If you want to read the posts from the beginning, read part 1 at the Key Conditions for Reader Suspense hosted by SFWA.John's first epic fantasy novel, Servant of a Dark God, is also available, and the sequel should be available soon.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Writing Advice: John Brown on Key Conditions for Suspense
Here's a fantastic essay on the Key Conditions for Suspense, by author John Brown. John is an amazing writer, extremely talented in the craft of story telling and in teaching others how to build stories. I may link to him more often--he's got great things to offer.
If you want to read the posts from the beginning, read part 1 at the Key Conditions for Reader Suspense hosted by SFWA.
John's first epic fantasy novel, Servant of a Dark God, is also available, and the sequel should be available soon.
If you want to read the posts from the beginning, read part 1 at the Key Conditions for Reader Suspense hosted by SFWA.John's first epic fantasy novel, Servant of a Dark God, is also available, and the sequel should be available soon.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Rethinking My E-Pub Launch
This past weekend I attended the LDS Storymakers Conference. I posted about that a few days ago, and also about rethinking my e-Pub plan. Here's some of my thoughts.
1. Listen to those with experience, especially if they have more than you! Literary agents Becca Stumpf and Sara Crowe, as well as New York Times best-selling authors Brandon Sanderson and Dave Wolverton/Farland, as well as Kirk Shaw, editor for Covenant, all suggested that the timing wasn't right for middle grade fantasy.
Here's the catch: how many kids ages 10-12 do you know who have Kindles, Nooks, or iPads of their own? Thus, how large is the real e-Pub market for my middle grade fantasy as a debut author? Probably not that great.
2. The e-Pub model works, but the timing is just not yet there for my books. In fact, Dave Wolverton told me he'd really like me to give the national market a few more years before I switch over. And this is from the man with 30 years of experience who is also actively taking the e-Pub platform by the horns. He's creating some incredible new user experience content I'd really love to replicate. But he's working with Sci-Fi and Fantasy for adults. It works there.
So my model, I truly believe, is sound. I just don't think the MG market can sustain it. If you can make it work for YA or adults, I think you stand the chance to make good, good money.
3. Cover Costs made it impractical, if not really feasible. To make a cover really stand out you need to be strong in both the 1 inch by .5 inch thumbnail, the larger Amazon image, as well as a book cover. That's tricky to do, but even trickier if you have to compete with national brands with full illustrations that run $2,500 a book. Ick.
But over and over I heard this: You must have a solid, professional looking cover. People will judge the book by what they see. Make them see gold.
What do you think, readers? When's the timing going to be right for the various markets in e-Pubbing?
1. Listen to those with experience, especially if they have more than you! Literary agents Becca Stumpf and Sara Crowe, as well as New York Times best-selling authors Brandon Sanderson and Dave Wolverton/Farland, as well as Kirk Shaw, editor for Covenant, all suggested that the timing wasn't right for middle grade fantasy.
Here's the catch: how many kids ages 10-12 do you know who have Kindles, Nooks, or iPads of their own? Thus, how large is the real e-Pub market for my middle grade fantasy as a debut author? Probably not that great.
2. The e-Pub model works, but the timing is just not yet there for my books. In fact, Dave Wolverton told me he'd really like me to give the national market a few more years before I switch over. And this is from the man with 30 years of experience who is also actively taking the e-Pub platform by the horns. He's creating some incredible new user experience content I'd really love to replicate. But he's working with Sci-Fi and Fantasy for adults. It works there.
So my model, I truly believe, is sound. I just don't think the MG market can sustain it. If you can make it work for YA or adults, I think you stand the chance to make good, good money.
3. Cover Costs made it impractical, if not really feasible. To make a cover really stand out you need to be strong in both the 1 inch by .5 inch thumbnail, the larger Amazon image, as well as a book cover. That's tricky to do, but even trickier if you have to compete with national brands with full illustrations that run $2,500 a book. Ick.
But over and over I heard this: You must have a solid, professional looking cover. People will judge the book by what they see. Make them see gold.
What do you think, readers? When's the timing going to be right for the various markets in e-Pubbing?
Monday, May 9, 2011
The Power of Attending Writing Conferences
Attending a literary or writing conference can have a profound impact on your writing, your career, your self esteem, and your over all personal spiritual health.
That's why I'm such a fan of attending them as often as time and money allow.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I attended the 11th LDS Storymakers Conferences this past weekend in Salt Lake City. I mentioned in that post that it was one of my favorite all time conferences. Here's why.
1. The Power of Networking
A. I'll post more extensively about this tomorrow in a post about rethinking my e-Publishing plan. But suffice it to say that through this conference I connected with 3 literary agents, several editors, and several New York Times bestselling author friends that I see mostly at conferences. Their advice changed the landscape for me.
B. I felt rejuvenated talking with so many writing friends. The more conferences I attend, especially locally, the better friendships I develop. Now I consider some of them good friends, and chatting with them always boosts my energy and ego.
But it does more than that, and this is one reason conferences are awesome: I felt really connected with the writing world. I felt part of that bigger community that we are all trying to break into professionally. And I surprised myself at how excited I was at how successful so many other people were doing. I honestly want them to succeed. Actually, that means you, too, my writing friends and associates.
