Demitria Lunetta's Blog, page 25
May 7, 2012
To Tweet or Not To Tweet
Hi everyone! As of one hour ago, I’ve signed up for Twitter.
@demitrialunetta
and my sassy Twitter pic looks like this:
Although I might change the pic because I look kind of mean J
How many of you use Twitter and what do you tweet about? Since I’m new, I’m looking for advice and people to follow. Leave a comment with your Twitter username and I’ll start following you!
@demitrialunetta
and my sassy Twitter pic looks like this:
Although I might change the pic because I look kind of mean J
How many of you use Twitter and what do you tweet about? Since I’m new, I’m looking for advice and people to follow. Leave a comment with your Twitter username and I’ll start following you!
March 26, 2012
Books I Love – Zombies vs. Unicorns
It's a question as old as time itself: which is better, the zombie or the unicorn? In this anthology, edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier (unicorn and zombie, respectively), strong arguments are made for both sides in the form of short stories. Half of the stories portray the strengths—for good and evil—of unicorns and half show the good (and really, really bad-ass) side of zombies. Contributors include many bestselling teen authors, including Cassandra Clare, Libba Bray, Maureen Johnson, Meg Cabot, Scott Westerfeld, and Margo Lanagan. This anthology will have everyone asking: Team Zombie or Team Unicorn?
This book is old news to a lot of you, but that doesn't make it any less awesome. I actually got it in 2010 for Christmas…and promptly misplaced it until this weekend. I read it all in one night and loved it! There's something for everyone in here, whether you love zombies, unicorns, or both.
I'm a zombie girl and my two favorite stories are:
Bourgainvillea by Carrie RyanThe Children of the Revolution by Maureen Johnson
If you haven't read this one, pick it up. If you have, what were your favorite stories?
February 14, 2012
Book Release Update
Hi everyone!
As many of you know, my book was originally supposed to be released summer of this year…but with the change in editors it was pushed back to…
Summer 2013
Now, this is actually a good thing. It gives Harper Collins enough time to market and hype, which I'm thrilled about.
The only downside is that I have to wait another whole year!!! I don't know if I can take it. J
It's also interesting having to explain to people how long everything in the publishing industry takes. When I first got my book deal, a lot of people assumed that my book would be available for purchase the next month. To be honest, a year and a half is the norm.
That's what's up with me. What's going on with you all? How's 2012 treating everyone?
As many of you know, my book was originally supposed to be released summer of this year…but with the change in editors it was pushed back to…
Summer 2013
Now, this is actually a good thing. It gives Harper Collins enough time to market and hype, which I'm thrilled about.
The only downside is that I have to wait another whole year!!! I don't know if I can take it. J
It's also interesting having to explain to people how long everything in the publishing industry takes. When I first got my book deal, a lot of people assumed that my book would be available for purchase the next month. To be honest, a year and a half is the norm.
That's what's up with me. What's going on with you all? How's 2012 treating everyone?
December 27, 2011
Done!
I've finished my edits and submitted the revision to Karen at Harper Collins. I hope the next round is only line edits…so keep your fingers crossed.
In the After also has some foreign interest, which is super exciting. It would be amazing to have my book available in other languages (you may remember we held back foreign language rights from Harper).
Other than that I'll be working on a detailed outline for book two. Any New Year's writing resolutions?
Hope everyone one has an awesome new year. 2011 was fantastic, so I have high hopes for 2012!
In the After also has some foreign interest, which is super exciting. It would be amazing to have my book available in other languages (you may remember we held back foreign language rights from Harper).
Other than that I'll be working on a detailed outline for book two. Any New Year's writing resolutions?
Hope everyone one has an awesome new year. 2011 was fantastic, so I have high hopes for 2012!
November 10, 2011
R.I.P - Unnecessary Characters
I had not one, but two characters that didn't make the cut. One major and one minor. They just had to go. The good news is that there is no longer a love triangle in my book…yes, I know it's over played anyway.
It's strange to get rid of them, but it definitely makes the book flow better. Even so, I'm having trouble weeding out/rewriting all the references.
What about you guys? Ever have to sacrifice a character to the editing gods?
It's strange to get rid of them, but it definitely makes the book flow better. Even so, I'm having trouble weeding out/rewriting all the references.
What about you guys? Ever have to sacrifice a character to the editing gods?
October 3, 2011
The Never-Ending Edit
Hi everyone…still editing. It may seem like it has been forever and it sure feels that way to me J I'm not a super slow editor, but I'm not super speedy either. Taking time just comes with the territory. I want to make sure I get it right, since this is my first book. It's also taking double long because my original editor left Harper Collins and my new editor had different suggestions.
