tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post114606188855693190..comments2024-03-28T02:00:11.260-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Excuses, ExcusesJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146314438476679202006-04-29T07:40:00.000-05:002006-04-29T07:40:00.000-05:00Death is the only excuse I'll accept to keep a wri...Death is the only excuse I'll accept to keep a writer from writing.<BR/><BR/>Write on, motherfucker.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.staceycochran.com" REL="nofollow">Stacey</A>Stacey Cochranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14128613653591282474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146273074781377212006-04-28T20:11:00.000-05:002006-04-28T20:11:00.000-05:00My take on A Newbie's Guide: great site, one of th...My take on A Newbie's Guide: great site, one of the best sources on the web about how to promote yourself as a writer, but the Konrath guy is so into proving that his way is the only way to be successful that he sometimes comes across as a troll on his own site!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146269375746972732006-04-28T19:09:00.000-05:002006-04-28T19:09:00.000-05:00Very true, P.J. (BTW I was at the Black Orchird th...Very true, P.J. (BTW I was at the Black Orchird the other night, sorry I didn't get a chance to introduce myself). The same rules for writing sex scenes go for writing most everything else. If your dream is to write literary fiction, don't write romantic suspense because you think it's "hot." Editors will know you don't have the passion (no pun intended) for it that others do, and can tell you're "faking it." Bottom line, be true to yourself and be true to your voice.Jason Pinterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12453031566914553124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146263803876255072006-04-28T17:36:00.000-05:002006-04-28T17:36:00.000-05:00Hey Joe and friends,Just back from NYC Edgar festi...Hey Joe and friends,<BR/><BR/>Just back from NYC Edgar festivities where, as usual, the talk in bars, banquet rooms and bathrooms is always about the same old things -- what is hot in acquisition trends, what is dying on the shelves, and what authors you'd swear are golden are really sweating bullets.<BR/><BR/>I won't go into the negatives I heard cuz it's too damn depressing. But, for what it's worth...<BR/><BR/>Jude, you're on to something. Sex never goes out of style but geez, I kept hearing over and over that books with strong elements of sex, relationships and emotions -- be they thrillers, mysteries or whatever -- are on every pub's wish list. One experienced editor told me the hottest books right now are the polar opposites of erotica and Christian fiction. Huh!<BR/><BR/>But as others here have said, if you aim for what's hot, you are doomed because A. Whatever you turn in NOW is 18 months away from the shelves in a moving-target market and B. If you write false to your author-nature, your cynicism can be smelled a mile away. <BR/><BR/>You gotta write the best book you can. And if you can't write good sex? Shoot, it's like REAL sex: Don't try to fake it cuz it won't be satisfying for you OR the reader.<BR/><BR/>Going to blog about this on my own blog tomorrow (www.pjparrish.blogspot.com) But now am going to go grab a nap!PJ Parrishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13980813858620119772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146253599220071652006-04-28T14:46:00.000-05:002006-04-28T14:46:00.000-05:00Do you know how many times I was told the romantic...<I>Do you know how many times I was told the romantic suspense market was dead or dying? Yet that's what I sold because that's what I like to write.</I><BR/><BR/>Same for me and historical romance. Guess I must know a few “positions” that haven’t been done to death (yes, you will continue to be teased about that unintentional slight for a while, Jason). <BR/><BR/>Listen to the "trends" and they'll tell you historicals are dead and paranormals are HOT, but turn that rock over and you'll discover that historicals are a solid 40% of the romance market and paranormals are just 10% of the market . . . <BR/><BR/>I also want to point out that Allison has made the brilliant move of using her book cover as her blogger "face". I so intend to copy that move in a few months when I have my cover. *GRIN*Kalen Hugheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14216420943081679978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146239252478732972006-04-28T10:47:00.000-05:002006-04-28T10:47:00.000-05:00The last few letters of the URL got left off in my...The last few letters of the URL got left off in my last post. Sorry about that. Just click this <A HREF="http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6328436.html" REL="nofollow">link</A>.