Making use of Rejection.

So, those keeping up with my news know that I have been floating on cloud 9 lately with all the partial and full requests I've been getting for my manuscript.
So, here's the latest development. I recently received another request from a much-desired agent. We exchanged a lovely email conversation back and forth. She sounded very excited about my work. I was breathless with excitement, thinking that this might be THE ONE.

A week later I have a message from her in my inbox. I'm thinking, "this is it!" because many of the stories say the agent read it quickly and fell in love.

Alas, it was the dreaded R, not only that, but it was my first R on a full. She was very sincere and kind. She sounded almost as disappointed as I was. Some comments were helpful, and some were vague.

After a moment of self pity, I was able to find some cheer in this tragic event. I have gone a step further in this crazy publishing game and I have learned a few new things as well as been reminded of others.

1.) The rejection rate is still pretty high on full manuscripts. Hell, I'll bet it's still high on agented manuscripts with publishers.

2.) Agents are like every other book lover. Their tastes vary.

3.) My book may still not be ready.

And finally,
4.) A writer should have a backup plan in case all fulls are rejected.

And here is mine:
As I have a few more fulls out with other lovely awesome agents, I will wait as patiently as possible to hear back from them.
If they all pass on it, I will not cry. I will send it out to another group of betas and give it another overhaul. Then I will query a fresh batch of agents and get back in the game. I feel that this novel is close. And if it fails, I'll just have to start over and write another one!

On Book Covers and Blurbs

Maybe it's the artist in me, but I've always had a thing for good cover art on a book. It's the first thing I notice when browsing. And paranormal romance novels have some of the most kick-ass covers. I picked this one 'cuz not only is it a beautiful cover (I love purple), but it is an awesome series. I generally don't pick books that have yellow covers because that color offends me for some reason.

If the cover grabs me I read the blurb on the back to see if it does the same. Author recommendations mean nothing to me. A few things that will turn me off are:

A.)love triangles. I think it's because I've been in one or two and the emotional baggage of them nauseates me.

B.)If the heroine/hero has a kid/kids. Harsh, I know. But as a mom, I read to escape.

C.)Getting back with an ex. This one's 50/50 for me. If it sounds like the backstory will be told and it's interesting, I may give it a whirl.

Of course I can still be willing to read these types of romances if they come recommended by friends or are by a well-loved author.

How about you? What grabs you in a book's cover art and blurb. What things make you go, "meh," and put it back on the shelf?

And The Winner Is...

Jamie De Bree! Congrats! Since I already have your email, I'll pass it on to Elise so you can receive your free e-book.

Interview with BDSM author, Elise Hepner

There are many kinds of romantic stories out there and thankfully an endless array of romance authors to supply them. I have had a wonderful time hosting a few of them. My first was YA paranormal romance author, Shannon Delany (http://brooklynann.blogspot.com/2009/12/interview-with-special-guest-author.html ) the second was Jo Lynne Valerie, author of the poignant novella collection: A Tale for All Seasons. (http://brooklynann.blogspot.com/2010/01/special-guest-blog-by-jo-lynne-valerie.html) And then there was Stella Price, co-author of the intense Eververse series.(http://brooklynann.blogspot.com/2010/02/interview-with-incubus.html) Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Elise Hepner, author of BDSM erotica.

Welcome, Elise!

1.) First off, to get us all on the same page, what exactly is BDSM?

BDSM stands for bondage, dominance, submission, and masochism. Or a few other different acronyms, depending on who you talk too. Either way it represents a culture where both parties in the relationship are equal, but not necessarily on the same sexual level, meaning one is being used for pleasure by the "top," or dominant partner, and the other "bottom," or submissive, delights in pleasing their partner through consensual, but varying degrees, of pain and pleasure through sex.

2.) What made you choose to write BDSM?

I chose to write what turns me on--that so happened to be handcuffs and then the more I did research, the more I realized I wanted to explore this new world. Fiction is a nice little outlet for me to do that without necessarily experiencing firsthand what I've written--though there have been a variety of testings in our house. I also enjoy the pure emotions that are unleashed through BDSM; there's an openness and a vulnerability that's hard to find in most regular sex that is both a turn on and a sexy revelation.

