Query.Sign.Submit. with Jaleigh Johnson

 

Jaleigh is a YA author and her novel THE MARK OF THE DRAGONFLY was just released from Delacorte Books for Young Readers! She is represented by Sara Megibow of the Nelson Literary Agency.

 

 

Connect with Jaleigh . . .

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

 

 

 

 

QUERY

How did you keep track of your queries?

I went with the old pen and paper method, and I actually used a day planner that I bought back in 2004 when I was querying for one of my first novels. Of course, 2004 was long gone by the time I started querying THE MARK OF THE DRAGONFLY, but by then I’d collected so much information on agents and submissions in it that I just kept on using the planner. I still have it.

What was your method for querying? Small batches? Query widely? Wait for feedback?

My usual method is batches of ten. When a rejection comes in, I send another query out.

SIGN

What was the week surrounding your offer(s) of representation like for you?

It was around Christmas time, so very busy. I remember I was out Christmas shopping with my parents and brother when I noticed that I had a new follower on Twitter. When I saw it was literary agent Sara Megibow, I started to freak out a little bit in the middle of the mall. I told my dad: “My dream agent’s following me on Twitter!!” And he said, “That’s great! What’s Twitter?” Not long after that, I got The Call from Sara. Best Christmas present ever.

How did you know your agent was the right one for you?

I’d been following The Nelson Agency blog for several years, learning all I could about the querying process. I knew they were a great agency, and I also knew from my research that Sara and I share a love of certain fantasy novels. I thought if anyone would get what I was trying to do with THE MARK OF THE DRAGONFLY, it would be her.

Did you sign as a client of a career agent or on a book-by-book basis?

Career.

Once a writer has signed with an agent, what’s the next step?

For me, it was submission. We went out on submission with THE MARK OF THE DRAGONFLY at the beginning of the year 2013. Best New Year’s present I could have asked for was the offer from Delacorte Press.

SUBMIT

How much contact do you have with your agent when you are out on submission?

Sara kept in close contact, letting me know which editors she was submitting to and their responses when they came in. I was never left hanging or wondering what was happening.

Is there anything you learned while being on submission that you didn’t know before?

Seems like it would go without saying, but I learned that everyone’s experience truly is unique, so expect the unexpected.

How did you celebrate when you got the news about your book deal?

My husband and I went out to dinner, and he gave me my Valentine’s Day present—a new purse—early. It was still January. Funny how I measured all the steps in the process with holidays.

Thank you, Jaleigh!

See other Query. Sign. Submit. interviews
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Posted March 2014

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Want to Read this Later? Try Instapaper or Pocket.

 

 

 

If you’ve come to this post wanting to read it, but find yourself without the time, then you do need to read this. :)

Meet Instapaper and Pocket, two services that let you easily save blog posts, articles, and even You Tube videos, to read or watch later.

So, which one should you use? It’s totally up to you. A search for “Instapaper vs. Pocket” will get you plenty of detailed comparisons if you want them, but I’ll keep it simple.

INSTAPAPER 

Instapaper is mainly for reading, and if you want to save a video or other link, you can do that. You can download to your Kindle or as an epub and it’s also integrated into third party apps like Tumblr and Twitter. There  are a lot of options for changing the fonts and colors with this program. The app (not the web version) has a small fee.

Above is a screen shot of the Instapaper interface with a list of posts I marked to read later. And below is what it looks like when I click on one to read.

POCKET

 
Pocket gives you both text and video in a visual format so you can see everything you have in one place. You can sync it with other services (it’s integrated into over 500 applications), like Twitter and Flipboard. The web version and app are both free.

Above is a screen shot of the Pocket interface with posts and videos I added to read or watch later. Or you can make it look like this –>

And here’s a sample of what it looks like when you go to read one.

With both Instapaper and Pocket, you can put a button on your toolbar that easily sends any blog post, article, etc. right to your account.

So you might still be wondering which one you should go with and honestly, it’s a matter of preference. Does the idea of sending it right to your Kindle sound good? Maybe Instapaper is the option for you. Do you prefer the more visual interface of Pocket? That might be the best choice. Or open up both accounts and try them out. They’re free to use.

