My Personal Path To Publication - Meg Mims
On the blog today, I am showcasing another of the talented authors populating the growing house at Astraea Press. Meg Mims is a romance and mystery author who came to the House by choosing independent publishing for the main reason you have already read about from other authors: she had a great manuscript that didn't fit in the narrow parameters traditional publishers seem to have for their guidelines. Fortunately, independent publishers, like Astraea Press and so many other reputable small houses, don't restrict their creative guidelines, and brilliant, gifted authors like Meg, the other authors I have highlighted on this series, and even myself, have been lucky to find these great houses and find a publishing home with them. Meg Mims has been writing for a long time and she has earned the right to be published as well. Her first novel, Double Crossing, has earned rave reviews, being called "vivid' and "an intriguing mystery". You'll learn more about it at the end of this post. Now, please read on to learn about Meg's personal journey to publication!
1. How long have you been writing?
I lovedwriting book reports in school, but my first fiction story was a Trixie Beldenknock-off before "fan fiction" existed, LOL. I was probably 12. My older sister(always a critic somewhere in your life!) said to "write my own story, withoriginal characters" since the plot was pretty good. With a dead body, I'msure. ;-D In high school and college, Iturned to writing papers and learning how to research. So when I moved from"hobby" to "career" writing, around fifteen years ago, my focus changed. Idecided I would publish or die trying.
2. Are you published and if so, how long have you beena published author? If not, what's your plan?
I firstpublished a puzzle, "Number Know-How" in 1997 in the children's market, Jack& Jill magazine. More puzzles, a rebus, short stories followed, plusarticles about writing and illustrations for newsletters. The pay was prettyskimpy – plus novel publishing eluded me, as well as picture book publishing(talk about a *really* tough market!) I decided I needed to find out what the"roadblock" really was, and entered the Seton Hill University Writing PopularFiction program – which helped me identify my writing weaknesses and strengths.And getting my M.A. helped land me a non-fiction gig plus helped push me "overthe transom" into novel publishing! Well worth the time, tuition and effort.
3. Which route did you choose for becoming published,the traditional route, with an agent, the "indie" route, going directly to thepublishers yourself, or deciding to self-publish?
I once had an agent, who failed to sell myromance (really a blended genre novel) – and I pretty much froze up in gettinganother book finished. She closed her agency, and I didn't pursue another outof fear of freezing my creativity. I chose going directly to the publishers,and was very pleased that Astraea Press offered a contract for Double Crossingless than a week after my submission! I'm still open to self-publishing, butthat's in the far future for now.
4. Why did you choose that particular route?
I was tiredof editorial letters that praised my writing skills but rejected my projectsbecause of "too hard a sell" or "not right for our lines." Small press "indie"publishing works for me because I'm still learning promotion, author platform,getting name recognition, etc.
5. How long did it take you to write your first novel?
Three years– and the first draft was almost 800,000 words! LOL. Second draft, half that.Third draft is around 325,000 words, but still needs a LOT of revisions.
6. How long did it take you to publish it?
Ihave not, but one day I hope to… depending on whether I can salvage a lot orhave to scrap it all and start over. If it's the latter, I'm not so sure.
7. How many times did it get rejected before it gotpublished?
DoubleCrossing was rejected by a few publishers due to either "not enoughromance/sex" or "not enough Inspirational elements." LOL – it fell "between"the two extremes. I spent more time trying to sell my mystery, so when DC soldfirst, that was a big surprise.
8. Tell us about worst rejection letter.
Oh, thescribbled note on a ripped piece of my manuscript's first page? By an agent,who clearly had not read the whole thing… SIGH. She must have used it forlining the bird cage.
9. What was the best news you ever got in your writinglife and how did it make you feel?
Like I said, I was *stunned* when DoubleCrossing sold before my mystery – and in less than a week after submission. AndI was tickled pink that the publisher and her editor both loved it.
10. What's the worst piece of advice you ever got?
"Putit in a drawer and start over." I knew my manuscript was far better than thatfate.
11. Now, tell us the best!
"NEVERgive up! Only those who quit will never publish." Ruth Ryan Langan
12. What's the one thing you would want an aspiringwriter to take away from your personal path to publication?
See #11. Andalso READ READ READ in the specific genre you are targeting, and then beforeyou start writing your book, switch to a completely new genre you haven't readmuch of while you're working. That helps to avoid "influence" and might boostyour creativity. But most importantly, *WRITE EVERY DAY* … that's the real"secret" to success.
13. Where can we read your blog? Buy your books?Connect with you on facebook? On Twitter? Your website?
Blogs– http://www.double-crossing.comand http://www.megmims.comFacebook– http://www.facebook.com/megmimsTwitter- @megmimsWebsite– see above blogs and also http://www.megmims.comBooklinks –
AstraeaPress: http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662245&mode=product&product=5907170
Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Double-Crossing-ebook/dp/B005GWEMCO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1314051844&sr=8-2B&N:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/double-crossing-meg-mims/1104769443?ean=2940013174597&itm=14&usri=double%2bcrossing
BOOK BLURB for DOUBLE CROSSING
A murder arranged as a suicide … a missingdeed … and a bereft daughter whose sheltered world is shattered. August, 1869: Lily Granville is stunned by herfather's murder. Only one other person knows about a valuable California goldmine deed — both are now missing. Lily heads west on the newly openedtranscontinental railroad, determined to track the killer. She soon realizesshe is no longer the hunter but the prey.
As things progress from bad to worse, Lily isuncertain who to trust—the China-bound missionary who wants to marry her, orthe wandering Texan who offers to protect her … for a price. Will Lily survivethe journey and unexpected betrayal?
