C h a z z W r i t e s . c o m

See all my books at AllThatChazz.com.

09/06/2010 • 8:08 AM 0

Harry Potter Inspiration

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Last weekend we took the kids to the Ontario Science Centre to learn some science and, of course, see the Harry Potter exhibit. It was fun to see the artifacts from JK Rowling‘s world as imagined through the movies. There are a number of lessons to be learned from the Harry Potter phenomenon. Here’s what I take from it:

1. Write a great book and it will find its way to the marketplace, no matter the naysayers.

2. A book that’s categorized as Young Adult (YA) can be enjoyed by many age groups. People who read Harry Potter are of varying ages. Some people, like the agents and editors who turned down the opportunity to publish the series, thought that was a problem. (Ha! Ha! Ha!) The Twilight series is proving books don’t have to be so shelf-specific, too. It’s an obstacle by way of rule of thumb that all cross-genre books face. Scott Sigler had a hard time getting his books published until he provedthe publishing industry was acting in a way so narrow-minded they might have bowling alleys for brains.

3. A good book, or a good bunch of books, is only helped by controversy. Censors have never learned that the more they worry about young minds being corrupted–and complain about it in the media–the more books they will sell for the author.

4. When you have a great success, haters will emerge. Worse, someone may even come out from under a rock to try to sue you for copyright infringement. Wipe the tears away with fifty dollar bills.

5. JK Rowling’s success is an inspiration to all of us who toil alone at keyboards (as yet unheralded.) When the last Harry Potter book sold, I was at the midnight sale at my local Chapters. I didn’t come to buy that night, though it was fun to see all the wizard and witches dressing up for the event. I came to sit at a table at Starbucks, sip a coffee and watch and feel the genuine excitement over the release of a book.

We don’t often get excited about books and I know there are many distractions. But that–okay, I’ll say it–that magical night was a reminder that there are still plenty of us who love the written word. We love it so much. We really do.

Empire Exclusive Harry Potter Trailer Incrediable (screenhead.com)
New Images from “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” (hollywoodnews.com)
Harry Potter Behind the Scene Pictures (screenhead.com)
J.K. Rowling Prevails Over Superdumb Harry Potter Encyclopedia [Books] (gawker.com)

Filed under: Books, publishing, Rejection, Writers, Harry Potter, Harry Potter exhibit, jk rowling, Literature

09/03/2010 • 3:26 PM 1

Penguin UK Accepts Unagented Manuscripts

Heard it on Behind the Grammar (a blog and podcast with which I have fallen instantly in love) and confirmed via Google: Penguin usually requires you to have representation to submit. Until October, they’re opening up to unagented manuscripts!

If you’ve got a manuscript in a drawer, you have less than a month to blow the dust off it and get it over there.

3…2…1.. Go!

How to Format a Novel Manuscript Properly (writinghood.com)
Penguin boss has no problems with ebooks (guardian.co.uk)

Filed under: publishing, web reviews, writing tips, Behind the Grammar, manuscript submission, Penguin, Writers Resources

09/03/2010 • 8:10 AM 1

Proofreading Symbols

To find more proofreading symbols click here.

Proofread Your Way To Error-Free Blog Posts (bloggingtips.com)

Filed under: Editors, manuscript evaluation, writing tips, manuscript evaluation, manuscript revision, proofreading, proofreading marks

09/02/2010 • 8:19 AM 3

Writers: Rejection does not build character

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Some say rejection is part of “paying your dues” in the writing business. That’s over-analysis. Rejection is just someone saying no. When your query is rejected, do not read too much into it.

Rejection is not useful on its own. It doesn’t thicken your skin for when you become a “real” writer. After you are published, you will get angry with critical reviews just as you are angry with rejections now. And why not? Your book is your child and an extension of you. If you are bent toward getting pissed off, you still will be. Rejection is not part of your training. Writing is your training. Learning your craft is a different proposition from receiving a form rejection slip.

Rejection can be useful if you get specific feedback on why your story was rejected. Standard reply forms that say “not for us” tell you nothing except you must resubmit elsewhere. A manuscript evaluation (whether done by an editor you pay–ahem, like me) or by the people you submit to, can be useful. However, even then, it may be a question of taste in some regard. Agents and editors do sometimes take the time to tell you what they found wrong with a near miss. (Even if you disagree with their feedback, send a thank you note.)

