The Culmination of Wallflower

My, my. It has been over three years since I started this blog about my novel, Wallflower. Three years of writing, creating, editing, toiling, agonizing, querying, requerying, complaining, rejoicing and ultimately finding a publisher for my little book.


What a ride!


Wallflower will finally be released on Amazon and Barnes & Noble in three days (April 23rd.) I will be a published author. The euphoria has yet to wear off, and I hope it never does.

But don't get me wrong, folks. This blog is far from finished. 

Upon publication, a new battle begins. Now I go from writing mode to marketing mode, which I know little about. I've certainly done my share of research on the subject. I've gotten myself a decent platform started (present blog included.) But I have a lot to learn, and I'm eager to share my findings with you.

So hang on tight. As Bette Davis would say: "It's going to be a bumpy night." I'm glad I have all of you to lean on. And while you're at it, travel on over to Amazon or to Bradley Publishing's website and pick up a copy of Wallflower. See what all this fuss has been about. 

And thank you to all my loyal readers and followers. You've helped the seed of my writing grow into a vibrant and colorful Wallflower.

♥♥♥

Sure, I May Look Calm and Collected, but...

Don't look at me like that. 

I know I've been neglecting my blog. 

My fingers have been busy on the keyboard elsewhere. Lots to do with a book coming out in just a couple of weeks...


It's still so amazing to hear that: "I have a book coming out in two weeks." :-D


With the second round of edits finished, I promptly moved on to concocting a book trailer video to post on youtube and my website. With the help of Windows Movie Maker I put together my masterpiece. I call it that, because it took twelve days and a good chunk of my sanity to make it. The finished product is exactly what I pictured when I began, and I've never been more proud.


No, I can't post it yet. The book's not out yet. I can't have people going to Amazon to buy a copy of a book that's not there. But I will post it soon.


With the book trailer done, I now have to focus on a marketing strategy. *Sigh* That's the tough part for me. I don't know where to begin. I'm already a befuddled mess. But because I'm an organized person, I think I'll start by laying out a schedule of sights to visit each week. I'll leave my fingerprint behind and move on to the next target. 


I sure would appreciate some input from my friends and followers in this department. Have you marketed a book in the past? Found a site that did wonders for you? Please leave a comment and share it with me. I could use all the help I can get. :-\

What Do They Mean, Cover Letter?

As any writer in the thick of querying agents, I come across a few surprises when I research each agency's submission guidelines. Just when I start getting into a routine of knowing exactly what I'm doing, up pops something new that snaps me back to attention.

Sometimes, they want your query attached in a certain format or file type. Sometimes they request your query be put in an attachment rather than in the body of the email. Sometimes vice-versa. But the one request that has always stumped me is when the agent/publisher asks for a cover letter. Everyone's heard of a cover letter when applying for a job. Most people know what that entails. I'm referring to a literary cover letter.

What's in a cover letter?

What are they looking for?

So I searched the internet. Would you believe I couldn't find anything? I asked my writer friends. Everyone drew a blank. I was actually passing up the agencies that asked for a cover letter simply because there was no information on how to create one.

Finally, I happened upon an article that spelled it out nicely for me. Hooray!! Here's the answer to the burning question:

A standard submission cover letter in the body of your email.

* Start the email by writing your contact information in the top left corner: Real name, address, phone, email address, title of the work, pen name if any, genre or category, and the word count of your manuscript according to MS Word. Don't round, and don't use "approximately 55,000 words." Please use the actual word count.

* Include your web or blog URL and any publication credits you may have.

* And don't forget the most important part-that short blurb that will pique our interest and make us eager to read more. Or at least give us your best attempt. We'll still read your manuscript even if the blurb isn't perfect.

How about that? My options have now vastly improved and I even get to practice my elevator pitch with a cover letter.

So there's your lesson for today folks. Now you won't feel like a twit when they so casually ask you for a cover letter. :-)

A Frantic Spirit

Writers are a sordid lot. They're also a sorted lot. (I love words like that.) It seems that all writers and artists are on the same mental plain or if you're so inclined, on the same mental "plane", flying in the same direction to the same destination. When their creative spirit flows, art is created. Those who live without this creative streak say things like, "This is an inspired work" or "Where do they come up with such ideas?"

To the writer or artist, such ideas and creations are as much of a surprise to them as they are to the observing public. We don't know where it comes from, we are simply compelled to paint it, chisel it or write it. If we don't, we feel our heads might explode from the idea growing and pressing against our brain.

This is why I'm writing this post. My head is not threatening to burst with ideas. It's already done that and I have 4 1/2 novels and countless short stories to prove it. My problem is the fact that I can't share my stories with the world. I can't find an agent or publisher, which would be my vein or channel to the world. My spirit is feeling frantic to have a writing CAREER.