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146239036222715872006-04-28T10:43:00.000-05:002006-04-28T10:43:00.000-05:00On the subject of self-promotion, you might want t...On the subject of self-promotion, you might want to check out this article in by Rose Fox, published earlier this month in <I>Publishers Weekly</I>:<BR/><BR/>http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6328436.html<BR/><BR/>It's deals with PR in fantasy and science fiction writing, but the content remains germane to what's being discussed here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146229666652168042006-04-28T08:07:00.000-05:002006-04-28T08:07:00.000-05:00I think Joe, does a great thing. He is like the S...I think Joe, does a great thing. He is like the Snap On Tools guy who drives through town every once in a while to let you browse through the tools, decide what you want or need, and then buy what suits your needs. It's also very much like editing. You get suggestions and then you have to decide what works for the book and what doesn't. If it doesn't you should have a clearly defined reason why not, but if it does, then you run with it and let the good times roll.<BR/><BR/>No one will ever agree on everything, but Joe sure gives us a damn lot of things to consider and if someone chooses not to pay attention or utilize his experience, so be it.<BR/><BR/>If I did half of what Joe does I would be laying in a gutter having a stroke...he exhausts me, but my company is way stronger since the first time I met Joe and saw firsthand what a whole lot of committment can do for you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146228014482304342006-04-28T07:40:00.000-05:002006-04-28T07:40:00.000-05:00Coming late to the comment party, as usual.I wonde...Coming late to the comment party, as usual.<BR/><BR/>I wonder if some of the self-promotion "controversy" has less to do with the promote/don't promote argument and more to do with HOW promotion is done. Sometimes I get the sense, Joe, that it's Your Way or the Highway. Any author who doesn't do a 500-bookstore tour should feel ashamed.<BR/><BR/>Every situation is different. Some of us choose to spend that time writing more than one book a year, which does more to keep our name in readers' minds than anything. I realize this isn't an option for you, Joe, but for many people, esp. in the genres I work in (sf/f and romance), this is standard practice. Many of us write for more than one publisher, or hope to.<BR/><BR/>I'm a strong proponent of self-promotion, but I believe each of us has to tailor it for our own situations. What you call "excuses" are sometimes just a different way of doing things, a way that we might have found to be more effective than the methods you use for yourself. <BR/><BR/>Your blog and site have been phenomenal for providing the ideas, the rationale, and the motivation to self-promote. I still say you're the single most valuable resource for new writers on the web.<BR/><BR/>But dude, seriously, chill out. Don't let the naysayers get you so defensive. We love ya, man.Jerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146188089747199542006-04-27T20:34:00.000-05:002006-04-27T20:34:00.000-05:00Hey Joe,Why aren't you in NYC this week, promoting...Hey Joe,<BR/><BR/>Why aren't you in NYC this week, promoting like hell?Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146185113269107182006-04-27T19:45:00.000-05:002006-04-27T19:45:00.000-05:00That was my point, Karen. Whatever genre you're w...That was my point, Karen. Whatever genre you're writing in, it pays to include a strong romance element.<BR/><BR/>SEX SELLS!<BR/><BR/>It's a no brainer.Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146183782189439472006-04-27T19:23:00.000-05:002006-04-27T19:23:00.000-05:00My last post was about the initial entry and not J...My last post was about the initial entry and not June's. In regard to the percentage of romance titles, I think should be attributed to cross marketed titles. How many authors like Sparks, Evans, and Steel get lumped in with a number of genres. All three of these authors write fiction--mainstream--and yet are probably sold and counted as romance and their sales alone will jack those ratios up. Same thing with a lot of other authors who write mainstream.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146183640561527822006-04-27T19:20:00.001-05:002006-04-27T19:20:00.001-05:00Apologies, Moonhart. I wasn't trying to trivialize...Apologies, Moonhart. I wasn't trying to trivialize or demean the genre, merely using stereotypes commonly associated with the genres I mentioned to essentially tell people that, when writing, they should follow their hearts. And I know that relationships are what romances are at their core.<BR/><BR/>When I wrote the post I remembered a quote from Janet Evanovich when asked why she stopped writing romances, where she said, "Because I ran out of positions." I'm certainly not Janet, so I'm sorry if that came off as glib.Jason Pinterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12453031566914553124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146183617796503992006-04-27T19:20:00.000-05:002006-04-27T19:20:00.000-05:00The problem with this is that there are so many NY...The problem with this is that there are so many NY published authors, and even some indy authors who are out there preaching that an author's job is to write a book--not even a good book--and it is up to the publisher to market and promote it while they write another book--good or not. These folks spreading this myth are very quick to say that if you have to spend any of your own time or money that your publisher isn't a good one or legit...acckk!