I read a lot of literary agents blogs, one being Jennifer Jackson. She usually posts her query stats at the end of the week. Here's this weeks:
# of query's read this week: 257
# of partials/full manuscripts requested: 1
That means you've got about a .0038% chance of getting a request after going out into the slush piles. Geesh. It amazes me how many people actually write and complete books. They say everyone has at least one book in them. Guess it's true. I'm on to my 4th after all.
Sorry, just had to share. It makes me feel a little better about not securing an agent yet. :o)
Showing posts with label agents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label agents. Show all posts
Becoming a Rock
I wanted to post today on something that I've noticed about myself lately. I've been sending batches of query letters out for Branded for just short of a year now. I sent out my first query's on September 15, 2009. I got my first rejection for it on the 16th, the very next day. Those first few rejections really hurt. It's like having someone say that your child just isn't good enough to accepted into a school, that they're just not smart enough, or pretty enough. And then I had six agent's request to look at it. In the end all of them decided to pass. That was like having that child get their hopes up for being accepted into the school, with me peeking through the windows with my child, seeing the wonders of the inside of that school. And then an agent pulls the curtains closed and shouts through the windows, "sorry, still not good enough".
Rejection hurts. I'll be honest, I've had 58 "sorry, it's just not good enough"'s told to me.
But the thing I've realized, I don't feel the hurt anymore. After the first 40 or so rejections it stopped hurting, my hopes stopped falling because I didn't allow them to rise anymore. I got a rejection yesterday and another one today and I didn't feel a thing as I read the lines "it's just not right for us". I don't hardly even feel anything about the fact that two agents have the manuscript right now. Does this mean hope has died in me now? I've had it crushed just one too many times now?
I've become a rock. Maybe that's a good thing so I can keep pressing forward. It's not too hard to keep trying when you don't feel the hurt of rejection anymore.
But the thing I've realized, I don't feel the hurt anymore. After the first 40 or so rejections it stopped hurting, my hopes stopped falling because I didn't allow them to rise anymore. I got a rejection yesterday and another one today and I didn't feel a thing as I read the lines "it's just not right for us". I don't hardly even feel anything about the fact that two agents have the manuscript right now. Does this mean hope has died in me now? I've had it crushed just one too many times now?
I've become a rock. Maybe that's a good thing so I can keep pressing forward. It's not too hard to keep trying when you don't feel the hurt of rejection anymore.
A bit of good news
I've sent query letters out to a few new agents and a few that requested Branded in my first batch. I had one agent say she would look again (the one I would most love to be represented by!) and another new agent who looks awesome! I was really excited because they both requested it within a few hours of sending the query letter. It's nice not to have to wait.
My editor (aka my mom) finished reading Forsaken, the second book to Branded, while she was up here visiting me over the weekend. I was really excited for her to finish it, she's been really supportive of my work and has a really good eye for editing. She said she really enjoyed it (of course she hast to say that... jk, she really did like it). So, as I let this round of submissions and requests run it's course I'm going to try and get back into writing it again. I've had some issues pointed out to me that need to be fixed and had a few ideas for things. Hopefully I can figure out what has been missing from it and finally be satisfied with it. But it's getting closer and closer to being done! I've been getting excited to start working on the third book (title still not decided).
All the while I've been getting anxious to work on Eden more. I'm finally feeling like I'm connecting with the characters in it and sorting out my feelings for them. What I have so far (only 14,000 words) needs massive editing, I mean massive, but it has gotten really good response so far.
So there you have it! That's the latest and greatest!
My editor (aka my mom) finished reading Forsaken, the second book to Branded, while she was up here visiting me over the weekend. I was really excited for her to finish it, she's been really supportive of my work and has a really good eye for editing. She said she really enjoyed it (of course she hast to say that... jk, she really did like it). So, as I let this round of submissions and requests run it's course I'm going to try and get back into writing it again. I've had some issues pointed out to me that need to be fixed and had a few ideas for things. Hopefully I can figure out what has been missing from it and finally be satisfied with it. But it's getting closer and closer to being done! I've been getting excited to start working on the third book (title still not decided).
All the while I've been getting anxious to work on Eden more. I'm finally feeling like I'm connecting with the characters in it and sorting out my feelings for them. What I have so far (only 14,000 words) needs massive editing, I mean massive, but it has gotten really good response so far.
