Christine Rains's Blog, page 118

Wicked Wednesday - do you need an agent?

This is a big question a lot of writers are asking themselves these days. Ten years ago, my answer to this question would have been an emphatic yes. These days, there are several more options available to authors and many who don't have agents have a lot of success.
Let's look at both sides.
Why you need an agent: - if you want to publish with a press that doesn't accept unsolicited manuscripts, you need an agent.- if you want to publish with one of the big presses, an agent with the right connections can get your manuscript to the right editor and move it to the front of the queue.- agents are honest critique partners. They want you to polish your manuscript to make it its best because they have to sell it.- agents will negotiate your contract terms with a publisher. It's in the agent's interest to get big royalties and advances. (After all, an agent makes about 15% of what the writer makes.)
Why you don't need an agent:- you have to pay the agent whatever percentage you agreed upon when you sell your book. No agent = more royalties for you.- agents and big publishers put your book through a lot of hoops before it's ready for the market. What they do in three years, you can do in less than one year if you self-publish.- there are several self-promotion opportunities on the internet. Build your fan base.- you can be your own boss. You aren't under contract and you don't have a legal deadline. You have control over what you want to do with your manuscript.
Whatever route you choose, always do your research. Watch out for scammers. Know everything you can about the agent or publisher you're sending your manuscript to.
In the past, I tried to get an agent, but had no luck. Since then, I've been to several writing seminars and I've done a lot of research. My life has changed and I have different priorities. Right now, I choose not to actively seek an agent. I want to give it a try without one. It'll be hard work, but I'm ready for the challenge.
Do you want an agent or are you pushing forward without one? Why did you make that decision?

Review for St. Peter in Chains

Blurb:
Peter Stoller is a consummate professional--as a British intelligence agent, he's at the top of his game and has never had trouble separating his work from his personal life. But when he meets cabbie Charles Toulson, his personal life takes a turn he wasn't expecting.

My review:
Peter Stoller is a man who misses nothing. He's a British intelligence agent and is content to let his work consume him. At a party, he notices a man with startling blue eyes and can't look away. Charles Toulson is a cabbie, quiet and unassuming. Peter discovers there more he wants in life outside his career, but nothing is ever that simple.

I started reading St. Peter in Chains thinking I'd be getting a good spy story, maybe a little action, but I was treated to something much more subtle and soulful. I thought I had Peter figured out right away. He's one of those work addicts, never turning intelligence agent self off. Cool, intelligent, and removed. Yet when Charles enters the picture, he becomes someone tender and more easy to relate to. His emotional roller coaster is not the stuff for the overly dramatic, but private aches and joys. M. Pepper Langlinais does an excellent job of drawing the reader along with a sophisticated plot that's in the details. She has a clever way with words, so pay attention.

St. Peter in Chains is a thriller and a love story, but more importantly, it's a study of character. Don't expect explosive action or a hot romance. This story is about a man who missed something.

St. Peter in Chains is now available on Amazon.

Please stop by M. Pepper Langlinais' site and say hello. She's a produced playwright, an active screenwriter, a mom of three young children, and an Anglophile.

Join us next Monday (July 9th) when she'll be here on my blog for an interview. It will be lots of fun!

Teaser Tuesday with The Forest of Hands and Teeth

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that pageBE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan is the first book in a post-apocalyptic series. So far, it's fantastic. Lots of tension and mystery. There's been a lot of zombie stories out there recently, but this one is unique. I'm not so consumed with the thought of the zombies, or rather, the Unconsecrated, but everything else going on. A lot of intense emotions and I can't put the book down.
Here's your teaser:
I am waiting for him to push me away and tell me that we cannot do this. That I am not his to take and that he will not betray his brother. (page 89)

