Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Susan's Book Talk: In my Hands...
Well, boys, girls and groupies of all sizes, shapes, and genders.
In my hands is what I think is going to be the final version of The Demo Tapes. You've asked and I'm about to deliver... Wow. This is scary and exhilarating all at once. Sort of like I imagine how I'd feel if I were allowed to be the first person to try out a new roller coaster... with a blindfold.
No, maybe not. Blindfolds take the fun out of it, no matter what Trevor says. We're talking roller coasters here, folks. And books. MY book.
Since this is mine, thanks to the good folks at Lulu, I get to make the rules. One of which is that you'll be able to buy The Demo Tapes from me. You'll be able to buy them through Lulu. You might be able to buy them through Amazon, but I'll only earn 66 cents per copy once Amazon gets their cut, and that doesn't leave me much to pay off my (limited) expenses and still have enough profit to donate to charity.
What I need to know right now (Yes, this instant!) is ... would you like an autographed copy? The only way to get one is to get it directly through me for a million reasons, one of which is that this book is being produced Print on Demand, so until someone places an order, there's nothing for me to sign.
Tell me in the comments. Lay it all out; I have comment mod only only to get rid of the spammers who leave links to obnoxious spam sites.
Here's the back cover copy:
As Frigga asked, the book is priced at $9.98 and there will be shipping costs involved. I need to figure them out yet (think three bucks for US addresses, tops). And yes, PayPal is a FINE form of payment.
More details on all this to come. Stay tuned.
In my hands is what I think is going to be the final version of The Demo Tapes. You've asked and I'm about to deliver... Wow. This is scary and exhilarating all at once. Sort of like I imagine how I'd feel if I were allowed to be the first person to try out a new roller coaster... with a blindfold.
No, maybe not. Blindfolds take the fun out of it, no matter what Trevor says. We're talking roller coasters here, folks. And books. MY book.
Since this is mine, thanks to the good folks at Lulu, I get to make the rules. One of which is that you'll be able to buy The Demo Tapes from me. You'll be able to buy them through Lulu. You might be able to buy them through Amazon, but I'll only earn 66 cents per copy once Amazon gets their cut, and that doesn't leave me much to pay off my (limited) expenses and still have enough profit to donate to charity.
What I need to know right now (Yes, this instant!) is ... would you like an autographed copy? The only way to get one is to get it directly through me for a million reasons, one of which is that this book is being produced Print on Demand, so until someone places an order, there's nothing for me to sign.
Tell me in the comments. Lay it all out; I have comment mod only only to get rid of the spammers who leave links to obnoxious spam sites.
Here's the back cover copy:
A band's demo tape is intended to introduce listeners to their music. Likewise, this collection of short pieces allows readers into the fictional world of Trevor Wolff and his band, ShapeShifter.
Originally published online between April 2006 and March 2007, The Demo Tapes: Year 1 brings together the moments that parallel -- but never encounter -- Susan Helene Gottfried's debut novel, Trevor's Song. Arranged chronologically and with introductions to each, this is a must-have volume for anyone who's ever wanted to hang with a rock band.
As Frigga asked, the book is priced at $9.98 and there will be shipping costs involved. I need to figure them out yet (think three bucks for US addresses, tops). And yes, PayPal is a FINE form of payment.
More details on all this to come. Stay tuned.
Labels: publishing, Susan's Book Talk, The Demo Tapes
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Seven Braggy Things
My new bud, Beaded Tail, tagged me for that seven things meme. The last time I did it, Trevor took over. (Read it here.) Okay, he does a lot of my memes for me. He did this one, too.
Given that the Sunday Scribblings prompt this week is all about bragging, it seems natural to let Trevor do this one, too. No one loves to brag like Trevor Fucking Wolff.
But... I like being as unpredictable as my Trevor. And I got lots to brag about.
So I'm stuffing Trevor back into the tour bus and taking a rare spin at this blogging about myself stuff. (Although I suspect I do it more than I'm willing to admit! Do I?)
Know why?
Because I'm about to give you guys something many of you have asked for. Nope, not the novel you've been longing for. Not quite yet.
I've been playing with this idea for a year and a half now. I was advised to hold off doing it by a literary agent who offered representation ... and then disappeared.
Sometimes, things happen for the best. 'Cause there's not a person involved in the big business of books who'd tell you that what I'm doing has ANY commercial value. Let's prove them wrong.
What I've done is taken ALL the ShapeShifter fiction (minus anything Chelle wrote) from my blog's first year. I've organized it into chronological order, like you've asked for. I've edited each piece, more than once.
And I've uploaded it to Lulu.com.
Nope, you can't buy it YET. Know why?
The first copy I made had some odd layout issues. And the font was too small. And it needed another edit.
The second copy I made had two Tables of Contents.
And you know what? I have a whole new, healthy appreciation for people who do this stuff for a living. Sheesh, we've learned a lot, the Tour Manager and me.
