tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post8796968473205469241..comments2024-03-18T06:16:18.802-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Guest Post by Larry A. WintersJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-55723103119522244192013-08-16T08:26:25.147-05:002013-08-16T08:26:25.147-05:00I just finished Key Death. We can discuss it over ...<i>I just finished Key Death. We can discuss it over some beer, crackers and a meat-and-cheese tray</i><br /><br />Ha! I think I'll stick with the cashews, maybe a pretzel or two. Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-44555400378675273622013-08-16T06:50:44.800-05:002013-08-16T06:50:44.800-05:00Great post! I am actually getting ready to across ...Great post! I am actually getting ready to across this information, is very helpful my friend. Also great blog here with all of the valuable information you have <a href="http://www.oranroofing.com" rel="nofollow">Roofers in San Antonio</a>Roofers in San Antoniohttp://www.oranroofing.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-6862542887651626132013-08-16T04:14:42.362-05:002013-08-16T04:14:42.362-05:00Also, Larry, sorry—it's your blog post! Bought...Also, Larry, sorry—it's your blog post! Bought HARDCORE, too … it looks greatDavid Glynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1817744520908181042013-08-16T00:47:09.585-05:002013-08-16T00:47:09.585-05:00David,
Looking forward to hearing what you think...David, <br /><br />Looking forward to hearing what you think of it.<br /><br />Drop me an email at pauldraker [at] gmail [dot] com, as I don't have your email address.<br /><br />Jude, <br /><br />I just finished Key Death. We can discuss it over some beer, crackers and a meat-and-cheese tray ;)<br />Paul Drakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12598834654927530856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-48673926098860248402013-08-16T00:38:12.889-05:002013-08-16T00:38:12.889-05:00Paul,
that's a good point—filtering out those...Paul,<br /><br />that's a good point—filtering out those readers who are unlikely to enjoy the work is indeed a good thing.<br /><br />I hope you enjoy the novel, and I'm looking forward to my paperback of NEW YEAR ISLAND; I don't have a Kindle, so there's no immediate gratification for me! David Glynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-71704620286101418192013-08-16T00:25:26.295-05:002013-08-16T00:25:26.295-05:00David,
Just picked up your book. As long as your ...David,<br /><br />Just picked up your book. As long as your story does no dishonor to the innocent Americans who died that day, I see no issue with your choosing an alternate interpretation of the events of 9/11 as a hook.<br /><br />As you say, when it comes to hooks, one size doesn't fit all. But that's fine--we're finding our own specific audiences with our books. The earlier we filter out a person who won't enjoy our story, the better--for their sake, and for ours.<br /><br />The hook is a great place to do that filtering. Because if they don't like your hook, then they won't download (and review) a book that they won't enjoy.<br /><br />I had one critique partner object violently to the idea of a one-in-ten "survivor type" who is somehow different from the other 90% of us. The concept morally offended her in some way--don't ask. Clearly she wasn't the right audience for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-Year-Island-ebook/dp/B00E69E91M" rel="nofollow">NEW YEAR ISLAND</a> ;)<br /><br />Paul Drakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12598834654927530856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-56909535032030686202013-08-16T00:00:54.299-05:002013-08-16T00:00:54.299-05:00The thing I've discovered about the hook is th...The thing I've discovered about the hook is that one size definitely does not fit all.<br /><br />Take, for example, my novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=vigilant+guardians" rel="nofollow">VIGILANT GUARDIANS</a>. It's about 9/11. It's tagline is "What If Everything They Told You Is A Lie?"<br /><br />Technically of course, that's not the hook. The hook would be that the protagonist, one Tommy Flynn, is writing a novel about the <i>real</i> events of 9/11. Or at least he would be if people weren't actively trying to stop him.<br /><br />The problem, obviously, is that for many—even most—folks, that concept is just as likely to be a turn-off as a hook. <br /><br />Hell, you could even call it an <i>anti-hook</i>.<br /><br />But there it is, nonetheless. And though I'm biased, I have to say that VIGILANT GUARDIANS a damn good read. <br /><br />And whether after that you're hooked or not doesn't really matter, becaue either way, the point is the same.<br /><br />Also, Paul, I checked out your sample chapters and am intrigued, so I guess in this instance, the hook did its jobDavid Glynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-72273379106808953602013-08-15T20:21:48.302-05:002013-08-15T20:21:48.302-05:00Larry's hook, and the promise of a well-resear...Larry's hook, and the promise of a well-researched thriller, got me.<br />Just bought & downloaded my copy.<br /><br />Joe's spot-on about a one-sentence high concept. Origin had a killer hook, too.<br /><br />Psychologists who study disaster victims and survivors find that only ten percent <br />of people are psychologically equipped to survive--but those ten percent can beat<br />the odds again and again. And they aren't who you would think.<br /><br />So here's the one-sentence high concept for gritty mystery thriller New Year Island:<br /><br />"What if an edgy new reality show recruited ten proven survivors of past disasters<br />and marooned them on an abandoned island, forcing them to compete with each other<br />under the direst of circumstances?"<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-Year-Island-ebook/dp/B00E69E91M/" rel="nofollow">NEW YEAR ISLAND</a><br /><br />I've got my own blog post for Joe cooking, and should have it in his hands shortly. <br />In the meantime, if you're reading this on Joe's blog, then you are welcome to hit <br />me up for a free copy to review.<br /><br />Paul<br /><a href="http://www.pauldraker.com" rel="nofollow">www.pauldraker.com</a><br />Paul Drakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12598834654927530856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-31888379661857265822013-08-15T20:18:38.283-05:002013-08-15T20:18:38.283-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Paul Drakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12598834654927530856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-37306155022014059372013-08-15T16:05:43.835-05:002013-08-15T16:05:43.835-05:00But what do you do when the hook is also a spoiler...<i>But what do you do when the hook is also a spoiler?</i><br /><br />Ryan, this is a problem I've had at times, too. Obviously, you can't use that kind of hook to market / draw attention to your book. However, you have to hope it pays off with surprised and delighted readers who finish reading your book on a high note.Larry A. Wintershttp://larryawinters.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-14385823875376576232013-08-15T15:58:23.432-05:002013-08-15T15:58:23.432-05:00Important for all writers to know research is impo...<i>Important for all writers to know research is important. Even in a contemporary novel. Even in something you think you already know a lot about.</i><br /><br />True, even if it's something like double-checking the spelling of a celebrity's name. In my first published novel, I misspelled Dwight Yoakam. Of course in that case it eventually led to me getting to meet him, so I'm glad I did. :)Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-5493051655902847502013-08-15T15:44:50.602-05:002013-08-15T15:44:50.602-05:00Important for all writers to know research is impo...Important for all writers to know research is important. Even in a contemporary novel. Even in something you think you already know a lot about.Jill Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10754506629717417267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-47328095565481766542013-08-15T15:16:03.925-05:002013-08-15T15:16:03.925-05:00The hook for my latest novel EYE CANDY was what go...The hook for my latest novel EYE CANDY was what got me writing it in the first place. I wanted to see what would happen.<br /><br />But what do you do when the hook is also a spoiler?<br />Ryan Schneiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00752280001402340489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-12089006392443104122013-08-15T14:43:00.762-05:002013-08-15T14:43:00.762-05:00Sounds like people are stealing my novel ideas.
