Nancy J. Cohen's Blog: Nancy's Notes from Florida, page 120

FRW Cruise Day 3

FRW 2011 CRUISE CONFERENCE

CARNIVAL DESTINY

Photos: http://bit.ly/eJHnmq

DAY 3: Cozumel

Saturday, January 22, 2011

In the morning, we headed for the industry news panel with editors Erika Tsang (Avon), Eric Raab (Tor/Forge), Wanda Ottewell (Harlequin), and Adam Wilson (MIRA and HQ Teen). They said more short fiction and novellas are available in digital formats and it's a good way to introduce the reader to your characters. Re Romantic Comedy: Hapless heroines are not relatable and slapstick isn't always believable. Make sure the emotional stakes are high. For marketing purposes, maybe say your work has a lighthearted element rather than calling it romantic comedy. The humor is better when it comes from your voice rather than the situation. Other genres: Thrillers are still popular. Mash-ups are dead. Publishers are addressing the piracy issue with their legal departments but the best overall solution likely will be technology based.

Sally Schoeneweiss followed up with a talk on Effective Promotion in a Competitive Market. Founder of Book Talk and Talk Ink, marketing guru Sally told us that "The big thing is social media and connecting with your readers." Reader comments are now much more visible so publishers can see how readers respond to an author's work. Authors are building online communities with their readers. These days, authors have to be self-marketers. As for blogging, blog when you have something to say.

Karen Kendall, the editor/agent conference coordinator, helped writers practice their pitches in small group sessions that followed.

After lunch, we docked in Cozumel but the pier was at the far end, a taxi ride away from town. We got off and strolled around the shops adjacent to the pier. We entered a restaurant for a giant Mai Tai and a sampling of Mexican desserts. Mona Risk and her husband Sam joined us for a jovial chat. I didn't take photos here since we've been to Cozumel many times before. Dinner on the ship: Roast turkey with accompaniments.

FRW Cruise Day 2

FRW 2011 CRUISE CONFERENCE

CARNIVAL DESTINY

Photos: http://bit.ly/eJHnmq

DAY 2: Key West

Friday, January 21, 2011

We spent the morning strolling around Key West, delighting in the architecture, the tropical plants, and the unique ambiance. Within walking distance of the ship, the Mallory Square area and Duval Street boast souvenir shops and restaurants, along with a dose of history. If you have more time, you can visit museums and historical houses, ride the Conch train, tour the gardens, take advantage of water sports and beaches. We ate Key lime pie and drank coffee and soaked in the tropical rays. I'd forgotten to bring a pair of casual sandals so I bought a pair which turned out to be very comfortable. Lunch was back on board the Destiny and the ship sailed soon afterward.

Workshops started that afternoon with Kathleen Pickering's Creative Mosh Pit. At the subsequent panel with literary agents Lucy Childs (Aaron M. Priest Agency) and Lucienne Diver (The Knight Agency), moderated by FRW President Kristin Wallace, e-books were a hot topic. We discussed how pricing e-books too low can have the effect of devaluing literature. Plus publishers need to keep prices up to cover their overheads. E-books are still a small portion of published books so agents recommend going the route of trade pubs first whenever possible. Try to get a reversion of rights clause that allows you to renegotiate the parameters for what "out of print" means in five years.

Floridian Idol followed. It's our version of the famed show. Writers submit the first two pages of their manuscript (sans names), and their work is read aloud by our illustrious members. Then a panel of agents and editors critique the work. The publishing professionals did a great job and were very tactful in their comments. It's a great learning experience to listen to their advice.

Next, keynote speaker and NY Times bestselling author Joan Johnston directed us to (a) define our artistic goals. "Where is it you actually want to go as a writer? Do you want to write genre or mainstream fiction?" Then (b) define your professional goals. For example, is it your desire to write beautiful prose or get published? Do you need the money or plan to write for fulfillment? How much do bestseller lists matter to you? (c ) Figure out your strengths and weaknesses. Can you write a book in a year? More? Do you work better with deadlines or with no pressure?

Map your own road and (d) set your career goals. Do you want to just sell a book or become a NY Times bestseller? (e) List the key steps necessary to achieve your goals. (f) Determine the obstacles in your path and the (g) strategies for overcoming them. "Write for yourself" and learn how to edit your own work. Whatever you write should be something you love because if it sells, you'll be writing many more in that genre. Write as many books per year as you can for market presence but don't burn yourself out. "As long as you're writing, you are succeeding. Enjoy the ride." It's always great to hear Joan speak. She gives wonderfully practical career advice.

Dinner: Lobster tail and tiger shrimp.