It'll be soon, though. As soon as I let the Tour Manager have the laptop back so he can finish whatever tech stuff it is he's got to do. Believe me, I'll let you know.
Now, because I'm doing this myself, that means I don't get any free copies that'll show up on my doorstep for people to promo and review, like most authors get. And while most of you groupies deserve your own free copy, you might change your mind when I spring this fact on you:
Most of my expenses after profits will go to various charities, hopefully a different one every three months.
I say "most" simply so I have some wiggle room. If I say "I'm giving ALL my profits to charity," I won't feel right about holding back money for expenses I know are upcoming. I'm not doing this to make a profit. I'm doing this for these reasons:
1. I have something you guys have said you want.
2. No one else seems overly willing to help me get it to you ("No one else" meaning any of the people in publishing I've approached over the years, except for the one agent who went poof.)
3. I can.
4. I've always wanted to be a great philanthropist. Growing up in the shadow of Andrew Carnegie will do that to you, I suppose. Or all those lessons from the rabbis about the importance of tzedakah -- charity -- sunk in. You pick.
5. I'm curious to know how many copies of this little book I'll sell.
6. It's not always easy to search a blog's archives. This way, you'll have at least a third (or so) of the ShapeShifter fiction that'll be easier to refer back to.
7. I have lots more outtakes we can do this with... Year 2 wrapped up last April, and we're in the middle of year 3 now.
So... there you go. Much better than listening to me rave about how actor Shemar Moore was featured in this month's Bicycling Magazine, right?
(btw, this is only the beginning... look for some fun stuff to wear and a few other surprises in the next few months, given the speed at which the Tour Manager and I move lately. If you have an idea for a t-shirt, give a holler! I'm sure we can work something out...)
Given that the Sunday Scribblings prompt this week is all about bragging, it seems natural to let Trevor do this one, too. No one loves to brag like Trevor Fucking Wolff.
But... I like being as unpredictable as my Trevor. And I got lots to brag about.
So I'm stuffing Trevor back into the tour bus and taking a rare spin at this blogging about myself stuff. (Although I suspect I do it more than I'm willing to admit! Do I?)
Know why?
Because I'm about to give you guys something many of you have asked for. Nope, not the novel you've been longing for. Not quite yet.
I've been playing with this idea for a year and a half now. I was advised to hold off doing it by a literary agent who offered representation ... and then disappeared.
Sometimes, things happen for the best. 'Cause there's not a person involved in the big business of books who'd tell you that what I'm doing has ANY commercial value. Let's prove them wrong.
What I've done is taken ALL the ShapeShifter fiction (minus anything Chelle wrote) from my blog's first year. I've organized it into chronological order, like you've asked for. I've edited each piece, more than once.
And I've uploaded it to Lulu.com.
Nope, you can't buy it YET. Know why?
The first copy I made had some odd layout issues. And the font was too small. And it needed another edit.
The second copy I made had two Tables of Contents.
And you know what? I have a whole new, healthy appreciation for people who do this stuff for a living. Sheesh, we've learned a lot, the Tour Manager and me.
It'll be soon, though. As soon as I let the Tour Manager have the laptop back so he can finish whatever tech stuff it is he's got to do. Believe me, I'll let you know.
Now, because I'm doing this myself, that means I don't get any free copies that'll show up on my doorstep for people to promo and review, like most authors get. And while most of you groupies deserve your own free copy, you might change your mind when I spring this fact on you:
Most of my expenses after profits will go to various charities, hopefully a different one every three months.
I say "most" simply so I have some wiggle room. If I say "I'm giving ALL my profits to charity," I won't feel right about holding back money for expenses I know are upcoming. I'm not doing this to make a profit. I'm doing this for these reasons:
1. I have something you guys have said you want.
2. No one else seems overly willing to help me get it to you ("No one else" meaning any of the people in publishing I've approached over the years, except for the one agent who went poof.)
3. I can.
4. I've always wanted to be a great philanthropist. Growing up in the shadow of Andrew Carnegie will do that to you, I suppose. Or all those lessons from the rabbis about the importance of tzedakah -- charity -- sunk in. You pick.
5. I'm curious to know how many copies of this little book I'll sell.
6. It's not always easy to search a blog's archives. This way, you'll have at least a third (or so) of the ShapeShifter fiction that'll be easier to refer back to.
7. I have lots more outtakes we can do this with... Year 2 wrapped up last April, and we're in the middle of year 3 now.
So... there you go. Much better than listening to me rave about how actor Shemar Moore was featured in this month's Bicycling Magazine, right?
(btw, this is only the beginning... look for some fun stuff to wear and a few other surprises in the next few months, given the speed at which the Tour Manager and I move lately. If you have an idea for a t-shirt, give a holler! I'm sure we can work something out...)