You'd think I'd come away from this feeling jealous because extremely talented authors like Tyler Whitesides are making great strides. Just the opposite happened. I made a good friend in Tyler, and I'm really excited for him. And the better he does, the more excited I'll be. That's a great feeling to have.
C. I also learned about how to network with each other in a way that will increase our global reach together. The interesting thing about blogging and social networking is that it works even better when we promote each other. I have been spending too much time spinning my wheels alone when I now realize I can be so much more effective working with others and building each other.
D. I pitched to several agents, and one requested a full manuscript review and the other a 30-page partial review. Folks, that is HUGE! I am so excited! And I made such connections by being at the most laid back environment I've ever experienced at a conference. Way better than World Fantasy last fall. People here, even the national agents, were truly interested in chatting with us and offering advice and hearing what we had to say.
2. Learning
I already mentioned this in 'C' above, but I learned a great deal at this conference about marketing. In fact, I mostly attended marketing classes on the power of effective Twitter usage (I'm converted, finally, even though I still don't know how), blogging, and a horde of other things. Excellent.
3. Teaching
I taught two classes at this conference: writing for the Church magazines, and how to write back cover copy, or the secret to pitches and queries. Both classes went very well. In fact, I already have plans for improving the back cover copy class and make it more interactive, enhanced, and more my own baby. For this presentation I relied heavily on others' ideas. Now they are becoming more and more my own.
4. Love of the Game
Well, that about says it all. The writing game is extraordinary, and this conference brought that to full fruition. I talked to a number of people about their personal plans, learned much, much more about e-Pubbing and legacy publishing, and even presented at the Whitney Awards. Great times, great times.
So, more later about individual authors and about my new plans.
That's why I'm such a fan of attending them as often as time and money allow.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I attended the 11th LDS Storymakers Conferences this past weekend in Salt Lake City. I mentioned in that post that it was one of my favorite all time conferences. Here's why.
1. The Power of Networking
A. I'll post more extensively about this tomorrow in a post about rethinking my e-Publishing plan. But suffice it to say that through this conference I connected with 3 literary agents, several editors, and several New York Times bestselling author friends that I see mostly at conferences. Their advice changed the landscape for me.
B. I felt rejuvenated talking with so many writing friends. The more conferences I attend, especially locally, the better friendships I develop. Now I consider some of them good friends, and chatting with them always boosts my energy and ego.
But it does more than that, and this is one reason conferences are awesome: I felt really connected with the writing world. I felt part of that bigger community that we are all trying to break into professionally. And I surprised myself at how excited I was at how successful so many other people were doing. I honestly want them to succeed. Actually, that means you, too, my writing friends and associates.
You'd think I'd come away from this feeling jealous because extremely talented authors like Tyler Whitesides are making great strides. Just the opposite happened. I made a good friend in Tyler, and I'm really excited for him. And the better he does, the more excited I'll be. That's a great feeling to have.
C. I also learned about how to network with each other in a way that will increase our global reach together. The interesting thing about blogging and social networking is that it works even better when we promote each other. I have been spending too much time spinning my wheels alone when I now realize I can be so much more effective working with others and building each other.
D. I pitched to several agents, and one requested a full manuscript review and the other a 30-page partial review. Folks, that is HUGE! I am so excited! And I made such connections by being at the most laid back environment I've ever experienced at a conference. Way better than World Fantasy last fall. People here, even the national agents, were truly interested in chatting with us and offering advice and hearing what we had to say.
2. Learning
I already mentioned this in 'C' above, but I learned a great deal at this conference about marketing. In fact, I mostly attended marketing classes on the power of effective Twitter usage (I'm converted, finally, even though I still don't know how), blogging, and a horde of other things. Excellent.
3. Teaching
I taught two classes at this conference: writing for the Church magazines, and how to write back cover copy, or the secret to pitches and queries. Both classes went very well. In fact, I already have plans for improving the back cover copy class and make it more interactive, enhanced, and more my own baby. For this presentation I relied heavily on others' ideas. Now they are becoming more and more my own.
4. Love of the Game
Well, that about says it all. The writing game is extraordinary, and this conference brought that to full fruition. I talked to a number of people about their personal plans, learned much, much more about e-Pubbing and legacy publishing, and even presented at the Whitney Awards. Great times, great times.
So, more later about individual authors and about my new plans.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
LDS Storymakers conference
Sorry I have been incognito this week, folks. I've been preparing for my presentation at the LDS Storymakers conference yesterday and today. This has been the best conference I have attended, bar none. It's got me rethinking my entire launch strategy. I'll blog about this extensively next week.
I met a number of agents, talented writers, and reconnected with great editors and friends. National agents Becca Stumpf, Sara Crowe, and Sara Megibow have all been charming. Great classes on marketing and the craft of writing.
And my own presentation on writing for the Church and national magazines went quite well.
If you're in the Salt Lake City area and you are a writer, do yourself a favor and come on down today. You won't be disappointed.
I met a number of agents, talented writers, and reconnected with great editors and friends. National agents Becca Stumpf, Sara Crowe, and Sara Megibow have all been charming. Great classes on marketing and the craft of writing.
And my own presentation on writing for the Church and national magazines went quite well.
If you're in the Salt Lake City area and you are a writer, do yourself a favor and come on down today. You won't be disappointed.
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