Ryan Field's Blog, page 568
March 13, 2011
A New Kind of Literary Agent: The E-pub Agent, Saritza Hernandez
I found this in Writer's Digest and wanted to share. I personally believe this is a new trend we'll see and hear more about in the future: E-pub agents. And those who have not been taking e-publishers seriously, might have to start competing sometime soon. I've interviewed Saritza here on the blog, and I'm thrilled to see her mentioned over at Writer's Digest...a publication that has been my own personal favorite (my writer's bible) for the past twenty years.
New Agent Alert: Saritza Hernandez of L. Perkins AgencyPosted by ChuckReminder: Newer agents are golden opportunities for new writers because they're likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you're just wasting time and postage.
About Saritza: She is specifically an E-Pub Agent. She is looking to represent ebook authors. Follow her on Twitter. She the agency website here.She is seeking: Saritza represents both new and established authors and is currently looking for strong erotic romance in the following sub-genres:Paranormal, sci-fi, steampunk, cyberpunk, fantasy, BDSM, historical (emphasis on Ancient Egypt, Caribbean/MesoAmerican), intercultural and all GLBT-themed erotica for the digital marketplace.How to contact: Find her submission guidelines on her blog andplease send queries to: sh@lperkinsagency.com
The biggest database of agents anywhere isthe 2011 Guide to Literary Agents. Buy it here online at a discount.Want more on this subject?
How to Write a Query Letter.
What Should You Write in the "Bio Paragraph" of a Query Letter.
Why Your Manuscript Can Get Rejected, by Hallie Ephron.
10 Hidden Gifts of Rejection Letters.
Google Alerts and Agents.
Confused about formatting? Check out Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript.
Read about What Agents Hate: Chapter 1 Pet Peeves.
Want the most complete database of agents and what genres they're looking for? Buy the 2011 Guide to Literary Agents today!
2011 Rainbow Awards
If you're not a member of facebook, I'm not sure this link will work. But you can give it a try anyway. "Link"
It's a link about an event for the 2011 Rainbow Awards, which everyone knows I think is extremely important to the lgbt literary community.
If you haven't heard of the Rainbow Awards, check it out. And look for more posts like this right here on the blog. I'll be posting updates about the Rainbow Awards for the next year.
Authors Announcing New Releases In Mass Notifications
I'm going to tread very lightly here because I don't want to piss anyone off. I'm not even sure I have a set opinion about this...I'm talking more in a general sense right now and I'm wondering how other people feel about it.
On any given day, I have at least 75 regular e-mails in my aol account. I'm not going to mention my yahoo account because I use that mainly for yahoo groups and to e-mail people in Italy. My aol e-mails vary between readers, my publishers, other authors I know, family, and a few personal friends with whom I'm in constant contact. And then there are e-mails from people asking about promotional things and advice regarding a book they are writing. And I answer each e-mail the same day.
Lately I've noticed a rash of mass e-mails being sent by authors regarding new book releases. I've had other authors I know tell me they are receiving the same mass e-mails. Most of the time these are notifications from social networks and they can fill up an in-box faster than my mother asking questions about her new iPad. These notification e-mails take time to open and read and they always have that same fake-cheerful used car salesman tone that leaves me questioning the sincerity with which they were written.
I don't do this to other authors. When I have a book released I post about it here on the blog and then post about it on social networks. I've always believed that announcing a new release is more about giving out detailed information than a sales pitch. I've never sent a private message out to masses of strangers (spam?), and especially not to other authors. It's not a big thing in the grand scheme. It's just as easy to delete these notifications, dismiss them, and move to the next e-mail. And when it happens once in a while, I don't think anyone cares. But when it starts happening constantly, I can't help but wonder how other authors feel about it. Or for that matter, how readers feel about it. Like I said, most authors I know don't do this. They find polite, subtle ways to promote their new releases that doesn't include spamming everyone in the universe. I don't mind notifications in Yahoo groups; that's what Yahoo groups are for. And I respect authors who play it safe this way. I also respect them for knowing and understanding that just because you have a large group of friends on facebook and goodreads, these people aren't really your friends and you don't know them personally enough to contact them with a mass notification.
Maybe this form of spamming works and I'm not getting something. Maybe people don't mind mass e-mails and notifications from strangers announcing the release of their new books. But I do know that if an author contacted me privately and told me about his or her new book release, taking the time to give this personal touch, I'd have a great deal of respect for them and I'd look forward to buying and reading the book. I personally love one on one interaction with other authors and can't wait to help them promote their books. But the mass notifications seem so lacking in so many ways. And I don't think I'd want to take a chance doing this myself.
