Issue #16
April, 2006
Dear Romance Writer:
This April, AWAI’s Conference Director, Denise Ford, and I have been busy putting our heads together to come up with exciting topics for teleconferences designed to help you break into the writing business. Please mark your calendars for May 11 and May 25 at 7.30 p.m. Eastern Time, when experts from the publishing industry will share insider tips on getting that first book published. They’ll discuss what’s hot and what’s not, the appropriate way to contact an agent or editor, and they’ll answer any questions you have if you submit them in advance.
Just to give you a sneak peek, on May 11 we’ll be featuring: New York Times best-selling author, Steve Alten – best-known for his first book, Meg (which was optioned for a movie); Waldenbooks best-seller, Linda Conrad – who recently signed a six-book contract with Harlequin for her Skinwalker series; Amy Moore Benson – an ex-senior editor at Mira books, now turned agent and representing Alex Kava and moi; plus, Mike Ward – publisher of Michael Masterson’s book, The Power of Persuasion.
Then, on May 25 we’ll discuss non-traditional options. Our knowledgeable panelists will talk to you about exciting alternatives for getting your book published. This session features icons like: Gary Scott – the author of 65th Octave; Robert Ringer – New York Times best-seller and world-renowned copywriter; Russell Davis – owner of the book packaging and editorial service company, Morning Star Books; Jo Manning – whose historical leaning now encompasses writing biographies; and Margaret Fraser – who ghost writes for a vanity press publisher.
We look forward to having you join us on May 11 and May 25. This may be the inspiration you need to get that first book out there on bookstore shelves.
Romantically Yours,
Marcia King-Gamble
Editor of Romantically Yours
www.lovemarcia.com
TOOLS OF THE TRADE
Whether it’s the newbie on a quest to get published, or the veteran whose story doesn’t grab an agent or editor, every author faces rejection at one time or another. You can tell the professionals from the amateurs in the way they handle a less than favorable response to their submission. A rejection should be viewed as a learning experience – a morsel of wisdom that an author may choose to cherish or discard. It may serve as the inspiration to revise a potential New York Times best-seller or to start a new book from scratch. Below, author Sandra Madden tells you how best to cope.
RX FOR THE REJECTION BLUES
By Sandra Madden
A lot has been said and written about rejection – but not nearly enough. For some of us, a rejection letter is still cause to consider intensive therapy.
During those moments, it’s difficult to remember professional rejection is different from personal rejection. It doesn’t always feel that way. Paranoia rears its uncool head. There are many reasons for being rejected, and hardly ever is it that the particular editor doesn’t like you! Admit it, she really doesn’t even know you.
Writers are a sensitive lot. We cry at sad endings, happy endings, success stories and correlative conjunctions. Although it often brings a tear or two, professional rejection is not personal rejection. And professional rejection is as much a part of the writing business as keyboards and contracts.
How wonderful it would be if someone came up with a pill to help us get past rejection. Take two in the morning, after the mail, and feel good again by afternoon! In lieu of a magic rejection pill, there are standard remedies for overcoming the rejection blues. A two-pound box of chocolates works wonders. Hiding out in bed all day buried under the covers is less effective, but you’re really rested the next writing day.
To date, I’ve had 13 novels published, but I still get rejected. Published authors get rejections. It’s a fact. In my search for more constructive ways to combat the pangs of rejection, I sought the opinions of my California critique partner and one out-of-work, semi-retired actor.
“I haven’t felt any of my rejections were personal,” Harlequin writer, Charlene Sands told me. “Something was wrong with my story, and the editors addressed those issues. I feel the worst thing that can happen to a writer is to wait and wait and never get a response. Sometimes you just want to say, `Reject me already!’… so I can plan my next move.”
Perseverance, having more than one project, working on several ideas, perseverance, belief in yourself, more perseverance and getting back to work quickly seems to be the prescription for curing a case of rejection. And hang on to the thought that the manuscript rejected today may be purchased another day down the road.
Oh, and we writers like to think we’re in the only profession that suffers from rejection – subjective or otherwise. We’re not. When I first dated my husband in college, he was starting out as a stand-up comedian. Go figure. From the beginning, I witnessed first-hand what I considered to be a case of abnormal masochism. (As a writer, you’re aware there are many levels of masochism.) What normal masochistic human being stands up in front of an audience of people who might at any moment break out into a hiss, boo, heckle or sometimes even… laughter? A form rejection letter pales in comparison to the instant, on-site and sometimes unpleasant reaction of an audience.
