You are currently browsing the monthly archive for November 2009.
Thank goodness this is NOT the normal practice in publishing. Seven years ago, it was hard enough narrowing down the categories I wanted to represent. Hence the thought of actually being forced to determine the characteristics I’d want in an author (represented) is next to impossible. Ultimatlely this process is all about the book idea, the author’s writing voice, and the author’s writing experience. It’s that simple.
Speaking as an agent who has a hard enough time keeping up with all the print and online sources (that would be labelled as required reading), and the many emails of unsolicited queries – any process in which writers can find me (the agent) is always greatly appreciated.
In addition to Jeff Herman’s book and Writer’s Market, any new and progressive online source for aspiring authors is always a “good thing.” I’ve long been a fan of Publisher’s Marketplace, which costs $20/month; seriously worth the money, and an opportunity to tune into the current state of the publishing world on a daily basis.
As for new resources, WEBook is definitely worth the examination. In short, agents register with WEBook (once approval is given), allowing authors to peruse their profiles & representative categories. As a writer at WEBook, any aspiring author will be able to add a query letter, submit a manuscript sample, and select agents to send them to. WEBook will then approve the writer’s query to agents once it meets the General Submission Guidelines. Post approval, the query will automatically go into the selected agent inboxes, thereby making the query process more effective.
I am personally already digging WEBook, and look forward to seeing where it goes over the next year. I personally would like to be able to search the available proposals, but after some examination, that’s not an option yet. (I’m patient, fingers crossed that will be a possibility someday.)
Now if I could find a way for Twitter users to submit proposals directly from Twitter, looks like I have a new mission. . .
Now that I’m actually ready to own of these technological babies, the brain is starting to go into overload on the available options. There’s the iPhone, the Kindle, the Nook, the Sony Reader, and even more it seems. Options of wireless capability. 500K free digital downloads, touchscreens, color capability, size, weight, available books for purchase, ability to work with multiple platforms, and more = fizzled brain.
Being I have friends and co-horts who own a Blackberry, an iPhone, and a Kindle (vs. the option of ONE device to meet all of these needs), how does one overcome that challenge? Really, who wants to carry those 3 devices AND possibly a laptop onto an airplane, public tranpsortation,or possibly to one’s car (on a daily basis)? Honestly 1-2 devices should be enough. . . especially if the same person(s) are also toting an iPod too. At least I would be in that figurative bind.
After spending a good two hours trying to compare the various items, my ability to make a final decision still feels very fuzzy right now. If someone forced me to make a decision now, it would probably be the Nook….even though I REALLY like the Kindle.
If any of my tech savvy readers have a better argument for a different reader, please, please, please give a girl some help here. The goal? To only buy ONE e-book reader.
iPhone book reader – Stanza
The Nook – B&N Reader
Let’s face it, publishing has gone through many evolutions, with more folks getting published who may not necessarily have a background in Journalism. Newspapers are losing money, some have gone bankrupt (and shut their doors), and many journalists are being forced to re-evaluate their place in news media.
Journalists often have to put themselves in many different places, hence differentiating their own writing experience from that of the person who wrote from home or the walls of a library. Sometimes they put their own lives in danger, living in war zones, reporting from disaster areas, and more. This job requires risk-taking, a good eye for seeing the bigger picture, and an ability to find the facts (and present them accordingly).
Several things that I’ve learned while working with my clients (who have a journalism background) include:
1. Journalists are always professional, courteous, and hard-workers. Their queries reflect this, as well as their willingness to work collaboratively on perfecting their book proposals.
2. Journalists often bring a noticeable writing platform, and a willingness to expand it even more. It’s very rare that I need to ask someone with a journalism background to work on his/her platform. Any agent can tell you, we LOVE when there is motivation on a writer’s part to accomplish a noticeable writing platform.
3. Journalists will try new ideas, new experiences. I have no statistics to back this up, but many folks I do know with a noticeable online writing presence were print journalists initially. This progressive line of thinking, of adjusting to all methods available where news is presented and disseminated for the public, is a fantastic trait to bring to book publishing.
4. Journalists take the time to research their reading Market, as well as the many possiblities for Promotion. When reading queries and book proposals, this type of research will stand out, usually resulting a desire to work on those projects (at the agency.)