FRW Cruise Day 1

FRW 2011 CRUISE CONFERENCE

CARNIVAL DESTINY

Photos: http://bit.ly/eJHnmq

DAY 1: Embarkation

Thursday, January 20, 2011

After driving down congested I-95 to Miami, we entered the port and parked in the outdoor lot by the Carnival Destiny. The terminal doors were already open so we pushed on through. We'd already checked in online so we entered the info at a kiosk and then stood in line to obtain our key cards. Boarding proceeded smoothly. Since we didn't have access to the cabins until 1:30pm, my husband and I headed to Deck 9 for the buffet. After lunch, we located the library and registered for the Florida Romance Writers biannual Fun In The Sun Conference. Armed with the workshop schedule, we found our balcony cabin on Deck 6. More on the ship later. At 5:30pm, we headed to the Downbeat Lounge for a social hour with our fellow writers and spouses. Our founding mothers—Heather Graham, Sally Schoeneweiss, and Joan Johnston—were honored in a roast acted out by Kathleen Pickering, Traci Hall, and Aleka Nakis. This fond tribute was followed by a slideshow of FRW history, this being our 25th anniversary. We enjoyed late dinner together and then split up for various evening activities. Dinner: shrimp cocktail, Caesar salad, sautéed tilapia.

Nancy, Heidi Cote, Mona Risk at Lifeboat Drill

Miami Skyline

Joan Johnston, Sally Schoeneweiss, Heather Graham

Collectibles

You can learn a lot about your hero or heroine from the knickknacks found in their living quarters. Perhaps your heroine presents a tough exterior but indulges herself by wearing lacy silk lingerie. Or your hero, who seems a sensitive type, harbors an assortment of evil-looking knives in his drawer. This one might work especially well in a mystery. For inspiration, check out those unsolicited catalogs you get in the mail or take a stroll through the mall.

What are some of the items your protagonist might collect? Books and/or magazines? Be specific. Are they fiction or nonfiction? What genre or topic? Are they strewn about the cocktail table for show, or are they askew on an unmade bed? Are the pages ragged, the corners folded in, or are they in pristine condition?

Maybe your heroine collects porcelain figurines. Are they animals, children, or couples embracing? What secret longing do they represent? Or your macho hero owns a collection of chess sets. What does this say about him?

Here are some other ideas: embroidered throw pillows, letter openers, music boxes, sports memorabilia, clocks, model airplanes. If art adorns the walls, are they watercolors, oils, or photography? What do the subjects depict?

Decorative plates, antique jewelry, and vintage clothing are popular items for collectors. So are fairy tale characters, wizards, angels, and unicorns.

Look at the items surrounding you at home and think about your hero's domain. Why does he collect a particular item? Does it express a hidden desire, reveal a facet of his personality, or expose a secret sentiment? Even owning nothing of a personal nature makes a statement in itself. Have fun delving into the intricacies of your protagonists' hobbies so you can describe the collection through their eyes. It will give an added dimension to your story.

Perfecting Your Pitch

Are you preparing for a conference but your knees get shaky at the thought of an editor/agent appointment? Be prepared, not scared. Begin your ten minute pitch session by offering the editor or agent a handshake along with your name. If you have a business card, so much the better. Sit down and smile and state your story's category and word count. Mention which imprint at the publishing house you are targeting. Then very briefly, continue with some, if not all, of the following. At least have this material on the tip of your tongue or written on index cards for when the editor or agent asks pertinent questions.              

Do not bring your manuscript. Do not ramble on with plot details. Do have a completed book ready to submit. Do hit these high points and then let the editor do the talking.

LOG LINE: Use key words and hot premises for a one or two line summary. Look at TV Guide for examples of honing your story. Key words might include "cozy mystery", "legal thriller", "hot and sexy", "paranormal erotica" or other popular identifiers. Example from Silver Serenade: "A beautiful assassin and a desperate fugitive join forces to catch a terrorist and prevent an intergalactic war." Or for my Bad Hair Day series, "I've written a cozy mystery series about a hairdresser who solves crimes with wit and style under the sultry Florida sun." You can also mention a movie tag line: "I've written a paranormal series that's Star Wars meets Lord of the Rings."

CHARACTERS: Don't crowd your pitch with too many character names. In a mystery, stick with the sleuth, victim, and killer. In a romance, just the hero and heroine count.

Identify your major characters by means of an adjective and a noun. i.e. studious socialite, inquisitive schoolteacher, reckless ranger, dour detective. You get the idea. Consider using opposites, like the reckless ranger or studious socialite, to raise interest. Marla Shore, my sleuth, would be an "intrepid hairstylist."

