Posts Tagged writing

My latest interview is with an up and coming author, who just got her first book deal with a major publisher! I asked Jenny some questions about her journey.

1. When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

I wanted to be a writer from before the time I could write. Family lore has me dictating bedtime stories to my mother when I was a sleepy two year old. As a child, I wrote stories that kept my friends entertained on play dates, and as I grew older I did the kinds of programs available to young writers.  In college I took part in the kinds of writing workshops where students had to submit samples and be vetted by the visiting authors. Round about sophomore year, when I was taking poetry workshops and my stated career goal was to live in a cabin in the woods and write, my parents sat me down. “Poets…” they both began, “Don’t really earn much money.” I took that in, or tried to. (What do college sophomores, with most of their expenses paid for, understand about money?) “You seem to love psych, too,” my mom added. “How about a double major?” I did love psych, especially the abnormal variety. Years later, after I’d obediently pursued a graduate degree, it would be my internship in the psychiatric ER that led me to find my true writer’s voice in suspense fiction.

But I always wanted to write.

2. Where have you been published?

I have a suspense short story called “The Very Old Man” published by a new e press in a two-story anthology called Lunch Reads 1. This collection cracked the Top 20 and became an Amazon bestseller in mystery anthologies. The irony is that I am a huge fan of print, and don’t have an e reader, so I have never read my own first publication! Next fall (2012) I will have a short story out in Adirondack Mysteries II. This series is published by a small, regional press and the authors will be sent around on a mini-tour. My first novel, a literary thriller set in the Adirondacks called COVER OF SNOW, comes out the following winter (2013) from Ballantine (Random House), so I am very excited to have a chance to do some touring with other authors–kind of see how it’s done–before that.

3. Who are some of the most important contacts you have made in the literary world, and how did you connect with them?
My novel literally would not have sold if it weren’t for the kindness of another author. I have been lucky enough all along the way (and the way was 11 years for me–so a long time) to have wonderful agents- (three of ‘em), editors who were interested in acquiring my work, and the support of generous, talented authors. But this one author, Nancy Pickard, deserves special mention both because she writes great books and because she happened to have an editor who would click with my work. When Nancy all but placed my manuscript into her editor’s hands–sheer magic happened.

I am a big believer in the idea that it takes a village to break into this business. It can’t happen on your own. If you publish traditionally, you need, at the very least, an agent, an editor, and the support of a whole house. If you publish independently, you need a cover designer, an editor, a tech guru. You may find an agent because you love the work of one of her clients. You may meet a small press editor at a conference. Or there might be an author who’s also an angel. In any event, begin making connections long before you ever need anything–if nothing else, go to readings and buy the author’s book–but not because this may help you. Because then you will never be alone in this writing life.

4. What are some of the activities you are involved in outside of writing?

Well, first and foremost, I’m a full-time stay at home mom. That activity has enriched every one of my days for the past eight years. My youngest will be starting kindergarten next year and that will be a real change in my writing life. So, activities in addition to writing include soccer, Girl Scouts, gymnastics, play dates, reading out loud, homework, putting on plays, watching plays, making cookies, teaching how to make cookies–and 1000 other things. I also do several of what I call para-writing activities, things that relate to writing but don’t accumulate new pages in a manuscript. I have a blog that features authors from all over the world–and every side of the publishing fence; teach writing and publishing, oversee a holiday called Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day, as well as the literary series, Writing Matters. In the fall I will be taking over my biggest para-writing activity yet–but I can’t say what that is quite yet!
5. How did you become involved in Writing Matters?

Writing Matters came about just after I had my first ever published short story. It was featured on a blog site called Lunch Reads–stories that could be gobbled down along with your lunch. I had the idea to do a panel discussion about publishing short fiction online, and took it to a member of my former writing group, who works at a wonderful local independent bookstore, named Watchung booksellers. That first panel discussion was so well attended and so lively that the series just took off from there–other topics we wanted to explore came to mind, as well as other people we wanted to invite. Now authors, agents, and presidents of writers’ organizations are approaching us. We’ve just reached our second anniversary and the series has drawn guests from both coasts, been featured in national media, and I hope, has become a Friday-nights-out mainstay of local residents. I encourage emerging writers everywhere to think of activities along these lines that they might initiate. It’s a great way to meet authors and support bookstores–and who knows what effect that will have down the road on our careers?