So there you have it! That's the latest and greatest!
Just a quick update
I finished editing Branded this morning! Hurray!!! It felt so good to get it done. I'm really happy with where it is right now. I'm kind of surprised that I feel a little nervous to send it out again. It's bad enough being told "sorry, it's just not quite good enough" once, being told twice hurts a little more. And I'm all self conscious again about my query letter. It's got to be okay though since I got 6 requests from it last time I sent it out, that's pretty good.
Anyway, I ended up deciding to go with my revised opening. I got a lot of split opinions on it but I just feel better about that one. It's shorter and feels cleaner. I think it's written better.
Thanks again for all your support you guys! I love you all! I will keep you posted on what I hear after I send it out again on Monday!
Anyway, I ended up deciding to go with my revised opening. I got a lot of split opinions on it but I just feel better about that one. It's shorter and feels cleaner. I think it's written better.
Thanks again for all your support you guys! I love you all! I will keep you posted on what I hear after I send it out again on Monday!
What do you think?
I've felt like I've been a really weird limbo with my writing the last few weeks. I finished the 3rd draft of Forsaken. I've started this new project, Eden. I've also been working on another round of edits to Branded (again... does it ever end?). I finally decided to focus on working on Branded again. I've been going through and fixing awkward sentences and I've also been adding in some short scenes from Jessica (my MC's) past. I think maybe this is what has been missing that agent's aren't liking. They need to know her better.
I'm struggling though. I have two different versions of the opening scene. They're very similar, just worded a little different. I know which one I think is better but I've had other people tell me the opposite. I've asked several people and am getting totally split answers.
So, I need all your help! Which is better:
Option #1:
When you go 108 hours, four and a half days without sleep, your body starts to do strange things.
Mine was shutting down and panicking at the same time.
My heart pounded despite the fatigue that consumed me. My ears rang so loudly I couldn’t even hear the breeze as it blew through the towering trees that surrounded me. My eyes ached so horribly I wanted to throw up. If I looked in a mirror I knew they would be bloodshot and swollen. I felt delusional and jumped at every shadow that danced on the black lake surface, sure it was a demon come to carry me away.
I was so tired.
Don’t fall asleep.
I paced on the dock, the moon shining brightly above me. I couldn’t fall asleep; I wouldn’t let myself fall asleep. To sleep brought terror no one could understand.
I counted my steps as I paced. Fourteen… fifteen… sixteen… I never lost count despite the fact that I didn’t consciously do it. I couldn’t help it, the numbers just came.
Just a few more hours. That was all I needed. In a few more hours I would be ready to face the terror that came with sleep. I could face the judgments of the angels and those that had no right to be called such. I had made it 108 hours already; I could make it just two or three more.
I couldn’t fight this any longer though. I was going to have to sleep and it was going to have to be now. I had learned better than to fight it this long.
My breathing increased rapidly as I forced myself to walk back toward the deserted house that looked toward the east side of the lake. My head spun and I feared I might pass out right then and there on the cold wooden planks.
Silent walls greeted me as I entered the house. I had been the caretaker for just over a year and a half and not once had the elderly owners come to stay. That was for the best. They would know I was crazy after only a few days.
Panic saturated my system as I stumbled through the door that led to my basement apartment. My eyelids were winning though. My legs protested in fatigue as I staggered into my bedroom. I barely made it to my bed before collapsing.
Option #2:
This was the time of night when panic started to set in.
The white puffs of air that came from my nose and mouth were billowing faster and faster as my breathing sped up. My palms started sweating, but because the temperature hovered just below freezing, it made my fingers all the more frozen. The pounding of my heart raced in the all too familiar way as it threatened to beat out of my chest. But despite all these reactions of panic, my eyelids were growing heavier by the second. My eyes ached and I knew if I were to look in a mirror they would be bloodshot and swollen.
When you go 108 hours, four and a half days without sleep, your body starts to do strange things.
I continued to pace back and forth on the dock, counting under my breath as each step was taken. Seven…eight…nine…ten. It was strange how I never lost count, even if I didn’t exactly choose to do the counting. I couldn’t help it, the numbers just came.
The water was perfectly calm on the lake, an exact duplicate of the full moon reflecting on its surface. With the towering evergreens that surrounded it there was a feeling of being in a gigantic bowl, of being cradled in the arms of Mother Nature. No wind stirred the air, did not ruffle my unruly, curly hair that hung down my back, trailing down the sweater that clung to my shaking shoulders.