What about you guys? Fast with edits, slow with edits?
What about you guys? Fast with edits, slow with edits?
September 12, 2011
Editing is Hard!
I know...most of you are thinking, "Duh!" But really, it is. You take something that you love, and mold it into something else (hopefully that you love as well.)
When you edit for yourself, you're completely in charge. When you edit for a group...well, you're still in charge...but when you edit for a publisher you lose some of that control. Not that it's completely a bad thing but it's definitely difficult for someone to tell you they want something done that you yourself didn't think of. I'm learning a lot from this experience, namely, how to be a better writer. How to think, parden the cliche, outside of the box...or I guess more outside of the book.
What about you all, any good editing experiences, bad ones?
When you edit for yourself, you're completely in charge. When you edit for a group...well, you're still in charge...but when you edit for a publisher you lose some of that control. Not that it's completely a bad thing but it's definitely difficult for someone to tell you they want something done that you yourself didn't think of. I'm learning a lot from this experience, namely, how to be a better writer. How to think, parden the cliche, outside of the box...or I guess more outside of the book.
What about you all, any good editing experiences, bad ones?
September 1, 2011
Back From the Fringe
Hi everyone. I just got back from the Fringe Festival in Scotland...thanks for not robbing my house while I was gone :) Edinburgh is an awesome city, really inspiring. I love going there.
What cities/places inspire you?
Since Monday is a holiday I'll be back the week after with another (longer, I promise) post.
August 8, 2011
The Name Game
Through the editing process, I've had to change a few names. One was the name of my creatures, which was too juvenile, one the name of one of my characters, which was too old fashioned, and one was the name of a place, which was just plain stupid. J
The problem is that I still think of these things as their original names. When I'm editing, I have to go through the whole process of reading the name and associating it with the original name to trigger my memory and the story line of the character/creatures/place.
I'm sure I'll get over this soon and start to think of these things as their new names. What about you all. How attached are you to the names in your writing? Can you easily change these? Or are you like me and have trouble accepting name changes?
Back next week!
The problem is that I still think of these things as their original names. When I'm editing, I have to go through the whole process of reading the name and associating it with the original name to trigger my memory and the story line of the character/creatures/place.
I'm sure I'll get over this soon and start to think of these things as their new names. What about you all. How attached are you to the names in your writing? Can you easily change these? Or are you like me and have trouble accepting name changes?
Back next week!
August 1, 2011
Money, Money, Money
It's the question everyone wants answered, but know one want to ask: When do I get paid? Here are a few things you should know about getting paid for your book deal.
1) The price your agent negotiates is an advance. This means you won't earn any more unless you sell enough books to make up the advance. Don't worry if your book doesn't sell enough copies (and not many actually do) you don't have to pay the publisher back. They're basically "betting" on you and hoping for the best. 2) Royalties are your portion of money earned by each book sold. Again, you won't see any royalties unless you sell enough books to reach the amount of your initial advance.3) You don't get paid until you sign the contract. Don't forget that contract negotiations can take a couple of months.4) The price your agent negotiates includes their 15%. Most large publishers will cut a check directly to you (for your 85%) and send the rest to your agent. The smaller publishers may still send out a check for the full amount…to your agent. Your agent would then send you your share. Ask your agent about a publisher's policy on this.5) You don't get all your money all at once! For a single book, you'll get paid three times.a) 1/3 when you sign your contract.b) 1/3 when you finish your edits.c) 1/3 when the book is released.
Hope this was helpful! Back next week!
1) The price your agent negotiates is an advance. This means you won't earn any more unless you sell enough books to make up the advance. Don't worry if your book doesn't sell enough copies (and not many actually do) you don't have to pay the publisher back. They're basically "betting" on you and hoping for the best. 2) Royalties are your portion of money earned by each book sold. Again, you won't see any royalties unless you sell enough books to reach the amount of your initial advance.3) You don't get paid until you sign the contract. Don't forget that contract negotiations can take a couple of months.4) The price your agent negotiates includes their 15%. Most large publishers will cut a check directly to you (for your 85%) and send the rest to your agent. The smaller publishers may still send out a check for the full amount…to your agent. Your agent would then send you your share. Ask your agent about a publisher's policy on this.5) You don't get all your money all at once! For a single book, you'll get paid three times.a) 1/3 when you sign your contract.b) 1/3 when you finish your edits.c) 1/3 when the book is released.
Hope this was helpful! Back next week!