6. How do you foresee your life changing once your novel is released?

My life has already changed so much, it’s a little staggering to think what will happen once the book is finally out! As soon as news of the offer began to leak out, it seemed as if everything (career-related) changed. Suddenly authors I had long admired were writing to me–that’s how I found out that the deal had been featured in Publisher’s Marketplace. There was a stream of emails and phone calls that kept me busy for literally weeks–I wanted to respond personally to each one. And lunch with my new editor and agent…then cocktail parties (I had never attended a cocktail party before)…It’s all a little unreal. Actually a lot unreal. Focusing just on my book will be a very different experience for me–I don’t know exactly what that change will feel like. But I figure if the release of my novel keeps me meeting new people and friends, then one very important thing won’t change–the way that writing enables me to forge connections with people by whom my life is immeasurably enriched.

I just completed my first radio interview with Anjuelle Floyd, on her show, Book Talk, Creativity, and Family Matters. This was a one-hour, live show, but if you missed it, you may listen here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/anjuellefloyd/2011/02/23/author-shelley-stout

I am happy to announce my first blog guest– published author, poet and artist, Linda Sienkiewicz!

I asked Linda a few questions about becoming a writer, finding an agent, and blogging.

How long did it take you to find an agent? Describe that process.

I got my first agent through a friend, but that manuscript never sold, and the agent and I parted ways. I decided I needed to learn more about writing fiction before I put myself through that disappointment again. Five years later, I wrote my second novel, The Real Story. After extensive research, I started with a list of thirty agents, sent letters out in batches of ten, and kept track of all responses. I kept adding to my list as the rejections came in. All the details are here: http://bit.ly/cGjuMJ. It took 83 queries over a seven-month period before I found my agent. Five agents were reading it when I got an offer of representation from two agents. It can be discouraging, but determination and good writing will pay off.

What was the first story you ever wrote?

The first that I’d actually call a story was a piece of hot fan fiction. Writing fan fiction was such fun because you already had all your characters defined for you and the setting. My story featured Hando from the Aussie film “Romper Stomper.” I thought it was a decent story, so I changed the characters and setting, and it ended up being published in two journals. After that, I was hooked on storytelling. It took me years of learning and crafting, though, before I wrote my novel, The Real Story, about a self-destructive young woman who must face the fact that her father is a rapist before she finds the courage to leave her junkie husband and learn to love.

You also write poetry. Tell us about the first of your poems to be published.

I look back at my early writing with amused fondness. My work was basically cathartic, and has changed much since then, but I started getting poems published in 1994. My approach was to submit to the newer, smaller literary journals and university presses, and then work my way up. In 1996, I was one of eleven authors to work with an editor on a collaborative anthology, “Almost Touching,” which involved a year of writing and editing. It was a great way to learn craft.

When you started your blog, did you have a certain theme in mind, or did it evolve over time?

Initially, I set up a WordPress blog just to have a free website where I could post my bio and books. I wrote about my agent hunt on Facebook, and found that many people were interested, so I began blogging about that. My goal is to communicate with others about writing and the creative process in general. I’m an artist, too.

Tell us how you maintain your sanity while you are waiting to hear from your agent.

When the waiting gets hard, I remind myself of a writer friend who was rejected by 60+ publishers before her book finally sold. My agent, Chelsea Gilmore of Maria Carvainis Agency, is very encouraging, and it seems that whenever I begin to wonder what’s going on, she’ll email me an update. Besides working on new writing, I stay distracted with a side business making purses out of book covers and vintage record album covers. It helps to keep busy. http://rokkihandbags.com

What advice do you have for new writers who would like to be published some day?

Keep writing. Don’t lose faith in yourself. Attend workshops and conferences, and talk to other writers. Most importantly, you have to read.

* * *

Linda’s poetry has been published in numerous literary reviews such as Prairie Schooner, Clackamas Literary Review, Rattle, Permafrost, Spoon River Poetry Review, Main Street Rag, Slipstream and others. Her short stories have appeared in the Cleis Press anthology Frenzy, A Twist of Noir, and other online and print journals. Among her awards is a 1997 poetry chapbook from Heartland, a Pushcart Prize nomination, and a recent 2nd place in prose from the Metro Detroit Writers. This summer, March Street Press published her fourth poetry chapbook, Security. Linda has an MFA from the University of Southern Maine.

http://lksienkiewicz.wordpress.com/

My third attempt at a novel was my most ambitious project to date: a sweeping novel with four main characters, (all male), which took place in the 1950s in a small town in Virginia. The title: Born Leaders.

As with the other two novels, I sent off the query letters and sample chapters, but to no avail. My query/response spreadsheet was beginning to look like a report from a ten-year government study.