3.) With all types of erotica, there is naturally a focus on hot sex scenes. What challenges and triumphs do you encounter coming up with steamy scenes and tying them in with a tantalizing plot?

Generally, I don't have any issues with my sex scenes because my characters tell me what to do and what exactly they want, though I really try to push them to the limits in what they are ready to experience. Sometimes they have to come to the brink of being uncomfortable in order to fully experience pleasure. I do really enjoy a scene where I've written it and I know it's good because not only does it turn me on, but I have to go try it at that moment--so that could be considered a triumph. As far as challenges-- word repeating can be an issue so I like to keep a thesaurus handy, and even now I'm still advancing.

4.) I’m sure that you get a great variety of reactions to what you write. Which are the most typical?

For the most part people are very accepting or very embarrassed. I've gotten a few letters telling me how well I've written the feelings of BDSM and then I'll get an email from my mother telling me the family is calling me the "Porn Queen" and they are loving my work, but she's the only one that will read it. Which is perfectly fine with me! Regardless of reactions, I love what I write and I'll keep writing it because it's what I love, but it's always a little easier when there are people cheering you on from the stands.

5.) Is there any advice you can offer those that write for specific niche markets?

Even though in a niche market you can write about the same sex acts or similar acts in a sexual genre, the best thing to do is to keep the emotions high and really engage the characters. Otherwise reader's can get bored or stories repetitive. Also, don't be afraid to branch out. I love what I write, but if at some point I don't think it's working for me anymore I'm not going to be afraid to try something else under a different pen name. Sometime you have to give it a rest or there is epic burnout and that's really bad for a writer--obviously.

And now, for the exciting part: Elise has decided to hold a contest. Here are the details:
I'm running a contest where anyone who comments is entered to win two books of their choice from my current e-book back list. Deadline to enter is by midnight ET Monday, April 5th.

Here’s a blurb of the newest release:

Mina knows that after several years with her vanilla husband she's never going to get the hot and heady sexual experiences she craves unless she looks elsewhere. During their divorce Mina is willing to risk everything for a heart pounding, head exploding orgasm.
She embarks on a sexual journey of self fulfillment and submission that could only play out in her wildest fantasies. There is no turning back.

Warnings: This title contains strong language, kidnap scenario, BDSM and mind games.
For excerpt, click here: http://celise91writer.blogspot.com/2010/03/repossession-new-release.html


Buy Link: http://excessica.com/store/catalog/index.php?manufacturers_id=34&osCsid=f38c08cfbd9af1ab43d221c3fb3ddc52

Are you prepared to get THE CALL?

When I first embarked on my quest for publication, I used to daydream about getting THE CALL, otherwise known as an offer of representation. Most of the daydreams involved me jumping up and down and squealing like a lunatic, “yes!” like a movie heroine receiving a marriage proposal from Prince Charming.

But throughout my learning experience from agent research and chatting with authors online, my head has been pulled from the clouds. Aside from being stuck with a "bad" agent, there are other reasons not to jump right into a contract when offered representation. I won't discuss “bad” agents in this post for the simple fact that at this stage an author should have done their research on prospective agents before querying them in the first place. I did a post on that earlier:
http://brooklynann.blogspot.com/2010/01/on-queries-and-researching-agents.html

Another great source to check out agents is Preditors and Editors.

Now, back on topic. An online author-friend of mine recently received three offers of representation. Her decision was difficult, for all three agents had solid reputations and sales-records. One was from a huge agency that many would give their eyeteeth for; another was a rising star in the business with plenty of awesome deals under her belt, and the last was from another solid agency, though not as much was known about her. She spoke on the phone with all three, and ultimately went with agent number two. Why didn’t she go with the super-duper giant agent? I have no idea how the author’s phone conversations went with these agents, but I have a few guesses.

When an agent calls to offer representation, they are doing two things: They are considering a long-term business relationship with you, and are feeling out your personality. A wise author should be doing the same. As mentioned, this is a LONG TERM relationship. You want to make sure that you see eye to eye on the most important details of your career.