Seventeen…eighteen…nineteen. I knew I was losing the battle and in my desperation I started a set of jumping-jacks. Not exactly an easy thing to do when your footing starts to rock back and forth. However, it fulfilled its purpose of waking me up –slightly.
Just a few more hours. That was all I needed. In a few more hours I would be ready to face the terror that came with sleep. I could face the judgments of the angels and those that had no right to be called such. I had made it 108 hours already; I could make it just two or three more.
I wasn’t fool enough to believe that though. All the jumping around on the dock bought me a few more minutes but there was no way I was going to make it even a half hour longer. I could feel the fatigue setting in and I knew I couldn’t fight it any more. My limbs were sluggish and felt heavy. My mind felt muddled and unfocused. My ears were ringing so loudly I could not distinguish any other sounds.
I was going to have to sleep and it was going to have to be now. I had learned better than to fight it for this long.
My breathing increased rapidly as I started the walk from the dock that sprouted off the deck that led back up to the large deserted house that looked toward the east side of the lake. My head spun and I knew that if I did not control my breathing soon I was going to pass out right then and there on the cold wooden planks.
The house was empty as always. I had been the caretaker here for just over a year and a half now and not once had the elderly owners come to visit. This was for the best. Problems I would rather not have to deal with would arise if we were to stay in the house at the same time for too long. Not because of personality clashes, the owners were very nice people. But once they spent the night here they would question my state of mind, my sanity, and I would be forced to leave. Too many people already thought I was crazy.
My heart raced and pounded but my eyelids were winning as I trudged through the basement entrance that led to my apartment. My legs protested in fatigue as I stumbled through the door and across the floor. I barely made it to my bed before collapsing.
Please let me know what you think! I've only got about 50 pages more to edit! Then I'll resubmit to the agents who looked at it before. Plus, I've found about 12 new agents I haven't submitted to!
Thank you all!
I'm struggling though. I have two different versions of the opening scene. They're very similar, just worded a little different. I know which one I think is better but I've had other people tell me the opposite. I've asked several people and am getting totally split answers.
So, I need all your help! Which is better:
Option #1:
When you go 108 hours, four and a half days without sleep, your body starts to do strange things.
Mine was shutting down and panicking at the same time.
My heart pounded despite the fatigue that consumed me. My ears rang so loudly I couldn’t even hear the breeze as it blew through the towering trees that surrounded me. My eyes ached so horribly I wanted to throw up. If I looked in a mirror I knew they would be bloodshot and swollen. I felt delusional and jumped at every shadow that danced on the black lake surface, sure it was a demon come to carry me away.
I was so tired.
Don’t fall asleep.
I paced on the dock, the moon shining brightly above me. I couldn’t fall asleep; I wouldn’t let myself fall asleep. To sleep brought terror no one could understand.
I counted my steps as I paced. Fourteen… fifteen… sixteen… I never lost count despite the fact that I didn’t consciously do it. I couldn’t help it, the numbers just came.
Just a few more hours. That was all I needed. In a few more hours I would be ready to face the terror that came with sleep. I could face the judgments of the angels and those that had no right to be called such. I had made it 108 hours already; I could make it just two or three more.
I couldn’t fight this any longer though. I was going to have to sleep and it was going to have to be now. I had learned better than to fight it this long.
My breathing increased rapidly as I forced myself to walk back toward the deserted house that looked toward the east side of the lake. My head spun and I feared I might pass out right then and there on the cold wooden planks.
Silent walls greeted me as I entered the house. I had been the caretaker for just over a year and a half and not once had the elderly owners come to stay. That was for the best. They would know I was crazy after only a few days.
Panic saturated my system as I stumbled through the door that led to my basement apartment. My eyelids were winning though. My legs protested in fatigue as I staggered into my bedroom. I barely made it to my bed before collapsing.
Option #2:
This was the time of night when panic started to set in.
The white puffs of air that came from my nose and mouth were billowing faster and faster as my breathing sped up. My palms started sweating, but because the temperature hovered just below freezing, it made my fingers all the more frozen. The pounding of my heart raced in the all too familiar way as it threatened to beat out of my chest. But despite all these reactions of panic, my eyelids were growing heavier by the second. My eyes ached and I knew if I were to look in a mirror they would be bloodshot and swollen.