People say, "You already have a writing career. You're writing, aren't you? Then you have a career." It's not like that, folks. Now that I've gotten my inspiration on paper and it's honed and ready for public consumption, I have no place to put it.

Here's a good analogy: Imagine yourself standing on a pillar of rock. This pillar of rock is at least ten stories tall and you're surrounded by the chasms of the Grand Canyon. On your pillar, you have approximately enough room to sit down, but no more. In your arms you hold all of the things that are nearest and dearest to your heart. Piled high in your two little arms you have your children, your spouse, your college degree, your photo albums, your skis or your treadmill (whatever floats your boat) and you're carrying them all gingerly and with great care, holding them as close to heart as possible. Suddenly, you have to pee. What do you do? Where can you set your things down? You turn in circles on your little pillar of rock. Beads of anxious sweat begin to trickle down your brow and your precious things have suddenly become very heavy. No one can hold your precious thing for you and you can't set them down. If you give in and take care of business as it were, you have no choice but to drop your most precious possessions into the great chasm, never to be seen again. As Keanu Reeves said in Speed, "What do you do?"

This is how my spirit is feeling. I'm frantically dashing around the literary planet saying, "Can you help me with this?" "Excuse me, do you have a home for this story?" "Pardon me, I'm sorry to bother you, but would you possibly be interested in publishing my work? I have lots more where that came from." I've gotten to the point where I just want to scream, "Heeeeyyyy! I'm a damn good writer. Publish me or point me to someone who can!!"

I can see you now: giving your computer monitor a wary leer as you contemplate just how mentally unstable I am. You may be on to something there, but I am in no way certifiable. I'm just getting older. I'm running out of time to achieve my dreams and my stories aren't doing anyone any good gathering dust in my proverbial drawer. They are homeless stories, without a voice, without an adoptive family. I am merely a catalyst, a foster home for these stories. I need someone to give my stories wings. If my stories never learn to fly, I will never fly and I'm feeling the pressure.

I'm writing this post against my better judgment. I feel that blogs of professional subjects should remain just that: professional, but according to Neil Gaiman, you should speak from the heart in your blogs. Let the world see you. I hold a lot of respect for Mr. Gaiman, so I'm taking his advice and giving you a glimpse of my own frantic writer's spirit.

We writers are a sordid lot; a sordid, sordid lot. *sigh*

There's No Such Thing as an "Aspiring" Author

First of all, I hope everyone's Holiday went smoothly and with minimal drama. If not, I feel for you. If it went well, please don't rub it in.

Mine was better than expected. Being low on funds this year, my husband and I decided to forgo gifts for each other and concentrate on giving our 11 year old daughter an awesome Christmas. Her belief in Santa Claus is hanging on by a frayed and fragile thread and we figured we'd better make this Christmas count before all the fantasy and magic of Santa was a thing of the past.

Due to the Holidays, this blog has been neglected. Until now I was dreading to post, but now that all the hubbub is over, I have no excuses, so I sucked it up and here I am.

The aforementioned request for my full manuscript was rejected two days before Christmas. This is my twelfth official rejection, although this one hurts more than the rest. I felt that I had a pretty good connection with this agent, if not the potential for a blooming friendship. Our lighthearted communications were encouraging and gave me a glimpse into this person's personality. I crossed my fingers even tighter at the thought of acquiring such a wonderful agent.

His rejection letter was kind with a air of regret that he must reject my story. That in itself made me feel a little bit better, although I couldn't help but wonder if I'd ever get the chance to work with an agent that was so personable and, for lack of a better word, normal.
It is with a heavy heart that I feel compelled to deliver this message to every aspiring author out there. Are you ready?

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN "ASPIRING" AUTHOR.

Yes, you heard me right and I hear you saying, "Well, I haven't been published yet. Therefore I am in the category of 'aspiring'."

Not true.

The truth of the matter is, if you have written anything, be it an epic novel or a limerick, and you intend to do it again, you are a writer. There's no "aspiring" about it. You've already done it.

When I finished my first novel, I hadn't yet decided whether or not to seek publication, but I knew one thing for sure: I had written a book, which is something most people only talk about. I did it and I loved it. I loved it so much that I decided to write another book and another and another. I am now working on my fifth book, but I am in the same swaying, rocking boat as all the first-time writers out there; the SS Author. We're in this together, you and I. Don't short-change yourself and don't let anyone tell you that you are less of an author simply because your story hasn't graced the bookstore shelves.

I say, welcome to Author-ship. (pun intended)