Understand this:

1. An agent or editor may give you a critique, but after you “fix” it, they are under no obligation to accept the manuscript. Many writers report great frustration over doing what they were told (perhaps even compromising their vision for the faint hope of publication) and still find themselves on the wrong side of the gate. No with details is still no. Doing everything you are told without running it through the filter of your own sensibility is no guarantee you’re on the right track. It also leaves you spineless and soulless.

2. Publishers, editors and agents are extremely busy people. (Sometimes they wear that like a badge that they feel makes them special. However, I don’t know anybody who is at all cool who isn’t extremely busy, do you?) The point is, no one owes you a critique unless you paid them for said critique (ahem–like me.) Agents and editors typically say yes or no (mostly no.) They aren’t in the business of teaching you the craft. If they do send you a personal rejection and not a form rejection, it does mean you’re making progress. Handwritten notes of encouragement can make your day even though it’s a rejection doused with a little sweet perfume.

3. If you send out a bunch of manuscripts and you receive no personal rejections, it means you have to tweak your manuscript or revisit your target selection process or both. Only you can decide how many rejections you suffer before you undertake further revision. Some say don’t tweak after you’re dome with revisions because by the time you’re finsally finsihed with revisions, you should be a little sick of it and ready to send your baby off to college. Fresh enthusiasm is what the new baby is for. Even as you edit the last book, your fickle nature should be pulling you toward the next book’s greatness.

4. The rejection might not be about you. There are many variables that go into editorial decisions. Maybe the subject matter or execution is too foreign to the publisher or too much like one of the books they already have which failed. Maybe the editor loved it but it got shot down for budgetary reasons. Don’t get hung up on each rejection. Resubmit and move on to people who get you as quickly as possible.

5. Don’t worry about rejection. It will occur. Expect it. It’s more important to do the writing and trust that good things are coming. Optimists are the only ones who succeed in this business. Pessimists, realists and the meek have the good sense not to try. They never succeed at much, but they’re cozy. Writers aren’t cozy with their place in the world. If they were, they wouldn’t be writers.

6. Once you are published, you’ll realize the journey was more important than the destination. It’s the writing that matters, which is good because you’ll spend much more time writing than you will receiving prizes and getting drunk on fancy publicity junkets.

BONUS:

When I was a kid, seeing my name in the paper was a big deal. By the time I was seventeen I had a regular byline in my local newspaper. By the time I was twenty, there was still a small thrill to see my byline on the front page of a provincial and city newspaper. My back page column in a magazine tickles. Recognition is still cool, but it’s not the same thrill and if a byline is all you write for, that’s not enough gas for the trip.

The thrill is in the writing. The fun was finding just the right turn of phrase. It was always really about the writing. It always should be.

Rejection Logic (teachstreet.com)
Q&A Interview with novelist James King (“Bill Warrington’s Last Chance”) (gointothestory.com)
How to Get Published: Take the Leap of Faith (blogher.com)
Finding The Perfect Title For Your Novel (advancedfictionwriting.com)

Filed under: agents, Editors, manuscript evaluation, Rant, Rejection, writing tips, editing, learning from rejection, Manuscript, publication, publishing, rejection, writer, Writers Resources

09/01/2010 • 12:12 PM 1

Issues in Titling & Marketing a Manuscript

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I’m editing Romeo, Juliet & Jerome, my novel about a ADD-addled young man who dreams of becoming a movie star. He needs an acting credit and figures Romeo will be his ticket. When the dude who plays Mercutio overdoses and dies, the school shuts down the play and so, our hero’s dreams. He has to battle the school and stage the play himself, but now someone blames him for the drug death and wants to kill him with a hammer. Complications ensue. Also, Juliet’s a hottie so there’s young love. Will Romeo escape from New York to Hollywood‘s bright lights?

It’s a hip coming of age story with dark humor, a gay subplot and lots of drugs and indie rock that tops out at about 80,000 words. It’s written. I’m just tinkering with the edit.

Here’s the thing: Lots of books have incorporated Romeo and Juliet into their plots (and even more have used Shakespeare of all kinds. If you missed it, find Ten Things I Hate about You for a really funny modern take on Taming of the Shrew.) Today, while cruising Twitter I found that someone has written a book called Romeo and Juliet and Vampires. (There are similar videos, too. I had no idea.) Several books published in the last couple of years have joined classic tales and horror elements. I haven’t read them, but I think that horror subgenre has taken off; the cover art is hilarious. Abraham Lincoln with a bloody axe. Queen Anne, also with an axe. Lots of zombie-axing action.