Labels: Beaded Tail, meme, publishing, Sunday Scribblings
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Thursday Thirteen -- Progress
 |
| 1. I've added a new download to the Free Downloads page of my website. 2. The new one is called Meeting Trevor. 3. You might have read it here, in a slightly different version. From the size of the comment trail, it looks like a lot of you have missed it. 4. I took some time and cleaned it up and edited it before letting it be a download. 5. That's because what goes on the blog is usually a first draft, or close enough to it to be called a first draft. 6. Part of the idea here is that the downloads will be easier to find, even though you can click on any character on their page at the website and find a list of blog posts that involves them. 7. Another bonus of the outtakes is that they will be in chronological order, which is something that currently doesn't exist anywhere. Some of you have asked for this. I'm happy to provide. 8. We'll try to remember to put a little "NEW" icon by the newest outtake when we post them. 9. For now, they'll all be set in the years before my novel, Trevor's Song, takes place. You'll get a unique look at the backstory that creates the book. 10. If Trevor's Song isn't published by the time I go through all my outtakes, I'll figure something out. Self-publish or write more outtakes are the two most obvious solutions! 11. A bonus to doing this is that if there's enough demand, I can collect the downloads into an actual book that you can buy and put on your shelves and give to friends. That's going to be entirely dependent on demand, however. 12. One thing that jazzes me is that when people ask if they can buy my book, I can say no, but they can read for free on my website. 13. Tell all your friends. Let's make them fall as deeply in love with Trevor and company as you are. If you don't have a Groupie banner but want one, let me know! |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
Labels: meme, publishing, Thursday Thirteen
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Thursday Thirteen #69 -- Strong Women
This is my 69th Thirteen. And we all know the obvious fun that the number 69 inspires. Unless you've got a partner who's lousy at it.
Since it's obvious to play with the concept of 69, I must be like Trevor and ignore the obvious. Therefore, I present something different this week.
My Booking Through Thursday post last week got me thinking. Bunnygirl and Thomma Lyn and I got into this discussion about the best women in fiction and how they've got strong personalities, but are told they are TOO strong to be published.
Needless to say, I want to fix that. I'm just not sure how. Let's see if my thoughts on the subject give us any ideas.
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will try to link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Hey! This was Post #400!
Since it's obvious to play with the concept of 69, I must be like Trevor and ignore the obvious. Therefore, I present something different this week.
My Booking Through Thursday post last week got me thinking. Bunnygirl and Thomma Lyn and I got into this discussion about the best women in fiction and how they've got strong personalities, but are told they are TOO strong to be published.
Needless to say, I want to fix that. I'm just not sure how. Let's see if my thoughts on the subject give us any ideas.
 |
1. I'm fascinated by the fact that this discussion happened just a few weeks before the Jewish holiday of Purim, which celebrates the story of Esther. Esther stood up to her husband the king, even though she faced death to do so. But it was her or all the Jews. How could a strong woman NOT take that risk? 2. A great novel about Esther, whose Hebrew name was Hadassah, is The Gilded Chamber, by Rebecca Kohn. See? Here's an example of a strong woman character who made it into print. Even though she's a historical figure. Maybe that doesn't count. 3. As a child, I was inspired by women like Esther. I wanted to be a strong woman like her -- and like Princess Leia. Leia was the first woman I'd ever seen who picked up a gun and held her own, in all arenas. She was tough. I wanted to grow up and be her. 4. I look at my own fictional characters and wonder if I'm fitting the bill, myself. Am I creating the sort of woman I want to be? 5. I think so. Kerri is an artist. She's cool. She's got it all, she knows it, she appreciates it. As any of you who were here earlier in the week saw, she's got a past of her own that she had to overcome. Without bitterness. It's one of the ways in which she's similar to Trevor, who also has no bitterness toward his upbringing. If you can call it an upbringing. 6. Then there's Chelle. Chelle grew up dirt poor and, without a college degree, found a way to wiggle into being a rock journalist. Sure, she writes for the city paper, not Rolling Stone or something, but she's popular. Those of you who read her posts here on my blog know that she's not afraid to say what's on her mind. 7. I've got Val and Pam roaming around, too. Pam's not ever going to be confused for being a strong woman, although in her way, she is. She can't help it that Mitchell turns her into a simpering idiot. As for Val, she's assertive when she's comfortable. But as you may have noticed, she prefers to hang in the background. 8. However, none of those four women are math/science women, which is the sort of character Bunny and Thomma Lyn are looking for. That, of course, means a challenge for me. 9. You haven't met Heather yet, but she might be someone I develop more, especially once I get Trevor's Song into print. Yes, that's a hint of things to come. 10. I've got an idea for a new character, named Aliyah, but nothing concrete yet. And even if I do flesh her out and write her story -- which would have to center on her strength and her career -- is there a point if I can't get it published? 11. For Trevor and situations like this, I wonder what the strong approach is: self-publish and do it ALL myself (but also retain ALL control over my vision) or go for the traditional, royalty-paying publisher and the respect that is inherent with that pathway. I mean, anyone can self-publish in this day and age. But is giving up control a way of selling my vision out? 12. I have long dreamed of owning a publisher of my own. Yes, that'd get me in print, but it would also take care of situations like these. Lots of people in my comments last week -- and as I visited others who participated in BTT -- were all saying that they like strong women. They want more. 13. Without money, business acumen, time, and a million other things, this is only going to remain a dream. So the problem remains... How do we get strong women into print? Anyone? Bueller? |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will try to link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Hey! This was Post #400!
