One day, if I ever get a book published, I’ll write about the process of trying to get a book published for other aspiring book authors.
Today, I want to update you on something I’ve been dropping hints about. I’m being obscure on purpose, because everything is so…uncertain.
In June, I told you I sent out a book proposal. The book idea is outside-the-box and something people who know me wouldn’t expect from me. But I was feeling bold and inspired and took a chance.
Most agents responded to my query letter with, “Sorry, not for us.” Two responded favorably and requested the proposal. Still waiting for responses. But get this: one agent didn’t like the idea, didn’t want to see the proposal, but liked my writing style based on the query and the fact that I’ve had some media exposure, writing experience, a kind of well-known blog, etc., and he wants to see a different proposal. He called me. Only writers know how big a deal that is. Agents typically don’t call writers to turn them down when they can e-mail or not reply at all.
I couldn’t believe it. It was bittersweet. A reputable agent didn’t like my beloved book idea (which I’ll share one day), the one I’d given birth to, pampered, and nurtured, but asked for another idea. I know exactly what my first book should be about, but I’ve been avoiding it for years. Now it’s time to write that book.
That means I have to hunker down over the next few weeks and write another proposal (hard work, let me tell you), one that will require me to open up and be honest with and about myself (cringe).
Are you an aspiring author? What concrete steps have you taken to reach the goal of publication?
If you’re a published author, share your tips with us! 
Addendum: Both of my ideas are for non-fiction books, by the way.
{ 27 comments }
Oh, I wish I had gotten that far. I have 3 chapters of a murder mystery written, a story outline, and a draft proposal letter. But between Ch 3 and Ch 15 there is a huge hole I can’t fill. I can get the guy killed, but I can’t get the murderer discovered plausibly.
Good luck on the book proposal. The first one is the hardest – after that, you’ll be beating the agents off with sticks.
(Well, I do have a couple of books published in the 90s, but they were on contract, and have disappeared into well-deserved obscurity.)
Good for you, Steve! Keep plugging away at that book. I see a novel in my distant future.
The book idea is outside-the-box and something people who know me wouldn’t expect from me
“LaShawn, Vampire Slayer”?
“Trout-fishing in DC”?
Funny, Dan. If you keep guessing, you just might get it right. So don’t.
Michael Shaara took seven year to write the manuscript for The Killer Angels, which was then rejected by 15 publishers. After it was finally published The Killer Angels went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1975, although it was not a big commercial hit. Eventually the book was made into the movie Gettysburg, and The Killer Angels finally made the Bestseller List 19 years after publication.
Let that be a little inspiration for today.
d’oh
I have come this close when it comes to contract (ghost writing). I was to write a YA novel for book producers, and based on the sample chapters I wrote for them they offered me the project, but in the end they could not sell the project. Still, I take comfort in the validation.
For short stories I’ve collected some lovely rejection letters (it was good, but too long; it was good, but no sale). I have a good idea about how you feel, La Shawn. I guess I’m on the right track. The irony is that I was looking over a novel I’m rewriting right this minute…when I decided to distract myself by reading this blog.
I have never sold a work of fiction, I’ve only done nonfiction (newspapers I work[ed] for). I don’t count it because those weren’t things I wrote from the heart.
Hang in there. And I guess I should get back to work if I plan to call myself published one day.
I’ve sold some shorter works, and currently have a fantasy novel almost ready for submission. I took time off from my writing when my son was born, but I suppose now that he’s a teenager I’d better buckle down and get to work.
Good luck with yours, and blessings to you.
It seems that a book written by a Southern traditionalist would be in very high demand. I also entertain the idea of writing from time-to-time, and I have a cousin that has written a book about slavery in Antebellum South Carolina. His name is Norrece T. Jones, Ph.D History instructor at Virginia Commonwealth University.
I may call him up when time allows. After asking him about the process he went through, I would feel obligated to share what I learn with others. Undoubtedly, there are others out there with writing interests/aspirations.
Great idea,
George M
All I can say is, “Behold the Open Door.”
No I am not an author but I love to write and paint. I found your blog on technorati where it said you wrote about faith, culture and digital technology. Wow, I thought, a “kindred spirit” perhaps. I am just dropping a note to say that I have spent a bit of time here reading and very much enjoyed your blog. Thanks for sharing.
Oh, best wishes on the book and new proposal.
I was a member of Romance Writers of America for a long time. It was where I honed what writing skills I possess. During that time I sold a short story to Woman’s World (the one that’s on all the grocery checkout racks) because it wasn’t as “romancey” as the other submissions by my fellow RWA members. And my RWA critique group collaborated on a collection of short stories that we eventually sold. The editor didn’t request even one change to my story!
But in the end, I’m not very good at Romance, so I gave that up. I sold a couple travel articles (with photos) to a start-up web-zine, but they changed their format to not include travel and removed the archives that had my articles.
I’m content with blogging now, though it doesn’t pay.
Some tips:
1.Find other writers and form a critique group. The feedback (eg, “You need to vary your sentence structure, so it doesn’t sound like a drumbeat.”) is priceless for helping get your work saleable.
2. Don’t be afraid to risk sending your work out. Be proud of that collection of rejection letters (Tyrian Purple, you rock!), because it means you’re braver and closer to publication than 95% of the writers out there.