The question is: will that book affect my book?

The answer is: No, but for marketing purposes, it could change my title. I’m sure the premises are totally different so in terms of story, it’s a non-issue. However, when I pitch it to publishers, Shakespeare is familiar enough. I will not want them to think I’m trying to capitalize on someone else’s idea (who isn’t the long dead father of the English theater, anyway.) I’m not trying to catch up with a trend that will probably be dead by the time of actual publication. Story titles can sound familiar, but not too similar to something that has been published in the last couple years (unless it’s part of a series by the same author, of course. The Dexter book titles run together in my mind now, so even that may not be desirable.)

I’ve said it before: Ideas are cheap. Your execution of an idea and mine will be very different. No matter how many people you stuff in a room, from a single idea, their plots will spin out in all directions. Don’t sweat that your idea sounds something like another idea. It’s all been done. There are no new stories, but there are infinite permutations and combinations. The trick is to make the familiar taste new and fresh again for jaded palates.

Filed under: agents, My fiction, publishing, What about Chazz?, writing tips, Juliet & Jerome, manuscript submission, publishing, queries, Romeo, Romeo & Juliet

09/01/2010 • 8:07 AM 0

Happy Sept 1st! Three Publishing Tips (plus one awesome link)

A cartoon image showing an action described as...

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1. If you’re looking for an agent, hunt for freshly minted ones on their way up at established agencies. Brian Henry of Quick Brown Fox has a useful newsletter. He identifies fledgling agents who aren’t too jaded and are actually looking for clients. Imagine that! Keep an eye on his blog if you’re in the market for an agent. I knew Brian when we both worked at Harlequin. He doesn’t remember me, but I’ve decided he’s not a bad guy despite that.

2. Don’t let rejection so your production and shipping. Like they say, it’s a subjective business. Hone it and then follow Heinlein’s rule: keep sending it out.

3. If it’s good, you will eventually connect with someone who loves it. Or at least sees that they can sell it.

(Or become a publisher yourself…but that’s a different blog post.)

Filed under: agents, web reviews, writing tips, agents, Blog, finding an agent, publishing, publishing tips

08/31/2010 • 11:17 PM 1

Short Story: The Sum of Me

I read this story at the open mic at the CanWrite conference in June. It was received very well though I was the only one who saw fit to drop the F-bomb (twice.) Please note this is a work of fiction. All through the rest of the conference people came up to me and looked concerned. “Uh, no, it’s okay. It’s fiction. I’m not that big a loser. Also, all those stories I wrote where somebody is tortured or killed? That’s uh…well, yeah, that research was just hell for the victims…” Wicked smile.

Next Post: Issues in Titling and Marketing Manuscripts will slide in a little after noon.

Filed under: My fiction, audio post, CanWrite, Post by Voice, short story

08/31/2010 • 8:09 AM 0

Agents and (Non)Acquiring Editors: A Word on Gatekeeper’s Remorse (Some don’t have any!)

J. K. Rowling, after receiving an honorary deg...

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When a book is a great success, the rumors eventually emerge. JK Rowling was rejected six times. Meyer of Twilight fame? Fifteen times. All authors have stories of deals that almost went through. Many tell stories of cruel writing groups, insensitive english professors or critics that were hypercritical. When one writer triumphs and rises above these obstacles, all us of share a little of that. In German, it’s called Schadenfreude. In English it’s called “Nyaa-nyaa, nya-nya-naaaaaah!”

Editors who reject books that go on to great success interest me. First question: Do they still have their jobs? Answer: Yes, of course they do.

In Hollywood, you fail up. (Getting any movie made is such an accomplishment, you can have a string of failures and be a working director like M. Night Shyamalan.) If the rumoured stats are trues (85%-95% of books not earning their advances) publishing surely has the highest tolerance for failure of any industry. There is no product research. “Product research is the first print run,” as they say. (Due to technology and Seth Godin forces, that’s changing. That’s another post.)

Agents who pass up gold and editors who turn their noses up at diamonds answer predictably: “It’s a subjective business.” Yes. It is.

Second Question: “But if these people are the experts who are supposed to know better, why do so many of their books tank?” Should we put so much stock in the opinion of people who are so often wrong? Dick Cheney doesn’t get to make credible predictions on foreign policy anymore. Why are we held in such thrall by agents and editors who have similar track records?

The other common reply is, “I can’t represent it if I don’t love it.”

