Sunday, August 05, 2007

Productivity

Maybe I shouldn't try for serious, large-volume writing output in the summer. There's always some fun activity, or must-do, to distract me.

That said, the time travel story is perking right along. I still "know" this story and there's still fun in writing it. I haven't had this kind of hoot writing away since ANGEL WITH A RAY GUN. That was one fun book to write, I'll tell ya.

There is early interest in my WIP from a small press. I have very mixed feelings about this fact. I'd like SEASONS IN THE MIST to be my breakout book from the small press world. It's been 5 years since I sold my first novel to a small press, and believe me, it's been a learning experience primarily and a success only if you use the term very, VERY loosely.

So my solution is to ignore the whole "where will I sell this?" conundrum for now, and simply write away on SEASONS. Like Scarlett, I'll worry about that tomorrow.

In other small press news, my construction manager love story, MY SILENT HEART, has been picked up by ByGrace Publishing for autumn '07 (I think) release. I'm so tickled that this story will see daylight, since it's always been the book I thought would sell first. My mistake!

5 comments:

Janny said...

Ahem!
Repeat after me.
No small presses.
No e-presses.
No limited distribution networks.
No paltry publishing contracts.
In other words...
No small presses.
Unless you have small dreams at this point, you have already given small presses more than they ever deserved of your work.
Do not make that mistake again.
I have the Nerf bat handy.

T1

Donna Alice said...

I have a book coming out (eventually--it's been over a year now since acceptance and revisions) from a small press. Okay, so on one hand I sold a book. It gives me some clout with bigger publishers. BUT, would I ever do this again? Probably not. I just spent about an hour looking at small presses that are sooooooooooo right for my Jenny books but I'm going to resist temptation. I've got big plans for that girl and they don't include selling her via small press websites.

Aim high! You may not make it but then you just might.

Deb said...

Aim high, you said it. I wonder sometimes if it's unholy fear keeping me from sending these stories out to large houses (again) and getting rejection slips (again). However, I must assume Janny has her nerf bat tuned up & ready to whack me if I even consider a small press for anything else.

There is, of course, a novel on the disc drive that will not fit ABA 'cause it's too Christian, and won't fit CBA because the (married) romantic pair actually Do The Deed in the book. Perfect for a small press who doesn't mind Christian content and R ratings at the same time, no?

Unless, of course, I want nerf-bruises.

Christina Tarabochia said...

Hi, Deb! Way, way back on July 11th, you left a comment after Tina Helmuth critiqued the first part of my chapter on her blog.

Since you had such great things to say then, I wanted to let you know that she's posted the next part: the same scene from the wife's POV. I'd love to see if it keeps your interest as well.

I can't remember if you signed up for my newsletter or not.... In case you haven't yet and would like to, pop in at www.ashberrylane.net and subscribe. You'll be entered to win an MP3 player or free autographed books for the life of my/our writing careers.

Anonymous said...

Hi there.
Small presses in some cases have their palce. You can learn a heck of a lot about the publishing business, and yes, it probably does give a big name pub, some hint that you can write. However, I agree, with Janny's comments in some way, you gotta be sure the small press has distribution, that they are working (along with you too), to get your book into as many places as possible. It's not just the author's job, but the publishers' too and i think this is where small pubs let the authors down. They don't do this.
Why?
Now I'm with 2 small pubs, and i must say that the 2nd small pub is extremely proactive with its marketing, but then if it's a persons 1st contract, there is a lot to learn and it does take a few years to figure out how to market.
Jane Beckenham
www.janebeckenham.com
www.lindenbayromance.com