Anthologies seeking submissions - July 2012 edition

(Photo from here with more exquisite steampunk girls!)
I think I've already made up my mind what anthology I want to write a story for this month. I saw it on Tania Walsh's site and I couldn't resist it based on the title alone. "Real Girls Don't Rust." Isn't that an awesome title?! I don't have a story idea yet, but I'm playing around with a few ideas in my head.
"Real Girls Don't Rust." YA steampunk. Pugalicious Press. 5500 to 7500 words. Pay $25 at release and then 10% royalty. Deadline: September 1st.
DEEP CUTS - 1-time print/eAntho (TBA); h (fic). Pay: 5¢/word. Words: <5k (query if longer). RT: <90 after DL. Reprints: query. E-subs: ONLINE FORM ONLY . E.S. Magill, Angel Leigh McCoy, & Chris Marrs, Editors . Deadline: August 31st. (Looking for strong female protagonists in the horror genre.)
RUSTBLIND AND SILVERBRIGHT: A Slipstream Railway Anthology - 1-time print (Eibonvale Press); h/sf/f/slipstrm/surreal (fic/nonfic/poem/art), railway theme. Pay: 1 copy/discounts. Words: <15k. RT: <3 months. Reprints: yes. E-subs: ONLY . David Rix, Editor . Deadline: December 31st.
THE DARK SIDE OF THE WOMB: From Their Cradle to Your Grave - 1-time POD/eAntho (Cruentus Libri Press); h (fic). Pay: shared royalty. Words: 2½k-7½k. RT: receipt=<1 week; final=<1 week after DL. Reprints: yes. E-subs: ONLY . Kevin G. Bufton, Editor . Deadline: August 31st.
AIRSHIPS & AUTOMATONS - 1-time print/eBook (White Cat Publications); steampunk (fic). Pay: 5¢/word +copy. Words: 4k-6k. RT: varies. Reprints: yes (1¢/word +copy). E-subs: ONLY . Charles P. Zaglanis, Editor . Deadline: when filled. (More steampunk!)

This Friday I have a special guest posting with some spectacular photos! Please join us on the sixth.

Happy Canada Day 2012

Happy Canada Day, eh!To all my Canadian friends and family,have a great long weekend!

I've been tagged by L.G.

Mmm, moist and delicious.No, this picture has nothing to do with this post.I've been tagged by L.G. Keltner at Warped Nerdiversity!
Here's what I need to do:1) Post 11 things about myself.2) Answer the 11 questions the tagger asked.3) Create 11 new questions for people I tag.4) Choose 11 people and tag them. No tag backs!
11 random things about myself:1) I hadn't worn a bathing suit in over 20 years until I had to wear one when taking my son to the pool.2) I hate the hot weather.3) I have an Animaniacs t-shirt that is almost two decades old and I still wear it regularly.4) I've worked as a security guard, a shoe salesperson, and a convenience store clerk.5) My tomato and watermelon plants are flowering. They're huge this year.6) I feel like a voyeur sometimes watching the conversations on Twitter.7) My favorite character in the Harry Potter series is Severus Snape.8) We're in the middle of a severe drought. There's an active burn ban. My neighborhood is dry and crunchy. Yet I can hear fireworks going off right now as I'm typing.9) I wear my hair in a braid most of the time, but I can't braid it myself. My husband does it.10) I like the sound of quiet typing. I find it relaxing.11) My freckles are multiplying.
11 questions from L.G. Keltner:1) Are you a morning person or a night person? I use to be a night person, but I'm more of an afternoon person now. I don't think I could ever be a morning person, and I'm usually in bed by ten.2) What famous figure from history would you meet if you could, and why? Albert Einstein. Just to share a walk and have a laugh. To bask in his creativity, genius, and curiosity.3) If you had a time machine, would you visit a specific time in history, or would you go to the future? Why? I'd love to visit various places in history. See the original seven wonders of the world. I'd love to see the future too. Surely if I had a time machine, I could do all those things!4) Do you like your name? Why or why not? Would you consider changing it, and if so, what would you change it to? I'm not a big fan of Christine. I would have loved an unusual name, but I'm not going to change it. I love my last name. And no, I didn't pick my husband based on his last name!5) What is your favorite kind of music? Does your music listening depend on your mood? I don't often get a chance to listen to music. I like '80's and early alternative. It does depend on my mood if I get a chance to listen to anything.6) Do you prefer a good book or a good movie? Why? Definitely a good book. Nothing can beat a well told story. It's better than any film.7) What is your belief system? How does it influence your outlook on life? How does it get you through your day? This is a deep question. I'm not religious, but I'm highly philosophical. I focused on ethics when I studied philosophy. I have high standards of what is good, and through my every day life, I attempt to be a good role model, because I believe that's the best way to be true to what you believe and teach it to others.8) What kind of humor do you prefer? Which comedian or comedy show best illustrates this preference? I like sharp wit, and dark satires. One of my favorite comedies is "Modern Family." I also really love Joss Whedon's humor. If only I could be that witty!9) What cause do you feel passionately about? Why? I've supported a lot of causes including cancer research, animal shelters, and green initiatives. Right now, it's helping other families with children get opportunities for the kids they wouldn't otherwise. All children deserve to have a fair chance in life.10) What is your favorite quote? It can be from anywhere. Why is it your favorite? I like a lot of Albert Einstein quotes. (I bet you didn't see that coming!) Here's one I love: "The important thing is not to stop questioning.  Curiosity has its own reason for existing.  One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality." I'm always questioning things, wanting to learn more. Life is about learning. 11) What is your favorite color? What does it remind you of, and how does it make you feel? I like green. The green of the forest. It makes me feel peaceful.
11 questions for others to answer:1) Cats or dogs?2) Horror or comedy?
3) Paperbacks or ebooks?
4) Would you ever want to be young again without knowing what you know now?
5) Jedi or Sith?
6) Massage or jacuzzi?
7) Do you prefer to be in the spotlight, backstage, or the audience?
8) What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?
9) Where's the most exotic place you've traveled?
10) If you could have a small wish come true, what would it be?
11) What's your favorite game?

