On working with writers
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Writing the book of your heart
In the recent issue of a members-only magazine (thus no link here), a writer suggests that because the down economy has affected book publishing as it has affected the entire universe, editors are becoming more conservative and writers should write with an eye toward what the market wants (i.e., the tried and true). Now, she…
Things that make me smile
Yesterday my daughter said, “I love how your hair sparkles!” Sparkling hair! It must be that amazing new conditioner. No, wait, I’m not using an amazing new conditioner. I glanced in the mirror. I looked like my normal self, no stray glitter from a craft project or anything like that. “Hmm. What do you mean?”…
Things that make me smile
I’m not exactly a teenager anymore, but I still manage to act like one now and then. On Friday a real hottie walked into the coffeeshop, so what was the first thing I did to catch his eye? Dumped my mocha all over the front of my t-shirt. Ah, yes, I’m always the soul of…
How a Book Is Born – Part 1
So a publisher comes to me and says, “We need you to write a contemporary romance by December 3. Fifty thousand words. Thanks.” I look at the calendar; my eyes do not deceive me. It is indeed the last week of October. Giving me … well, not a lot of time. Considering I have a…
Thinking Like an Agent, Part 7
Back when I was working as a literary agent, Writer’s Digest published an article I wrote on thinking like an agent. Though I’m an acquisitions editor now, not an agent, these pointers are all still true. I wanted to update them and share them with you. 7. It really does take that long to read…
Doing the work
On any given day, a couple of people write to me about what they’re working on and when I express interest, they promise a proposal or sample chapters that never hit my inbox. I’ve already written about these “pre-queries” (main message: don’t do them), and won’t repeat myself here, but I’ve been thinking about it…