OK, it’s almost there. Tentatively entitled ‘A West Cork Mystery’ my novel #4 is almost ready to see the light of day. It’s been beta read and critiqued and I’ve taken note of the amendments required.
Times past I’d be rushing this into print now, but not so this time around. For one thing I’m going to approach a few agents/publishers for the first time. I think this one is marketable and it’s probably about time I tested my workย in the shark-infested waters of commercial publishing. I’ll try the Irish market first, then see what a few experts at the Winchester Writers’ Festival have to say. Then, if there’s no interest, nothing has been lost and I’ll eventually throw it out there anyway.
Through impatience and a lack of understanding of the process I have usually published almost as soon as the final chapter is done. This is at the opposite end of the spectrum to those writers that draft, re-draft, agonise, polish before they’re happy that they have it as perfect as they can get it. Almost all the advice I read is that one’s first draft is usually rubbish and it needs three, four, even more drafts before it can be thought of as becoming a finished product.
Well, maybe that’s where I’ll fail as an author. I just don’t have that patience and stoicism within me. But I AM going to go through it at least once more, line by line. I am told my sentences are often too long ๐ฆ I use too many adverbs ๐ฆ I overuse the word ‘very’ ๐ฆ I think I can deal with these things without a total re-draft. And my lovely beta reader likes the book despite its shortcomings ๐
Then a good professional proof-read and, as far as I’m concerned, it’s done and I’ll be very happy with it. I’m not sure how I’d react to a professional editor instructing me to make wholesale changes, but most likely it won’t get to that stage.
Now, I understand I need a ‘query’ to agents/publishers. I’ve knocked up what I think is a killer. Anyone out there that understands these things care to look at it for me? I’d be very grateful.
I have everything crossed for you, Roy – and will look forward to hearing all about your experiences of traditional publishing. As for queries and dealing with agents and publishers, I found Nicola Morgan’s books very useful (“Dear Agent” and “Write a Great Synopsis” – although I have to say that they did not “work” for me (in that I did not find an agent or a publisher). But the books are very realistic and thorough, and an easy read. You can read about her here: http://www.nicolamorgan.com/category/publishing-advice-books/
Best wishes from Susan
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Ah thank you Susan, and for the resource tips. I’ll check out Nicola’s website.
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I’ve never written a query to an agent or publisher, Roy, so I’m no help here. Jacqui Murray over at WordDreams http://worddreams.wordpress.com/ may be able to help. She always has great advice.
Patience, my friend, is certainly a virtue. Best of luck with the story and I’m looking forward to reading it (and seeing how you go with an agent or publisher) ๐
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Thank you Dianne and I’ll check out Jacqui’s site. There’s one called Query Shark which is really helpful too and you can, if you can bear the public ridicule, post up your effort to be critiqued by the Shark ๐ฎ I don’t think I will.
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You can send to me to look at if you like, but the shark sounds good. Get that thick skin out and just put it up there. What’s the worst that can happen?
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Coming your way Dianne, as the storyline was inspired by your RUC! I’d rather avoid the Shark
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Checked your spam?
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That’s a big pond you’re diving into, Roy. Good luck! Had a book accepted once, then the publisher went bankrupt! Oh well. You’ll have better luck I’m sure.
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Well it’s a crowded pond anyway and thanks for your good wishes.
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Congratulations, Roy! I do think it can’t hurt to query some agents–nothing to lose if you’re not in a huge hurry, and there are many benefits that could come from it.
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Thank you Naomi! Exactly. I’m really not that bothered about being published so I won’t be damaged by the rejections ๐ And I’d regret not giving it a shot.
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This post made me smile, Roy, you’re so honest and that’s refreshing. Take your time, there’s no rush. We will all be waiting patiently.
I haven’t been down the query road at this point, but I’m sure someone can point you in the right direction.
Wishing you the best!
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Ah thank you Jill ๐ Nice to have the support of fellow writers.