How do you do this? You ask questions. According to some authors I asked about THE CALL, the conversation should be about 20 minutes, so it would be good to have your questions prepared in advance.
I’ve found some good questions here on these links:
Rachelle Gardner’s post: http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2009/04/getting-call.html

http://caseylmccormick.blogspot.com/2010/02/call-or-what-to-ask-literary-agent-when.html

AgentQuery: http://www.agentquery.com/writer_or.aspx This article does a great job of covering the situation of multiple offers and counter-offers as well.

There are a lot more than 20 minutes worth of questions in these links, & I wouldn’t recommend asking them all. Besides being time consuming, many of the answers to these questions can be found on the agent’s website, and many sound like a rehearsed script. I believe that your questions should be more customized, not only to keep in line with your priorities, but to give the agent a better impression of who you are.

As you are speaking to the agent, keep your mind and heart open to feel how well you click with her.

Since I now have a few full manuscripts with agents, there is a chance that I could be getting THE CALL. I’d like to be prepared, so here is my shot at my questions for my future agent. Any helpful feedback or suggestions would be appreciated.

1.)How extensive are the needed revisions? Do you believe that it needs any major changes? Except in very rare cases, all novels require some revisions before going out on submission to publishers. Your agent's answer will reveal 2 important things: If there are changes she wants that would kill you to do, and a rough estimate on how long it will be before she starts shopping it to publishers.


2.)What is your basic plan for submitting/ marketing my novel? This is the best question of all because it answers so much more than the obvious. The manner and the extent to which the agent describes her plan for your novel will not only reveal her enthusiasm for your work, but how much she has thought of it.

3.)How will the expenses be handled? I've heard that many agencies charge for some expenses such as copying the manuscript and other things. I want to know how much, and whether the agent expects this money up front, or if it will be deducted from my advance.

4.)How often will we be communicating? As a new author in the big-bad publishing world, I would like a little hand-holding. A brief phone call or email once a week would be desirable.

5.)What can I do to help promote my work? Not only do I believe that this will show the agent that I am serious about my career as an author, I don't want to do anything that would harm my career.

6.)At what stage would you like to discuss my other (or future) works? Since I am working on a series, I think this is especially important.

7.)Though the novel you are offering to represent is a historical, I also have a few contemporary works. Do you think it would be more commercially viable for my next novel to be another historical, or would a contemporary be okay? I'm not completely sure if I should ask this question right off the bat, and I would really like to word it better. But I do believe that it's important, so that I know which book in my head I should work on next.

Again, any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

On Waiting.

I've finished my manuscript, I've been through rewrites, I've perfected my query and sent it in to agents that I feel it would fit with. It seems that I have done things right this time around, for I've garnered much more requests for fulls and partials than for my last novel. With some agents I very well could be at the stage where I'm either offered representation, rejected, or offered to revise and resubmit. I have long since learned that the wheels of the publishing industry turn slowly and patience is more than a virtue. It is a necessity.

But that doesn't make the waiting suck less. Especially since it is getting close to time when I can reasonably begin to expect some responses, but nowhere near the time when a polite nudge would be appropriate.

I'm sure all aspiring authors have heard the amazing miracle stories where an awesome agent requested a writer's full manuscript, read it right away in one sitting, and offered representation the next day....oh, and maybe the part where there book was sold in a week was added too. Though such stories are inspiring, I often wish that I had never heard them, for they can be misleading, not because I believe them to be untrue, but because it is even more rare for things to happen that quickly than it is to make the bestsellers list.

What does one do to make the waiting more bearable? First I can say what NOT to do, because thanks to research and agent blogs, that information is readily available. But I've learned a few things that really seem to help and will gladly share them.

1.) DON'T nudge until the appropriate time frame. When is that? Some agents will say on their websites, blogs and on twitter (always check there first), but the usual guideline is 3 months on a query, and six months on a full. As for partials, I've heard anywhere between 3 and 6 months. The best way to encourage a rejection is with constant emails asking, "Didja get/read it yet?"

2.) NEVER call an agent. Agents have phone numbers for clients and editors. The unrepresented masses should pretend agent phones don't exist until they get THE CALL.

3.) DON'T pester an agent about your manuscript on twitter or on their blog. I hear about it happening once in awhile and never can believe that someone could be that unprofessional. Especially after an agent has requested material. At that stage, many will be googling you, reading your blogs, and checking your tweets/ facebook/myspace updates to see if you'll be a good fit. Don't blow it by flaunting your impatience.