Pushy is okay sometimes. Pushy works sometimes. I've always been attracted to pushy people. But then there are times when pushy becomes obnoxious and out of context.
On any given day, I have at least 75 regular e-mails in my aol account. I'm not going to mention my yahoo account because I use that mainly for yahoo groups and to e-mail people in Italy. My aol e-mails vary between readers, my publishers, other authors I know, family, and a few personal friends with whom I'm in constant contact. And then there are e-mails from people asking about promotional things and advice regarding a book they are writing. And I answer each e-mail the same day.
Lately I've noticed a rash of mass e-mails being sent by authors regarding new book releases. I've had other authors I know tell me they are receiving the same mass e-mails. Most of the time these are notifications from social networks and they can fill up an in-box faster than my mother asking questions about her new iPad. These notification e-mails take time to open and read and they always have that same fake-cheerful used car salesman tone that leaves me questioning the sincerity with which they were written.
I don't do this to other authors. When I have a book released I post about it here on the blog and then post about it on social networks. I've always believed that announcing a new release is more about giving out detailed information than a sales pitch. I've never sent a private message out to masses of strangers (spam?), and especially not to other authors. It's not a big thing in the grand scheme. It's just as easy to delete these notifications, dismiss them, and move to the next e-mail. And when it happens once in a while, I don't think anyone cares. But when it starts happening constantly, I can't help but wonder how other authors feel about it. Or for that matter, how readers feel about it. Like I said, most authors I know don't do this. They find polite, subtle ways to promote their new releases that doesn't include spamming everyone in the universe. I don't mind notifications in Yahoo groups; that's what Yahoo groups are for. And I respect authors who play it safe this way. I also respect them for knowing and understanding that just because you have a large group of friends on facebook and goodreads, these people aren't really your friends and you don't know them personally enough to contact them with a mass notification.
Maybe this form of spamming works and I'm not getting something. Maybe people don't mind mass e-mails and notifications from strangers announcing the release of their new books. But I do know that if an author contacted me privately and told me about his or her new book release, taking the time to give this personal touch, I'd have a great deal of respect for them and I'd look forward to buying and reading the book. I personally love one on one interaction with other authors and can't wait to help them promote their books. But the mass notifications seem so lacking in so many ways. And I don't think I'd want to take a chance doing this myself.
Pushy is okay sometimes. Pushy works sometimes. I've always been attracted to pushy people. But then there are times when pushy becomes obnoxious and out of context.
March 12, 2011
Cover Preview: YOU MISSED A SPOT, BIG GUY
Here's a cover preview for a new short story e-book coming out soon titled, YOU MISSED A SPOT, BIG GUY. It's not the final, but I wanted to share because I like what it looks like so far. And I'd like to thank everyone who helped JOLLY ROGER receive a silver star on Allromanceebooks so soon. I didn't expect that.
March 11, 2011
A Sign of the Times: Pay Attention Publishers and Gatekeepers
I read this on facebook earlier today and decided to post it. It's a simple status update and I'm leaving the person who wrote it anonymous. But I think it's important because it's the kind of feedback I get all the time from my readers.
And I think publishers and those who seem to have all the answers about publishing, should take heed in these words. This is what it's all about. I think Amazon gets it; I think a lot of e-publishers get it. But I'm not sure all publishers and agents get it. We're living in hard times right now and people have re-discovered reading for pleasure. What more could a writer (or publisher) want than to read words like this:
I'm 49 yrs old and this is the first time in my life that I am experiencing "Spring Break"..... I feel like I should go somewhere, but since I'm broke, I guess I'll just read a book and go somewhere in my head.... you authors out there....please keep writing.
And I think publishers and those who seem to have all the answers about publishing, should take heed in these words. This is what it's all about. I think Amazon gets it; I think a lot of e-publishers get it. But I'm not sure all publishers and agents get it. We're living in hard times right now and people have re-discovered reading for pleasure. What more could a writer (or publisher) want than to read words like this:
I'm 49 yrs old and this is the first time in my life that I am experiencing "Spring Break"..... I feel like I should go somewhere, but since I'm broke, I guess I'll just read a book and go somewhere in my head.... you authors out there....please keep writing.
Anderson Cooper, Larry King, Donald Trump, and the Pronoun, She
This isn't a rant; just an observation. I copied and pasted the article below for those who hate clicking links. I hate them, so I figured I'd make it easier. But here's the link in case you want to check it out.