OPENING HOOK: Describe the initial set up or how the story opens. This is a good place to introduce your external conflict.

In a mystery: Hairstylist and salon owner Marla Shore is giving her client a perm when she goes into the back room to get some clean towels. She hears a loud crash, rushes back into the salon, and finds her client dead in the shampoo chair.

In a romance: Rookie assassin Silver Malloy is ready to shoot terrorist leader Tyrone Bluth, when a man knocks into her and throws her aim off target. The stranger is Jace Vernon, a convicted criminal who needs Bluth alive to prove his innocence. Silver is tempted to arrest Jace but teams up with him instead to catch the bad guy. Both Silver and Jace have different goals for what will happen when they succeed. Jace needs Bluth alive and Silver wants him dead. Who will prevail?

MOTIVATION: Why are your characters attracted to each other? What keeps them apart (internal conflict)? In a mystery, what is the personal reason for the sleuth to solve the crime?

RESOLUTION: How will your characters grow and change to bring about the resolution?

UNIQUENESS: How is your book different from others in the genre? What special knowledge or fresh angle do you have to offer? 

SERIES OR SINGLE TITLE: If this is meant to be a series, give the overall series title and a brief summary of the next book.

MARKETING: What is your marketing hook? Do you have a platform? A niche market? How do you plan to promote the book? Be prepared to compare your work to bestselling authors, i.e. "My mysteries are funny and light like Janet Evanovich's books but with more of a whodunit aspect."

SELL YOURSELF: Ultimately, it's your energy and enthusiasm that count. You have to be someone the agent or editor wants to acquire as a client. Be professional and courteous at all times. It may even be that you speak about something else you have in common, i.e. trying new recipes or touring the city sights. Then when you send in your proposal, your cover letter can state: "I enjoyed our discussion at the XYZ conference about low-fat recipes. If you recall, I'd mentioned my book…."  

Confine your pitch to the above essentials. Avoid descriptions of plot details, physical character traits, and your own personal history unless it relates to the story.

CONCLUDING THE INTERVIEW

Thank the editor or agent for their time. If they request you send them something, ask if they want to see a query letter, proposal, or the full manuscript. Also, do they prefer an email or snail mail submission? Ask for their business card before you shake hands again and depart.

FOLLOW UP: At the editor or agent's request, mail your work to them afterward. If it's via snail mail, mark the package "Requested Material." If it's an email, be sure to put in the subject line a reference to where you met, i.e. FRW Conference Author. Then cross your fingers and hope for the best!

Don't Give Up

DON'T GIVE UP! by Lois Winston                                                                                

Lois Winston

I want to thank Nancy for inviting me to stop by her blog during my month-long blog tour to celebrate the release of my new mystery. Like Nancy, I'm published in both romance and mystery. ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY GLUE GUN, which was just released, is the first book in my new Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries series from Midnight Ink. Since Nancy discusses the world of publishing on her blog, I thought I'd tell you a little bit about this particular book's up-and-down journey to publication.

Somewhere back in 2003 my agent heard that an editor was looking for crafting mysteries. Well, she thought, who better to write a crafting mystery than a writer who's also a designer in the crafts industry (that would be yours truly.) The conversation went something like this:

Agent: Lois, Editor A wants a crafting mystery. You should write one.

Me: Okay.

Thus was born the idea for ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY GLUE GUN: Anastasia Pollack is the crafts editor for a women's magazine. One night she goes back to the office to finish up some work after everyone else has left for the day and finds the fashion editor's body hot glued to her office chair. Anastasia's glue gun is the murder weapon, making Anastasia the prime suspect.

I fleshed out the plot and added a host of crazy characters (a communist mother-in-law, a Russian princess mother, and Anastasia's dead husband's loan shark) and neurotic pets (Ralph the Shakespeare quoting parrot, Catherine the Great Persian Cat, and Mephisto the Devil Dog.) I finished the book a few months later and sent it off to my agent.

Agent: I think you're funnier than Author X!

Me (blushing): Aw shucks!                                                                      

Agent sends manuscript off to Editor A.

Editor A: I think the author is funnier than Author X!

Sounds like a sale in the making, right? Think again. Before Editor A can convince her editorial board to buy the book, she accepts a job with another publishing house where she's not buying crafting mysteries. No one else at Editor A's previous publishing house thinks I'm as funny as Author X.

I enter St. Martin's Malice Domestic contest and become a finalist. Strange contest. No list of finalists is ever announced. I have no idea how many other manuscripts mine is competing against for the Golden Ticket of a book contract. I know it's at least one other, though, because he wins. I don't.