Either way, you’ll create a space to save those things you want to go back to.

Psst . . . Once you set up an account, come on back and try it out with some of our posts. :) There’s even an Instapaper share button below.

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Query.Sign.Submit. with Erin Niumata

Erin represents commercial nonfiction, from prescriptive and practical to narrative and memoir, as well as a select list of fiction including romance, mysteries, psychological thrillers, and commercial women’s fiction.

Erin is currently open to submissions of women’s fiction and romance (no supernatural, no time travel, etc.) until the end of April. When closed, she does not accept unsolicited queries, so be sure to check. She responds to all queries when she’s open to submissions.

To connect with and learn more about Erin . . .

Folio Lit
Twitter

Now for Erin’s insight on querying, signing with an agent, and going on submission!

QUERY

What WOWs you in a query?

Unique and BIG storylines. When I read a query and leave wanting more – that’s huge. I really adore great dialogue and when I can feel the chemistry between two characters. If the story is well written and I can’t put the manuscript down – I’m in heaven.

What should writers NOT do in a query?

Tell me how much all of their friends/mother/husband/daughter love it. Of course they do! Just get to it, state the case and leave it to me.

Is there anything you see way too much of in the queries you receive?

Paranormal. I’m not big on paranormal but people love to send it anyway. I don’t dislike it but I get more paranormal than anything. I’m over vampires, werewolves, time travel and fantasy.

How do you tackle your inbox? Do you go in order or jump around?

In order – it’s the only way I can keep track of them!

Do you ever offer a Revise & Resubmit? When would you do so?

When I think something has potential but it’s not quite there I provide notes and the option to resubmit.

SIGN

Do you sign a client as a career agent or on a book-by-book basis?

I prefer to help build a career. I’m not into one-hit-wonders. I prefer to keep my list with career writers.

Once a writer has signed with you, what’s the next step?

Rewriting!

How editorial are you?

I was an editor for 20 years so I’d say that makes me rather editorial.

How do you put together a list of editors to send to?

I’m thinking of which editors are right for the book right at the query stage. I go over my list carefully rereading notes I have on each editor (I update my list all the time). I make sure the editors I submit to are actively publishing that particular type of book.

SUBMIT

What is a typical first round like once a writer goes on submission?

I make calls, send the manuscript and update the writer. Once I hear feedback from editors I call or email the writer to let them know. I’m up front with everything.

Do you forward editor feedback to writers?

Always. On occasion I will edit the responses if I don’t like the tone or what they’ve said. But the gist of the message will always be clear.

What do you suggest a writer does while out on submission?

Get busy on the next book!

Do you send weekly updates or update as responses come in?

I send updates when they come in or at least once a week.

Is it okay for a client to check in if there hasn’t been any news in a while?

Always.

Thanks so much, Erin!

See other Query. Sign. Submit. interviews
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Posted March 2014– Always check for current info and guidelines.

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Teen Speak – They’re All Different

I may write epic fantasy, but I am also a reader and I am still a teenager (nineteen, so I guess not for too much longer, but there are still a few months until I’m twenty). And something that’s come to my attention while reading some Young Adult fiction is the lack of realistic teenage characters. Don’t get me wrong, there are many authors who are so close to perfecting their teenage characters, but there will always be room for improvement because teenagers are tricky.

When it comes to writing YA, there are three ways to go when constructing how your teenagers talk and think: Trying too hard, trying too little, or getting it just right. It’s a careful balance that takes a lot of work, especially when coming from someone who may have been a teenager several years ago. Times have changed, and one of the things I—and my sisters, and my friends, and most likely anyone else in their teenage years—hate hearing from adults is, “Well, when I was your age…” Because when you were my age, chances are, things were a LOT different.

I could go on about this forever, but I won’t. There are other things to talk about, especially when it comes to how teenagers are not all the same. We’re not cardboard cutouts, we don’t fit into molds, and even we’re not sure who we are yet. But there is one thing I know to be true: We’re all different.

