Category Archives: Stephanie

March 29, 2011   Stephanie   fun, questions, Stephanie, writing  
18

I have no comment at this time.

I really enjoyed Jim’s entry from yesterday. Not just for the opportunity to watch his hypochondriac tendencies in full force, but also because it really got at the heart of why you all do what it is you do. I love learning things like that. Whenever I speak to a potential new client, the first question I ask is why they decided to write their novel, memoir, etc. For whatever reason, the writing takes on a lot more meaning for me when I know what or who brought the writer to put words down on paper.

No doubt, the response to Jim’s post was fantastic. If there’s one thing writers feel strongly about, it is their motivations behind writing. And rightfully so: without a real passion to write, what’s the point? So then I started to wonder about the flipside to this. What about when people ask questions of a writer that they don’t necessarily want to hear? Because people mean well; of course they do. But who really wants to hear things like

1. So you’re a writer…What do you write?
2. Are you still writing that novel?
3. Are you done yet?
4. Can I be a character in your book?
5. Do you think you’ll ever ACTUALLY get published?

Do you, as a writer, ever get questions that make you cringe?

March 22, 2011   Stephanie   about us, advice, agents, optimism, Stephanie, submissions, truth, writing  
10

Fears and hurdles and send buttons

In my daily swim through queries, I’ve noticed an interesting trend in opening sentences—something to the effect of “I feel that now is finally the right time to send this your way,” or “I’ve been sitting on this novel, too afraid to send it out until now.” Which leads me to believe that as many people as there are that email me telling me they’ve gotten over the fear of reaching out, there are just as many–if not more–who are still hesitant to hit the Send button. In past blog posts I’ve talked about the query process, but today I wanted to dig a bit deeper and reach those who haven’t yet cleared that first hurdle.

My question is: what’s holding you back? Maybe it’s timing, maybe it’s perfectionism. And I’m willing to guess it also rests in that highly inconvenient fear we all experience throughout our lives of rejection.  But I won’t deny that you also probably feel the odds—technical, rather than emotional—stacked against you.  If you’re keeping yourself informed and involved, reading blogs, and doing whatever you can to learn more about the industry, there’s no doubt that you’re hearing different advice from different sources: “do this” or “don’t do this” or “text attached” or “text included in the body” or “spell check.” Everyone remembers spell check, right?

The fact is, it’s competitive out there, and a realistic attitude is an imperative. And expectations are inevitably high because we want to see the absolute best that you have to offer. It’s a tall order, I won’t deny it.  But here’s the thing: sometimes you have to tune out the noise and dive in. Of course you want your work to be as perfect as it can be, but you also can’t wait forever for that perfection to happen.  At a certain point, you have to go for it, because you never know what could be waiting for you on the other end.

Are any of you out there are feeling this? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

March 15, 2011   Stephanie   debate, e-books, feuds, opinion, reading, Stephanie  
11

The library debate

Today I wanted to bring up the new debate currently raging between publishers and libraries. As you may or may not know, HarperCollins recently enacted new restrictions on e-books purchased by libraries, only allowing each book to be checked out twenty-six times before expiring.  This has essentially upended library lending policies, whereby e-books were previously lent out an unlimited number of times. In the publisher’s defense, HarperCollins is attempting to update a policy first created long before e-books gained a foothold in the market, as well as avoid losing an important part of their revenue that comes with replacing old or worn physical books. But on the opposite side, libraries now face apportioning more of their already slim budgets for replacing the e-books after they expire.

The issue has stirred up resistance from librarians across the country, and for now, the debate shows little sign of dying down. I’d love to hear your take on this dispute.  Does your local library offer e-book lending? Have you ever borrowed an e-book from your local library? Do you agree with HarperCollins’s new policy? Let me know!

March 08, 2011   Stephanie   fun, Stephanie, voice  
7

A strong voice

I’m thinking out loud here, so bear with me, but I had a moment today where I took a peek at the unread queries currently sitting in my inbox.  In a spontaneous move, I began opening attachments, or skipping down to the copy and pasted text underneath the cover letter of randomly selected emails.  Rather than starting from the top, reading introductions, pitchlines, etc., I dove right into the stories themselves. This is one of those tests that can help me decide if a submission will really pull me in, making me eager to keep reading.  I realize that the summaries and blurbs in a query matter–because they do–but at the same time, if a book has a strong voice, then I shouldn’t need to have the genre blatantly spelled out for me—the story should be able to tell me that all on its own.

So I wonder, in your writing process, how do you manage to keep the voice of your work strong? Do you write, but then go back and question it, or do you just let the words flow and let the voice (pun and all) speak for itself?

March 01, 2011   Stephanie   adaptation, fun, Stephanie  
9

And the winner is…

Did anyone watch the Oscars this past weekend? Thoughts? Exciting? Dull? I found it mostly unsurprising, but it also made me consider something I hadn’t thought before.  Typically a film’s performance during awards season will bring more interest, spurring ticket sales, etc. But what about the books from which many of these films originate?  Several of the notable nominees this year were book adaptations—The Social Network based on The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich; True Grit and Winter’s Bone both based on novels of the same names, by Charles Portis and Daniel Woodrell, respectively; 127 Hours based on Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston.

So I guess my question is: watching a nominated film take home a top honor at the Oscars may make you more interested seeing it, but does it also compel you to pick up the book? Even think of past winners: Schindler’s List; The Godfather; Million Dollar Baby. If you enjoyed the film, would you ever consider turning to the text, without which there would be no film?  Do you have any particular favorite books that turned into film adaptations?

