Rebecca Phillips's Blog, page 5
February 4, 2013
Invoking My Inner Teenage Girl
Like most young adult writers, I write YA because teenagers fascinate me. One lives in my house (my 15 year old daughter) and I study her and her friends like they're some kind of exotic, unpredictable creatures in the wild. I've been told more than once that I have an "authentic teen voice", and while that pleases me, I also wonder why I can pull it off. Because I never grew up? Because I'm still a teenager inside? Because I remember the conflicting emotions and the feeling of first love and the confusion of trying to find my place in the world?
Still, I do struggle sometimes to identify with the 21st century teenage girl. I was sixteen years old in 1993. A lot has changed in twenty years. In 1993, we didn't go around with cell phones (they were probably the size of a laptop at that point). We called each other on the phone. We didn't text...we wrote notes and passed them under desks while the teacher wasn't looking. We didn't constantly take pictures of ourselves making ridiculous faces. We didn't have Facebook or Twitter. There was no such thing as cyber bullying. There was no Lady Gaga. Music was angsty and grungy and people wore flannel shirts and combat boots and worshiped Kurt Cobain. And it was pretty awesome.
So what else do I do to familiarize myself with the modern teenage girl? I google stuff like cell phone rules in high schools. I eavesdrop on conversations. I watch Degrassi: TNG and enjoy it more than a grown woman should. I devour YA books and take note of how other writers do it. I remember myself, way back in the ancient days of 1993, and include just a tiny piece of that girl in each of my characters.
Minus this, of course:
Still, I do struggle sometimes to identify with the 21st century teenage girl. I was sixteen years old in 1993. A lot has changed in twenty years. In 1993, we didn't go around with cell phones (they were probably the size of a laptop at that point). We called each other on the phone. We didn't text...we wrote notes and passed them under desks while the teacher wasn't looking. We didn't constantly take pictures of ourselves making ridiculous faces. We didn't have Facebook or Twitter. There was no such thing as cyber bullying. There was no Lady Gaga. Music was angsty and grungy and people wore flannel shirts and combat boots and worshiped Kurt Cobain. And it was pretty awesome.
So what else do I do to familiarize myself with the modern teenage girl? I google stuff like cell phone rules in high schools. I eavesdrop on conversations. I watch Degrassi: TNG and enjoy it more than a grown woman should. I devour YA books and take note of how other writers do it. I remember myself, way back in the ancient days of 1993, and include just a tiny piece of that girl in each of my characters.
Minus this, of course:
January 8, 2013
ABNA Q&A
I'm following my fellow 2012 ABNAer Alan Averill's lead and starting a ABNA Q&A session on this blog. I've been getting questions through the comments section and email and thought it would be fun to answer any inquiries I get here, in blog form, for everyone to see.
I think most questions can be answered in the Contest FAQ, but if you can't find the answers you want there, feel free to use my contact email or my Twitter feed or just simply ask me a question below.
I think most questions can be answered in the Contest FAQ, but if you can't find the answers you want there, feel free to use my contact email or my Twitter feed or just simply ask me a question below.
December 23, 2012
Best Reads of 2012
I've read so many amazing books in 2012. Here are some stand-outs:
Top 3:
Girl Unmoored by Jennifer Gooch Hummer
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Wool Omnibus by Hugh Howey
Honorable mentions (in no particular order, and not necessarily published in 2012, I just read them this year):
Falling Under by Danielle Younge-Ullman
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
Mice by Gordon Reece
Easy by Tammara Webber
This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
What were your top reads of 2012?
Top 3:
Girl Unmoored by Jennifer Gooch Hummer
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Wool Omnibus by Hugh Howey
Honorable mentions (in no particular order, and not necessarily published in 2012, I just read them this year):
Falling Under by Danielle Younge-Ullman
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
Mice by Gordon Reece
Easy by Tammara Webber
This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
What were your top reads of 2012?
December 5, 2012
Holiday/Celebration Sale!
December 4, 2012
ABNA 2013
It's that time again. Thousands of writers from all over the world are flocking to Amazon to enter their book babies in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest. Can you feel the excitement? I sure can.
This year, ABNA has changed. There will be five categories: General Fiction, Mystery/Thriller, Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror, Romance, and Young Adult. One finalist will be named from each of these five categories. Penguin is out. The grand prize winner now gets published by Amazon Publishing and this includes a $50,000 advance! Wow! And the rest of the finalists ALSO get a publishing contract with Amazon (and a $15,000 advance). ABNA has really stepped up their game this year. These are amazing prizes, you guys.