Agent continues to send manuscript out to Editors B, C, D, E, and F. None of them think I'm as funny as Author X. Meanwhile, I sell two other books, a humorous women's fiction that the publisher markets as a romance and a romantic suspense.

Agent sends crafting mystery manuscript to Editor G. Editor G thinks I'm as funny as Author X! Wants to buy book! Publishing company is sold. New company decides not to publish crafting mysteries. Contract never arrives.

Meanwhile Publisher H decides to stop publishing amateur sleuth mysteries, and Publisher I cuts back drastically on their amateur sleuth line.

Agent sends manuscript to Editors J, K, and L. None of them think I'm as funny as Author X.

Agent sends manuscript to Editor M. Editor M loves book and offers 3-book deal!

The road to publication for ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY GLUE GUN took 6 years from the day my agent suggested I write a crafting mystery until the day we received an offer for the series. Moral of the story? Don't give up!

You can read more about me at my website, http://www.loiswinston.com. In addition, Anastasia and her fellow editors blog at Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers, http://www.anastasiapollack.blogspot.com.

As I mentioned earlier, I'm doing a blog tour this month to celebrate the release of ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY GLUE GUN. You can find the schedule at my website and Anastasia's blog. Everyone who posts a comment to any of the blogs over the course of the month will be entered into a drawing to receive one of 5 copies of ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY GLUE GUN. (If your email isn't included in your comment, email me privately at lois@loiswinston.com to let me know you've entered.) In addition, I'm also giving away an assortment of crafts books on selectedblogs during the tour, so look for those as well.                                                      

And never forget the moral of my tale: Don't give up!              

 

Author Tours

Do you enjoy meeting people, chatting with readers, and getting out into the community to build your fan base? It helps your writing career to tour locally, signing and discussing your books as you establish your identity as a local author. Libraries, community groups, book clubs, fairs and festivals, and even local businesses may offer venues other than chain bookstores, who are increasingly reluctant to host events anymore except for bestselling authors. Indie bookstores are a treasured resource so be sure to get friendly with your independent bookseller if you have one.

So how can you get your name out there?

Network, network, network. Join as many writing groups as you can and sign up for their speakers bureau.
Make sure your contact info is available on your website and your blog.
Join sites where you can announce your schedule, like http://www.booktour.com and http://www.authorsden.com
Prepare a bookmark or flyer about you and your work so you have it handy when you meet people.
Build your mailing lists and send periodic news updates to your fans and local contacts.
Have a professional high-resolution head shot ready to email upon request.

What do you do when you have an engagement?

· Confirm the details: date, time, place, and what you are expected to do.

· Send photos or other materials if requested.

· Revise your talk if you have one prepared and create handouts.

· Make travel arrangements if necessary and hair appointment.

· Add your appearances to your website and blog, as well as all other sites where events may be listed.

· Send email with appearance info to local newspaper contacts for events or books pages.

Now I invite you to click on my Appearance tab above to see where I'm headed. Making all these arrangements and publicizing them is very time consuming but I'm excited about meeting new people. May I add that I didn't solicit any of these opportunities. They came to me as a result of the networking mentioned above. But also keep in mind that I've been doing this for a long time, and when I started, I had to make the rounds of bookstores and libraries just like other newbies. It's easier when you join your professional organizations and can share resources. If you're shy, start out on a panel with other writers or do a workshop with a partner until you gain confidence. Then hit the road and have fun!

Coming Tomorrow: Guest Blogger Lois Winston, Author of Assault with a Deadly Glue Gun

Set Your Writing Goals

This is the time of year when we make New Year's resolutions. For writers, it's time to set new goals for the coming year. I suggest separating out your actual writing goals from your business goals. The former deals with these questions: What writing projects do you plan to tackle and in what order? Will you complete a proposal, finish a book, or write a synopsis? Next come your business goals. Which projects do you plan to submit and to whom? Will you enter any contests? When and how will you start promoting your next release? What markets are you targeting?

Some of these may need adjustment as the year goes on. Here is a tally of how I did in 2010:

WRITING GOALS

Revise Warrior Prince. (DONE)

Write proposal for second book in Concierge mystery series. (DONE)

Write Warrior Rogue. (DONE)

Revise Yacht Club mystery proposal. (DONE)

Write synopsis for Silver Serenade sequel.

BUSINESS GOALS

Set up online file storage: Mozy or Carbonite. (DONE)                   

Download Dropbox to share files among my computers. (DONE)

Design and order bookmarks for Silver Serenade. (DONE)

Schedule interviews and blog tour for Silver Serenade. (DONE)

Find a home for Shear Murder. (DONE)

Start a Twitter account. (DONE)

Index Blog Posts. (DONE)

E-book conversion for Circle of Light, Moonlight Rhapsody, and Starlight Child. (DONE)

E-Book conversion for Keeper of the Rings.