When you go 108 hours, four and a half days without sleep, your body starts to do strange things.
I continued to pace back and forth on the dock, counting under my breath as each step was taken. Seven…eight…nine…ten. It was strange how I never lost count, even if I didn’t exactly choose to do the counting. I couldn’t help it, the numbers just came.
The water was perfectly calm on the lake, an exact duplicate of the full moon reflecting on its surface. With the towering evergreens that surrounded it there was a feeling of being in a gigantic bowl, of being cradled in the arms of Mother Nature. No wind stirred the air, did not ruffle my unruly, curly hair that hung down my back, trailing down the sweater that clung to my shaking shoulders.
Seventeen…eighteen…nineteen. I knew I was losing the battle and in my desperation I started a set of jumping-jacks. Not exactly an easy thing to do when your footing starts to rock back and forth. However, it fulfilled its purpose of waking me up –slightly.
Just a few more hours. That was all I needed. In a few more hours I would be ready to face the terror that came with sleep. I could face the judgments of the angels and those that had no right to be called such. I had made it 108 hours already; I could make it just two or three more.
I wasn’t fool enough to believe that though. All the jumping around on the dock bought me a few more minutes but there was no way I was going to make it even a half hour longer. I could feel the fatigue setting in and I knew I couldn’t fight it any more. My limbs were sluggish and felt heavy. My mind felt muddled and unfocused. My ears were ringing so loudly I could not distinguish any other sounds.
I was going to have to sleep and it was going to have to be now. I had learned better than to fight it for this long.
My breathing increased rapidly as I started the walk from the dock that sprouted off the deck that led back up to the large deserted house that looked toward the east side of the lake. My head spun and I knew that if I did not control my breathing soon I was going to pass out right then and there on the cold wooden planks.
The house was empty as always. I had been the caretaker here for just over a year and a half now and not once had the elderly owners come to visit. This was for the best. Problems I would rather not have to deal with would arise if we were to stay in the house at the same time for too long. Not because of personality clashes, the owners were very nice people. But once they spent the night here they would question my state of mind, my sanity, and I would be forced to leave. Too many people already thought I was crazy.
My heart raced and pounded but my eyelids were winning as I trudged through the basement entrance that led to my apartment. My legs protested in fatigue as I stumbled through the door and across the floor. I barely made it to my bed before collapsing.
Please let me know what you think! I've only got about 50 pages more to edit! Then I'll resubmit to the agents who looked at it before. Plus, I've found about 12 new agents I haven't submitted to!
Thank you all!
Of Writing, Plotting, and Editing
As I've mentioned in my last few posts, I've been working on a new project called Eden. It's my first scifi/dystopian. It's been such and interesting experience for me. I have mixed feelings about it. While I am excited to work on it and I already love it, I worry that I'm not going to be very good at this genre. I have only read maybe 4 books in either of these genres as far as I can remember. When picking books to read I never think to grab anything in this area. But I talked to a friend who suggested some new stuff for me. So a few days ago I stopped at the library and grabbed Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan, Life as we Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer, and The Children of Men by P.D. James.
The thing with this new book is that even though its this weird subject for me, it's still true to my style because it will involve romance. I am a sucker for a good love story so of course it has to be involved in my own work. The thing is, I'm not sure who I want my MC to eventually end up with. The two choices are very different in every single way. This is an interesting delima. I love the one character more as of right now but know she should probably end up with the other one. I've never had this problem when even I didn't know how it was going to end.
If you're interested, I've started posting Eden as I go along on my website. So if you're interested check it out on www.kearytaylor.com/eden. I'd love to hear what you think of it so far.
On another topic, I've stalled on editing Forsaken again. I've actually been going over Branded again, trying to figure out what is missing from it that is keeping an agent from feeling strong enough about it. I've had about 6 agents look at it. All of them have said they like the idea, think it's really unique. But what a few of them have said is that they just didn't connect with Jessica, my MC, enough. One of them said that she didn't feel like she really knew Jessica enough at the end. So I've been thinking about this, trying to decide how to fix this. I think I've come up with a solution.
Jessica had a really rough time growing up. She has lived through hell her entire life with no one understanding what was going on and no one to talk to. So I've decided to add in a few memories of things that have happened to her. Things from when she was a little girl, her mother's reactions to her, a scene from after she ran away from home, a few things like that. Hopefully this will give people a little more insight into Jessica, help people understand why she is the way she is.