As one of last year's finalists, and a person who has entered ABNA a grand total of three times, I have a lot of advice to pass on to the new crop of entrants:
1. This should go without saying, but make sure your manuscript is 100% finished, edited, and polished to a high gloss shine.
2. Need help with your pitch? Take a peek at mine or ask for help on the ABNA forum pitch thread.
3. Yes, you can enter your self-published book. At least half of last year's finalists were/are self-published.
4. DO NOT...I repeat, DO NOT...put your name anywhere on your pitch, excerpt, or manuscript. You will be disqualified.
5. Your excerpt must be the FIRST 3000-5000 words of your manuscript. Stop it at a good point. Leave them hanging.
6. Don't be discouraged if your second round reviews aren't the greatest. Mine weren't.
7. If you're not from the US, and you make it to the semi-finals, make sure you have a current passport, just in case. I didn't.
8. Participate in the discussions on the ABNA forum. The people there are not only interesting and hilarious, they are also extremely supportive. There's a lot of waiting involved in the ABNA contest, so why not pass the time with other writers who are going through the same thing?
9. If you're anything like me, you might want to blog about ABNA so future entrants can read about the process.
10. See #4 again. This mistake knocks out at least one person every year.
Have fun and GOOD LUCK with ABNA 2013! You're in for a wild ride.
This year, ABNA has changed. There will be five categories: General Fiction, Mystery/Thriller, Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror, Romance, and Young Adult. One finalist will be named from each of these five categories. Penguin is out. The grand prize winner now gets published by Amazon Publishing and this includes a $50,000 advance! Wow! And the rest of the finalists ALSO get a publishing contract with Amazon (and a $15,000 advance). ABNA has really stepped up their game this year. These are amazing prizes, you guys.
As one of last year's finalists, and a person who has entered ABNA a grand total of three times, I have a lot of advice to pass on to the new crop of entrants:
1. This should go without saying, but make sure your manuscript is 100% finished, edited, and polished to a high gloss shine.
2. Need help with your pitch? Take a peek at mine or ask for help on the ABNA forum pitch thread.
3. Yes, you can enter your self-published book. At least half of last year's finalists were/are self-published.
4. DO NOT...I repeat, DO NOT...put your name anywhere on your pitch, excerpt, or manuscript. You will be disqualified.
5. Your excerpt must be the FIRST 3000-5000 words of your manuscript. Stop it at a good point. Leave them hanging.
6. Don't be discouraged if your second round reviews aren't the greatest. Mine weren't.
7. If you're not from the US, and you make it to the semi-finals, make sure you have a current passport, just in case. I didn't.
8. Participate in the discussions on the ABNA forum. The people there are not only interesting and hilarious, they are also extremely supportive. There's a lot of waiting involved in the ABNA contest, so why not pass the time with other writers who are going through the same thing?
9. If you're anything like me, you might want to blog about ABNA so future entrants can read about the process.
10. See #4 again. This mistake knocks out at least one person every year.
Have fun and GOOD LUCK with ABNA 2013! You're in for a wild ride.
November 26, 2012
How ABNA Changed My Life
On YAtopia today, I discuss how ABNA changed my life. And a giveaway!
YAtopia Guest Post and Giveaway
YAtopia Guest Post and Giveaway
November 5, 2012
Douchebags - Hot or Not?
For a while now, I've been noticing a trend in popular YA/New Adult (and some adult books too): Alpha male/douchebag love interests and the girls who put up with them because they are hot. It's everywhere.
Now, I appreciate a misunderstood, imperfect bad boy, but only if he has redeeming qualities and is a decent person at heart. These days, a lot of teens and women seem to be swooning over guys who I think are total psychopaths. I'm sorry, but if the love interest is a total jerk who treats his girlfriend like crap, I don't care how hot he is. I will not swoon.
I can't help but recall what I was reading as a teen and how I might have reacted to the content in books today. I mean, I remember being scandalized when Michael told Katherine she was acting like a bitch in Judy Blume's Forever (even though she kind of was acting like one, being all jealous of whats-her-face for no reason). And would Christopher, the nutcase who stalks Jessica in Two Boy Weekend , be considered more sexy than scary today? Even though he doesn't have fangs?
Considering my undying love for Sarah Dessen, perhaps I've adopted a different view of what love interests should look like in a typical YA book. Take Wes from The Truth About Forever, for example. He's my favorite YA book boyfriend ever. He's the measuring stick against which I hold all my own boy characters. He's the kind of guy every girl--real and imaginary--deserves.