February 22, 2011   Stephanie   favorites, fun, opinion, reading, Stephanie  
10

Reading redux

This week, I wanted to pass along this link from the Huffington Post which asked readers to submit novels they enjoy rereading. Personally, I think it’s great when I can pick up a book and read it cover to cover, enjoying each page along the way. It’s even more rewarding when I read a book that makes such an impact that I find myself interested in revisiting it, either soon after or even years later.   I know, for some, rereading a book is just not in the cards—I’ve read it once, why do it again? I can understand that, but often I find that rereading a novel will introduce me to a new novel entirely: depending on how much time has passed, the themes and meanings might resonate with me differently, not to mention that many times I’ll find something in the second read that I had missed the first time around.  Either way, I think the list given offers some excellent examples, with To Kill a Mockingbird and The Picture of Dorian Gray among my favorites.  I think I’d also include A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, but that’s just me.

Do you have certain books in particular that you find yourself rereading?

February 15, 2011   Stephanie   authors, editing, Stephanie, writing  
12

It’s a process

One thing that has always fascinated me is the writing process. Broad, I know, but what I mean is I find it very interesting to learn how different writers go about constructing and creating books in very different ways—I can tell you that no two writers seem to approach it the same way.

Some writers create meticulous outlines, breaking down each chapter to the last detail.  Sometimes these outlines can be so extensive, that the book is virtually complete before the actual writing has even begun.  Some writers simply sit down and write.  A stream of consciousness kind of thing, the words flow onto the page (or screen) in rapid succession, only to be followed by an extensive edit process after the book is completed.  And still some writers will lay out the entire book in their heads before composing even the first sentence.

These are just three of what I can only guess are a countless number of ways writers develop, create, and construct their stories. And it seems that with every new writer comes a new technique.  Which I think is fantastic, because at its core, writing is a creative process, and with something like that, the fact is there is no right answer to the way it should be done.

What’s your method? Do you find yourself looking to improve or modify it?

February 08, 2011   Stephanie   about us, advice, agents, relationships, Stephanie  
4

20 Questions

I’ve talked about the query process in the past, but today I wanted to take it a step further, to the point at which an agent feels ready to reach out and offer representation—something that typically happens over the phone.  This potentially nerve-wracking phone call is a huge step; lest we forget: when an author signs with an agent, he or she should be the person the author feels most comfortable with, both personally and professionally. So this week I wanted to address how to approach this phone call, and in particular the kinds of things one should consider asking when speaking with an agent.

For the most part, it really is personal.  What are you really looking for in an agent? What is your vision for your work? And so on.  But there are also certain questions that I think are important when talking to an agent.

–          How does the submission process work?

–          Do you want to represent just this book or my other work(s)?

–          What are your commission rates?

–          Do you have an agent/client agreement I could review?

At the end of the day, it will really come down to what is most important to the individual person and how personalities mesh, but when an author gets the chance to discuss representation with an agent, preparation is key.

Can you think of other questions you would ask a potential agent?

February 03, 2011   Stephanie   fun, queries, Stephanie  
7

Fire & Brimstone

This might come as a surprise to people who know me, but I don’t particularly enjoy rejecting authors who query me. I mean, sure, I love a healthy dose of schadenfreude as much as the next gal, but I don’t derive any particular pleasure out of telling someone that the project they’ve labored over, in many cases for years, is just not right for me. Plain and simple, that’s not what it’s about.

Don’t get me wrong: I have a deep appreciation for the people who do query me. It takes a certain kind of bravery that I admire, and frankly, am not sure I personally possess.  Writing is one of those special gifts that requires an unmatched level of drive and dedication, and I recognize the vulnerability inherent in the query process.

But I must make the distinction: every so often, queries will pop up in my inbox that can only be described as head-scratchers; queries that are not cut from the same cloth as the 99.9% of you who reach out with the best of intentions.  So considering how much I don’t like turning people down, I can honestly say that it’s a relief knowing that sometimes, I don’t have to feel guilty sending that rejection.  Which is why I wanted to share this blog, SlushPile Hell, with you today.  I felt a sense of comfort, knowing I wasn’t alone.  Each entry highlights snippets of query letters received by one agent, along with humorous retorts. Just take a look and you’ll see what I mean. Alas, there is such a thing as a bad query.

January 25, 2011   Stephanie   advice, queries, Stephanie  
3

When queries attack

Quite often, we get questions from writers concerning the formatting of queries—everything from what exactly to include all the way down to what font is best.  Because Times New Roman and Cambria are great. But Courier? How dare you, sir! Which led me to consider how we as agents approach submissions that might not necessarily line up exactly with our guidelines (which, while I’m at it) and the effect, if any, that can have on a query’s lifespan.

I think the entire concept of submission guidelines is borne out of a two-fold necessity.  At their most basic, they serve to help agents simplify their reading and consideration of material.  Trust me, on those days that the “Unread” counter on your email queries tops triple digits, having a straightforward and to-the-point piece of reading does ease the weight.

On the other side of the coin, submission guidelines also benefit writers in the sense that they aim to demystify the whole process, narrowing down the myriad different ways a query could be put together into a simple, fairly uniform setup. It is, after all, the introduction, so it makes perfect sense why a writer would scrutinize the smaller details—first impressions are important.

At the end of the day, however, the success of a query often has very little to do with the minutiae of formatting, fonts, weighing the merits between attached Word document and text-in-body emails, or what type of fancy resume paper to use. It really does come down to the story, and being able to catch the agent’s eye, leaving them begging to know more.

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