ISBN# 978-1-936852-48-2
Thanks, Samantha, for the wonderful interview!
Are you kidding? Thank YOU, Meg Mims, for stopping by the blog! I'm thrilled to have had Meg today and want to thank her for sharing her journey with us today. Meg is a joyful person and always has a kind word for an aspiring writer. Why don't you connect with her on facebook or Twitter or check out her blog? I know she would love it. And please leave a comment here and let us know how much you enjoyed reading about her today!
1. How long have you been writing?
I lovedwriting book reports in school, but my first fiction story was a Trixie Beldenknock-off before "fan fiction" existed, LOL. I was probably 12. My older sister(always a critic somewhere in your life!) said to "write my own story, withoriginal characters" since the plot was pretty good. With a dead body, I'msure. ;-D In high school and college, Iturned to writing papers and learning how to research. So when I moved from"hobby" to "career" writing, around fifteen years ago, my focus changed. Idecided I would publish or die trying.
2. Are you published and if so, how long have you beena published author? If not, what's your plan?
I firstpublished a puzzle, "Number Know-How" in 1997 in the children's market, Jack& Jill magazine. More puzzles, a rebus, short stories followed, plusarticles about writing and illustrations for newsletters. The pay was prettyskimpy – plus novel publishing eluded me, as well as picture book publishing(talk about a *really* tough market!) I decided I needed to find out what the"roadblock" really was, and entered the Seton Hill University Writing PopularFiction program – which helped me identify my writing weaknesses and strengths.And getting my M.A. helped land me a non-fiction gig plus helped push me "overthe transom" into novel publishing! Well worth the time, tuition and effort.
3. Which route did you choose for becoming published,the traditional route, with an agent, the "indie" route, going directly to thepublishers yourself, or deciding to self-publish?
I once had an agent, who failed to sell myromance (really a blended genre novel) – and I pretty much froze up in gettinganother book finished. She closed her agency, and I didn't pursue another outof fear of freezing my creativity. I chose going directly to the publishers,and was very pleased that Astraea Press offered a contract for Double Crossingless than a week after my submission! I'm still open to self-publishing, butthat's in the far future for now.
4. Why did you choose that particular route?
I was tiredof editorial letters that praised my writing skills but rejected my projectsbecause of "too hard a sell" or "not right for our lines." Small press "indie"publishing works for me because I'm still learning promotion, author platform,getting name recognition, etc.
5. How long did it take you to write your first novel?
Three years– and the first draft was almost 800,000 words! LOL. Second draft, half that.Third draft is around 325,000 words, but still needs a LOT of revisions.
6. How long did it take you to publish it?
Ihave not, but one day I hope to… depending on whether I can salvage a lot orhave to scrap it all and start over. If it's the latter, I'm not so sure.
7. How many times did it get rejected before it gotpublished?
DoubleCrossing was rejected by a few publishers due to either "not enoughromance/sex" or "not enough Inspirational elements." LOL – it fell "between"the two extremes. I spent more time trying to sell my mystery, so when DC soldfirst, that was a big surprise.
8. Tell us about worst rejection letter.
Oh, thescribbled note on a ripped piece of my manuscript's first page? By an agent,who clearly had not read the whole thing… SIGH. She must have used it forlining the bird cage.
9. What was the best news you ever got in your writinglife and how did it make you feel?
Like I said, I was *stunned* when DoubleCrossing sold before my mystery – and in less than a week after submission. AndI was tickled pink that the publisher and her editor both loved it.
10. What's the worst piece of advice you ever got?
"Putit in a drawer and start over." I knew my manuscript was far better than thatfate.
11. Now, tell us the best!
"NEVERgive up! Only those who quit will never publish." Ruth Ryan Langan
12. What's the one thing you would want an aspiringwriter to take away from your personal path to publication?
See #11. Andalso READ READ READ in the specific genre you are targeting, and then beforeyou start writing your book, switch to a completely new genre you haven't readmuch of while you're working. That helps to avoid "influence" and might boostyour creativity. But most importantly, *WRITE EVERY DAY* … that's the real"secret" to success.
13. Where can we read your blog? Buy your books?Connect with you on facebook? On Twitter? Your website?
Blogs– http://www.double-crossing.comand http://www.megmims.comFacebook– http://www.facebook.com/megmimsTwitter- @megmimsWebsite– see above blogs and also http://www.megmims.comBooklinks –
AstraeaPress: http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662245&mode=product&product=5907170
Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Double-Crossing-ebook/dp/B005GWEMCO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1314051844&sr=8-2B&N:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/double-crossing-meg-mims/1104769443?ean=2940013174597&itm=14&usri=double%2bcrossing
BOOK BLURB for DOUBLE CROSSINGA murder arranged as a suicide … a missingdeed … and a bereft daughter whose sheltered world is shattered. August, 1869: Lily Granville is stunned by herfather's murder. Only one other person knows about a valuable California goldmine deed — both are now missing. Lily heads west on the newly openedtranscontinental railroad, determined to track the killer. She soon realizesshe is no longer the hunter but the prey.
As things progress from bad to worse, Lily isuncertain who to trust—the China-bound missionary who wants to marry her, orthe wandering Texan who offers to protect her … for a price. Will Lily survivethe journey and unexpected betrayal?
ISBN# 978-1-936852-48-2
Thanks, Samantha, for the wonderful interview!
Are you kidding? Thank YOU, Meg Mims, for stopping by the blog! I'm thrilled to have had Meg today and want to thank her for sharing her journey with us today. Meg is a joyful person and always has a kind word for an aspiring writer. Why don't you connect with her on facebook or Twitter or check out her blog? I know she would love it. And please leave a comment here and let us know how much you enjoyed reading about her today!
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