I call bullshit. I’ve slogged through the slush pile. I worked as a sales rep for several publishing companies. I represented, and sold, many books I never even got to read. (There were too many–especially when I worked at Cannon Books which listed hundreds and hundreds of books each year.) I even sold some books I actively loathed.

The key question is not, “Do I love it?”

The key questions are, “Can I sell it? Will lots of other people love it?”

The idea that you can’t represent something unless you “love” it can set a ridiculously high bar for manuscript acceptance. You’ve read lots of books you liked and were glad to have read. How many were so good you really “loved” them? No wonder it’s so hard to get an agent if love is the accepted standard. (Love is not a standard criterion in business practice. You may think art is exempt from standard business practice. That’s one of the reasons this industry is in so much trouble. Artists worry their art is compromised, but without the business side? No art.)

CORE ISSUE:

Writers, particularly those yet-to-be published, are expected to have a thick skin.

That is useful, though any really successful author will tell you the harsh critics hurt just as much as ever. They feel the pain, but aren’t supposed to complain.

Some editors and agents

(PLEASE NOTE: NOT ALL EDITORS AND AGENTS!)

act as if their mistakes aren’t mistakes.

Therefore, their mistakes will be repeated.

When ego gets in a writer’s way, he or she can’t learn and improve. That same principle should apply to gatekeepers. However, when gatekeepers make mistakes, some seem to say, “Not my fault. That’s just the way it is. I didn’t love it enough.” I say, “The new economy is making million-dollar companies, often out of billion-dollar companies. The coffee’s brewing and it’s a quarter past Massive Industry Fail. Wake up! And open up!”

When you see an agent blog wherein the agent rips new queries, keep in mind that of all the many queries they analyse, they may accept only a handful (some perhaps two a year…or less.) Also, don’t work with snarky people because mean people suck and eventually they’ll be mean to you.

This post was critical, not snarky. If I were snarky, I would have named names.

As literary world’s floodgates open, who must wade through the slush? Yes, us (guardian.co.uk)
The Rebirth of Seth Godin and Death of Traditional Publishing: How Authors Really Make Money (fourhourworkweek.com)
How to Get Published, Part 8: No Agent? Other Paths to Publication (blogher.com)
Boyd Morrison: To Self-Publish or Not to Self-Publish (huffingtonpost.com)
Revolution (darcknyt.wordpress.com)
Authors using Internet to get their books out (sfgate.com)
So, why do authors need publishers, then? (ireaderreview.com)

Filed under: agents, Editors, manuscript evaluation, publishing, Rant, Rejection, Writers, agents, book, editors, future of publishing, J. K. Rowling, publishing, rant, rejection, self-publishing, seth godin, writer

08/30/2010 • 12:33 PM 0

10 Questions & Missions for Writers

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What are you doing today that will advance your writing career? Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. Today.

Choose #1 plus one other:

1. Have you written today?

2. Have you read a writing blog (besides this one)?

3. Have you researched an agent’s blog?

4. Have you proofread your poetry or short story?

5. Have you sent out one of your stories to a contest, magazine or journal?

6. Have you come up with at least five queries today?

7. Have you checked where your queries or stories are and if it’s been more than three months, do you need to write a reminder?

8. Have you read at least some pages of a good book today?

9. Have you set a word count or page count for your writing or editing project so you know the end date of the current stage of your project? If so, have you worked out a ship date?

10. Have you taken a half hour for yourself where you go for a walk, get some exercise, meditate or otherwise flush out your head so you have a fresh and healthy perspective on your work?

Please tell me you at least completed #1. You know why? Because your writing is #1!

Action Not Words: The Difference Between Talkers and Doers (getrichslowly.org)
The Foolproof Cure for Weak Content: 4 Ways to Get Some Perspective (copyblogger.com)

Filed under: getting it done, Writers, writing tips, getting it done, writing advice, writing tips

08/28/2010 • 11:44 PM 2

What Makes a Good Editor? (via Sharron’s Blog)

I write a lot about writing and publishing. I thought I should say something about editors. Then I read this, so thanks to Sharron for picking up the torch on this subject.

When I teach my writing and publishing classes, I often get students who tell me they've always wanted to become a writer. I also get students who tell me they love finding errors in books and magazines when they read them. Then they tell me they think they want to become editors. What makes a good editor? A good editor is well read in many areas. To limit one's expertise to one or two topics is to limit one's ability to edit well to those few to … Read More

via Sharron's Blog