Labels: meme, publishing, Thursday Thirteen
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Susan's Snarkling Debut
Ever wondered what I really look like, since that picture on the website is horrid?
Well, Southern Writer made a cool YouTube vid, and I'm in it. Check it out.
Back later with a Christmas entry. Or maybe not.
Well, Southern Writer made a cool YouTube vid, and I'm in it. Check it out.
Back later with a Christmas entry. Or maybe not.
Labels: Miss Snark, publishing, Snarklings, YouTube
Friday, December 15, 2006
Susan's Book Talk: Who Knew Punk was so Hot?
Another book about punk rock has entered my radar: Babylon's Burning: From Punk to Grunge, by Clinton Heylin.
Best known as a biographer of Bob Dylan, Heylin's apparently written other books about punk: From the Velvets to the Voidoids, and All Yesterday's Parties: The Velvet Underground in Print, among other books about music.
Well. If you don't remember what happened the LAST time I blogged about a book about punk, let me refresh your memory.
One book hardly makes me an expert on the genre of books about punk, but I'm sure game to turn myself into one. Therefore, I'd like to hand down this challenge:
If Barb at Front Street Reviews is willing, and if someone in Mr. Heylin's camp is willing, I'll read Babylon's Burning and review it for all of you. We'll see how this Brit's take on punk compares to Steven Lee Beeber's.
Given that we've got the perspectives of two different countries, each rich in punk tradition, I think this could be an interesting project.
Best known as a biographer of Bob Dylan, Heylin's apparently written other books about punk: From the Velvets to the Voidoids, and All Yesterday's Parties: The Velvet Underground in Print, among other books about music.
Well. If you don't remember what happened the LAST time I blogged about a book about punk, let me refresh your memory.
One book hardly makes me an expert on the genre of books about punk, but I'm sure game to turn myself into one. Therefore, I'd like to hand down this challenge:
If Barb at Front Street Reviews is willing, and if someone in Mr. Heylin's camp is willing, I'll read Babylon's Burning and review it for all of you. We'll see how this Brit's take on punk compares to Steven Lee Beeber's.
Given that we've got the perspectives of two different countries, each rich in punk tradition, I think this could be an interesting project.
Labels: book reviews, books, challenge, Front Street Reviews, publishing, punk rock, rock and roll
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Susan's Publishing News
Go to Front Street Reviews and click on Non-fiction.
See a review for a book I've mentioned here a few times? You know, that Heebie Jeebies book?
See who wrote it?
Yeah, that's right. That'd be me.
Read the review. Buy the book. Read the book. Read the review again; I'm worth a second look.
Then, go back to Front Street Reviews and find more good stuff to read.
See a review for a book I've mentioned here a few times? You know, that Heebie Jeebies book?
See who wrote it?
Yeah, that's right. That'd be me.
Read the review. Buy the book. Read the book. Read the review again; I'm worth a second look.
Then, go back to Front Street Reviews and find more good stuff to read.
Labels: book reviews, cool stuff, Front Street Reviews, music, publishing, punk rock
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Susan's Book Talk: Sad News
The world of contemporary fiction is mourning the loss of Bebe Moore Campbell, a fantastic writer and, like me, an alum of the University of Pittsburgh (although I don't think she was a writing major).
If you've never read any of Campbell's works, this would be a good time to pick some of them up. She even wrote a children's book, about mental illness. She was an important writer, with an eye for detail and an ear for dialogue, and her talent will be missed.
Condolences to her family and us fans around the world.
If you've never read any of Campbell's works, this would be a good time to pick some of them up. She even wrote a children's book, about mental illness. She was an important writer, with an eye for detail and an ear for dialogue, and her talent will be missed.
Condolences to her family and us fans around the world.
Labels: books, publishing
Monday, November 13, 2006
Makes Sense to Me!
I just got a rejection letter for Trevor's Song that makes me wonder if this agent needs one of Miss Snark's Clue Guns.
I kid you not, but this was hand-written on the bottom of my query page:
"Thanks, but I represent commercial, category fiction."
Now, if you follow this link, you'll see only part of the query letter. What you're not seeing is the part where I go on to give the word count and clearly state that this will be my fiction debut. It mentions my degrees in creative writing. Nowhere does it infer that this is anything BUT a work of fiction.
And for crying out loud, the book is about a man named Trevor. If there's any doubt if this is non-fiction, that should be cleared up by noticing the fact -- that she must have, as she personalized this note -- that I am a woman named Susan.
I suppose I ought to be grateful that she thought this fictional world I've created is real. I suppose that ought to reinforce my belief that I've done good work and it's only a matter of finding the right person -- who she, clearly, is not.