I'm not tagging anyone, but if you want to create a portal to your site, please go ahead. Feel free to answer one, some or all the questions in the comments section. Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday Five for June 29th

1. I managed to get a little writing done this week on my new project. I'm not as far along as I hoped, but I've gotten past a plot hump that was frustrating me. It was just one of those cases where I had to push through and if it sounds awkward, I'll fix it in the rewrite.

2. I've been doing a lot of reading this year. The number is nearing 70 books. I wish I had more opportunity to read ebooks, though. I have a big "stack" of them on my Nook, but I rarely use it. I can't have it on around my son, because he'll want to play with it. And when he's done for his nap or for the night, I have other things I need to do on the computer. My poor Nook would be neglected if my husband hadn't scooped it up. He takes it to work with him and already has two flash drives full of game books he reads on it.

3. I'm excited that so many people loved my cover for Fearless. As is my nature, I was really nervous about it. I debated about what to put on it. It is a paranormal romance, and it definitely isn't a romantic cover. Yet I feel it does represent my story, especially with Tawa being such an important part of it.

4. My friend and fellow writer, M. Pepper Langlinais has self-published her novella, "St. Peter in Chains." You can find it on Amazon. She promises to have it in other formats soon. She's a clever writer and has a way with words few others manage. I haven't read it yet, but I have my copy. I can't wait to read it! I hope to have her on for a guest post or an interview soon. Here's the blurb: Peter Stoller is a consummate professional--as a British intelligence agent, he's at the top of his game and has never had trouble separating his work from his personal life. But when he meets cabbie Charles Toulson, his personal life takes a turn he wasn't expecting.

5. We have no plans for the weekend other than staying out of this horrid heat. My husband recently got the adult card game, Cards against Humanity. It's like Apples to Apples but kicked up a notch! We're trying to set up a time with friends to play, but it's hard to arrange a night good for everyone.

Have a great weekend!

Fearless Cover Reveal

I was very excited to get 50 followerson my Facebook fan page.They were the first to get a peek at the cover.
I won't keep the rest of you waiting! Ah, Tawa. You are the star! A big thank you to the wonderful Aubrie Dionne for helping me with it.Thank you to everyone who encouraged me andpopped in to read my A to Z Challenge story every day in April.You guys rock!
I plan to have Fearless out at the beginning of August.I'll let you all know later next month the exact date.

Wicked Wednesday - unconventional marketing

I've been doing a lot of research on this subject. There's several articles out there that give you tips on how to market your book. I tried to find information specifically for paranormal romances, but they gave the same tips as everyone else.

Here's a quick general summary:
- create a marketing plan
- promote using all available social media
- hold giveaways and contests
- make connections and use them
- write something good
- write more books

Most important aspect: luck.

All great information, but I want to know how to hook readers who are interested in paranormal romance. They stand out from other genre fans. They're more passionate about the stories they love shown through the rise in conventions for paranormal romance authors and books. There are tons of online communities, fanfiction galore, and role-playing games.

Hey, wait. I'm a paranormal romance fan. What would hook me? Most of the time, I go by word of mouth or I search for authors similar to those I already like. That's the sort of thing that has to be built up, though.

I came up with a few unconventional ways to draw paranormal romance readers to your book:
1) Go to conventions. Not just writing conventions, but movie and gaming ones. If your book has a particular theme like pop culture or technology, drop off some business cards or postcards at those conventions too. Volunteer at conventions. Be on panels or just in a booth helping out. Leave your cards everywhere. Let people see you and know you have the same interests as they do.
2) A lot of writers have book trailers these days. Take it a step further. Make a mini series. It doesn't even have to be your story itself, but maybe something that happened in that world or a story about a secondary character in the book. Funny little instructional videos on how to slay an octopus demon or how to trick a leprechaun. Something to draw the fans into your world.
3) It's not just about marketing your book these days, it's about marketing yourself. Do something unusual. Hold a masquerade or organize a zombie walk. Attract some media attention. Be involved, be different, and then make sure to include it all on your blog!

Do you do anything unconventional to promote yourself? Do you have any other tips for marketing to a specific genre?

Women of Foxwick now available

Cherie Reich's fantastic fantasy short story collectionis now available!AmazonB&NSmashwords
You can read my review for it here.