4.) This one may garner a little disagreement. One agent said it was a bad idea to talk about your rejections online. I was a little surprised because I see writers doing it all the time, and many have gotten representation since then. Still, I'm inclined to agree with her because:

A.) It could make you sound whiny/petulant and therefore undesirable to work with.

B.) Agents hang out together and talk to eachother. If you announce online, even in a professional manner, that so-and-so rejected you, another agent that was considering you might think, "Hey, so-and-so and I share similar tastes so this person likely wouldn't be good for me either."

I may be paranoid here, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Now that I've depressed us all with all the restrictions, let me share the things I've been doing to keep myself from obsessively stalking my inbox.

1.) Indulge in your other hobbies. I've been working two jobs, so I haven't had time to paint or work on my cars, but I have turned away from my computer to go play darts, prepare a new dish, and now that spring is here, I'll go fishing.

2.) Read! Not only is reading a joyous escape from the trials of life, it is necessary to make a better writer.

3.) Work on your next novel. This is most the most important tip of all because most agents expect you to anyway. Nobody wants a one-hit-wonder unless it's Gone With The Wind, which was #2 to the Bible in sales shortly after its debut. Even Harry Potter didn't touch that! And even if something is preventing you from putting down words, you can at least begin brainstorming, research, and daydreaming about new plots and characters.

4.) Spend some time with friends and family. They likely missed you when you were locked away with your keyboard and your muse, and will miss you more once you are busy working on the revisions that your agent will likely be requesting.

5.) Keep up with your web presence/ platform. Keep tweeting, keep blogging, keep facebook/myspace-ing. The more potential book-buyers you can bring to the table when an agent offers representation, the better.

6.) Begin compiling your list of questions to ask a prospective agent when you get THE CALL. Though many of us are at that stage where we would be tempted to fall at the agent's knees immediately with a resounding "yes," your homework should not be complete, for a long-term relationship is in the balance. You need to make sure that you are right for eachother. I've found a lot of useful information about what to do when you get THE CALL, and will do a post about it later.

I'm sure that there are a hundred other things writers do to abate the agony of waiting. What do you all do? What keeps you from stalking the mailman and clicking on your inbox every five minutes?

Define "Smut."

From 5th grade on I was famous for reading horror, fantasy, and classics. What people around me didn't know was that by age 13, I'd also gotten a taste of historical romance novels and was hooked. It wasn't until after high school that I decided to quit reading them in secret and to "come out of the closet," so to speak. But still, I used to be a little embarrassed and offended when a friend would eye one of the romance novels I was reading and say, "Oh, you're reading one of those 'smut books' again."

I threw off the shame of reading "smut" after awhile...or so I thought. I was always adamant to argue that the romance novels I read weren't smut. "Because they have a plot," was my typical argument. I had cast away the shame of reading romance novels so much that I began writing my own. Never mind that it took awhile before I would flat out say "romance" when asked what I wrote, after awhile I admitted it.

Then, a couple years back, I embraced the term "smut." I was a mechanic that also did some construction work on the side and all of my coworkers were men. When they saw me working on a manuscript during break time, they'd ask what I wrote.

"Paranormal Romance," I replied with a steely gaze, daring them to laugh.

My response was always greeted with a blank stare, and maybe a tentative, "Huh? What's that?"

Finally I grew sick of their confusion and said, "Supernatural Smut." (Catchy name, huh?)

Comprehension dawned in every man's eyes. "Oh, okay." Then either we'd all get back to work or they'd go on to ask what the story was about.

It was then that I realized a few things:

1.) Many men don't know what "Romance" is as a genre, but they all know what "smut" is.

2.) "Smut" isn't really a bad thing for most people.

3.) "Smut" is a figurative term.

Did you know that THE GREAT GATSBY was once referred to as "smut" when it was banned by a few schools a few decades back? I remember very little about that book. Schools have a way of sucking the fun out of almost any piece of reading. But if it DID have anything I would remotely consider to be "smutty" I bet I would have enjoyed it more.

So what is "smut?" Is it any romance novel? Or just romance novels with sex scenes? Is it romance novels with cheesy or non-existent storylines? Is it porn without a plot?

I would love to hear how you define "smut" and why.