This short post is about Larry King referring to Anderson Cooper at a comedy roast for Donald Trump as she instead of he. Frankly, I don't care how Larry King refers to Anderson Cooper. I don't care what Anderson Cooper's sexuality is. To be completely honest, I would have loved to have seen both Larry King and Anderson Cooper boycott the entire Donald Trump affair simply because Donald Trump is so vehemently opposed to equality for the lgbt community.
And what truly bothers me is the way the mainstream media takes a comment like the one Larry King made about Anderson Cooper and runs with it. While I believe that coming out to the world is a good thing, especially the way Ricky Martin did it. I also believe we all have a right to privacy and this includes Anderson Cooper. And the mainstream media should spend more time worrying about how poorly Donald Trump treats the lgbt community instead of worrying about Anderson Cooper's sex life.
Hair jokes were in no short supply at last night's Comedy Central roast of Donald Trump, but the quip that had the audience shocked was when CNN icon Larry King made fun of his former co-worker Anderson Cooper's sexuality.Pretending he was still hosting his now-defunct talk show, King took calls from viewers throughout the country and then tossed to Anderson, whose '360' followed his 'Live' show every night for years."Anderson Cooper is coming up next. Let's see what SHE'S up to," Larry said to the packed house.Anderson, who never talks about his sexuality in public, has been dealing with rumors about his love life ever since he become CNN's biggest star, but never before has a member of the CNN family poked fun at him in such a public way.Even his good friend Kathy Griffin, who loves to tell tales about celebrities, refused to go there when she recently spoke with Howard Stern when he asked if the silver fox was gay."Larry meant no harm," a friend of the newsman tells me. "He was just having a little fun. Larry has huge respect for Anderson and couldn't care less who he chooses to sleep with."Let's hope Anderson is laughing too. The roast airs March 15 on Comedy Central.
This short post is about Larry King referring to Anderson Cooper at a comedy roast for Donald Trump as she instead of he. Frankly, I don't care how Larry King refers to Anderson Cooper. I don't care what Anderson Cooper's sexuality is. To be completely honest, I would have loved to have seen both Larry King and Anderson Cooper boycott the entire Donald Trump affair simply because Donald Trump is so vehemently opposed to equality for the lgbt community.
And what truly bothers me is the way the mainstream media takes a comment like the one Larry King made about Anderson Cooper and runs with it. While I believe that coming out to the world is a good thing, especially the way Ricky Martin did it. I also believe we all have a right to privacy and this includes Anderson Cooper. And the mainstream media should spend more time worrying about how poorly Donald Trump treats the lgbt community instead of worrying about Anderson Cooper's sex life.
Hair jokes were in no short supply at last night's Comedy Central roast of Donald Trump, but the quip that had the audience shocked was when CNN icon Larry King made fun of his former co-worker Anderson Cooper's sexuality.Pretending he was still hosting his now-defunct talk show, King took calls from viewers throughout the country and then tossed to Anderson, whose '360' followed his 'Live' show every night for years."Anderson Cooper is coming up next. Let's see what SHE'S up to," Larry said to the packed house.Anderson, who never talks about his sexuality in public, has been dealing with rumors about his love life ever since he become CNN's biggest star, but never before has a member of the CNN family poked fun at him in such a public way.Even his good friend Kathy Griffin, who loves to tell tales about celebrities, refused to go there when she recently spoke with Howard Stern when he asked if the silver fox was gay."Larry meant no harm," a friend of the newsman tells me. "He was just having a little fun. Larry has huge respect for Anderson and couldn't care less who he chooses to sleep with."Let's hope Anderson is laughing too. The roast airs March 15 on Comedy Central.
March 9, 2011
This is the moment (Jekyll and Hyde)
When I got tickets to see this play, Jekyll and Hyde, at The Plymouth Theater ten or eleven years ago, I was looking forward to seeing Linda Edder on stage. But I didn't know much else about the play. And when I started reading reviews about it, I started to become less than thrilled as the day approached. For whatever reason, most reviews were mediocre; some were awful. And driving into the city on a 95 degree day in June didn't make me smile.
However, as is sometimes the case with most reviews of anything, the reviewers were dead wrong. They missed this by a mile. Not only did I love the show and all the music that went along with it, it was my first experience at The Plymouth Theater. It's not the largest theater on Broadway, but it's probably one of the best I've been in.
