Search Results for: proposals

News You Can Use – Jan. 22, 2013

By Steve Laubeon January 22, 2013

Why Online Book Discovery is Broken (and how to fix it) – Fascinating article by Laura Hazard Owen. This is the first time I’ve heard someone describe it as “broken.” Instead we keep hearing that “discoverability” is the main feature of the online book selling process.

Create a QR Code Campaign to Market Your Book – I have to admit, the picture leading this post got my attention. Brilliant. Simply brilliant.

Headline Writing Tips – Whether you are titling a blog post, a magazine article, or a blockbuster novel these tips should come in handy!

3 Common Mistakes Author’s Make While Launching Their Book – Some helpful tips. #3 is particularly insightful.

The First 250 Words of Your Novel – Some excellent advice from Janice Hardy. You have no idea how many proposals fail right here.

Biblio Tech: The World’s First Bookless Library – “Just where I want to go,” he said sarcastically. To a soulless, sterile environment. That won’t be a library…it will only be a fancy Internet Café!

Category: News You Can Use, Steve

Answers from the Mountaintop

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 10, 2013

(Or, from my desk in Virginia, where I am fueled by bold, rich coffee)

Before Christmas, when I posted about having a serious talk with your agent, a couple of you asked more questions. I really appreciate you! Over the next few weeks, I'll provide my perspective on various questions. I want my posts to be a source of good, helpful information, so feel free to make more queries in the …

Category: Agents, Book Business, Get Published, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Agents, Get Published

Serious Talk with Your Potential Agent

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 13, 2012

What are some of the things you should ask when an agent has called to offer you representation? Here goes, in no particular order:

1) Would you go over your contract terms with me? Even though you will be reading the agency contract before signing, this is your chance to learn the main points you can expect to see. Ask questions now. After you review the contract, don't be afraid to ask for …

Category: Agents, Book Business, Contracts, Get Published, TamelaTag: Agents, Book Business, Get Published

“The Great Unspoken” – Why Agents Don’t Critique

By Karen Ballon December 5, 2012

139

There’s a secret agents and editors share. Something they seldom discuss with each other, and never with writers. It’s something they dislike. Intensely. It ties their hands when it comes to guiding writers guidance. It’s the #1 reason they turn down proposals, and the #2 (and sometimes #1) reason they’ve gone with form rejection letters. It’s something many inexperienced agents and editors try to …

Category: Book Proposals, Craft, Get Published, Karen, Writing CraftTag: book proposals, Critique, Rejection

Why Don’t Agents/Editors Give You More Guidance?

By Karen Ballon November 21, 2012

Proposals are hard work. C’mon, be honest. All the research and writing and preparation that goes into them? Admit it, that sometimes feels like you’re being punished for wanting to write a book. And then, when you’ve poured your heart and time and effort into making that dreaded proposal as perfect as you can, what happens? You send it to the agent or editor, and wait.

And wait. And wait. And …

Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Get Published, KarenTag: Agents, book proposals, Editors, Get Published

Choosing and Courting Your First Choice Agent

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 1, 2012

You've done your homework, including:

visiting agency web sites
talking to author friends about their agents
interacting casually with agents on social media
reading agents' blogs
attending writers conferences as your time and budget allow

This is part of the process in helping you choose the agent you most feel you want to work with.

When deciding, think about:

agency's …

Category: Agents, Get Published, TamelaTag: Agents, Get Published

This Offer Does Not Expire

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon October 4, 2012

During a conference many authors ask , "How long do I have to submit my manuscript to you?" In other words, "Is there a time limit?"

The simple answer is, "The offer to submit to me does not expire."

Why? Because I like to find new authors and develop, nurture, and encourage their work. My goal is to create a career for that writer. This philosophy is one of the reasons we are so …

Category: Agents, Conferences, Get Published, TamelaTag: Agent, Get Published, Offer

The Word from Texas (Part One)

By Steve Laubeon September 26, 2012

by Karen Ball

As many of you know, we at the agency were in Dallas, Texas this last week at the American Christian Fiction Writers’ conference. Folks told me it was too bad we had to go this time of year, that it was unbelievably hot and humid.

I wouldn’t know.

From the time I got to the hotel until I checked out, I never stepped a foot outside. Why, you may ask? Well, let’s see…

Category: Conferences, Get PublishedTag: ACFW, Conference, Report

Ebook-Originals, the Next Step in Traditional Publishing Strategy

By Steve Laubeon July 19, 2012

Guest Post by Sue Brower

Our guest today is Sue Brower. She is Executive Editor at Zondervan in charge of fiction and thinks she has the best job in the world…she gets paid to read all day! Zondervan is currently looking for completed manuscripts to fill the Zondervan First fiction eBook platform. The ideal stories will primarily have romance-driven plots and vivid, realistic characters. We …

Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Defense of Traditional Publishing, E-Books, Get Published, TrendsTag: ebooks, publishing, Strategy