But I can't help but wonder if instead of spilling coffee on the envelope, she would have been better off if she'd consumed that coffee, instead.
I kid you not, but this was hand-written on the bottom of my query page:
"Thanks, but I represent commercial, category fiction."
Now, if you follow this link, you'll see only part of the query letter. What you're not seeing is the part where I go on to give the word count and clearly state that this will be my fiction debut. It mentions my degrees in creative writing. Nowhere does it infer that this is anything BUT a work of fiction.
And for crying out loud, the book is about a man named Trevor. If there's any doubt if this is non-fiction, that should be cleared up by noticing the fact -- that she must have, as she personalized this note -- that I am a woman named Susan.
I suppose I ought to be grateful that she thought this fictional world I've created is real. I suppose that ought to reinforce my belief that I've done good work and it's only a matter of finding the right person -- who she, clearly, is not.
But I can't help but wonder if instead of spilling coffee on the envelope, she would have been better off if she'd consumed that coffee, instead.
Labels: agent hunting, publishing
Friday, November 10, 2006
Susan's Book Talk!
Congrats to author K L Going, whose book Saint Iggy was named one of Publisher's Weekly's Best Books of 2006 -- and Publisher Weekly's Best Children's Books, too.
I've linked the book to Powell's Books, but if you think of it, why not order from my friends Richard and Mary Alice at The Mystery Lovers Bookshop? They can get anything on the planet and having a strong holiday season is extra important for them this year. (You may have to call them to place an order for Saint Iggy, but they have a toll-free number and are wonderful people. Free shipping if you meet the order minimum, too, so why not look through this here blog for some book suggestions and order all those up, too? Feel free to tell them I sent you!)
Happy reading and here's to more kudos for my new friend KL.
I've linked the book to Powell's Books, but if you think of it, why not order from my friends Richard and Mary Alice at The Mystery Lovers Bookshop? They can get anything on the planet and having a strong holiday season is extra important for them this year. (You may have to call them to place an order for Saint Iggy, but they have a toll-free number and are wonderful people. Free shipping if you meet the order minimum, too, so why not look through this here blog for some book suggestions and order all those up, too? Feel free to tell them I sent you!)
Happy reading and here's to more kudos for my new friend KL.
Labels: books, publishing
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Susan says: My friend Fred!
On November 1, 2006 (that's today!), Point Blank Press is bringing back Fred Zackel's first novel, 1978's Cocaine & Blue Eyes. The novel, which was made into a TV-movie in the early '80s, has received critical acclaim over the years for creating a resurgence in the American private-eye novel.
Part of the Time magazine review from November 28, 1978, said:
"Drugs and thugs, a missing person and a backchatting investigator also
dominate Cocaine and Blue Eyes. Fred Zackel's sprightly first novel, set
mostly in the San Francisco Bay Area, combines the story of a Pacific
Heights dynasty, corporate shenanigans, Chinatown gangs, a spectrum of sex,
aging flower children, Mafia money and the houseboat life in Sausalito. The
result is as nerve-rattling as a full-throttle auto chase from Grant Avenue
to Fisherman's Wharf."
Congrats, Fred!! May your sales be amazing!
(copied from the e-mail I got from the Bowling Green Creative Writing Department listserve notice)
Part of the Time magazine review from November 28, 1978, said:
"Drugs and thugs, a missing person and a backchatting investigator also
dominate Cocaine and Blue Eyes. Fred Zackel's sprightly first novel, set
mostly in the San Francisco Bay Area, combines the story of a Pacific
Heights dynasty, corporate shenanigans, Chinatown gangs, a spectrum of sex,
aging flower children, Mafia money and the houseboat life in Sausalito. The
result is as nerve-rattling as a full-throttle auto chase from Grant Avenue
to Fisherman's Wharf."
Congrats, Fred!! May your sales be amazing!
(copied from the e-mail I got from the Bowling Green Creative Writing Department listserve notice)
Labels: books, publishing
Friday, October 27, 2006
Don't be a fool!
I know that lots of us are out there, looking for literary agents. I know that a lot of times, it feels like we're competing against each other for the same person's time and energy (not to mention attention and hand-holding).
But I firmly believe that we're all in this together, folks. We all have our own slice of audience that'll be completely unique to each of us.
And because I believe that, I think we need to stick together when the scammers raise their ugly heads.
This time, it's in the form of the The International Independent Literary Agents Association (IILAA). I'm not going to post a link directly to them 'cause that'll just give them one more link at places like Technorati, and who wants to help out a bunch of scammers? (My link goes to Victoria Strauss, who I'll mention later on, so keep reading)
This is what steams me about them:
1. They claim that charging a reading fee is normal and good business practice. Yes, they sort-of have a point in that you often pay a lawyer a retainer.
BUT... not ALL lawyers ask for retainers. Many work the same way reputable agents do: They take a cut of what you win in court (granted, agents take a cut of what you earn, but you see my point). Many just send you a bill.