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146183541811746222006-04-27T19:19:00.000-05:002006-04-27T19:19:00.000-05:00I read somewhere that romance accounts for forty p...I read somewhere that romance accounts for forty percent of all fiction sales.<BR/><BR/>That's a staggering number.<BR/><BR/>I think it pays to include romance elements, regardless of the genre you're working in. Even old James Patterson usually includes a sex scene or two.<BR/><BR/>Apparently, erotica is one of the hot markets right now. Any advice on writing hot sex scenes, anybody?Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146182284295514242006-04-27T18:58:00.000-05:002006-04-27T18:58:00.000-05:00Wow. Jason."You love romance, there have to be a f...Wow. Jason.<BR/><BR/>"You love romance, there have to be a few positions that haven't been covered to death" ????????<BR/><BR/>Really? And here I thought that romance actually had something to do with the relationSHIP between a man and a woman-- not just relations.<BR/><BR/>Guess I need to burn that RWA card.<BR/><BR/>moonhartmoonharthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00274402280853970257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146179671580629322006-04-27T18:14:00.000-05:002006-04-27T18:14:00.000-05:00Granted you should ask yourself, before you write,...<I>Granted you should ask yourself, before you write, whether it's a book that anyone else will want to read</I><BR/><BR/>That's what I meant.<BR/><BR/>Following trends won't do much for you. But studying the demographic, learning about the market, figuring out why it appeals to you---that is marketing before you write a single wordJA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146179636462431772006-04-27T18:13:00.000-05:002006-04-27T18:13:00.000-05:00OT: Joe, thanks for the heads-up on ThrillerFest. ...OT: Joe, thanks for the heads-up on ThrillerFest. I am right now pestering the hell out of one of my freelance clients who's three months late on payment so I can go -- even though it means (shudder) I will have to ride a <I>plane</I> for the first time in my life...<BR/><BR/>Hope to see you there!s.w. vaughnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09102544611773720262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146176756464308462006-04-27T17:25:00.000-05:002006-04-27T17:25:00.000-05:00Good point, Jason. I'm working on a mystery (a PI...Good point, Jason. I'm working on a mystery (a PI novel, as a matter of fact) even though I know they're a tough sell at the moment. It's what I like, and I think my voice fits that genre. I have no intention of trying to "follow the market."<BR/><BR/>But--and this is a very important but--I do think it's important to know your genre and have a good idea of where your book might fit in at the stores before you write the first page. Otherwise, when finished, you're likely to describe your novel as "you know, it's a romantic suspense-mystery-horror-literary-science fiction-humor-urban fantasy-chick lit sort of thing, only with a twist."<BR/><BR/>One of the first things editors and agents want to see in a query letter is genre. If you don't know, then it's not likely that they're going to take the time to find out.Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146173599479535782006-04-27T16:33:00.000-05:002006-04-27T16:33:00.000-05:00I agree with Allison, though I disagree that's nec...I agree with Allison, though I disagree that's necessarily a good idea to begin "marketing" before you write. Every author, I believe, has their own voice, and once you try to tailor that to what you "think" will sell, you drain it of originality. Granted you should ask yourself, before you write, whether it's a book that anyone else will want to read (i.e. just because you want to write a novel about a toilet plunger named Bob doesn't mean someone will shell out $24, $13 or $8 for it). There are so many proven genres out there that chances are there's a market, big or small, for your work. Most people tend to write what they love to read. You love mysteries, create a new P.I. series. You love fantasy, create a new race of Elves. You love romance, there have to be a few positions that haven't been covered to death. I've loved thrillers since I was a wee lad, so when it came time to write, starting a thriller series, but imbuing it with what I felt was my own voice and characters was a natural fit.Jason Pinterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12453031566914553124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146172343469056232006-04-27T16:12:00.000-05:002006-04-27T16:12:00.000-05:00Makes sense, chidder! I mis-understood the comment...Makes sense, chidder! I mis-understood the comment in context.