During this time, I wrote a short story which was beginning to show some promise. I worked on it for months, with critique groups and revised it several times. When it was as polished as I could get it, I sent it into our local Charlotte Writer’s Club contest, (The Elizabeth Simpson Smith Award), and it won first place– $500.00.

The award was more than just a local contest, (I was told), but a coveted prize each time it is offered. I attended a dinner in my honor, (along with the second and third place honorees), and accepted my award later at the monthly meeting. Although this seemed like a great honor at the time, I discovered later that agents are only interested if you win a national award. Still, I was proud of my accomplishment, and was also pleased to discover the short story would be published in the Writer’s Club anthology.

Next blog post, I will explore my fourth attempt, (a young adult novel), loosely based on events from my own teen years.

Monday, Aug. 16 is the release date of my second novel, (an ebook), Celebrities for Breakfast. Yay!! Anyone who has ever been (or knows someone who is) obsessed with celebrities will relate to the characters and situations in this romantic comedy.

I am no longer considered a “debut author,” so marketing plans and efforts for this one will be slightly different. In fact, they will be easier in some ways, and more difficult in others.

Since I already have my social networking in place, I won’t be spending time developing or collecting fans/followers on a new Facebook or Twitter page. However, I still need to put my social networking to work. With a Goodreads.com profile, a BookBuzzr widget, and this blog, I am in a better position now to promote a new novel.

On Goodreads, both of my novels are listed, as well as a long-term giveaway for my children’s book, The Moose Next Door. Each book helps promote the other, especially if a reader pulls up my author page.

Bookbuzzr offers a flip-book graphic for both books, which allows readers to read an excerpt for each.

I am new to blogging– and constantly learning ways to draw attention to it. I have started tagging my posts, and hope that will help random searchers find me.

I also continuously promote my novels on multiple message boards. The word spreads, and people buy a book and write a review.

New bookmarks, (printed on both sides– one for each novel), make great handouts at events. Facebook “fans” who have agreed to help promote Celebrities for Breakfast, have volunteered to post a link the night before or day of launch. (Thank you all)!

As with my first novel, ebook sales must be high to ensure a paperback version. It’s impossible to say how well this one will do, at least until it’s out in the world. My publisher and I will be watching…

So, my first novel attempt– my pride and joy, which I’d spent months writing, editing, polishing, and pitching (to agents) fell flatter than a pancake. No go. So what do you do? You scoop yourself up and try again.

The story idea for my second novel came to me first, before the characters. They developed from the story. As with the first novel, I wrote, revised, enlisted the help of test readers, and began sending query letters to agents. This time, more of them asked for the complete manuscript rather than just sample chapters. I thought, “wow, I must be a great writer.” I printed off the copies and stuffed them into huge envelopes. The agents took their time to describe the degree to which they were not entertained. Nevertheless, as with the first, I received feedback prompting me to improve, change, revise, and enhance what I’d written. Somewhere in this process, I found my voice. My true writerly self was beginning to emerge.

With all these agents rejecting me, I decided I needed a spreadsheet to keep it all straight. I sent a query letter on X date, and received a rejection on X date. The full manuscript was mailed on X date, and the agent asked for revisions on X date, and so on.

Soon, it was clear this second novel was to be enjoyed by family and friends only, but no worries– I had an idea for yet another novel! This one was based on a childhood memory– I dropped something out of our car window when I was six years old, and watched it tumble end over end into the traffic behind us.

Next up, more rejection, but a bit of local notoriety.

As promised, I wanted to describe my “road to publication” in a series of blog entries. This will be the first in that series.

In 2002, I began writing short stories. Most of them were amateurish at best, but a few of them showed promise. I submitted them to local contests– (the first one I ever submitted to the Charlotte Writer’s Club won honorable mention). I was excited, but I wanted more. Also, I wanted to know more. How do you get published? How do you get a literary agent? How can I improve as a writer?

Over time, I found the answers to my questions. I studied, participated in writing critique groups, wrote more, and read books in several genres. Soon, I had one particular short story which my writer friends suggested I flesh out into a full novel. I worked on it for several months, and began submitting it to literary agents, who were kind enough to give me suggestions for improvement. I spent several more months revising the manuscript, sent it to new agents, and received more rejections than I care to admit, but I learned a great deal in the process. One important lesson learned, was that I should begin writing the next novel– take what I’d learned from the first one and create something new. Move on.

Next post: What happened to novel number two…