2. If this The International Independent Literary Agents Association (IILAA) is to be believed, there are ten agents they recommend. That's fine. But... who's number 10? They only list nine on their site.
Yes, counting to ten may be math, but it's not higher math. My kids could both do it before they were two. Most of us have ten fingers and ten toes for the express purpose of using two of the four (YOU get my higher math, right?) appendages for counting to ten.
3. They make a BIG STINK of denouncing Preditors and Editors, Writer Beware, Miss Snark, and other sites that many of us rely on for information.
4. As they denounce these people, they can't be bothered to spell some of these places properly. Hello? You're a LITERARY agency. A little show of your own LITERATE capabilities would be nice. (And let's not get into how nice it was of them, in their literary worldliness, to point out that a group called The International Independent Literary Agents Association is composed of Independent agents.)
Yeah, yeah. We all make typos. See my own post from yesterday, which invites you to capitalize on one I made. But c'mon, folks. If you're going to cut someone down, do it the right way. Those last two examples aren't even as amusing as "be a retainer," which also appears on their site, in the bit about why fees are acceptable.
If all those sites are so disreputable, why do so many of us hold what they say to be canonical? Because we're stupid? Or because we're smart enough to do the research that backs us up. Look at some blogging agents. My favorites are Agent Kristin, Lit Soup, The Rejecter, and Dystel and Goderich Literary Management. Miss Snark goes without saying.
What do these agents have in common?
1. They support the efforts of Ann, Victoria, and all the rest who are out there, keeping us abreast and warned of the scammers.
2. They're NOT on Writer Beware's list of 20 Worst Agents.
3. They don't charge fees.
4. They are careful about their typos and the way they present themselves. That many mistakes... c'mon. Would you want THEM to represent you? What would happen if they offered you a contract for a book you didn't write? You wrote Under a Blood Red Sky, not Over a Bloody Die. That doesn't even make sense, unless you play craps!
Think about it. An agent represents you. They are your face to the publishing world, at least initially. They are your advocate, your business partner.
Do your research before you commit to any agent, even the ones I listed here as the blogging agents I particularly like. This is your career, people. I've already had one bad agent in my life. I can tell you, firsthand, what a frustrating time-suck it is. And he wasn't even a fee charger. He didn't ask me to BE a retainer.
Be smart, folks. Writing is a craft, an art form, yes. But there's also a business end to it. Please don't ignore that.
/rant over
(by the way, if I've offended you and you want me to take this post down, you'll have to go through my lawyer to get me to do so. Don't say you weren't warned.)
But I firmly believe that we're all in this together, folks. We all have our own slice of audience that'll be completely unique to each of us.
And because I believe that, I think we need to stick together when the scammers raise their ugly heads.
This time, it's in the form of the The International Independent Literary Agents Association (IILAA). I'm not going to post a link directly to them 'cause that'll just give them one more link at places like Technorati, and who wants to help out a bunch of scammers? (My link goes to Victoria Strauss, who I'll mention later on, so keep reading)
This is what steams me about them:
1. They claim that charging a reading fee is normal and good business practice. Yes, they sort-of have a point in that you often pay a lawyer a retainer.
BUT... not ALL lawyers ask for retainers. Many work the same way reputable agents do: They take a cut of what you win in court (granted, agents take a cut of what you earn, but you see my point). Many just send you a bill.
2. If this The International Independent Literary Agents Association (IILAA) is to be believed, there are ten agents they recommend. That's fine. But... who's number 10? They only list nine on their site.
Yes, counting to ten may be math, but it's not higher math. My kids could both do it before they were two. Most of us have ten fingers and ten toes for the express purpose of using two of the four (YOU get my higher math, right?) appendages for counting to ten.
3. They make a BIG STINK of denouncing Preditors and Editors, Writer Beware, Miss Snark, and other sites that many of us rely on for information.
4. As they denounce these people, they can't be bothered to spell some of these places properly. Hello? You're a LITERARY agency. A little show of your own LITERATE capabilities would be nice. (And let's not get into how nice it was of them, in their literary worldliness, to point out that a group called The International Independent Literary Agents Association is composed of Independent agents.)
Yeah, yeah. We all make typos. See my own post from yesterday, which invites you to capitalize on one I made. But c'mon, folks. If you're going to cut someone down, do it the right way. Those last two examples aren't even as amusing as "be a retainer," which also appears on their site, in the bit about why fees are acceptable.
If all those sites are so disreputable, why do so many of us hold what they say to be canonical? Because we're stupid? Or because we're smart enough to do the research that backs us up. Look at some blogging agents. My favorites are Agent Kristin, Lit Soup, The Rejecter, and Dystel and Goderich Literary Management. Miss Snark goes without saying.
What do these agents have in common?
1. They support the efforts of Ann, Victoria, and all the rest who are out there, keeping us abreast and warned of the scammers.