And ultimately the goal is to contact those agents who liked Branded but eventually decided to pass, and see if they would be willing to take a look again. And hopefully all you fans out there will help. It will help my case if I already have a built-in fan base. So thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who have been there for me. Who have given me words of encouragement when I thought about giving up. And thank you for helping to spread the word.
The thing with this new book is that even though its this weird subject for me, it's still true to my style because it will involve romance. I am a sucker for a good love story so of course it has to be involved in my own work. The thing is, I'm not sure who I want my MC to eventually end up with. The two choices are very different in every single way. This is an interesting delima. I love the one character more as of right now but know she should probably end up with the other one. I've never had this problem when even I didn't know how it was going to end.
If you're interested, I've started posting Eden as I go along on my website. So if you're interested check it out on www.kearytaylor.com/eden. I'd love to hear what you think of it so far.
On another topic, I've stalled on editing Forsaken again. I've actually been going over Branded again, trying to figure out what is missing from it that is keeping an agent from feeling strong enough about it. I've had about 6 agents look at it. All of them have said they like the idea, think it's really unique. But what a few of them have said is that they just didn't connect with Jessica, my MC, enough. One of them said that she didn't feel like she really knew Jessica enough at the end. So I've been thinking about this, trying to decide how to fix this. I think I've come up with a solution.
Jessica had a really rough time growing up. She has lived through hell her entire life with no one understanding what was going on and no one to talk to. So I've decided to add in a few memories of things that have happened to her. Things from when she was a little girl, her mother's reactions to her, a scene from after she ran away from home, a few things like that. Hopefully this will give people a little more insight into Jessica, help people understand why she is the way she is.
And ultimately the goal is to contact those agents who liked Branded but eventually decided to pass, and see if they would be willing to take a look again. And hopefully all you fans out there will help. It will help my case if I already have a built-in fan base. So thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who have been there for me. Who have given me words of encouragement when I thought about giving up. And thank you for helping to spread the word.
A little bit of good news
I came across a new author the other day who's first novel is coming out this fall. She's from Port Angeles, WA which isn't too far away from me. On her website it listed her agent, Sarah Jane Freymann. I checked out the website, they don't do much fiction but looks like they are trying to build a paranormal/YA client list. So I thought, what the heck. I sent them a query letter last night and got a request for the full manuscript this morning! YAY!
I get mixed feelings every time this happens recently. It's easy to get excited and think "This is it! Here comes my big break!". I know better now though. This is my 5th request now and I still haven't managed to land an agent. I won't give up hope but I won't let my hopes get so high that they get crushed.
Hopefully she will just love Branded though and sign me!
I get mixed feelings every time this happens recently. It's easy to get excited and think "This is it! Here comes my big break!". I know better now though. This is my 5th request now and I still haven't managed to land an agent. I won't give up hope but I won't let my hopes get so high that they get crushed.
Hopefully she will just love Branded though and sign me!
What's up
Maybe I'm just thick-headed but I still haven't given up on trying to get Branded off the ground. I'm hoping that someday the self-published version will get some attention but it just isn't likely. So, I sent it to Ace publishing yesterday. They are the ONLY major publishing house that accepts manuscript submissions from unagented authors. Seriously, the ONLY one! Trust me, I've looked and looked. And today I sent it to Shadow Mountain. The only real big books they have done is the Fablehaven books and The Wednesday Letters, and The Christmas Jar (I think that's what it's called, books by Jason F. Wright anyway...). They seem to do a lot of LDS books and kind of make-ya-feel-good books, so I'm not really sure it's the right place for me but I figured it couldn't hurt. My old high school English teacher is published through them. I sent him a copy and he says he's going to read it after he's done with a big research project so maybe that will give me an in! Ya never know! I also sent it out to a few more agents again. I'm well used to rejection by now so why not...
I've been thinking about achieving your dreams a lot lately. I have a new respect for successful and famous people. They have to work really hard for what they've achieved (most of them anyway...). Of course I'm mostly looking at authors. Like I totally have a worshipful respect for Stephanie Meyer. She has 3 kids and look at the books she's written! It takes SOOO much time and dedication to write a book, much less one that is as long as hers are. Seriously, she is my idol. I want to be her. She's a mom, the represents the church (LDS-I'm a member too!) well, and she's made this amazing life for herself.