In my opinion, the YA world could use more a little more Wes.
(By the way, the first four books listed in my Indie Gems post all have amazing, yummy, mysterious-and-troubled-but-incredibly-sexy, non-douchebaggy love interests. That's part of why I enjoyed them as much as I did.)
Now, I appreciate a misunderstood, imperfect bad boy, but only if he has redeeming qualities and is a decent person at heart. These days, a lot of teens and women seem to be swooning over guys who I think are total psychopaths. I'm sorry, but if the love interest is a total jerk who treats his girlfriend like crap, I don't care how hot he is. I will not swoon.
I can't help but recall what I was reading as a teen and how I might have reacted to the content in books today. I mean, I remember being scandalized when Michael told Katherine she was acting like a bitch in Judy Blume's Forever (even though she kind of was acting like one, being all jealous of whats-her-face for no reason). And would Christopher, the nutcase who stalks Jessica in Two Boy Weekend , be considered more sexy than scary today? Even though he doesn't have fangs?
Considering my undying love for Sarah Dessen, perhaps I've adopted a different view of what love interests should look like in a typical YA book. Take Wes from The Truth About Forever, for example. He's my favorite YA book boyfriend ever. He's the measuring stick against which I hold all my own boy characters. He's the kind of guy every girl--real and imaginary--deserves.
In my opinion, the YA world could use more a little more Wes.
(By the way, the first four books listed in my Indie Gems post all have amazing, yummy, mysterious-and-troubled-but-incredibly-sexy, non-douchebaggy love interests. That's part of why I enjoyed them as much as I did.)
October 29, 2012
Traction
Most indie authors struggle with sales. Sure, there are a select few who seem to sell thousands within weeks of publishing, but I think they are the exception to the rule. We all work hard, but some books just take off for whatever reason while others either don't sell at all or rise slow and steady. Of course, it all depends on genre, marketing, book covers, writing, story, etc.
What we all need, especially on Amazon, is traction. We need to figure out how to make more sales, so our books get more visibility, which results in more sales. This may take weeks, months, or even years.
In the past two weeks, I think I've started to accomplish this traction.
I published Just You and Someone Else at the end of June, 2012. I started advertising on social media around July 1, so let's go with that date. Sales were modest but steady for July. In August, they plummeted. Did some blog interviews, more marketing, and nada. September picked up a little, but still nothing to write home about. So I thought, hey, maybe I should do something about it.
On September 10, I lowered the price of Just You to $0.99 everywhere (Someone Else stayed at $2.99). Advertised again. Sales started to steadily climb with both books. Finally, about two weeks ago, I started seeing Just You in the "Customers who bought this item also bought" section, under some high-ranking books. Indies know how important those coveted spots are. Lots of people click through the "also boughts". Being there gives you visibility and increases sales. And when you get there, the $0.99 price tag makes you even more attractive.
October has been my best month yet. No, I'm not in the top 100 (not even close) but daily sales in the double-digits are better than a big fat zero. Naturally, most of the sales are on the cheaper book, but my $2.99 book has benefited too. The more people who read your work and like it, the bigger your fanbase grows, the more reviews you'll receive, and the more success you'll have on future books.
But to gain that traction, you have to experiment with different things...marketing, pricing, blurbs, covers. Take a look at the top-sellers in your genre. Find out what works. For me, it was the price adjustment. And patience. Keep in mind, it took me almost four months to see a rise in sales, and it didn't really pick up until I appeared in the "also boughts".
In order to sell your book, people have to see your book.
Want to help your favorite author gain visibility and traction on Amazon? Here are 10 quick and easy things you can do.
What we all need, especially on Amazon, is traction. We need to figure out how to make more sales, so our books get more visibility, which results in more sales. This may take weeks, months, or even years.
In the past two weeks, I think I've started to accomplish this traction.
I published Just You and Someone Else at the end of June, 2012. I started advertising on social media around July 1, so let's go with that date. Sales were modest but steady for July. In August, they plummeted. Did some blog interviews, more marketing, and nada. September picked up a little, but still nothing to write home about. So I thought, hey, maybe I should do something about it.
On September 10, I lowered the price of Just You to $0.99 everywhere (Someone Else stayed at $2.99). Advertised again. Sales started to steadily climb with both books. Finally, about two weeks ago, I started seeing Just You in the "Customers who bought this item also bought" section, under some high-ranking books. Indies know how important those coveted spots are. Lots of people click through the "also boughts". Being there gives you visibility and increases sales. And when you get there, the $0.99 price tag makes you even more attractive.
