I know we just did a post by Rachelle Gardner the other day, but I couldn't not put this one in here.
Tonight she posted The Publishing Information You Need. It is simply fantastic! It answers so many questions that I don't even know where to start. How to create the perfect title for your book, what questions to ask if you get that call from an agent, to how write a book proposal. This post has it all.
All I can say is THANK YOU RACHELLE! You are amazing!
July 10, 2011
Word Counts
This is a subject that is always in question. How long should my YA manuscript be? Fantasy? Romance?
Well, I found a post by the incredible and awesome Colleen Lindsay, that details what publishers and agents expect to see as far as word count goes. Now, like everything, there are exceptions to the rules but this is actually a great general list.
All new and revised: On word counts and novel lengths
I hope you find this as helpful as I did!
Well, I found a post by the incredible and awesome Colleen Lindsay, that details what publishers and agents expect to see as far as word count goes. Now, like everything, there are exceptions to the rules but this is actually a great general list.
All new and revised: On word counts and novel lengths
I hope you find this as helpful as I did!
July 9, 2011
High Concept
I should be getting ready for work, instead I am writing this quick note so I can share this blog post with you.
High Concept
Lori Wilde has written a fascinating look at what exactly is high concept. It's informative and helpful and if I had more time, I'd give details about how wonderfully she explains it all.
High Concept
Lori Wilde has written a fascinating look at what exactly is high concept. It's informative and helpful and if I had more time, I'd give details about how wonderfully she explains it all.
Are you addicted to finding a literary agent?
I just found this post on Nina Badzin's blog.
Are you addicted to finding a literary agent?
I am a new reader of Nina's blog but this article struck a chord with me and I felt I had to share. I am a bit obsessive when it comes to my agent research - I have lists of agents not just for me, but for Jessi and David too. I have purchased the latest Writer's market and attacked it with post-its and highlighters, I have bookmarked dozens of agent's sites, stalked them on twitter and read every blog post they put out. I have scoured Preditors and Editors and Absolute Write to get all the info I can on them.
So this article truly hit home with me. And I thought that it might for some of you as well.
Are you addicted to finding a literary agent?
I am a new reader of Nina's blog but this article struck a chord with me and I felt I had to share. I am a bit obsessive when it comes to my agent research - I have lists of agents not just for me, but for Jessi and David too. I have purchased the latest Writer's market and attacked it with post-its and highlighters, I have bookmarked dozens of agent's sites, stalked them on twitter and read every blog post they put out. I have scoured Preditors and Editors and Absolute Write to get all the info I can on them.
So this article truly hit home with me. And I thought that it might for some of you as well.
July 8, 2011
Neil Gaiman: Advice to Authors
Sometimes, the best advice a success-driven, unpublished author can receive is from a successful, published author. Neil Gaiman, the acclaimed author of American Gods and Coraline (among many others), offers advice to authors on the subjects of getting published, writing comics and editing.
July 7, 2011
Rachelle Gardner
Rachelle Gardner is another agent that seems to thrive on giving back to the publishing community. Her blog is absolutely filled with information and tidbits about the publishing industry but there is always a fantastic energy about it. You can tell from her posts that her blog is something she does because she enjoys helping others! So we absolutely had to include her on From Premise to Print. Her blog is one of the very first I check out every single day.
A couple days ago, she posted a blog about the editorial letter. She included a huge list of examples of what types of comments and what kinds of edits could be asked of an author before being published. It was an eye opener!
The Editorial Letter
A couple days ago, she posted a blog about the editorial letter. She included a huge list of examples of what types of comments and what kinds of edits could be asked of an author before being published. It was an eye opener!
The Editorial Letter
Query Shark
So you've finished your novel, it's beautifully polished and you've written the best query letter that has ever existed. Are you sure? Query Shark might have something to say about that. With her constructive criticism, unparalleled wit and honest intentions to help querying authors, Query Shark is an invaluable resource for writers who are beginning this scary process.
If you read through (every single post on the blog, as noted by the Shark), you may begin to realize that your first attempt is not your best. Neither is your second nor your third. Have you written your query in first person? Do you use rhetorical questions? Are you addressing the agent as 'Dear Person I'm Pretending to Know Very Well, but Really Don't Know At All' or 'Dear Agent.'? If you find yourself nodding your head, then please close this blog now and head over to Query Shark and have a look at the lucky folks who have had their queries posted from the chum bucket.