Take a friend of mine, for example. She has a very different personality than I do, especially when it comes to swearing. She drops F-bombs like nobody’s business, whereas I only ever blurt them when I’m driving and some jackass hops in front of me. My sixteen-year-old sister is in the same boat: Her best friend has a thing for swear words and only cleans up when around adults.

On the other side of the spectrum, though, is my fourteen-year-old sister. She hates and refuses to say words like “crap” or “hell,” yet there are other eighth graders who have a wider vocabulary of swear words than I did when I was their age. I have a friend who hates swear words so much she slaps people who say them.

One thing I think writers of YA fiction should do is take a day or two or twenty to listen to how teenagers talk and observe how they behave. But don’t just stop with one group of teenagers; they are only one sample. Spend time with the nerds, the cheerleaders, the brainiacs, the so-called “populars,” the girls and guys who sit in the library at lunch but aren’t really losers. (Believe me, there are people my age who sit in the library at lunch and AREN’T losers or loners. Sometimes, it’s nice to just get away from everyone else with a good book.) More likely than not, you’ll be surprised by the variety you discover.

Examples of YA authors who have teenagers down pat (and of course there are more, but I only included a few): Miranda Kenneally, Ally Carter, and Stephanie Perkins.

Photo courtesy of Ambro/freedigitalphotos.net

 

About the Author :

Kate Bucklein is a clumsy, nineteen-year-old writer of YA epic fantasy living in Northern Arizona, where they really do get snow and the occasional tumbleweed. She's a college sophomore working toward getting her degree in Global Affairs with an emphasis on Intelligence Analysis.

Connect with Kate:

@KateBucklein

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Twelve Days of Twelve Steps

Woo hoo! Today I get to help celebrate Veronica Bartles’ upcoming release, TWELVE STEPS! And how cool is it that her kids picked her book for their public library’s Teen Tech Week Book Trailer Contest? Watch the trailers below. :)

TWELVE STEPS

Sixteen-year-old Andi is tired of being a second-class sibling to perfect sister Laina. The only thing Andi’s sure she has going for her is her awesome hair. And even that is eclipsed by Laina's perfect everything else.

When Andi’s crush asks her to fix him up with Laina, Andi decides enough is enough, and devises a twelve-step program to wrangle the spotlight away from Laina and get the guy.

Step 1: Admit she’s powerless to change her perfect sister, and accept that her life really, really sucks.

Step 4: Make a list of her good qualities. She MUST have more than just great hair, right?

Step 7: Demand attention for more than just the way she screws things up.

When a stolen kiss from her crush ends in disaster, Andi realizes that her twelve-step program isn’t working. Her prince isn’t as charming as she'd hoped, and the spotlight she’s been trying to steal isn’t the one she wants.

As Laina’s flawless façade begins to crumble, the sisters work together to find a spotlight big enough for both to shine.

) )

Like the trailers? Voting is open until 5 PM Mountain Time if you’d like to help these talented kids out. :)

Vote here!

Veronica Bartles grew up in Wyoming and currently lives in New Mexico with her husband and four children. As the second of eight children and the mother of four, Veronica Bartles is no stranger to the ups and downs of sibling relationships. She uses this insight to write stories about siblings who mostly love each other, even while they’re driving one another crazy. When Veronica’s not writing or lost in the pages of her newest favorite book, she enjoys creating delicious desserts, exploring new places, and knitting with recycled materials.

TWELVE STEPS is Veronica’s first novel.

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Amazon
iBooks
Authorgraph

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Character Wounds – Guest Post by Angela Ackerman

Why Is Your Character’s Wound So Important?

Character wounds hold incredible power, steering a hero’s motives, actions, and beliefs. They damage their sense of self worth, filter how they view the world, and dictate how they interact with other people, making it harder for them to achieve their goals. So what exactly is a wound?

