions. Of course I’ve already learned that the odds to get anything published are excessively long, still seeing this in black and white provoked a new wave of sudden discouragement. Empathy and moral support to all of you aspirants out there!
Half-time Pitt and Nova, thought I’d revisite “Book Launch 2.0″. “That dream I had twenty years ago to become a writer”!! Very, very funny and just the way it is, isn’t it? Check out Dec 14,08 comment from Beth Harpaz. Makes you wonder about this activity.
Disclaimer: I’m a short story editor and writer with short story sales, as well as a novelist.
More light scolding: I don’t know why people insist they must break into publishing with a novel. For decades, great writers have broken in through the short story markets, of which there are thousands (Ralans.com for markets) . Just think of the difference between two letters: cool novel written by someone with a bunch of short story credits at the bottom of the query vs “This is my first novel.” It tells an agent you’re striving to make it a profession, that you’re persistent enough to sell your writing, that other editors had faith in you, and that you’re probably willing to revise and be edited. (Trust me, there are a ton of writers out there with good books who are NOT willing to be edited.) BIG difference between those writers and the untested.
Besides, writing short stories teaches people how to write.
Keep at it, DL. I reckon I submit my short stories from 5-12 times before acceptance, so far. Most magazines acceptance rates are about that (ours is slightly higher) but it’s still easier going than selling novels.
I have two things to add to bets excellent point:
1. Nonfiction can also help you build an audience, establish that you’re a professional, improve your writing, etc.
2. Publishing any kind of short work also gives you crucial business experience. You’ll start learning how to read a contract, how to talk to an editor, how to connect with like-minded peers, etc.
There is so much to learn, and there is no shame in starting small.
Thanks for the encouragement bets. Of course I’m now at a point where receiving the occasional personal note from the editor with any favorable comment, rather than the typical thanks but no thanks canned three by five rejection slip, has become kind of an achievement. Sad.