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Awesome, Roy! I think you know that I tried the agent route when I was a newbie with my little “Beneath the Satin Gloves” manuscript and had no luck. I redrafted it several more times after that and felt rather horrified I had ever sent it to anyone so early on. But hey, I was a newbie.
Had I been more patient (something I’m not the best at), maybe I would have kept on trying. I think there’s something to be said about having the dreaded “platform” established, along with some other work, before plunging into the traditional avenue. I wish you all the best of luck and can’t wait to hear about your journey.
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Thank you Britt! I’m happy with having gone ahead and self-published and got three books out there before getting involved in the traditional world. Maybe I’ve got it off my chest and can afford to let this one wait a while. And I’ll get on with something else in the meantime.
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Hi Roy, wishing you luck with this new novel! I haven’t queried anything yet, so I can’t offer any advice in that regard other than to put together the very best query letter you can. I’m familiar with Query Shark, and while you may not feel up to submitting to her, you might consider reading some (or all – I’m slowly making my way through the archives in preparation for my own querying someday) of the entries to get some tips on common mistakes and to understand an agent’s perspective.
Keep us updated on your progress! ๐
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That’s the way to go Janna – learn from others. Clearly there is an expected format and you’ll get nowhere by ignoring the formula.
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P.S. Why do the WordPress emoticons look so weird now? I liked them better before.
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Your output is amazing Roy and I so admire your tenacity. Wishing you all the best with your queries – I believe you will have to be patient and from what I’ve heard, thick-skinned, but very good luck to you. ๐
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Not really Jenny but at my age I have to push on if I’m going to get everything done that I want ๐ The more you get your work critiqued the easier it is to accept constructive criticism and, no doubt, rejection. It will help as I have no big expectations.
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Good luck Roy. I’m at a similar stage – just giving my novel a few final polishes before I send it off. I read Nicola Morgan’s book (but still haven’t got it down to a 25 word pitch which she advises!) so am trying to come up with my own query letter. Fingers crossed for both of us!
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25 words
I’m trying to work within a page which I’m told is the maximum. Subject to what individual agents might instruct of course. Fingers crossed for you Andrea!
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I think the idea is you should be able to hook someone in a sentence in your query letter – but my sentence is about double that and I just can’t go any lower!
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Ah, I’m reading the ‘hook’ is the first sentence only. The most important bit though I guess. (I wonder about agents/publishers – how are they busier than everyone else in the world?)
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Another of the mysteries of publishing…
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Good luck with querying, Roy. I wouldn’t mind looking at your query letter. What I’ve learned is to keep a query short and sweet – agents can look at your synopsis if they want more detail
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Coming your way Laura, appreciated.
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Wishing you luck Roy.
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Ah thank you Gail! Lovely to have blogger friends who are so supportive.
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This is so exciting, Roy! Like you, I am often too impatient to rewrite and revise once I’ve finished a piece of work. I know it’s wise and is usually worth the extra pain, but I’d rather just be done with it.
I definitely think you should pitch this book to an agent. Nothing to lose, so why not?
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Thank you for your support Julie. Now I have an enforced time lag anyway I find I’m quite enjoying a close examination of each sentence. The difference is that I’m starting to know what I’m looking for and what reads well.
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Great news about the book, Roy. And the patient approach. Sorry I haven’t the foggiest notion about publishing and all that but I having read two of your books I’m very much looking forward to reading this one. Best of luck with it!
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Thank you RH – I ought to make you my Dublin agent! I am pleased with this effort and I want to make it the best I can. I’m slowly growing up as a writer maybe.
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Best of luck to you! I hope the querying process is a short one and that you end up with a good publishing experience. Please keep us updated!
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Thank you AMB! No problem with the updates. I’m going to enjoy the process win or lose.
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Good luck Roy. By the way – I love your new blog format. Take care for those sharks and such ๐
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Thanks Bruce, appreciated. Yes the theme is nice and fresh isn’t it?
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Yes, it really is – and the prominent comment section is good too.
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