October has been my best month yet. No, I'm not in the top 100 (not even close) but daily sales in the double-digits are better than a big fat zero. Naturally, most of the sales are on the cheaper book, but my $2.99 book has benefited too. The more people who read your work and like it, the bigger your fanbase grows, the more reviews you'll receive, and the more success you'll have on future books.
But to gain that traction, you have to experiment with different things...marketing, pricing, blurbs, covers. Take a look at the top-sellers in your genre. Find out what works. For me, it was the price adjustment. And patience. Keep in mind, it took me almost four months to see a rise in sales, and it didn't really pick up until I appeared in the "also boughts".
In order to sell your book, people have to see your book.
Want to help your favorite author gain visibility and traction on Amazon? Here are 10 quick and easy things you can do.
October 23, 2012
Indie Gems
Let's face it. Some self-published books, even a few of those extremely popular ones, are badly written and horribly (if at all) edited. They give all other indie authors a bad name.
But sometimes, if you dig hard enough, you come across a true indie gem. There are lots of them out there, books so professional-looking and polished and well-written, you can't tell them apart from the traditionally-published ones. Now that self-publishing is being taken more seriously, the quality of the books seems to be improving. People are working hard and making a living off self-publishing, and that is fantastic. The stigma is lifting. We have choices. We can take control. It's an exciting time to be a writer!
So, I've decided to compile a small list of some true Indie Gems I have read so far this year:
Easy by Tammara Webber
New Adult. This was an "easy" (haha) choice. Started out as an indie but I heard it was picked up by a traditional publisher. Oh, this book. Lucas. *swoon* I was hooked from the start. Great writing, great story, great voice. Sexy as hell. New Adult is a very popular self-pub genre because apparently it's hard for an agent to sell. But boy, does it sell the self-pub way.
Twisted by Amity Hope
Young Adult Contemporary. This one has romance, mystery, suspense, bullying, and some really heart-wrenching moments. Compelling story and characters. Tight writing. I'll be sure to check out Amity Hope's past and future books.
The Secret of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen
New Adult. Another swoon-worthy, sexy romance with so much more. Ms. Sorensen is extremely talented at sprinkling backstory only when it's needed. No info-dumps here. Great chemistry between the main characters. Just enough mystery and intrigue to keep you reading. And there's a sequel (or two?) coming!
Lost In Thought by Cara Bertrand
Young Adult Paranormal. Mystery, suspense, likable narrator, twists, turns, hot guys, dead people...what more can you want? And look at this beautiful cover! Cara is a fellow Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award finalist and I'm a big fan of her writing. She sure leaves me hanging with those endings of hers.
Wool by Hugh Howey
All I can say about this indie author is damn, he can write. This incredible, riveting, post-apocalyptic story is split into five parts. The first one is free, and only 56 pages, so you can test it out risk-free. You can also buy all 5 parts together. As for me, I read the first part and then RAN to Amazon to buy the entire book. Ridley Scott wants to turn this book into a movie! Now that is an indie success story.
That's it for now, but I'm positive this list will grow as I discover more talented indie writers.
What are some of your favorite Indie Gems? Let me know and I'll be sure to check them out.
But sometimes, if you dig hard enough, you come across a true indie gem. There are lots of them out there, books so professional-looking and polished and well-written, you can't tell them apart from the traditionally-published ones. Now that self-publishing is being taken more seriously, the quality of the books seems to be improving. People are working hard and making a living off self-publishing, and that is fantastic. The stigma is lifting. We have choices. We can take control. It's an exciting time to be a writer!
So, I've decided to compile a small list of some true Indie Gems I have read so far this year:
Easy by Tammara WebberNew Adult. This was an "easy" (haha) choice. Started out as an indie but I heard it was picked up by a traditional publisher. Oh, this book. Lucas. *swoon* I was hooked from the start. Great writing, great story, great voice. Sexy as hell. New Adult is a very popular self-pub genre because apparently it's hard for an agent to sell. But boy, does it sell the self-pub way.
Twisted by Amity HopeYoung Adult Contemporary. This one has romance, mystery, suspense, bullying, and some really heart-wrenching moments. Compelling story and characters. Tight writing. I'll be sure to check out Amity Hope's past and future books.
The Secret of Ella and Micha by Jessica SorensenNew Adult. Another swoon-worthy, sexy romance with so much more. Ms. Sorensen is extremely talented at sprinkling backstory only when it's needed. No info-dumps here. Great chemistry between the main characters. Just enough mystery and intrigue to keep you reading. And there's a sequel (or two?) coming!
