Choices
As a writer, our days are filled with choices.
When it comes to writing, we have to decide when to write, how much to write, and what to write. Do we outline in some form before we start or do we just "pants" it.
I have been looking through the 2014 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market the last few days, looking for places to send a query for a new book. After going through the publishers section with a red pen, I went to work writing the query letter.
First, one little rant about this Writer's Market. I'm not sure why they include half the names in there. Many of those listed say 'agented submission only,' 'no unsolicited manuscripts,' 'currently closed to submissions,' or 'we do not accept queries.' Then what's the point of putting them in there. I suppose to bulk it up to make you think you're getting more than you actually are. What a waste of time.
Okay, back to the query letter. The reason for me sending one out is an attempt to be published by a company that can get the word out there better than I have been able to, hopefully with better sales results. Then I asked myself what I was doing. That's not what I really wanted to do. I then made a choice. This was the third book in the Jack Trader series. I had self-published the first two. I should self-publish this one too. I can put it out there quicker and I can have the same cover designer come up with a cover that goes along with the first two. I like consistency and I like my first two covers. So, I made a choice and switched gears today.
While going through the Writer's Market I was also marking the publishers who were interested in submissions about history of the American West. I have also been working on a biographical novella backed by actual newspaper articles concerning an event from 1906. This story has not been done before. As a side note, historical museums can be a great place for inspiration. I sent out three packets today.
I'm relatively sure your days are filled with similar choices, especially if you have or are self-publishing.
My next choice is what can I do differently to promote my books. Happy writing and may all your choices be good ones, or may you at least be able to learn from them. Mike
When it comes to writing, we have to decide when to write, how much to write, and what to write. Do we outline in some form before we start or do we just "pants" it.
I have been looking through the 2014 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market the last few days, looking for places to send a query for a new book. After going through the publishers section with a red pen, I went to work writing the query letter.
First, one little rant about this Writer's Market. I'm not sure why they include half the names in there. Many of those listed say 'agented submission only,' 'no unsolicited manuscripts,' 'currently closed to submissions,' or 'we do not accept queries.' Then what's the point of putting them in there. I suppose to bulk it up to make you think you're getting more than you actually are. What a waste of time.
Okay, back to the query letter. The reason for me sending one out is an attempt to be published by a company that can get the word out there better than I have been able to, hopefully with better sales results. Then I asked myself what I was doing. That's not what I really wanted to do. I then made a choice. This was the third book in the Jack Trader series. I had self-published the first two. I should self-publish this one too. I can put it out there quicker and I can have the same cover designer come up with a cover that goes along with the first two. I like consistency and I like my first two covers. So, I made a choice and switched gears today.
While going through the Writer's Market I was also marking the publishers who were interested in submissions about history of the American West. I have also been working on a biographical novella backed by actual newspaper articles concerning an event from 1906. This story has not been done before. As a side note, historical museums can be a great place for inspiration. I sent out three packets today.
I'm relatively sure your days are filled with similar choices, especially if you have or are self-publishing.
My next choice is what can I do differently to promote my books. Happy writing and may all your choices be good ones, or may you at least be able to learn from them. Mike
No comments have been added yet.