...Sounds like people are stealing my novel ideas. <br /><br />"Jack Reacher faces an enemy he's never faced before -- a Jack Reacher Zombie!" <br /><br />Lee Child says about the idea, "Dagnabbit, why didn't I think of that first!" <br /><br />Meanwhile, Lee Child's publisher sits in a dark corner cackling as it waits for Lee Child to pump out another Jack Reacher novel, whispering to itself, "Exxxxxxxxxxxxcellent."McVickersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-50544763637919545192013-08-15T13:59:07.688-05:002013-08-15T13:59:07.688-05:00I'm doing a fair amount of research for my cur...I'm doing a fair amount of research for my current WIP. Then I put a bunch of technical stuff in there, only to take most of it out later so that it doesn't destroy the pacing. But at least what I leave behind is correct.Merrill Heathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00164361657325279390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-36374602297903322282013-08-15T12:46:27.237-05:002013-08-15T12:46:27.237-05:00Jo says "We don't talk about porn. In fac...Jo says "We don't talk about porn. In fact, we hide it from others."<br /><br />Right. That's what makes it so attractive as an electronic book. It's a secret vice, and I dare say that opens up a whole new group of readers: women.<br /><br />I.J.Parkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-38588618308937997002013-08-15T11:06:44.253-05:002013-08-15T11:06:44.253-05:00Thanks for the comments! When I wrote the blog po...Thanks for the comments! When I wrote the blog post, I wasn't thinking about hooks, but I agree with everything Joe said. Having a high concept can definitely make a novel stand out.Larry A. Wintershttp://www.larryawinters.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-10284080754479494522013-08-15T11:01:31.695-05:002013-08-15T11:01:31.695-05:00Fact based conspiracy fiction is always a good hoo...Fact based conspiracy fiction is always a good hook. My hook for my little book is <i>Detachment Echo is a novel based on historical fact. During the Cold War there was hard evidence that American POWs were being shipped from Vietnam to Eastern European "facilities" for medical experimentation. It was covered up.</i> w. adam mandelbaumhttp://www.amazon.com/DETACHMENT-ECHO-COLD-COVERUP-ebook/dp/B00DTAWX8K/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1376582473&sr=1-1&keywords=detachment+echonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-337387242380033332013-08-15T10:32:28.426-05:002013-08-15T10:32:28.426-05:00What if Jack Reacher had to do battle with the par...<i>What if Jack Reacher had to do battle with the paranormal?</i><br /><br />Wow. I did pretty much the same thing with my novella <a href="http://tinyurl.com/n6m6ros" rel="nofollow">GHOST</a>.<br /><br />In fact, Eric Christopherson says, "Cross Stephen King with Lee Child and you get Jude Hardin’s GHOST. Don't be surprised if you follow this duel from beginning to end in one sitting." Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-4046647902330547932013-08-15T10:18:47.014-05:002013-08-15T10:18:47.014-05:00My whole Lockman Chronicles series started with a ...My whole Lockman Chronicles series started with a hook that interested me personally after reading ONE SHOT by Lee Child.<br /><br />What if Jack Reacher had to do battle with the paranormal?<br /><br />And thus, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004YQCC3E" rel="nofollow">Craig Lockman</a> was born.Rob Cornellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04388119793952454397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-26188340782205281392013-08-15T10:12:36.703-05:002013-08-15T10:12:36.703-05:00Sounds like a cool book, Larry. Definitely going t...Sounds like a cool book, Larry. Definitely going to check it out.<br /><br />Here's the hook for my latest, also on sale for $.99:<br /><br />It’s your worst nightmare…<br /><br />You’re a patient in the hospital, at the mercy of those taking care of you. Your nurse walks into the room carrying a syringe, but the medication isn’t meant to help you.<br /><br />It’s meant to kill you.<br /><br />You don’t know this, of course, until it’s too late, until you’re slipping into the abyss, unable to call for help.<br /><br />You sensed there was something odd about this caregiver from the start, and as you sink further and further into the blackness of oblivion, one thought keeps running through your mind: Why?<br /><br /><a href="http://tinyurl.com/ln48fna" rel="nofollow">BAD NURSE: A THRILLER</a><br /><br />The answer might just surprise you…Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.com