For the writers who desire to be published without a journalism background, there are a few things to learn from this. While getting a degree in journalism may not be possible, or needed nowadays, it’s essential that one engagesthe new media continuum, does thorough research for any book idea, promotes oneself, builds a writing platform, and brings a noticeable professionalism to the business of publishing. It will result in a better publishing experience.
Links on Journalism, its future, and where to go:
- The Future of News
- The State of the Media – 2009
- ASJA – American Society of Journalists and Authors
Wonderful advice from a published children’s book author, Laura Toffler-Corrie. It’s definitely worth taking to heart, as I’ve long said that one should see WHY their competition (in regard to books) got published to begin with.
Have a great weekend everyone! 
I loved these books when they first came out, giving the library card good usage in checking out these books on a regular basis. Hence, CYOA will always be etched into my memory in a positive light. From attempting to “mark” the pages, in hopes of hitting all of them at some point; to sometimes getting a hand cramp from attempting to save several different pathes with one hand, while still moving forward with the newest adventure chosen-it was a wonderful childhood reading experience. My personal copies of CYOA were read over and over, as it was hard to tire of their many story lines. Finally, some CYOAs were traded with friends who had different versions (just to shake it up a little bit); all of our copies possessing curled up corners, pages with folded corners, and our names written in big letters on the inside covers.
So imagine my excitement upon learning CYOA is now on Kindle! It’s about time! And a great idea!
This is perfect timing after Pretty Little Mistakes by Heather McElhatton came out in 2007. After the fantastic adventures provided within this grown-up novel similar to CYOA, many folks (including myself) hoped that the original concept would have its own revival.
It looks like this happened; my non-Kindle owning self is thinking it’s maybe time to change this situation.
In 3rd grade, Mrs. Judd handed me the book Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary. I can’t tell you how many times this (now tattered book) was read, but know the book still sits on my shelf many, many, many years later.
Dear Mr. Henshaw is still a favorite children’s book of mine, as there is nothing more powerful than written letters. Especially when reading them in chronological order. The subtleties of the narrative will be revealed in different ways, thereby keeping the reader engaged.
In addition to Beverly Cleary’s book, there are a few other books (composed of letters) that gained my attention over the years. So much that I found myself equally loving them.
1. Dear Genius – The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom by Leonard S. Marcus. Words cannot describe how MUCH I love this book. Ursula was a wonderful children’s editor, and she influenced the fate of children’s publishing in a major way. Many people who work in publishing, or who love children’s books, should read Dear Genius. It will change anyone’s perpsective on the life of an editor, and give a better understanding of how publishing used to run. Dear Genius will also give insight on the ups & downs of the author/editor (or even author/agent) relationship. Inspirational, revealing, engaging.
2. Which Brings Me to You: A Novel in Confessions by Steve Almond and Julianna Baggott. Two strangers meet at a friend’s wedding, and begin a extended conversation through letters. This novel is a page-turner, plus the best of both worlds, as Julianna and Steve are each wonderful writers as witnessed by their individual books.
3. The Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger. Bookmarks Magazine recommended this book. Part of my job is keeping updated on books that are already published, hence why Bookmarks Magazine crossed my desk. It keeps the brain in the mode of continuing to see good writing, while refueling my love of books and the world of publishing on a regular basis. (As it is, I wouldn’t be in publishing if I didn’t already love them.)
Anyways, I found a review of The Last Days of Summer to be particularly interesting, and read it immediately. What a wonderful experience! The Last Days of Summer was humorous, sentimental, and quirky. It even brought tears to my eyes towards the end, very much unexpected.
All four of these books, i.e. compilations of letters, will hit the same note with any reader. 1. That written correspondence can be equally as powerful and jolting as normal narrative. 2. That any book worthy of publishing doesn’t necessarily need to be in a “standard” format. 3. That it’s okay to take a risk on the stylistic tendencies of one’s book, as long it keeps the readers engaged and on their toes.
Now go read these books.
While Red Sofa Literary does not represent this category, we do love reading novels in our free time. Plus, writing ANY novel takes dedication, a love of words, and desire to see this experience to the end. For all those folks who are committing to NaNoWrMo, we give you a high five, and will be cheering on everyone (who takes up this challenge) from the sidelines.
Best of luck,
Red Sofa Literary