2. They're NOT on Writer Beware's list of 20 Worst Agents.
3. They don't charge fees.
4. They are careful about their typos and the way they present themselves. That many mistakes... c'mon. Would you want THEM to represent you? What would happen if they offered you a contract for a book you didn't write? You wrote Under a Blood Red Sky, not Over a Bloody Die. That doesn't even make sense, unless you play craps!
Think about it. An agent represents you. They are your face to the publishing world, at least initially. They are your advocate, your business partner.
Do your research before you commit to any agent, even the ones I listed here as the blogging agents I particularly like. This is your career, people. I've already had one bad agent in my life. I can tell you, firsthand, what a frustrating time-suck it is. And he wasn't even a fee charger. He didn't ask me to BE a retainer.
Be smart, folks. Writing is a craft, an art form, yes. But there's also a business end to it. Please don't ignore that.
/rant over
(by the way, if I've offended you and you want me to take this post down, you'll have to go through my lawyer to get me to do so. Don't say you weren't warned.)
Labels: agent hunting, publishing
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Back at it
Trevor's Song is back on the market again.
Just thought I'd let you all know... cross your fingers, wish me luck, keep on stopping in, and tell your friends to do the same.
Look for some content changes at the website coming soon. Nothing major. Some streamlining, the new query letter, and changes to the Cast of Character pages that I think you'll like.
I'm always open to suggestions to how to make the website better. And yes, a new picture of me is in the works. But I just had my hair cut and so far, I'm not liking it. :(
Just thought I'd let you all know... cross your fingers, wish me luck, keep on stopping in, and tell your friends to do the same.
Look for some content changes at the website coming soon. Nothing major. Some streamlining, the new query letter, and changes to the Cast of Character pages that I think you'll like.
I'm always open to suggestions to how to make the website better. And yes, a new picture of me is in the works. But I just had my hair cut and so far, I'm not liking it. :(
Labels: agent hunting, publishing
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Unpublished novelist? Take heart in this:
My book club tonight is going to discuss Jacqueline Park's The Secret Book of Grazia Dei Rossi, a historical fiction (that's utterly fascinating) based on two letters Ms. Park found about a woman named Pacienza Pontremoli and her love for a Catholic man.
Ms. Park was 72 when she published this book, her debut.
I'm not 72 yet. Many of you aspiring authors, like myself, who read this blog aren't 72 yet.
There's still time for us.
(an interesting aside -- in reading Naomi Ragen's The Ghost of Hannah Mendes, we came across a character named Grazia Dei Rossi. I haven't had time to reasearch this, but was there an actual Grazia? What's going on, that two fictional women who are very different bear the same name?)
Ms. Park was 72 when she published this book, her debut.
I'm not 72 yet. Many of you aspiring authors, like myself, who read this blog aren't 72 yet.
There's still time for us.
(an interesting aside -- in reading Naomi Ragen's The Ghost of Hannah Mendes, we came across a character named Grazia Dei Rossi. I haven't had time to reasearch this, but was there an actual Grazia? What's going on, that two fictional women who are very different bear the same name?)
Labels: books, publishing
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Speaking of CBGBs...
Check out this book! It was just published on the first of October; how's this for timely?
The Heebie-Jeebies at CBGBs: A Secret History of Jewish Punk, by Steven Lee Beeber.
I've got to get my hands on this puppy!
(added note: apologies to Steven, whose name was apparently misspelled in the source I'd found it in.)
The Heebie-Jeebies at CBGBs: A Secret History of Jewish Punk, by Steven Lee Beeber.
I've got to get my hands on this puppy!
(added note: apologies to Steven, whose name was apparently misspelled in the source I'd found it in.)
Labels: books, publishing, punk rock
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
You in Pittsburgh?
If you're in the Pittsburgh area come Friday night -- yep, the thirteenth -- you might want to stop by the beautiful Southside Works and, in particular, Joseph Beth Books, where my new friend Rebecca Drake will be doing a reading in support of her new book, Don't Be Afraid.
Buy a copy. Have her autograph it. Take a picture with it, her, and you. Send me said picture and when I recover from BAFAB, maybe I'll send you a goodie.
If you're not in Pittsburgh, well, maybe you should reconsider that fact. Or at the very least, keep an eye on Rebecca's website and maybe she'll be doing a signing near you. She's cool. It'll be time worth spent and crowds well worth pushing through.
Btw, you should also be keeping an eye on Working Stiffs. If you go to Rebecca's readings along the way and tell her you're a Working Stiffs reader, she just might have a goodie for you.
Hey, it's October. This month is all about goodies, especially with the Steelers and Pens not giving us many. Yet.
Buy a copy. Have her autograph it. Take a picture with it, her, and you. Send me said picture and when I recover from BAFAB, maybe I'll send you a goodie.
If you're not in Pittsburgh, well, maybe you should reconsider that fact. Or at the very least, keep an eye on Rebecca's website and maybe she'll be doing a signing near you. She's cool. It'll be time worth spent and crowds well worth pushing through.