And now I'm thinking of using this song, This is the Moment, as a wedding song for a scene in my next book, GONE WITH A WINK. I'm just not sure it's appropriate. For a straight wedding I don't think it would be. But for a gay wedding considering all the obstacles gay men and women have to overcome in order to get married, legally or illegally, it might work out very well.
However, as is sometimes the case with most reviews of anything, the reviewers were dead wrong. They missed this by a mile. Not only did I love the show and all the music that went along with it, it was my first experience at The Plymouth Theater. It's not the largest theater on Broadway, but it's probably one of the best I've been in.
And now I'm thinking of using this song, This is the Moment, as a wedding song for a scene in my next book, GONE WITH A WINK. I'm just not sure it's appropriate. For a straight wedding I don't think it would be. But for a gay wedding considering all the obstacles gay men and women have to overcome in order to get married, legally or illegally, it might work out very well.
March 8, 2011
International Women's Day: Helen Reddy: "I Am Woman", from "The Midnight Special", 1975.
In honor of International Women's Day, here's a piece from The Huffington Post. And I think Helen Reddy said it best with this song many years ago.
March 7, 2011
The LGBT Community Needs To Boycott Donald Trump Everywhere: Let's Trump Trump This Time
This is not a joke. And it's not media hype either. I heard Donald Trump blast gay marriage in a Fox News interview and posted about it a month ago here.
Those who read this blog know I don't get political on most issues. But this one I can't ignore. So here's another article from The Advocate that's asking for the same boycott on Trump.
Seriously, folks. Donald Trump is going to make a bid to run for President of the United States. I've been watching him in action for a while now. That grand stand with his family on the Oprah Show wasn't an accident. This man is clever and he works with an agenda. I write sneaky characters into my books all the time, trust me on this. He wants to be President. What gets me is that he's been married and divorced more times than any of the gay couples in long term relationships that I know. And I'd like to know where he gets the audacity to even go near the subject of the sanctity of marriage.
So let's stick together this time for once. And make a point of banning and boycotting everything and anything Donald Trump is associated with. Even if you're in the closet, no one will know you're boycotting him privately (we need your closeted support, too). Even if you're not gay and you have a family member or friend who is gay. If we do this in large numbers, we'll have the power to trump Trump!!
Those who read this blog know I don't get political on most issues. But this one I can't ignore. So here's another article from The Advocate that's asking for the same boycott on Trump.
Seriously, folks. Donald Trump is going to make a bid to run for President of the United States. I've been watching him in action for a while now. That grand stand with his family on the Oprah Show wasn't an accident. This man is clever and he works with an agenda. I write sneaky characters into my books all the time, trust me on this. He wants to be President. What gets me is that he's been married and divorced more times than any of the gay couples in long term relationships that I know. And I'd like to know where he gets the audacity to even go near the subject of the sanctity of marriage.
So let's stick together this time for once. And make a point of banning and boycotting everything and anything Donald Trump is associated with. Even if you're in the closet, no one will know you're boycotting him privately (we need your closeted support, too). Even if you're not gay and you have a family member or friend who is gay. If we do this in large numbers, we'll have the power to trump Trump!!
March 6, 2011
A Quick Thank You To Readers Who Leave Reviews...
I've ranted a few times in the past about how I think some reviews and ratings on places like goodreads and amazon are bogus. We all know they are there and there's little we can do about them.
But we need book reviews, both readers and authors. It's a system, though sometimes flawed, that works in a general sense.
I've been following the YA Mafia thing all week that's been running rampant all over the net. If you don't know about it, you can google "YA Mafia" and tons of info will pop up. There's so much it's not worth posting a specific link.
What I haven't done in a long time is say thank you to the readers who do leave honest, well thought out reviews and ratings on places like goodreads, amazon, and allromanceebooks. As an author, I appreciate the good and the bad (I really do). I know you took the time out of your busy lives to read my book and I know you took the money out of your pocket to buy it.
I never take this for granted...ever! And I can't thank you enough!!
But we need book reviews, both readers and authors. It's a system, though sometimes flawed, that works in a general sense.
I've been following the YA Mafia thing all week that's been running rampant all over the net. If you don't know about it, you can google "YA Mafia" and tons of info will pop up. There's so much it's not worth posting a specific link.
What I haven't done in a long time is say thank you to the readers who do leave honest, well thought out reviews and ratings on places like goodreads, amazon, and allromanceebooks. As an author, I appreciate the good and the bad (I really do). I know you took the time out of your busy lives to read my book and I know you took the money out of your pocket to buy it.
I never take this for granted...ever! And I can't thank you enough!!