I've written my query letter four different times and I'm still not satisfied with it. Reading Query Shark has helped me prune away my unfailing ability to ramble, showcase the wrong aspects of my novel and telling instead of showing. With each new blog post, I learn something new from the Shark. We believe you will, too!
If you read through (every single post on the blog, as noted by the Shark), you may begin to realize that your first attempt is not your best. Neither is your second nor your third. Have you written your query in first person? Do you use rhetorical questions? Are you addressing the agent as 'Dear Person I'm Pretending to Know Very Well, but Really Don't Know At All' or 'Dear Agent.'? If you find yourself nodding your head, then please close this blog now and head over to Query Shark and have a look at the lucky folks who have had their queries posted from the chum bucket.
I've written my query letter four different times and I'm still not satisfied with it. Reading Query Shark has helped me prune away my unfailing ability to ramble, showcase the wrong aspects of my novel and telling instead of showing. With each new blog post, I learn something new from the Shark. We believe you will, too!
Absolute Write
If you intend on submersing yourself in the community of writers, the best place to start is by joining a local writing group or an online writing group. One of the most professed online writing groups around (and actually noticed by lit agents/editors/publishers, too!) is Absolute Write.
This forum is your gateway to advice on topics ranging from genre, grammar and writing interest to self-publishing, work-for-hire and a proclaimed 'writing lab.'
I cannot stress to you how important it is to fully submerge yourself in the publishing industry. Twitter, Blogger, Tumblr and yes, even forums, are a major player in your reputation as a serious author. As we've learned, agents (those admirable people who represent you to the key players in the business) are looking for writers who can produce a following and those who are willing to throw themselves into the mix of social networking.
This is the way of the future and Absolute Write is a terrific beginning step!
This forum is your gateway to advice on topics ranging from genre, grammar and writing interest to self-publishing, work-for-hire and a proclaimed 'writing lab.'
I cannot stress to you how important it is to fully submerge yourself in the publishing industry. Twitter, Blogger, Tumblr and yes, even forums, are a major player in your reputation as a serious author. As we've learned, agents (those admirable people who represent you to the key players in the business) are looking for writers who can produce a following and those who are willing to throw themselves into the mix of social networking.
This is the way of the future and Absolute Write is a terrific beginning step!
Bent on Books
The Bent Agency has an incredible blog that you can find fantastic tips and wonderful anecdotes. Jenny Bent is a very talented agent but two of my all time favourite posts aren't actually written by her. Instead she had two of her clients write for the series - How I Got My Agent.
How I got (the right) agent. At last. In spite of everything.
From Spreadsheet to Book Deal
Not only are they amazing stories to read, they also give us all hope that someday, that will be us. And let's be honest, we are writers. We can use every bit of positive energy we can find.
How I got (the right) agent. At last. In spite of everything.
From Spreadsheet to Book Deal
Not only are they amazing stories to read, they also give us all hope that someday, that will be us. And let's be honest, we are writers. We can use every bit of positive energy we can find.
The Best Damn Creative Writing Blog
One of my favorite creative writing blogs (and there's no bias simply because I'm a contributor to it) is The Best Damn Creative Writing Blog.
Best Damn is a resource for authors, a review hotspot for publishers, and a place to catch up on all the latest news in the publishing industry. Each contributor brings a different perspective to various topics of writing, controversial subjects of the industry, social networking, and even empowering unpublished authors to stand up and fight for their right to be displayed on a book shelf.
This is a good site to explore when you're trying to immerse yourself in the industry as a professional - a MUST for any author.
Best Damn is a resource for authors, a review hotspot for publishers, and a place to catch up on all the latest news in the publishing industry. Each contributor brings a different perspective to various topics of writing, controversial subjects of the industry, social networking, and even empowering unpublished authors to stand up and fight for their right to be displayed on a book shelf.
This is a good site to explore when you're trying to immerse yourself in the industry as a professional - a MUST for any author.
Preditors and Editors
This one is not a blog but it is a link that is essential for any author to have. Especially those looking to get published. I check out every single agent that I even consider querying on this list.
