FAQ Friday

Q. I’m working on a selection of short stories and would like to get them published one day.  I hear getting a writing mentor would facilitate stronger writing.  Is that true?
A. Writing mentors and critique partners are highly efficient in shaping manuscripts into marketable products but they usually fill a temporary need and will only be in an author’s life for a novel chapter or a single manuscript.   Most of these ‘mentors’ have a strong background in the industry as published authors, editors and agents.   They are great in helping you determine major plot holes and improve character development.

Q. Why are writing contest so important?  I don’t see the point in paying the $25 to $35 entry fees to possibility win…what? $50 dollars and the chance to say I won something on my blog.  I don’t see the point.
A. You have to take a closer look at the benefits of contests; pass the prize money and a title at the very least you spend $25 to get your unpublished novel in the hands of literary agents, booksellers and booklovers that don’t even know your work exists.  If you are one of the contest finalists you get publicity and promotion from the contest and exposure to industry leaders that will put your name upfront.

If you are a published author that thinks contest aren’t for you, please change your mind because contest winners often get ads in Romantic Times and/or RWA’s Romance Writers Report.  And that publicity helps sell books.  

Q. Like you, I’m an unpublished romance writer but unlike you, I abhor self promotion.  I’m an introvert by heart so why can’t I wait for my agent or publisher to handle the marketing?
A. I totally understand your dilemma.  Writing in itself requires a person to be able to work diligently in solitude to get a manuscript completed.  It’s a time to tap into your muses and let the characters play on your computer screen but selling books is different.  Promotion of novels requires a public persona there’s no way around it.  When you are a big time novelist, then you can leave speaking engagements, on-air interviews, blog writing and contest judging to others but right now you have to develop a seller’s mentality.  Start small by just having a Facebook presence and joining groups of other writers.  Then branch out to developing your own blog, join a writer’s organization and network.  Before you know it, you’ll feel comfortable and ready to talk about your book at the post office, supermarket or, wherever you go.  You’ll be an agent’s dream client.

Q. What do you think about e-Publishing?  And would you ever consider that route?
A. ePublishing for those that don’t know is a generic term that covers a variety of publishing models and formats.  It includes downloadable books to your computer, a PDA (i.e. Palm or BlackBerry) or a handheld e-book reader (i.e. the Kindle).  There are e-publishers that operate like commercial print publishers as far as quality and marketability of their books but authors don’t receive an advance (they receive royalties) and they pay nothing toward the cost of producing the book.

Back to your question, “will I ever consider that route?”  Of course I would!  Mainstream print houses have structured requirements for their imprints but e-presses have more fluid criterion.  I’m also very happy that some traditional publishers (like Harlequin) are now publishing in the e-book format