Because I wanted to be published without waiting for the omniscient blessing of an agent or publisher, I went ahead and published on Lulu.com.
You can check out my book at http://www.lulu.com/content/3060397
I wonder how many bloggers are would-be published authors? My daughter has got the writing bug bad, and so we have purchased a program called StoryMill, that does a good job of helping to organize the material. There’s also a part of the program dedicated to tracking your manuscript submissions, but we haven’t gotten that far, yet.
My daughter inspires me to pick up the novels I dropped 19 years ago. Will the inspiration be enough? No, it will take that 99% perspiration that Thomas Edison is alleged to have spoken of. Oh, well. God willing and the creek don’t rise, it may happen yet.
La Shawn, start with your own life story. My grandmother was correct in that everyone has a book inside them. I really did work on a trawl boat off the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and we did catch a man-eating white shark, and I did remove the teeth and give them to my sister, and the shark grew in size in my retelling, only the teeth remained the same!
Go for it, and best of luck!
I was contacted by a Publisher who came across a piece I wrote on my blog. They offered to publish it but then later said they could not “find room for it.”
I think they probably read some of my more sarcastic pieces and did not want to be associated with my writing.
I did get a photo of my cat published though
I have no insights to offer, but I would definitely like to hear the details of your journey. Best of luck!
LaShawn, You’re doing great to get some requests for more from agents—and a phone call! You are right, phone calls are reserved for special occasions.
I’ve published lots of article length pieces over the years, in newspapers and magazines. Then I took a novel-writing class seven years ago and challenged myself to give the craft a try.
Whoa!! Tremendous learning curve!
I am a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and attend the annual conference each year. 600-800 pubbed and aspiring novelists, most of them pitching projects to agents and editors. I’ve worked hard at networking with these folks and learning to write.
In February, a dear friend I met through this organization (multi-published) INSISTED that I send her my proposal and three chapters, which she wanted to forward to an agent friend of hers. The agent received the materials on a Friday afternoon. On SATURDAY, the agent emailed asking to set up a phone call during which she wanted to discuss representing me! By Tuesday, I had an agent!
Finishing some big edits to the novel before my agent begins sending it out, but the relationship has been so helpful and gratifying so far. I have to say the effort spent making friends in the publishing industry is well worth the time involved. They help you along, and then you are able to help others when the time comes. Very much a relationship business.
Oh, and you have to be a terrific writer, too–but methinks you’ve got that part down….
Short and sweet. Write it. Find a published author of a similar type of work to network it to an editor. Many books are brought to the attention of the worker bees at the publishing level in this manner. If the material won’t work, it won’t take long to hear why, but you won’t get a blank rejection slip with no pointers.
You know some published authors who can help. They will be honest with you and help if they can. Use the foot you already have in the door.
heliotrope–
Actually, most authors don’t want to read unsolicited manuscripts. Unless you know the author personally, you shouldn’t try to go through other writers. Too often beginning writers will send out manuscripts to published writers and then cry plagiarism. Professionals won’t risk that.
Trish,
You are entirely correct. However, as an editor (who is mostly retired), I have had many fine works brought to my attention by authors of standing who are helping an acquaintance get his foot in the door.
My suggestion to LaShawn is based on the knowledge that she has published authors in her network of friends. Authors generally do not like to take the role of agent. Nor do editors like to waste their time on junk. Shopping a book idea is really rough and often demeaning work. The right agent or friendly author or tie with an editor can make all the difference. It is the “old boy network” at work.
Years ago, an author could write for Scribner’s, the American Mercury, Everybody, The Saturday Evening Post, Collier’s, Harper’s, etc and get recognized. Today, Barnes and Noble’s advance purchase agreement determines who will succeed. Hemingway, London, Tarkington, Wharton, Fitzgerald, etc. would not recognize the current publishing landscape.
Question #1 = YES
Question #2 = Absolutely Nothing !!!
Part of it has to do with my laziness, and part of it has to do with my past history of successes with things just falling into my lap.
I always feel if something’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. Call it serendipity, or in your case, La Shawn…. God’s hand !!!
Actually, I believe there is a way to self-publish, but then you are on your own in terms of distribution and retail placement, I think.
.
Hi there!
I am a Christian ghostwriter and the “cover author” of my books is a man.
The book proposal is actually a marketing piece…it has to be written in such a way that it will be VERY CLEAR how large the audience is for the book topic you are writing about.
Many authors write a book proposal with the goal of proving how interesting the book is. There are PLENTY of interesting books that will not sell!
As much as those of us who write would like to THINK that publishers are interested in excellent content and interesting book topics….the reality is that publishers want to make money from literary work…BOTTOM LINE. If the writing is mediocre but it is a huge seller, do they care??? Um….no….they do not.
Best wishes with your project!
Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!
Lisa
heliotrope-
Yes, I understand. I just wanted to make sure that other people reading this blog didn’t take your message as carte blanche to send unsolicited manuscripts to other writers.
Rejections can help if they’re specific, but what do you do if, as I did, you receive one that reads, “I both liked and didn’t like. . .” What can you do with that?
Melissa–can you tell us more about Lulu? I’m interested, because I know my novel is probably not “pc” enough to interest most publishers, but would appeal to many readers.
P.S. I sold the “I both liked and didn’t like” story to someone else.
Comments on this entry are closed.