Don't get me wrong. I don't want to be famous. Those of you know me know that I am INCREDIBLY shy and quiet. Anything I have to say, I'll say it in writing. I clam up when having to talk in front of people. I don't want to be in the media, don't want to go on Oprah (seriously, I REALLY, REALLY don't like her...), don't want to be in the spotlight. I just want people to know my work. I want to overhear people talking about how they finished Branded and how much they loved it (or even if they hated it, as long as they finished it). Is that vain? Maybe but can't blame me too much for wanting that.
Back to the achieving your dreams thing. I think it's sad that so many people dream of doing something other than what they are doing yet never do anything about it. I really have dreamed about being a published writer since I was about 12. I wrote my first book when I was like 14 with my best friend Kim and always thought how cool would it be to be published. I've always wanted to have my work out there, to have it be known, and I'm actually trying! I'm doing everything I can to get there. I may not ever be famous and heck, I may never be published but I'm trying as hard as I can. If it ever pays off in the end it will so be worth it. And even if it never happens, at least I get the satisfaction of knowing I tried! Don't ever give up on your dreams!
I've been thinking about achieving your dreams a lot lately. I have a new respect for successful and famous people. They have to work really hard for what they've achieved (most of them anyway...). Of course I'm mostly looking at authors. Like I totally have a worshipful respect for Stephanie Meyer. She has 3 kids and look at the books she's written! It takes SOOO much time and dedication to write a book, much less one that is as long as hers are. Seriously, she is my idol. I want to be her. She's a mom, the represents the church (LDS-I'm a member too!) well, and she's made this amazing life for herself.
Don't get me wrong. I don't want to be famous. Those of you know me know that I am INCREDIBLY shy and quiet. Anything I have to say, I'll say it in writing. I clam up when having to talk in front of people. I don't want to be in the media, don't want to go on Oprah (seriously, I REALLY, REALLY don't like her...), don't want to be in the spotlight. I just want people to know my work. I want to overhear people talking about how they finished Branded and how much they loved it (or even if they hated it, as long as they finished it). Is that vain? Maybe but can't blame me too much for wanting that.
Back to the achieving your dreams thing. I think it's sad that so many people dream of doing something other than what they are doing yet never do anything about it. I really have dreamed about being a published writer since I was about 12. I wrote my first book when I was like 14 with my best friend Kim and always thought how cool would it be to be published. I've always wanted to have my work out there, to have it be known, and I'm actually trying! I'm doing everything I can to get there. I may not ever be famous and heck, I may never be published but I'm trying as hard as I can. If it ever pays off in the end it will so be worth it. And even if it never happens, at least I get the satisfaction of knowing I tried! Don't ever give up on your dreams!
I'm a glutton for punishment...
So call me crazy I guess but I made a off the wall decision yesterday to redo my query letter and sent it out to agents again. Yes, apparently I like rejection... lol. It's been a few months now since I sent it out and I feel a little more confident in my writing now. I've gotten some amazing feedback and now I've self-published it (which to some agents could be considered a bad thing...). And I just kind of figured "why not?"! We'll see how things go with getting the self-published copy out but in the mean time it doesn't hurt to send it back out to 10 or 12 agents again. The worst they can do is say no and I can deal with that. It doesn't hurt my feelings (anymore...). So here I go, out into the world of agents slush piles again!
At the point where dreams die and hope fades away...
Well, not really but nearly there. I got an email today from the agent who had my full manuscript, the last agent who has anything. She said that she thought the idea and storyline was original and interesting and that the writing was good but that she just didn't connect with my main character. So... she's passing. Kind of put a kink and damper on my day... I was really depressed this morning and thinking of giving up on trying (only for about a half a second though :)). But then I told myself to stop feeling sorry for myself and got to one last final edit before I self publish. I'm going to go ahead an do it with Amazon because it won't cost me anything up front and it will be able to get to the widest audience, the wonderful world of online shopping through Amazon. I just need to get someone who knows what they are doing and get a cover designed. So, if anyone knows someone who is really good and won't charge me an arm and a leg let me know! :)
So excited I can hardly stand it!
Finally some good news! I got a request from Robin Rue at Writers House to look at the first 50 pages of my book! This is the same agency that represents Stephanie Meyer! In the mist of all the bad crap that has been happening lately this definitely makes Christmas look a little brighter!
