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Writer's World

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Re: Writer's World

Postby NaiadWaker » Sep 09, 2009 5:35 pm

Silvertongue- I love that time period, too! Good luck with your story!
Princess- Welcome to the thread! I read a little of your novel; looks like you're off to a good start!
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Re: Writer's World

Postby Mr Anderson » Sep 10, 2009 6:00 am

I always haunt the writers' thread but rarely ever post in it unless it's NaNo or Script Frenzy. XD

I'm really looking forward to NaNo this year...I have two ideas for novels, or novellas that I might do and I'm not sure which I'm going to use. I'll probably do both, since I don't know if I can make either one last a full 50,000 words. *g* They're both going to be hard for me, though, because they're extremely - almost entirely - focused on the main character's thoughts and emotions...no action at all, really. Last year my story was a fantasy where the only way I made it to 50,000 was by adding a battle every other page. XD And I think I might have a problem with not even killing anyone in my books, either... The trilogy I'm currently working on (I'm about halfway through the first book, but progressing quite quickly) is extremely tragic.
1st book: MC's mom dies.
2nd book: MC's dad dies. MC dies.
3rd book: Everyone else dies.
...don't worry, it does have a good ending of sorts. Just not the usual good ending. ^_^
(Formerly Reep&cheep)
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Re: Writer's World

Postby NaiadWaker » Sep 10, 2009 5:32 pm

WOW, Mr Anderson, that does sound extremely tragic. But if it has a good ending, that's still a good plot. Battles make the story interesting!
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Re: Writer's World

Postby starkat » Sep 13, 2009 8:10 pm

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get started trying to get a kids book published? I've put together a story that might make a good little kids book with illustrations.
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Re: Writer's World

Postby FencerforJesus » Sep 14, 2009 11:07 am

All of my experience has come through Writer's Edge, so aside from recommending them, nothing else comes to mind.

I have decided to explore the route through WinePress and see where God takes me. They gave me an estimate total cost of $5,200 for getting the book published (and that for at least 1,500 copies) and that is WAY below what my estimates would be for ACW and VMI. ACW charges $1,800 for just 25 books, and VMI would be approaching $10,000 or more for thier minimun run of 1,500 books. WinePress is way cheaper, and still gives me the full service.

There's just one problem. I don't have $5,000. I barely have $2,000 in my account. So if God is going to keep this door open, I am going to trust him to provide. They are currently looking over my manuscript and we are going to see what my options are from there. We'll see what happens.
Be watching for the release of my spiritual warfare novel under a new title: "Call to Arms" by OakTara Publishing. A sequel (title TBD) will shortly follow.
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Re: Writer's World

Postby NaiadWaker » Sep 14, 2009 1:45 pm

I'll be praying, fencerForJesus!
And starkat, I have no clue, but my guess is to send it to a publisher.
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Re: Writer's World

Postby FencerforJesus » Sep 14, 2009 2:31 pm

You can't just sent it to any publisher. Because of many fan writer's that really don't know what they are doing and the increasing costs of production, publishers are not merely accepting manuscripts anymore unless they have been proven. If you are new to the industry, you have two options, self-publish (little different than vanity publishing) or find a medium. Either way, you are going to spend money. Traditional royalty based publishers usually only take author's with agents, and these days agents only take author's who have been established. So entering the publishing world is going to be very difficult. As for me, I still don't know what's ahead of me. In part due to the economy, Christian fiction is not a hot market, but with children's lit, it might be better. It is a challenge, but it you want it done, go for it.
Be watching for the release of my spiritual warfare novel under a new title: "Call to Arms" by OakTara Publishing. A sequel (title TBD) will shortly follow.
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Re: Writer's World

Postby AJAiken » Sep 16, 2009 3:32 am

Fencer, it depends where you are and what publisher you want to send your cover letter and sample chapters to. In the UK, at least, there are several publishers willing to take unsolicited material. I'd also disagree that you have to spend money!

There seem to be lots of routes that you can follow. Starkat, I'd recommend searching the web to find Children's publishers and possibly forums, etc. that might help you understand more about that area of publishing. I've heard of one called the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators but I don't know what it's like. The site might be worth a look, though.

Having an agent seems to be a good way of getting to publishers. One way is to look at all the books which are similar to yours, or for the same age group, or whose authors you really like. Then see who represents that author. You'll get a better idea of who represents who, and then, if you try to pitch your book to that agent, you can talk knowledgeably about their other work.

Self-publishing is something more and more people are doing, but it can cost a lot of money, as Fencer has mentioned! Personally I would look into other routes first. Learn as much as you can from the internet, books, and forums as you can! And try sending your work to a publisher, or to an agent. Sometimes a rejection can help you refine and improve your book even more; that's certainly been the case with me.

Agents can't just take authors who have already been published, as otherwise there isn't really a need for them. Agents are on the lookout for excellent new writers with something to offer! The same goes for publishers. Just make sure you research what you're doing so that you know as much as you can about submitting and publishing. :)
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Re: Writer's World

Postby starkat » Sep 16, 2009 3:48 am

Thanks guys. I don't really have any intentions of self publishing. After I posted here, I also sent out an e-mail to the American Christian Fiction Writers (I'm a member) and got several suggestions from there.

