Tamela Hancock Murray

Redundant Redundancies

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 20, 2012

We all say them occasionally but should avoid redundancies in writing. I still see redundancies in query letters, and sometimes even in published novels — and I don’t mean an endearing speech marker a writer has bestowed upon a character. Here are just a few:

tiny little
add up
very unique
nodded his head
fiction novel
advance warning
close proximity
safe haven
hurry up
lag behind
nape of her neck
compete with each other
write down

Your turn:
What redundancies have you seen lately?
Do you use any you are trying to avoid?

Yes, This Post Is About You

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 13, 2012

Almost every time we post a story or give a “don’t do this” example, we receive emails and phone calls. “Were you talking about me?” Why, yes. Yes we were. Actually, something you did may have reminded us about something someone else did, which reminded us about something else that happened years ago. I’ve been an agent for well over a decade, so I’ve seen …

Category: Agency, Communication, TamelaTag: blog posts, Communication

Rejuvenate!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 6, 2012

By Tamela Hancock Murray

Of late, several popular Christian and secular bloggers have posted about unplugging for a time. I have enjoyed reading their ideas because I realize the importance of rebooting every once in awhile.

Years ago I read an article that said if being laid up with a broken ankle for six weeks sounded good to you, then you are too stressed out. At that moment, I knew I …

Category: Book Business, Career, Creativity, Personal, TamelaTag: Career, Rejuvenate

Covering the Cover Letter

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 30, 2012

This is the last installment of my proposal series. You may think it strange to write about the cover letter last, but usually, it's the last part of the proposal an author writes. Our own Steve Laube has already written about the cover letter here.

His tips are so wonderful that I asked him if I should even attempt this post, but he encouraged me to write from my perspective. So here are key …

Category: Book Proposals, Get Published, TamelaTag: book proposal, Cover Letter, Get Published

Read All About It! – The Back Cover Copy

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 23, 2012

When you consider purchasing a book, either in a store or online, what do you notice first? The front cover grabs your attention. Right? After that, you might flip inside to read the first few sentences of the book, and then venture to the back cover (online the back cover is displayed as the “Description”). Or you may go to the back cover before opening the book. Regardless, the back cover copy …

Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Get Published, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: back cover copy, book proposals

High Concept: Catching Readers One at a Time

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 16, 2012

Not every fiction proposal needs something called a High Concept, but I like to see one. A High Concept shows that the author can hone in on the story and has thought about what it says and how it can be positioned in the marketplace. It helps the publisher know in a snap of the fingers the unique and compelling nature of your story. One popular way to create a High Concept is to compare your work …

Category: Book Proposals, Get Published, TamelaTag: book proposals, High Concept

Get Attention with the Right Title

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 9, 2012

When an agent or her assistant tackles the email slush pile, she sees one subject line after another written by authors vying for attention. Some lines describe the book category, while others make a claim about the author himself. But most include the book's title. I tell authors not to get attached to titles because all too often, they are changed somewhere between the time the editor takes the …

Category: Book Proposals, Marketing, TamelaTag: book proposals, Titles

The Writers Conference Decision

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 2, 2012

The Right Conference?

As you pursue a writing career, one big question is how much time and money to devote to writers conferences. Conferences have many benefits, including the chance to meet face to face with editors and fellowship with writers. Some writers have plenty of time and money and love to attend conferences because the events get them out of the house and they enjoy meeting other …

Category: Conferences, Get Published, TamelaTag: Writers Conference, writers conferences

ICRS Report 2012

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 26, 2012

This was my second ICRS (International Christian Retail Show) as an agent with The Steve Laube Agency. Once again, the show proved to be a marathon of information, entertainment, new connections, and strengthened friendships.

On a personal note, this year marked my younger daughter's eighteenth birthday so our family devoted Sunday to her celebration. Armed with a new camera, she took many …

Category: Awards, Book Business, ICRS, Tamela