A character wound is a painful past event so emotionally damaging that it changes who your character is. This negative experience triggers a psychological reaction: the need to protect oneself from further emotional hurt. This need is so great that behaviors change, new traits (flaws) form as the character dons emotional armor to create a wall between himself and others. The idea of experiencing this kind of emotional trauma again becomes a fear, one he will do anything to avoid.

Because wounds are a deep emotional blow caused when one is in a vulnerable state, they often involve the people closest to the protagonist. Family or caregivers, lovers or friends. Betrayals, injustice, neglect, isolation or disillusionment are all common themes that lay fertile ground for hurt, mistrust and the desire to avoid situations where that same pain might reoccur.

Like in real life, characters suffer many different smaller wounds throughout their lives, but the “wounding event” that factors into your character’s internal arc should be symbolic of the false belief they must reject in order to become whole once more. This false belief is known as “the Lie” the character believes about themselves as a result of the emotional wound. Let me show this through an example.

Let’s say our main character is Tim, a teenager who was turned over to Foster Care at age ten (Wound). His parents were alcoholics and neglectful. As a result, when he enters the foster system, he is mistrustful, uncommunicative and moody. Because of his parents’ abandonment, he believes that he’s defective, that he’s not worth loving (The Lie he believes about himself because of the wound).

Tim stays with families who provide the essentials to live but no love or affection. This suits him after what he went through. He keeps his emotional armor on, keeping people at a distance, because he’ll just be moving on in a month or year, and getting attached means getting hurt. However, as Tim is fostered out for the fourth time, something changes. His foster family shows genuine interest in him and they work at trying to pull him out of his shell. There is another child there, a foster child who was adopted the year before. Hope enters the picture...could this somehow be different?

At this point, Tim must make a CHOICE (as all protagonists must.) If he continues to keep his emotional wall in place (using his flaws of mistrust, moodiness and an uncommunicative nature to keep people from getting close) he will not forge a bond that will make him part of the family. But if he is able to move past his wound (fear of neglect/abandonment) and open up to this family to receive and give love, he might at long last get his happy ever after.

This is what character arc is all about: growth. Learning to let go of the past, learning to see The Lie for what it is, and moving forward free from one’s fears. Once a character can let go of the past, they can find the strength to achieve their goals, finding happiness and fulfillment.

Do you know your character’s Emotional Wound? Let me know in the comments! And if you need a place to start, check out this list of Common Character Wound Themes.

ANGELA ACKERMAN is the author of the bestselling writing guide, The Emotion Thesaurus, and most recently, The Positive Trait and Negative Trait Thesaurus books. Centering on the light and dark side of a character's personality, these new resource books help writers create layered, compelling characters that readers relate to and care for. Visit Angela's website, Writers Helping Writers for friendly support, description help, free writing tools and more!

*Image at top courtesy of marin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Query.Sign.Submit. with Liz Czukas

Liz is a Young Adult author and her debut novel Ask Again Later is now available from Harper Teen! She is represented by Laura Bradford of Bradford Literary Agency.

 

 

 

 

 

Connect with and learn more about Liz . . .

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Tumblr
Goodreads

 

 

 Now for Liz’s insight on querying, signing with an agent, and going on submission!

QUERY

What advice would you give to querying writers?

Don’t rush it. No one is going to take your place at the publishing table, I promise. Rushing a book to market equals rejections, plain and simple. It’s so hard not to feel like every other unpublished writer is breathing down your neck, but trust me they’re really not. You’re not in competition with anyone except your own writing skill.

What are some important things for querying writers to consider when researching agents?

Google is your best friend. One of the things I always did when looking at an agent was type in Name + Interview. You can learn so much more about what an agent likes and looking for in an interview than in a short bio or on the potentially out of date ones from other sites. There were a few agents I thought would be great fits based on the “stats” like what genres they represented, but after reading an interview I’d find out they can’t stand stories about prom, or really like sci-fi better than anything else. Obviously not the agent for me after all.

What resources and websites did you use when querying?

Apart from Google, I was a huge fan of QueryTracker. I paid for the premium membership and it was totally worth it. So much easier than keeping your own spreadsheet. Plus, the comments under each agent’s listing can be pure gold!