Preditors and Editors
I know most people checking out this blog will already have this link bookmarked, but if there is a single person who finds this here who doesn't have it... then this post is needed.
The publishing business is already a tough one to try and get into, but it's made so much more difficult by the scam artists out there trying to take money from desperate writers. Being educated will stop writers from being swindled for hundreds and thousands of dollars.
It's what we are all working so hard toward, just to be able to go into your local bookstore and see your name on the spine of a book. Just remember the money should flow toward the author, not away from. Meaning, you shouldn't have to shell out money to hire an agent or to get a publisher to buy your ms.
Personally, I think this might be the most important link that any aspiring author should have.
Preditors and Editors
I know most people checking out this blog will already have this link bookmarked, but if there is a single person who finds this here who doesn't have it... then this post is needed.
The publishing business is already a tough one to try and get into, but it's made so much more difficult by the scam artists out there trying to take money from desperate writers. Being educated will stop writers from being swindled for hundreds and thousands of dollars.
It's what we are all working so hard toward, just to be able to go into your local bookstore and see your name on the spine of a book. Just remember the money should flow toward the author, not away from. Meaning, you shouldn't have to shell out money to hire an agent or to get a publisher to buy your ms.
Personally, I think this might be the most important link that any aspiring author should have.
Nathan Bransford
I thought I'd start us off with someone that I know everyone here, on From Premise to Print, respects and admires a great deal. Nathan Bransford. This man is constantly giving back to the publishing community with a smile on his face. His blogs are fantastic, fun, informative and if you aren't following his blog already, what are you waiting for? Go check it out. Now. I'll wait.
Nathan Bransford's latest post
Alright, so now you are following him, right? Okay, well his latest post is a fantastic first page critique. I read it this morning and I have to say it opened my eyes to a lot of things that can be addressed in my book, Scarlet. (Thanks Nathan!) And once you stop by Nathan's blog be sure to go through some his older posts, you will find a wealth of information in there.
Nathan Bransford's latest post
Alright, so now you are following him, right? Okay, well his latest post is a fantastic first page critique. I read it this morning and I have to say it opened my eyes to a lot of things that can be addressed in my book, Scarlet. (Thanks Nathan!) And once you stop by Nathan's blog be sure to go through some his older posts, you will find a wealth of information in there.
Welcome to From Premise to Print!
First of all, let me welcome you all to our shiny new blog. Isn't it pretty?
Jessi, David and I thought it would be a fun idea to have a place that we can post links to all the fantastic blog posts that we read everyday. There are so many agents, authors and editors out there who are writing blogs - Funny, insightful blogs that are chock full of useful information for anyone aspiring to be a published author. We needed to share with anyone else out there who is in the same boat as us. (We know you are out there!)
The three of us are all in various stages of writing our own novels (I've been lucky enough to read Jessi's Memoirs of Araboth and David's The Baron Planes and they are incredible! No, seriously, when you see them on the NYT best seller list, I will be the one shouting 'I told you so!') None of us have been published yet and though we've dabbled a bit querying different agents, we are still learning in that area too. As we research the different parts (queries, synopsis, pitchs, etc) we will share what we learn on here.
And be warned, there is bound to be a few odd posts from us as well, ranting about our characters, or venting about writer's block. You know, all the stuff that every writer goes through. So, welcome aboard and if you have any suggestions or questions, just let us know!
Jessi, David and I thought it would be a fun idea to have a place that we can post links to all the fantastic blog posts that we read everyday. There are so many agents, authors and editors out there who are writing blogs - Funny, insightful blogs that are chock full of useful information for anyone aspiring to be a published author. We needed to share with anyone else out there who is in the same boat as us. (We know you are out there!)
The three of us are all in various stages of writing our own novels (I've been lucky enough to read Jessi's Memoirs of Araboth and David's The Baron Planes and they are incredible! No, seriously, when you see them on the NYT best seller list, I will be the one shouting 'I told you so!') None of us have been published yet and though we've dabbled a bit querying different agents, we are still learning in that area too. As we research the different parts (queries, synopsis, pitchs, etc) we will share what we learn on here.
And be warned, there is bound to be a few odd posts from us as well, ranting about our characters, or venting about writer's block. You know, all the stuff that every writer goes through. So, welcome aboard and if you have any suggestions or questions, just let us know!
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