<BR/><BR/>I agree that following the market is virtually impossible, because once something "hits" you have no idea how long it's going to last, and you might be able to write fast, get an agent, and get an editor, but the book is still going to take a year to get on the shelves and the "trend" may be on the downsize, or there's a glut.<BR/><BR/>Do you know how many times I was told the romantic suspense market was dead or dying? Yet that's what I sold because that's what I like to write . . . and have done well. If I tried to follow the trends, my voice wouldn't have been real.Allison Brennanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02872860080644987843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146169991978707532006-04-27T15:33:00.000-05:002006-04-27T15:33:00.000-05:00Jason and Allison, re my "right place at the right...Jason and Allison, re my "right place at the right time" comment:<BR/><BR/>It had nothing to do with anticipating the fickle marketplace -- it had everything to do with surrendering yourself to the fact that we <I>can't</I> anticipate the marketplace. <BR/><BR/>But we make our own luck, and we do that by (as you noted, Allison) perseverance and getting as many at-bats as possible. It doesn't matter what the next big genre is; if we're not doing everything we can to get our books on the market in the first place, it's all moot.<BR/><BR/>Hence, the right place at the right time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146165172508793012006-04-27T14:12:00.000-05:002006-04-27T14:12:00.000-05:00I'll buy you a drink Joe. Maybe even bring a litt...I'll buy you a drink Joe. Maybe even bring a little secret ingredient for it...<BR/><BR/>And some pom poms to go along with your cheering posts.<BR/><BR/>BTW, anyone who hasn't read the last issue of Crimespree should get a copy - Joe's article in it is hilarious.Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146160070497993602006-04-27T12:47:00.000-05:002006-04-27T12:47:00.000-05:00Some of us really appreciate what you do here, Joe...Some of us really appreciate what you do here, Joe. You know that, right?<BR/><BR/>I try to ignore the boneheads and backstabbers. I think they just try to get attention by pissing people off. I love a good debate, but I have to turn a deaf ear when the mud slinging starts.<BR/><BR/>If you don't like Joe's blog, don't read it. Pretty simple, eh?<BR/><BR/>Maybe Anon should finish that sophomore year before insulting other people on the internet.Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1146155416774202942006-04-27T11:30:00.000-05:002006-04-27T11:30:00.000-05:00Perhaps I should change the name of my blog to "Th...Perhaps I should change the name of my blog to "The Newbie's Guide to Playcating to the Lowest Common Denominator." <BR/><BR/>I also like "How to Make Your Fans Happy" since that's been the constant, redundant message in practically every one of my posts for an entire year.<BR/><BR/>We all know that appealing to more people is much easier than appealing to less people. Which is why there are many more hits than misses in the art and media worlds.<BR/><BR/>Just dumb it down. You'll lose the intelligenicia and the literati, but the unwashed masses will be happy. That's all you need to do, and you too can be James Patterson or Dan Brown.<BR/><BR/>Of course, you'll have to compromise your high standards, your integrity, and your love of the written word in order to do so.<BR/><BR/>Let's clarify a few things.<BR/><BR/>1. This blog is about helping writers. If fans drop by, that's fine. If the blog helps me gain new fans, that's fine. But it certainly isn't about me pleasing my fans. That's what my books, and email, are for.<BR/><BR/>2. When writers disagree with me, and address points where they believe I'm wrong, that means there's still plenty of interest in whatever particular topic is currently being discussed. The amount of email I've been getting, and the hits this blog had been getting, over the past week tells me that some folks still want to debate self-promotion. If going with the flow is also known as jumping the shark, I'm guilty.<BR/><BR/>3. Books appeal to individuals, not denominators. The more individuals you appeal to, the wider your audience. This is a lot harder to do than to write whatever the hell you want to and impressing your old writing professor. A lot harder. Which is why you've never done it, Mr. Anon. <BR/><BR/>Don't you wish you could appeal to that 'lowest common denominator'? All writers do.<BR/><BR/>Then they come up with excuses as to why they don't sell a lot of books. "It was too smart for the genral public." "The reviewers just didn't 'get ' it." "My publisher wasn't supportive enough." "My writing transcends genre." "I follow my muse, not the trends."<BR/><BR/>Which brings us back to point #1: This blog is about helping writers. I relate my experience and offer my advice. Like all advice, take what works, disregard what doesn't, debate what is unclear.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.com