Had you queried other books before the one that got you your agent?

Yes, absolutely. At least three I can think of. And Laura (my agent) rejected me on at least two of those. They weren’t ready. I know that now. But I was feeling those other writers breathing down my neck. (Not happening.)

SIGN

How did you know your agent was the right one for you?

Because I was a little scared of her at first. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true. I asked all the agents who offered representation what they envisioned for my career as a writer, and what kind of schedule they’d expect me to keep. Laura was totally honest; she talked about starting with one contract and working my way up. She said it would all be based on my production as a writer, and that some of her clients wrote four books a year. My knees went weak, but I knew for sure she meant business. I wanted someone who wouldn’t coddle me. I wanted someone who would work hard for me and push me to work hard.

Once a writer has signed with an agent, what’s the next step?

For me, it was a short round of revisions and then we went out on submission. And let me tell you, if you think you check your email a lot while you’re querying, you’ll wear your Refresh button out when you’re on sub. Even when you know there’s not possibility of a reply coming in. Writers are slightly nuts, aren’t we?

Do you send sample chapters to your agent or do you wait until the manuscript is finished?

I usually send 3-5 chapters and a 2 page (roughly) synopsis. We talk about any major issues she sees in the pages and then I write the entire manuscript based on that discussion. Although when we’re working with an editor I’m already contracted with, sometimes we just send those chapters and synopsis to the editor.

SUBMIT

Do you see the feedback from editors?

Yes, absolutely. My agent always shows me their responses and I really appreciate that. Even if it’s not always the most positive feedback, I learn from it.

What is the next step if an editor shows interest?

Panic! No, seriously. If you’ve still got manuscripts out with other editors who haven’t replied yet, your agent will contact them and let them know you’ve got an offer on the table and give them a deadline to get back to her. It’s usually a week, so for the next seven days you’ll jump out of your skin every time the phone rings or a new message arrives in your inbox. Will it be a rejection or another offer? SO NERVE-WRACKING!

What do you suggest a writer does while out on submission?

Write another book. This is seriously the only thing you have control over. Get your mind off the submission and be ready with the next project. You’ll either need it if your current project doesn’t get an offer, or you’ll need it when your editor asks what else you’re working on after you sign the current project. You want to be a professional writer, right? You’re definitely going to want more than one book on hand. Write one, write another one, write a third if you have time. And you might. Submission can take a LONG TIME.

Did you know there was interest in the book before you got an offer or was it a surprise?

Total shock. It came faster than we expected. So fast there wasn’t even time to get a hint of interest before the offer. After that, I got a few hints that other houses might be interested as we slogged through the week until deadline. But it’s never a sure thing until the offer comes in. Publishing is not just an editor’s decision and things can fall apart in a few places along the way.

How did you celebrate when you got the news about your book deal?

Champagne, laughing and crying simultaneously, and swearing. I do that when I’m happy.

Thanks so much, Liz!

See other Query. Sign. Submit. interviews
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Posted March 2014

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Tribute to a Friend

Yesterday the world lost an amazing woman. Catherine was one of my very first writing friends and her wit and talent with both words and art have always inspired me.

If you have just a couple minutes, please consider hoping over to read one of her Jotter Girl posts. Because maybe, just maybe, she’ll hear her words making someone laugh today among all the sadness.

A few of my favorites, although they’re all funny or moving . . .

30 Second Story . . . Mother McNeal suggests you cross your legs

30 Second Story . . . Seats for Tommy and Joey

30 Second Story . . . Something Borrowed

Open Letters

Big hugs to all my friends out there. *HUGS*

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Query.Sign.Submit. with Janet Gurtler

Janet is a young adult author whose books include I’m Not Her, If I Tell, Who I Kissed, and How I Lost You. Her latest novel, 16 Things I Thought Were True is now available from Sourcebooks Fire! She is represented by Jill Corcoran of the Jill Corcoran Agency.

 

Connect with and learn more about Janet . . .