Happenings
So it's been a while since I've posted anything about what's been happening with Branded. Sadly there's not too much to tell. All 3 of the agents who requested partials decided to pass for one reason or another. There was only one of those who I was pretty bummed about. I still have about 12 agents I am waiting to hear back from who I sent query letters to. I'm guessing I will only hear back from about half of them, even to get a rejection.
I follow a lot of different literary agents blogs and within 2 days, 2 of them announced they are going to stop taking queries for new writers and one announced she is shutting down completely to look for employment in another field. The writing market is having a heck of a time in this new economy and it seems with so many people loosing their jobs everyone is writing books! JK But seriously, another agent who's blog I follow posts her stats every Friday for how many queries she reads. It's usually around 250 she reads every week and of those she will maybe request a partial/full on 1!!! Those are not good odds, and that's how most all the agents are these days.
So in light of these horrible odds, I've started to look into self publishing options. After looking at several different companies I think I am going to go with Amazon's company, called CreateSpace. It automatically gets you onto Amazon to sell and it costs me no money up front. I can order copies of my own book for around 5 or 6 dollars. The sad thing, and this, from what I've learned, is how it is with most publishers, the royalties are only from about $0.05-$5, depending on where you sell at. With their expanded distribution program, I would only make about $0.61 a book but if someone buys it from my eStore through Amazon, I would make about $5. Good things and bad things.
I think I'm going to get going on this option. If I still get an agent, then great! But it's not looking likely. I still need to have someone else do a good solid edit for me, get a cover designed (and find someone to do that for me), and figure out how to buy an IBSN number. Hopefully I'll be ready to get this thing going in about a month or so.
Also, I am debating if I want to make a good push to try and get to the editors desk on www.Authonomy.com. This is a website for new authors to post their finished and works in progress. The problem with it is in order to get people to comment on and back your book, you have to put in a LOT of time doing the same thing. With my not having the Internet at home, and having 2 very little kids, this is a little hard to do. It's kind of political and a bit frustrating. But I do get really good comments and feedback. HarperCollins, who puts the site on, takes the top 5 books every month and their editors review them, giving feedback and such. On their blog that I read they also tend to pick about one of those books a month to publish. Still, not good odds there since there are several thousand books on it but I have a bit more control over it. I just don't know if I have the time to commit to it.
I am slowly working on the second book to Branded. I'm just over 10,000 words into it (Branded is 94,000). I'm still trying to figure out a title for it but I think I'm going to have to wait till I'm a little further into it. But I'm happy with what I have written so far and the plotting, though what I have written is in dire need of a lot of editing. I probably won't do any of that though till the book is done. That's what I did with Branded and I think I prefer doing it that way.
Anyway, this turned out much longer than I intended it to be but that is what is going on with the writing now.
I follow a lot of different literary agents blogs and within 2 days, 2 of them announced they are going to stop taking queries for new writers and one announced she is shutting down completely to look for employment in another field. The writing market is having a heck of a time in this new economy and it seems with so many people loosing their jobs everyone is writing books! JK But seriously, another agent who's blog I follow posts her stats every Friday for how many queries she reads. It's usually around 250 she reads every week and of those she will maybe request a partial/full on 1!!! Those are not good odds, and that's how most all the agents are these days.
So in light of these horrible odds, I've started to look into self publishing options. After looking at several different companies I think I am going to go with Amazon's company, called CreateSpace. It automatically gets you onto Amazon to sell and it costs me no money up front. I can order copies of my own book for around 5 or 6 dollars. The sad thing, and this, from what I've learned, is how it is with most publishers, the royalties are only from about $0.05-$5, depending on where you sell at. With their expanded distribution program, I would only make about $0.61 a book but if someone buys it from my eStore through Amazon, I would make about $5. Good things and bad things.
I think I'm going to get going on this option. If I still get an agent, then great! But it's not looking likely. I still need to have someone else do a good solid edit for me, get a cover designed (and find someone to do that for me), and figure out how to buy an IBSN number. Hopefully I'll be ready to get this thing going in about a month or so.