Lost In Thought by Cara BertrandYoung Adult Paranormal. Mystery, suspense, likable narrator, twists, turns, hot guys, dead people...what more can you want? And look at this beautiful cover! Cara is a fellow Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award finalist and I'm a big fan of her writing. She sure leaves me hanging with those endings of hers.
Wool by Hugh HoweyAll I can say about this indie author is damn, he can write. This incredible, riveting, post-apocalyptic story is split into five parts. The first one is free, and only 56 pages, so you can test it out risk-free. You can also buy all 5 parts together. As for me, I read the first part and then RAN to Amazon to buy the entire book. Ridley Scott wants to turn this book into a movie! Now that is an indie success story.
That's it for now, but I'm positive this list will grow as I discover more talented indie writers.
What are some of your favorite Indie Gems? Let me know and I'll be sure to check them out.
September 15, 2012
The benefits of ABNA
When querying agents, did my status as ABNA Finalist give me a leg up?
First, here is the query I used:
I am currently seeking representation for my 69,000 word contemporary young adult novel, titled OUT OF NOWHERE.
At eleven years old, Riley Tate witnessed the sudden death of her father. Now, at sixteen, she still can’t bring herself to step on “the spot”—the section of kitchen floor on which her father landed after collapsing from a brain aneurysm. For someone like Riley, a hypochondriac with anxiety issues, moving on is never easy.
When she meets Cole Boyer in an ER waiting room, Riley realizes immediately that he’s far from the safe, predictable boy she usually goes for. A fearless daredevil with mysterious scars and a thirst for all things dangerous, Cole is like an accident waiting to happen. Still, despite their differences, they forge an unlikely friendship that eventually blossoms into something more. Dating someone who’s so casual about death has its challenges, but as Riley soon learns, not everyone can be—or needs to be—saved.
OUT OF NOWHERE was one of the three finalists in the 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest, YA category. Publishers Weekly called it “a very good example of a contemporary coming-of-age novel, with well-rounded characters and honest emotion”. With a blend of heavy issues and humor, OUT OF NOWHERE explores the total randomness of life, death, and love.
I started querying on July 16, 2012. Of the 38 agents I queried, I got 3 requests for partials and 7 requests for the full manuscript. Responses came quick, most within the first week. I signed with my agent on August 3. Less than three weeks...that was how quick it was.
I believe ABNA did open doors for me. I got personal feedback from several of the agents who passed on me. Only a couple of form rejections. Tons of compliments. All the agents were extremely encouraging. Such a different experience than a few years ago, when I was querying my first book.
This is a hard business to break into and every little bit helps. So make your manuscript shine. Use contests like ABNA. Seek feedback. Query your butt off and never give up. If it can happen for me, it can happen for anyone.
First, here is the query I used:
I am currently seeking representation for my 69,000 word contemporary young adult novel, titled OUT OF NOWHERE.
At eleven years old, Riley Tate witnessed the sudden death of her father. Now, at sixteen, she still can’t bring herself to step on “the spot”—the section of kitchen floor on which her father landed after collapsing from a brain aneurysm. For someone like Riley, a hypochondriac with anxiety issues, moving on is never easy.
When she meets Cole Boyer in an ER waiting room, Riley realizes immediately that he’s far from the safe, predictable boy she usually goes for. A fearless daredevil with mysterious scars and a thirst for all things dangerous, Cole is like an accident waiting to happen. Still, despite their differences, they forge an unlikely friendship that eventually blossoms into something more. Dating someone who’s so casual about death has its challenges, but as Riley soon learns, not everyone can be—or needs to be—saved.
OUT OF NOWHERE was one of the three finalists in the 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest, YA category. Publishers Weekly called it “a very good example of a contemporary coming-of-age novel, with well-rounded characters and honest emotion”. With a blend of heavy issues and humor, OUT OF NOWHERE explores the total randomness of life, death, and love.
I started querying on July 16, 2012. Of the 38 agents I queried, I got 3 requests for partials and 7 requests for the full manuscript. Responses came quick, most within the first week. I signed with my agent on August 3. Less than three weeks...that was how quick it was.
I believe ABNA did open doors for me. I got personal feedback from several of the agents who passed on me. Only a couple of form rejections. Tons of compliments. All the agents were extremely encouraging. Such a different experience than a few years ago, when I was querying my first book.
This is a hard business to break into and every little bit helps. So make your manuscript shine. Use contests like ABNA. Seek feedback. Query your butt off and never give up. If it can happen for me, it can happen for anyone.