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

 

 

Now for Janet’s insight on querying, signing with an agent, and going on submission!

QUERY

What advice would you give to querying writers?

Don’t query too early. Make sure your work is ready!

What are some important things for querying writers to consider when researching agents?

Basic research is essential! Make sure the agent represents what you write.

What resources and websites did you use when querying?

I’ve had an agent for a few years now, but when I was querying I used query tracker.

What was your method for querying? Small batches? Query widely? Wait for feedback?

I’m not the most patient person but I did the small batches method. That way if things need to be tweaked you can still go ahead and do so.

Did you ever have a Revise & Resubmit? What should a writer consider when deciding whether or not to take one on?

I never had a revise and resubmit for an agent, but I did for a couple of editors. I absolutely went ahead and did so because they were suggestions that I felt made the story stronger. Neither got picked up, but it was an amazing learning experience and another step closer to the ultimate sale.

I would say that you really have to trust yourself in a situation like this. If it’s not a change you are comfortable and agree with, it’s probably not the best thing to do. Ultimately your name goes on the book so you should probably like what’s going out there!

SIGN

Once a writer has signed with an agent, what’s the next step?

Well, for me, my current agent signed me on a partial (unusual yes, but I had already sold one book) So I had to finish the book (I’M NOT HER) When it was completed and edited and revised my agent started the submission process and then….waiting happened.

How editorial is your agent? Is it what you expected?

My agent was a little more editorial when I first signed with her, but then I got a three book contract and the relationship of editing is now more between me and my editor. With a contract I have to write books on a deadline. My editor wanted proposals to approve rather than full books. The approved proposal then becomes the outline for the next contracted book.

Did you have any previous contact with editors that you shared with your agent? For example, from conferences or workshops.

Yes! Ultimately it always comes down to the writing, but relationships can get you looked at more quickly. Plus if someone knows your work, they know that you’re capable of the revisions etc. involved in the final stages of a book.

Do you send sample chapters to your agent or do you wait until the next manuscript is finished?

Again, my situation is a little different because of the contracted books but when my contract is over (I’m currently writing the final book in my 3 book contract) I will probably write a proposal for the next book I hope to submit.

SUBMIT

What is a typical first round like once a writer goes on submission?

The book goes in and usually there’s some fast responses and then more waiting. In my case with I’M NOT HER, I had some interest right away and then we had to wait for the book to go to acquisitions.

Do you see the feedback from editors?

Sometimes. I like to see it if it’s feedback that is constructive and can help me with revisions. I don’t like to see the feedback where the editor points out the reason why it’s not for her/him. One has to remember that sometimes when the writing is at a certain level, the decisions become quite subjective.

What is the next step if an editor shows interest?

Depending on the seniority of the editor and the publishing house, the book will usually have gone to acquisitions. I actually got to see the acquisition room at Sourcebooks where I’m published. You’d think there’d be strobe lights and drum solos and guitar riffs, but it was just a plain old boardroom.

What do you suggest a writer does while out on submission?

Try to stay as busy as possible and not stalk the editors you’re on submission with online.

How much contact do you have with your agent when you are out on submission?

My agent would send me feedback as she got it.

Can you check in with your agent if there hasn’t been any news in a while?

Absolutely.

How did you celebrate when you got the news about your first book deal?

Chocolate cake. Huge chocolate cake.

Once you have a book published, how does submission change for an author?

Depends. Usually you have a clause that lets you publisher look at your next (similar genre) book first. They’ll usually have a certain amount of time to accept of decline. But if it’s an entirely new publisher the submission is similar. Your agent queries and the editor asks to see the book or not.

Have you written companion books? How do you decide what the next story will be and how it will connect to others?

My books are all stand alone. I think there’s a similar style or feel to them but they’re not connected. For my books on contract, I subbed several proposals for the next book and my editor chose the book she wanted me to write. There’s a deadline and stages of revision.

Thank you, Janet!

See other Query. Sign. Submit. interviews
Read inspiring stories of writers getting agents
Find out about agent-judged contests

Posted March 2014

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