The goals that I did not accomplish go on my list for 2011 along with new ones I've added. Again, you should prioritize each item so you go down the list in order. Make your goals attainable and be specific. Also be realistic in your expectations.

My new business goals will include promotion for Shear Murder, due out in January 2012. I'd also like to try something I haven't done before, such as a chat or a podcast. My writing goals will include doing a synopsis for Warrior Lord, the third book in my paranormal trilogy. And I am still working on updating Keeper of the Rings to make it available for ebook formats. So far I have four writing goals and seven business goals for 2011.

How did you do in 2010, and what do you have planned for 2011?

Aruba

Day 7, December 14, Tuesday, Emerald  Princess 10 Day cruise to Southern Caribbean

BONAIRE

We had more time on this island than Grenada and I would have liked less. It's 112 square miles with a population of 14,000. The land appeared relatively flat and sparse with little vegetation. It didn't look as populated as the other islands, but my cousin took an island tour and was so impressed by the upscale housing and sights that this was her favorite island. She said there's a very low level of unemployment. Next time we'll have to do the island tour.

We walked down the pier to the main shopping street, passed a bunch of crafts vendors, and turned left. The shops sold the usual souvenir items plus sea salt produced here. We bought aloe lotions as they grow the medicinal plant on this island. There were no bargains and nothing else new to get. A few bars face the water where you can buy a drink and admire the view. The streets were dusty with the dried mud coating the surface and buildings with second-story balconies reminiscent of the Old West. We arrived at port at 12 o'clock. My husband and I spent less than two hours walking around. I liked this port the least but it's probably good if you like water sports. The water was beautiful and crystal clear. We could see tropical fish swimming around right up to shore.

Main Shopping Street

                 

 

Day 8, December 15, Wednesday

ARUBA

We approached the main town Oranjestad on this prosperous island of 74 square miles. Aruba's population is around 34, 000. It's part of the Dutch Commonwealth. Aloe is its main agricultural crop. I spied numerous freighters offshore. A sandbar protects the coast by the pier and a lone tree grows seemingly in the middle of the water. We could see oil storage tanks from the Lago refinery in the distance on one side and the airport on the other. The island appears mostly flat with a hilly area in one direction.

The affluent and well-kept town contains some of the same jewelry stores as St. Thomas. You can get jewelry galore along the main street, L.G. Smith Boulevard, along with tropical wear, souvenirs, and Delft china items from Holland. It didn't take us long to walk up and down the street and stroll around the Royal Plaza and Renaissance Malls (attached to a hotel).

Diamonds International is a favorite store among cruise passengers, and Kay's Fine Jewelry had some good prices. (In St. Thomas, check out Imperial Jewelers and Ballerina Jewelers in addition to DI).

We went back to the ship for lunch then explored the souvenir shops inside the cruise terminal. You can get last minute gifts here without going farther. Aruba is a large island, and if you can ignore its news infamy, worthy of exploration.

                                

Tonight on the ship was the Captain's Circle repeat members cocktail party. It was very crowded. They were generous with the drinks but not with the food. For dinner, I chose the roast rack of lamb. The show was a ventriloquist whose dummy was a shrieking duck that grated our nerves. We left in the middle of his performance.

Days 9 & 10, December 16-17, Thursday and Friday

AT SEA

We enjoyed our days at sea, sitting out by the pool, reading, eating, lounging on our balcony. Eating again. Napping. Checking out the ice cream. Getting a hot dog. Grabbing a cookie. Reading. Eating again. If you want to be busy, there are various activities going on, but this was my 25th cruise and I'd been there, done that. It was a wonderfully relaxing trip. I miss the warm weather, now that we are home again. The only solution is to plan our next voyage on the high seas.

For more photos, go to: http://bit.ly/i1wERn

And if you're into cruise mysteries, check out ">Killer Knots, my latest Bad Hair Day mystery featuring hairdresser Marla Shore who solves crimes with wit and style under the sultry tropical sun, this time on a cruise to the Caribbean.

Eating Tips for Christmas

These tips apply equally to any holiday and to your next cruise as well. Thanks to mystery author Michael Haskins for passing them along.

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can and quickly. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an "eggnog-aholic" or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it!!!! Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand-alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello???

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, pumpkin and mincemeat – have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips: Start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving
safely in an attractive and well preserved body. But rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO-HOO what a ride!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!