the THREE THINGS

Hello everyone! Today I want to talk about the re-focusing of my publishing efforts.

I've had to really think about how to proceed when I get to the end of my agent list, which is getting close. I'm not done querying yet, but I've been reflecting on the process and have come to realize there are three things that go a long way in helping you secure an agent. And here they are:

1) Endorsements/referrals - this means having published authors who have read your book, liked it, and are willig to be quoted as saying so- and who will refer you to their agent so that they'll read your query a bit more closely.

2) Publishing credits- if you can sell an article to a magazine or newspaper, this will positively affect your query.

3) Face-to-face meetings with agents- this is done at conferences. Many agents will only accept queries from writers they've met at conferences or who are referred to them by one of their current clients (#1).

So... I have decided I need to seek after one or more of these three things. The one I can begin to work on most quickly (which means you can too) is getting something published in a magazine or newspaper. This isn't to say I'll be successful right away, but it's something I can take action on. So I've pulled out my trusty Writer's Market and have begun looking for opportunities to submit freelance work. (I suppose I need to also actually write something.)

Next, I have to get serious about getting to a conference. Unfortunately, I will have to wait until at least February. I don't have time to save up for the ACFW Conference in September, nor am I able to leave my son that soon because he is still nursing. So, the next one is the CWG Conference in February. That's a long time to wait! And patience is not one of my virtues. But it's the only way to get a shot at some of the best agents in the industry. So a few months of waiting should be a no-brainer. A conference is also a good place to meet authors who may endorse my book or refer me to their agents. Of course the friendships to be made will far outweigh this benefit, but networking is important.

So, I'll need to start saving my pennies! I'm not sure how I'll do that. Maybe I'll have a couple of candle parties. Or maybe I'll even sell an article or two and use that to help pay for a conference. Amazing how all that could work together, huh?

*In the meantime, I'll let you in on a secret (shhhhh): I have an idea for another novel percolating in my brain.

The idea isn't even in the infant stage yet. Not even an embryo- more like a zygote. But it's there and it's growing. It's exciting to have this new idea to hold onto while I make my way impatiently down the publication road. I've mentioned it to only a couple of people, and you will be the first to hear about any progress I make right here.

Breadcrumbs for ME

Read a great blog post on what to expect between novel completion and publication and LOVED IT! I just HAD to share it!

I got another rejection today, but that's alright. Time to send out more queries.

Today was Brandon's last day of school. He is now officially a high school SOPHOMORE -yikes! I'm so proud and so disoriented. When did my baby grow up? Next week Kaitlyn graduates from elementary school and Amy reaches "double digits". What the heck? Who told them they could do that? At least Trevor is still little and I plan to keep him that way forever! *Sigh*. Sing it with me people: "Sunrise, sunset; Sunrise, sunset..." Someone pass the tissues please.
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***Oh. Em. GOODNESS!** As I was typing this blog post, Hubby came in with the mail and handed me an envelope from Christian Writers Guild. Say what? That's the fastest "4-6 weeks" I've ever seen! I held the envelope in my hands, heart starting to pound. I was nervous! What would it say? Was I ready to find out? The glue on the envelope flap was holding on like grim death and I had to rip it off bit by bit just to gain access. All the while thinking it was a lot of effort for something I wasn't positive I could handle reading just then anyway. But then I had it in my hands. Breathe.

The cover letter is intimidating. A preface to the critique. A "now don't feel too bad" note, meant to soften the blow on the following pages. Yipes!

Next page...

I'm not allowed to quote the actual critique. Sorry! But I will say that it was very thorough and encouraging! There were areas highlighted that I could fix up, but there was plenty of positive feedback on the meatier parts as well. Overall, I am thrilled with the experience and already figuring out if I'd like to send in some more! I want to send in more, but it's a question of finances. I can't very well send in the whole darn thing after all. I can afford another small sample but which one? Do I send in what comes next or skip to somewhere in the middle to see if my writing stays consistent throughout?

I would LOVE your opinions on this! Maybe I'll use this as an opportunity to post my first "poll" on the blog! Hmmm... that's an idea!

What part of the story should be sent in for critique?

Copyrights and such...

Good morning!

I am happy to have something to blog about today. You see, I have several song lyrics quoted in my book and one of the tasks looming before me is figuring out how to make it all legal. If I can't, I'll have to remove the references, and I don't want to do that. So, I had to buckle down and get to it!

After several google searches and articles over the last several days, I finally came upon three websites that were just what I needed:

www.ASCAP.com
www.BMI.com
www.sesac.com

These websites hold license information for most songs. I mainly used ASCAP for what I needed. After doing a search for the first song on my list and finding it, I went to their contact page. From among a myriad of contacts with different job titles, I chose the one I thought could help me and sent a short email:

"I am looking into obtaining permission to quote song lyrics in a novel. Can you offer information on that? Thank you!"

I hoped a very short email would get a quicker response- and it did. Within about half an hour I had a reply: I would need to contact the publisher. Well, thanks to their database, I had the publisher information at my fingertips. A couple of them had email addresses in their contact information so I started there. I sent off an email to the first publisher:

"Good morning,
I am writing to find out about obtaining permission to quote in a Christian Fiction novel I have written. Can you provide information on this for me? Thank you!"

Again I kept it short, hoping for a quick response. I sent a second email but it bounced back, so I will have to contact the remaining publishers through snail-mail.

I don't know how long I'll have to wait to hear back, whether they will grant permission, or how much it will cost if they do. I may end up having to remove the references in the end anyway, but I am excited that I have ventured into this new territory this morning. It felt so "official" that I had been intimidated to do it; but now, I have set the wheels in motion and am feeling pretty darn good about it!

Cross your fingers for me! (Prayers are even better!)

Welcome!

Well, this is really a welcome to myself- a welcome to the world of blogging. I'm just as surprised as you are; I never thought I'd be a blogger, but here I am!

Those who know me well know that over the past couple of years I have been working on writing a novel. What started out as just an interesting story idea has taken on a life of its own and become something I am really excited about. Now that it's complete, I am learning a lot about things like query letters, taglines, agents and editors. It's quite an adventure!

So, this is the place where you can follow my journey as I try to get published. If you are a writer yourself, perhaps you'll benefit from reading about my experiences. If you're a friend or family member, this is the place that will answer the question "Hey, whatever happened with that book you wrote?" From time to time I may even have guest bloggers share their thoughts, tips/advice, devotions, or amusing anecdotes.

Here's to the journey!