Btw, you should also be keeping an eye on Working Stiffs. If you go to Rebecca's readings along the way and tell her you're a Working Stiffs reader, she just might have a goodie for you.
Hey, it's October. This month is all about goodies, especially with the Steelers and Pens not giving us many. Yet.
Labels: books, Pittsburgh, publishing, Working Stiffs
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Susan Says: Trevor's Song update
Just taking two seconds here as the printer runs to say that I've finished this draft of Trevor's Song and am mailing it out to one of my readers tomorrow, assuming I've got an envelope big enough for it. I cut a bunch of chapters and still managed to add 7,000 words, give or take.
Let's see what she says, but if she gives me the go-ahead, we'll be hitting the market again.
Not that there's any pressure on her. *wink*
Let's see what she says, but if she gives me the go-ahead, we'll be hitting the market again.
Not that there's any pressure on her. *wink*
Labels: agent hunting, publishing
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Susan's Inside Writing: Bandwagon jumping
Trevor ordinarily would scorn bandwagon jumping. He'd start yelling about sheep, lemmings, being blind, and how we're losing the ability to think for ourselves. He'd brag about how proud he was of being an individual.
And that's all fine and good, but when there are people out there whose only aim in life is to take advantage of someone's good intentions, well, you need to stand up and raise your voice. After all, Mitchell is one of those who's probably naive enough to be taken advantage of, and taking advantage of Mitchell Voss is a definite no-no in Trevor's book -- err, well, his thinking, anyway. His book is something else. Trevor's Song
So... without further ado... Writer's Beware list of the 20 Worst Literary Agents. I nabbed it from Miss Snark's blog, of course, but it's the Writer's Beware list, all right.
Please, none of you folks on this list call me about representing Trevor's Song. I'm not interested in what you claim to have to offer.
* The Abacus Group Literary Agency
* Allred and Allred Literary Agents (refers clients to "book doctor" Victor West of Pacific Literary Services)
* Capital Literary Agency (formerly American Literary Agents of Washington, Inc.)
* Barbara Bauer Literary Agency
* Benedict & Associates (also d/b/a B.A. Literary Agency)
* Sherwood Broome, Inc.
* Desert Rose Literary Agency
* Arthur Fleming Associates
* Finesse Literary Agency (Karen Carr)
* Brock Gannon Literary Agency
* Harris Literary Agency
* The Literary Agency Group, which includes the following:
Children's Literary Agency
Christian Literary Agency
New York Literary Agency
Poets Literary Agency
The Screenplay Agency
Stylus Literary Agency (formerly ST Literary Agency)
Writers Literary & Publishing Services Company (the editing arm of the above-mentioned agencies)
* Martin-McLean Literary Associates
* Mocknick Productions Literary Agency, Inc.
* B.K. Nelson, Inc.
* The Robins Agency (Cris Robins)
* Michele Rooney Literary Agency (also d/b/a Creative Literary Agency and Simply Nonfiction)
* Southeast Literary Agency
* Mark Sullivan Associates
* West Coast Literary Associates (also d/b/a California Literary Services)
And that's all fine and good, but when there are people out there whose only aim in life is to take advantage of someone's good intentions, well, you need to stand up and raise your voice. After all, Mitchell is one of those who's probably naive enough to be taken advantage of, and taking advantage of Mitchell Voss is a definite no-no in Trevor's book -- err, well, his thinking, anyway. His book is something else. Trevor's Song
So... without further ado... Writer's Beware list of the 20 Worst Literary Agents. I nabbed it from Miss Snark's blog, of course, but it's the Writer's Beware list, all right.
Please, none of you folks on this list call me about representing Trevor's Song. I'm not interested in what you claim to have to offer.
* The Abacus Group Literary Agency
* Allred and Allred Literary Agents (refers clients to "book doctor" Victor West of Pacific Literary Services)
* Capital Literary Agency (formerly American Literary Agents of Washington, Inc.)
* Barbara Bauer Literary Agency
* Benedict & Associates (also d/b/a B.A. Literary Agency)
* Sherwood Broome, Inc.
* Desert Rose Literary Agency
* Arthur Fleming Associates
* Finesse Literary Agency (Karen Carr)
* Brock Gannon Literary Agency
* Harris Literary Agency
* The Literary Agency Group, which includes the following:
Children's Literary Agency
Christian Literary Agency
New York Literary Agency
Poets Literary Agency
The Screenplay Agency
Stylus Literary Agency (formerly ST Literary Agency)
Writers Literary & Publishing Services Company (the editing arm of the above-mentioned agencies)
* Martin-McLean Literary Associates
* Mocknick Productions Literary Agency, Inc.
* B.K. Nelson, Inc.
* The Robins Agency (Cris Robins)
* Michele Rooney Literary Agency (also d/b/a Creative Literary Agency and Simply Nonfiction)
* Southeast Literary Agency
* Mark Sullivan Associates
* West Coast Literary Associates (also d/b/a California Literary Services)
Labels: agent hunting, Inside Writing, Miss Snark, publishing
