Anyone else writing a book?
- Thread starter Goliath
- Start date
It actually depends on the publisher/agent as to whether they mind simultaneous submissions. I was certain to check that each publisher/agent I am submitting to accepts simultaneous submission. Besides, I need to do everything within my power to get this published now. I want to get my career going.
Yay, I'm glad you're done! Hurry up and get it published because I've been dying to see these illustrations since you first mentioned them!
Well, I've made my first submission to an agent! I wrote a few variations on a query letter today, and did some more research. I really like the sound of this agency, and the more I read the more I feel that, for me, an agent is the way to go. I simply have no head for business. I also joined the SCBWI, who have a NYC conference coming up in January, I wish it were sooner!
I'm terrified of this whole process, but also exhilarated. Does anyone here who has been through this have some advice?
I'm terrified of this whole process, but also exhilarated. Does anyone here who has been through this have some advice?
No need to be terrified; you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. 
I had an agent briefly around 1980 when I had some TV scripts I wanted to sell and was still pretty naive about the business side of Hollywood; I pulled a Harlan Ellison on them and gave up on any notions of being a television writer.
I had an agent briefly around 1980 when I had some TV scripts I wanted to sell and was still pretty naive about the business side of Hollywood; I pulled a Harlan Ellison on them and gave up on any notions of being a television writer.
I haven't been through it myself, but I've had plenty of friends who have, and I supported them through the whole thing.
Some of them managed to get agents and sell some of their work. Some didn't. It all depends on how thick a skin you have. I've seen people get totally crushed by their first rejection letter, while others just get more and more determined and never, ever give up.
If you are the latter kind of person, you'll be just fine.
I understand there is always room in the market for children's books--a good book for kids is hard to come by, and that market isn't quite as saturated as, say, genre fiction.I'm a stubborn ass, so once I start submitting things, there will be no end to it.
^Unfortunately, it's actually supposed to be one of the tougher markets to break into, in part because of the cost of publishing children's picture books -- they're pricey so the industry is less likely to take risks. I am the latter type of person you mentioned, though, so thanks for the positive affirmation! The waiting is going to be a bitch, though. I chose 1 agency I really liked to be my first query, and submitted yesterday. They're supposed to be back to me within the month. It's been less than 24 hours, and I know it's completely unreasonable to expect any kind of response yet, but I've been checking my email about ever ten minutes!
I understand it can take months to get a response, depending on where you submitted it. And sometimes, all you get is an email rejection (ouch!)
Just remember, you're dealing with some of the most overworked people in the publishing business, so patience is a virtue here!
Just remember, you're dealing with some of the most overworked people in the publishing business, so patience is a virtue here!
I just realized I haven't posted an update lately on what I'm doing. I finished part 3 of my novel, so that completes "book 1." I am currently editing, and am 27 chapters in (out of 96). I expect heavy editing at the end of part 1, some tweaking for part 2, and probably not a whole lot in part 3. My goal is to finish editing by the end of November. Here's hoping...
I'm procrastinating before I write chapter 15 though it is actually chapter 14 because there's a prologue.
Anyhoo, I'm going to write now.
Edited to add: Chapter 14 is now written and all I have to do is type it up which I shall do when I'm sufficiently recovered from writing it, sometime Saturday afternoon probably. At which point I then need to return to the present day for the next few chapters.
Anyhoo, I'm going to write now.
Edited to add: Chapter 14 is now written and all I have to do is type it up which I shall do when I'm sufficiently recovered from writing it, sometime Saturday afternoon probably. At which point I then need to return to the present day for the next few chapters.
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Sweet! It's always good to be making progress...
I just got done editing chapter 29 of part 1, which was really long. And complicated. I had to tweak quite a few things. I find myself making more little changes as I go.
I also wrote the first chapter of a group project I'm heading up. Only one other person has bothered so far. Time to kick some people into gear!
^I can't even imagine the determination and dedication one must have to write a novel!
Well, I started it last fall, and then I lost my job in December. I didn't touch it again until April (I think). I finished the first draft a couple weeks ago. So, it took me about a year to write 140,000 words. Not that great, really. But I pushed myself to write a chapter at least every few days. I was really dreading the editing process, but it's going very well so far.
I think anyone can write a novel, if they just stick with it and have a plan. That's what I do. Even when I start, I assume it's going to be a certain length, so seeing how close I am getting to the end always keeps me going.
This is actually the second novel I've finished, which is kind of pathetic, since I have about (no exaggeration) a million words' worth of stuff that I haven't finished. Some of it is salvageable, some of it isn't. I figure I'll go back to it as I make more progress on the books I am finishing.
I have one thing I wrote between 1999 and 2002 that stands at about 270,000 words. It was 90% done and I just sort of lost interest. I need to revise the portion where I started to lose track of things and just redo that, so I can bring it to a proper conclusion. Then I get to go back and edit a 300,000 word "novel."
I think anyone can write a novel, if they just stick with it and have a plan. That's what I do. Even when I start, I assume it's going to be a certain length, so seeing how close I am getting to the end always keeps me going.
This is actually the second novel I've finished, which is kind of pathetic, since I have about (no exaggeration) a million words' worth of stuff that I haven't finished. Some of it is salvageable, some of it isn't. I figure I'll go back to it as I make more progress on the books I am finishing.
I have one thing I wrote between 1999 and 2002 that stands at about 270,000 words. It was 90% done and I just sort of lost interest. I need to revise the portion where I started to lose track of things and just redo that, so I can bring it to a proper conclusion. Then I get to go back and edit a 300,000 word "novel."
300,000 words is a trilogy, not a novel.Well, I started it last fall, and then I lost my job in December. I didn't touch it again until April (I think). I finished the first draft a couple weeks ago. So, it took me about a year to write 140,000 words. Not that great, really. But I pushed myself to write a chapter at least every few days. I was really dreading the editing process, but it's going very well so far.
I think anyone can write a novel, if they just stick with it and have a plan. That's what I do. Even when I start, I assume it's going to be a certain length, so seeing how close I am getting to the end always keeps me going.
This is actually the second novel I've finished, which is kind of pathetic, since I have about (no exaggeration) a million words' worth of stuff that I haven't finished. Some of it is salvageable, some of it isn't. I figure I'll go back to it as I make more progress on the books I am finishing.
I have one thing I wrote between 1999 and 2002 that stands at about 270,000 words. It was 90% done and I just sort of lost interest. I need to revise the portion where I started to lose track of things and just redo that, so I can bring it to a proper conclusion. Then I get to go back and edit a 300,000 word "novel."
I should be writing a chapter a week or so but at the moment it is more like a chapter every fortnight
Yeah, actually, my plan was to split the 300,000 word thing into two halves. Or, barring that, four books. It's 100(-ish) segments, told in a serialized format, with a "major" event in every 25th. Gives me nice stopping points if I want to split it up.
Still working on my Wal-Mart book. I was talking to an old HS friend on facebook(He's a journalist now) who has some contacts in the "industry" and he's going to try to help me out once I finish it. He loved the excerpts I sent him.
I don't think 75k is really enough for a novel these days, though you might get away with it. Publishers like trilogies though so see if it will fit in that format, or I would go ahead and chop it in half.
Technically, it already is a trilogy--the 300K story is actually just the first part. Though I can't imagine the second and third parts would be nearly so long. I've had enough trouble just with this one!
But that's why I took a few years off from it.
My novel is now up to 24,713 words. I need to get working on the next chapter...
How long do you think it's going to end up?