In reviews of his act, the critics defined Dave as the intellectual’s comic. Right off, you know he had a problem. Appreciating his humor required a general knowledge of current events.
To survive evenings when the audience just didn’t get it, he developed the Fudge-It Switch.* When he encountered a blank-faced audience, Dave turned on his Fudge-It Switch and finished the act – in spite of them. He went on to open for the likes of Frank Sinatra, and for several years was a headliner on the Playboy Club circuit. From night to night, he never knew what he would encounter. Facing professional rejection was a daily issue. (Gives me palpitations just thinking about it.)
“You can never project your sense of what is funny to a mass audience and expect them all to accept it,” he told me. “Once you can accept the simple premise that everyone will not enjoy what you write, say or do, you are well on your way to dealing with rejection.”
Later Dave became an actor – another field rife with rejection. Perhaps the role he is best known for was Reuben Kincaid on “The Partridge Family,” although he spent seven years as a regular on “Alice.” The road to his success was an obstacle course of professional rejection.
But it’s great having someone in the house who really knows how I feel when those rejections arrive. And since no one has come up with a pill to get over rejection, I’m working on a Fudge-it* Switch. Would you like to order one?
* Fudge: Not the word he actually uses, but romance writers never ever use his language. Meaning: They don’t get it – so what.
HAPPENINGS:
May 16-21, 2006
Romantic Times Book Lovers Convention
Hilton Hotel Resort
Daytona Beach, Florida
www.romantictimes.com
May 19-21, 2006
Book Exposition America (BEA)
Washington Convention Center
Washington, D. C.
www.bookexpoamerica.com
June 2-4, 2006
Mad About Romance
Madison Marriott West
Madison, Wisconsin
Workshops conducted by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer
Agents:
Miriam Kriss, Irene Goodman Literary Agency
Michelle Grajkowski, 3 Seas Literary Agency
June 22-25, 2006
Writer’s Weekend
P. O. Box 3832
Bellevue, Washington 98009
June 30-July 2, 2006
Faith-Based Arts Conference
Sheraton Imperial Hotel & Convention Center
Raleigh, NC
Jacquelin Thomas sponsors this conference. The first one was held two years ago in Raleigh. Meet some of your favorite authors of Christian fiction.
July 26-29, 2006
Romance Writers of America National Conference
Atlanta, Georgia
Members and non-members welcome. Participate in the workshops, Literacy book signing, and Golden Heart Awards.
www.rwanational.org/conferences.cfm
INTERVIEW WITH STEVE ALTEN
This month it’s my pleasure to interview New York Times best-selling author, Steve Alten, who, by the way, has quite the story to tell. Steve’s work cannot be pigeon-holed as romance but does have romantic elements woven throughout the action. He’s had a colorful publishing career filled with both highs and lows. Still, few can say they have had two movies optioned. Visit Steve’s website at www.stevealten.com to find out more about him and his “Adopt-an-Author” program.
RY: Yours is not exactly a rags-to-riches tale, but close enough. Out of adversity – you’d just lost a job – came a wonderful seven-figure offer for your first book. This is almost unheard of. Please tell our members how you felt when the call came.
SA: It’s important to understand I have been on a financial rollercoaster ride. I was struggling when the first deal came – a two-book deal worth $2 million, plus a movie deal for another $500,000. A year later, the second part of the book deal was suddenly cancelled when Bertlesman took over Doubleday, and shortly thereafter the movie deal was cancelled. I lost my home, car, etc. I fought back and published six more novels and optioned another movie deal, but that has stalled, costing another $850,000! So it’s been gut-wrenching at times. But I am building a strong readership through my novels and the Adopt-an-Author program, a non-profit I started for high school students eight years ago when I learned my books are very popular among teens.
RY: When did the writing bug bite? Was writing something you always wanted to do?
SA: I always felt I could write but didn’t pursue it until I was 35 and struggling in another career. I wrote my first novel, MEG, from 10:00 at night until 3:00 a.m.
RY: Since MEG was your first published novel, can you tell us what inspired you to write this story? How many rejections had you had before?