There have got to be literary agents around where I live. Maybe I can track one down and ask questions in person, but this weekend, I'm going to try and follow up everyone's leads.
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Re: Writer's World

Postby Mr Anderson » Sep 16, 2009 6:28 am

(Formerly Reep&cheep)
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Re: Writer's World

Postby FencerforJesus » Sep 16, 2009 6:47 am

I stand corrected, AJ. I did know there were publishers out there that still accepted unsolicited manuscripts, but they are becoming fewer and fewer.

WinePress is still reviewing my manuscript. I got an e-mail last night saying they needed more time, which is a better sign than offering me a contract right away. I already saw that happen with PublishAmerica. I got a contract less than two days after submission of a 280 page novel (162,000 words) and that was an immediate red-flag that they never read it. I heard, specifically from Writer's Beware, that they had tested PublishAmerica by sending in a manuscript that was the most horribly written piece of trash that was only 30 pages long, repeated over and over again to novel length. PublishAmerica accepted it. This is a true vanity publisher to stay away from.

Mr. Anderson, that's a neat collection of publishers. I'm going to continue down this road with WinePress for the time being and keep praying that God will keep the door open or shut it. It's possible that the role WinePress will have is just to get my novel truly ready for publication and I actually end up with someone else. If that falls through, I might check out a few of these publishers and see what they are about. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens.
Be watching for the release of my spiritual warfare novel under a new title: "Call to Arms" by OakTara Publishing. A sequel (title TBD) will shortly follow.
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Re: Writer's World

Postby starkat » Sep 16, 2009 6:54 am

Mr. Anderson, thank you so much! I really appreciate the list! My day of research on Saturday is growing longer and longer! ;)) (I have more than one topic to research right now).
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Re: Writer's World

Postby Draugrín » Sep 16, 2009 9:44 am

Just wanted to check back in with this thread on the new site and see how everyone was doing!

It sounds like things are really moving forward for you, Fencer! I hope it all ends on a shelf at Barnes&Noble! ;)

I've been trying to get myself on a regular writing schedule. I think I might actually do NaNoWriMo this year, just to give myself the motivation to finish this story I'm on so I can start something new! I have so many new ideas bouncing around in my head, I don't know which one to develop first. Some are closer to being ready to write than others. I've also been trying to expand my "comfort zone" of writing, trying new techniques, new POVs, and concentrating more on taking time with my dialogue. I tend to push my characters to get to the point of a conversation, but people don't always stay on topic!

I'm also looking to write a play this year that I will produce for my senior thesis project at college. I'm not sure what it will be about yet!
"I didn't ask you what man says about God. I asked if you believe in God."
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Re: Writer's World

Postby Menelve » Sep 16, 2009 12:57 pm

The basic rule thumb for who will accept unsolicited manuscripts is the smaller they are, the more likely they'll take them. It is rare to find a larger publisher who'll accept anything that doesn't have an agent.

And as for agents, I've got a resource to throw out in here. I got it off a writing group I'm on and it's supposed to be really good and, most importantly, free. It's a database of agents containing current information about them (like they'll update a listing when an agent moves) and they have resources on publishing as well. That's where I'm gonna go first for an agent once I get a novel ready.

http://www.agentquery.com/default.aspx

Especially look at this page, cause it lists around 30 small presses which all accept unsolicited manuscripts. http://www.agentquery.com/publishing_ip.aspx Kat, you may want to look at Barefoot books on that list cause it specializes in high quality children's book (picture books, anthologies, etc). There are plenty others on the list though that specialize in children's fiction. This list is nice cause it lists their specialty along with a description of their "mission statement" for books they want to publish. Do check it out guys! ;)

Thanks for that list Mr. Anderson! I think I could add another one to that list, but it may be under the penguin company umbrella and technically included on your list already. Just looked, it's not under penguin, it's under macmillan. Farrar, Strous and Giroux is the name http://us.macmillan.com/FSG.aspx. I know they publish children's book cause my creative writing teacher here at college had her children's book (preteen level?) published through them and I'm pretty sure she did not have an agent for it.

Hope that helps!
~Anna
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Re: Writer's World

Postby FencerforJesus » Sep 17, 2009 2:42 pm

I heard back from WinePress again. The guy that's been contacting me has scanned through my manuscript (but not read the whole thing yet) and loves it. He would like to continue working on it, so I just sent an e-mail asking for clarifications on a few things, including how payment works, the process of editing, the differences between thier publication packages, etc. Once I get the answers to those questions, I am going to take a few days to a week (give or take) to pray about it before signing up. This is going to be a big decision and I want to be sure that this is a publisher that God laid before me and is the right one for me. I'll keep you posted. Based on how quickly he has responded, I'll expected a response by the weekend or Monday. Then I pray (actually I am praying about it now, but you get the idea).
Be watching for the release of my spiritual warfare novel under a new title: "Call to Arms" by OakTara Publishing. A sequel (title TBD) will shortly follow.
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Re: Writer's World

Postby Attolian Thief » Sep 18, 2009 7:44 pm

I unofficially did NANO last year. My history/lititure teacher told me about it, and challanged myself and the other two students to join him in NANO. I tried to do a historical fiction novel, but I couldn't find all the historical notes I needed, so I didn't finish. However this year I want to really want to be official, though I'll probably be one of the Rebels and try to finish a book I started awhile back. Good luck with the publisher Fencer4Jesus, I'll keep you in my prayers.
It is in thier "good" characters that novelists make, unaware, the most shocking revelations. C.S. Lewis
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