Also, I am debating if I want to make a good push to try and get to the editors desk on www.Authonomy.com. This is a website for new authors to post their finished and works in progress. The problem with it is in order to get people to comment on and back your book, you have to put in a LOT of time doing the same thing. With my not having the Internet at home, and having 2 very little kids, this is a little hard to do. It's kind of political and a bit frustrating. But I do get really good comments and feedback. HarperCollins, who puts the site on, takes the top 5 books every month and their editors review them, giving feedback and such. On their blog that I read they also tend to pick about one of those books a month to publish. Still, not good odds there since there are several thousand books on it but I have a bit more control over it. I just don't know if I have the time to commit to it.
I am slowly working on the second book to Branded. I'm just over 10,000 words into it (Branded is 94,000). I'm still trying to figure out a title for it but I think I'm going to have to wait till I'm a little further into it. But I'm happy with what I have written so far and the plotting, though what I have written is in dire need of a lot of editing. I probably won't do any of that though till the book is done. That's what I did with Branded and I think I prefer doing it that way.
Anyway, this turned out much longer than I intended it to be but that is what is going on with the writing now.
More good news!
I had another agent request the first 30 pages of Branded!!! Her name is Laura Bradford. So excited!!! Going to print the pages and mail them off today!
Something to blog about!
So some great news!!! I had an agent request to see the first 30 pages of my book Branded as well as the full synopsis! Her name is Joanna Stampfel and she's with Nancy Coffey Literary & Media Representation. I am so excited! Imagine my happy dance when I read the email! :)
It has begun again...
I started submitting my book to agents today!!! I sent it to about 7 different agents. I will continue to work on the editing of my book some but the query letter was done and ready so off it went to some! Hopefully I get at least one request for the full manuscript!
Buzz Killer
I hate those buzz killers. I was feeling so good about writing yesterday and to day I got the email. Kate McKean finally got back to me. She said she thought my book showed promise but couldn't commit to anything she didn't feel really strongly about. Bummer... It sucks and it's never fun to be rejected but in a way I am a bit relieved. I know my new book is better and I really want just be 100% committed to this project. I've been a little worried that should she have decided to take it on I would have to go back to the Ever Chronicles and I know it would have been difficult to switch back into that mode. So... sad but life moves on. I'm not giving up!
Quick update
I've posted more of Branded on my website www.KearyTaylor.com . I've got all of the first 7 chapters up and a little of the 8th. Go check it out and let me know what you think.
Also, I'm still waiting to hear back from agent Kate McKean. It's now been 2 months since she requested the full. I'm trying to decide if I should just keep waiting to hear from her or if I should shoot her and email and check on things. From everything I've read it says it's better to wait for them to contact you but it has been 2 months now and I would think that should be enough time. Hum...
Also, I'm still waiting to hear back from agent Kate McKean. It's now been 2 months since she requested the full. I'm trying to decide if I should just keep waiting to hear from her or if I should shoot her and email and check on things. From everything I've read it says it's better to wait for them to contact you but it has been 2 months now and I would think that should be enough time. Hum...
Sad slow down
I haven't written much at all in about the last 2 weeks or so. I found out I'm pregnant and it seems to have taken over my life for the time being. I've just been too tired and too nauseous to get anything done other than chasing after MaKenzie. Though some of the nausea seems to be dying down (the gagging faze is in full swing now though) so hopefully I can get back to it a little more.
I'm still waiting to hear back from Kate McKean, the agent who requested to read the full. Its been almost a month now and I am trying to be patient in waiting but it's hard. Hopefully it's good news. If it's not though I think I'll self publish it someday. I also found out you can publish your book on Amazon for their Kindle. This doesn't seem like too bad of an option. I'm going to do some more checking on it. But I'll be sure to post if I get offered representation as soon as it happens!
I'm still waiting to hear back from Kate McKean, the agent who requested to read the full. Its been almost a month now and I am trying to be patient in waiting but it's hard. Hopefully it's good news. If it's not though I think I'll self publish it someday. I also found out you can publish your book on Amazon for their Kindle. This doesn't seem like too bad of an option. I'm going to do some more checking on it. But I'll be sure to post if I get offered representation as soon as it happens!
Finally, good news!!!
I just had agent Kate McKean request a full manuscript! I am so excited. I know she doesn't have to offer representation but at least I got some interest in it from someone in the business! Hopefully she likes it enough to offer representation!
Finally!
I finally finished editing one part of my book that I have been stuck on for what feels like FOREVER! Now I can move on and hopefully finish the second draft soon. Let me know if you would like to read it for me when I'm done. The more people who read it before I send it off to agents the better!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