SA: The first rejection letters came from literary agents. Only one out of 65 was interested. And he wanted money to edit… a lot of money. So I sold my car, a convertible I had owned since my dad bought it for me when I was 16. Once publishers saw MEG, they really wanted it. Since then, it has been up and down.
RY: Have you always had a fascination with sharks? If so, why?
SA: I used to love reading about shark attacks when I was younger, so yes. But I write other stories besides shark attack novels.
RY: Exciting things have happened since MEG. The book was optioned for a movie. Are there release dates, a cast? Give us the skinny.
SA: Things were rolling until New Line decided NOT to green-light the movie. We are in limbo hell right now, with a great script, director, and producers fighting to get back the project.
RY: Your latest book is titled The Shell Game. I read somewhere it’s about the end of oil. Maybe I am being too simplistic. Can you tell us a little about it and share the release date?
SA: The Shell Game is still being finished. It is about the end of oil and the next 9/11-type event in the works. I have not taken the book out yet, but I have a gut feeling it will be my biggest and best novel to date.
RY: The Shell Game would make book number eight. How many more books are in the works for Steve Alten? Update us on any exciting happenings.
SA: I hope to pen a book every year. It doesn’t always work out that way, because of screenwriting projects, etc., but that is the goal. If we get the MEG movie deal straightened out and back on track, I’d probably look to release one more MEG novel to time with the movie release.
RY: How do you stay inspired, and where do you get your ideas?
SA: Poverty motivates me to work harder. But inspiration comes from just wanting to produce quality work. Ideas come from everywhere: news articles, TV, dreams, random thoughts.
RY: What is a typical day in the life of Steve Alten? Lead us through the process from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed. Is it write, write, write?
SA: I awaken around 8:00 a.m., depending upon how late I worked the prior night. Quick breakfast while I read the paper front to back, tearing out articles that might help my work. I read my email for an hour, try to clean up any business situations, then start writing by reading and editing the prior day’s pages. I try to write four pages a day, including edits. I may also work late at night after 10:00.
RY: What about your Adopt-an-Author program? It’s extremely popular with schools, teachers, and young readers. Can you tell us about it?
SA: AAA is a free nationwide non-profit program designed to excite young adults about reading and writing through the use of best-selling thrillers, heroic non-fiction stories, motivational books and direct contact with the authors via personal appearances, classroom phone calls, emails, and interactive websites. The program was originated by high school teachers who began using MEG (rated #1 book for reluctant readers) to motivate their students to read. While young children receive an abundance of encouragement to read during their pre-school to grade-5 years (such as the successful Reading Is Fundamental program), once a student reaches middle and high school, reading is replaced by television, video games and peer interaction… because reading programs are no longer “cool.” AAA is successful with teens because the subject matter makes reading fun. For more information, go to www.AdoptAnAuthor.com.
RY: Please share any words of advice for those attempting to get their first book published?
SA: Write about topics you want to read about, not things you know. Once you have a topic, RESEARCH IT! You can find more writing tips at www.SteveAlten.com.
RY: And finally, since Romantically Yours is an e-zine for readers and writers of romance, is there a romance of deep terror in the cards?
SA: There is romance in all of my novels, sandwiched in between the action.
WHO’S ACQUIRING:
Dorchester Publishing:
There are new writing opportunities for an unnamed line due to be published in 2007. The target audience is younger and hipper. Books will feature an 18- to 25-year-old woman stolen from normal life and placed in an alternate universe. The hero is in the know or has power in this universe. Should be written from the heroine’s point of view. Think chick-lit combined with paranormal and romantic suspense. Manuscripts should be 85,000 to 95,000 words in length. Chris Keelar is the contact.
COMING NEXT MONTH:
An interview with bookseller Kesha Davis. Hear about the kinds of books readers are looking for.
ABOUT ROMANTICALLY YOURS
Romantically Yours is a FREE monthly newsletter for members of American
Writers & Artists Inc.'s Romance Writing Course - "Writing for Love
and Money."
We want to hear from you. Please send comments, news, research, or story
ideas directly to Marcia King-Gamble at romanticallyyours@awaionline.com.
American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
memberservices@awaionline.com
© 2006 American Writers & Artists Inc.