Post Title.
NEW STRATEGY ALERT!
Brian Drake is 35 but when we first corresponded he was a teen who wanted to write gritty crime novels. Brian's drive, imagination and, most importantly, the talent to make his dreams come true were impressive - even inspirational. Like his heroes, Brian is toughing out at the publishing game, sticking to his goal and following a unique strategy. Extensive reading in his genre, publishing short stories and showcasing his analytical eye in terms of those who practice the craft is getting him noticed. In fact, Brian recently had a request for a full manuscript from Kensington. Meanwhile, his short story collection, Reapers Dozen, and his modern noir, Justfied Sins, are doing great as E-books. Check it out; be inspired.
BRIAN DRAKE: TENACIOUS, TALENTED AND A TOTALLY COMMITED WRITER
GENRES: Crime/mystery
PUBLICATION STRATEGY: Short stories/analytical blog/continual submissions
What is your publishing history ? I've been writing since I was a teenager but I published my first story when I was 25. I've sold nine other short stories since then. I'm always making agent/editor submissions.
What has been your experience with editors and agents? Very good. They have shared their time with me whether accepting or rejecting my submission. Charles Ardai at Hard Case Crime has been especially encouraging with kind notes and suggestions on other submission opportunities.
What do you perceive as the parameters and/or opportunities of your genre: Both are only limited by imagination. Crimes are either committed or solved everyday; the characters can range from hardboiled to sophisticated. There is no end to possible storylines.
You concentrate on detective fiction, correct? My heroes tend to be loners who want to help the underdog. Sometimes they are detectives, sometimes vigilantes , but always they have a profound sense of justice.
Your goal is to publish a novel, why write short stories? It's fun to pound out 20 pages instead of 350 and meet the challenge of pacing and characterization. I wish there was a bigger market for short stories. These exercises have often turned into characters or plots I use in my full length fiction.
You have created an ambitious blog? What's the objective? I am passionate about the crime/mystery genre. Analysis of both good writers and marginal writers give me inspiration and help me hone my craft. I really like Dashiell Hammett. While I like the energy of his slam-bang detective stories I admire that his work addresses issues faced in life. I hope my work will do the same and inspire other writers in the future.
Advice for those novelists who want to start blogging? Keep your writing short, interesting and unique. Remember, this is the platform that will help you promote your book when it's published.
Agents, editors, readers and fellow writers can contact Brian at www.briandrake88.blogspot.com.
Brian Drake is 35 but when we first corresponded he was a teen who wanted to write gritty crime novels. Brian's drive, imagination and, most importantly, the talent to make his dreams come true were impressive - even inspirational. Like his heroes, Brian is toughing out at the publishing game, sticking to his goal and following a unique strategy. Extensive reading in his genre, publishing short stories and showcasing his analytical eye in terms of those who practice the craft is getting him noticed. In fact, Brian recently had a request for a full manuscript from Kensington. Meanwhile, his short story collection, Reapers Dozen, and his modern noir, Justfied Sins, are doing great as E-books. Check it out; be inspired.
BRIAN DRAKE: TENACIOUS, TALENTED AND A TOTALLY COMMITED WRITER
GENRES: Crime/mystery
PUBLICATION STRATEGY: Short stories/analytical blog/continual submissions
What is your publishing history ? I've been writing since I was a teenager but I published my first story when I was 25. I've sold nine other short stories since then. I'm always making agent/editor submissions.
What has been your experience with editors and agents? Very good. They have shared their time with me whether accepting or rejecting my submission. Charles Ardai at Hard Case Crime has been especially encouraging with kind notes and suggestions on other submission opportunities.
What do you perceive as the parameters and/or opportunities of your genre: Both are only limited by imagination. Crimes are either committed or solved everyday; the characters can range from hardboiled to sophisticated. There is no end to possible storylines.
You concentrate on detective fiction, correct? My heroes tend to be loners who want to help the underdog. Sometimes they are detectives, sometimes vigilantes , but always they have a profound sense of justice.
Your goal is to publish a novel, why write short stories? It's fun to pound out 20 pages instead of 350 and meet the challenge of pacing and characterization. I wish there was a bigger market for short stories. These exercises have often turned into characters or plots I use in my full length fiction.
You have created an ambitious blog? What's the objective? I am passionate about the crime/mystery genre. Analysis of both good writers and marginal writers give me inspiration and help me hone my craft. I really like Dashiell Hammett. While I like the energy of his slam-bang detective stories I admire that his work addresses issues faced in life. I hope my work will do the same and inspire other writers in the future.
Advice for those novelists who want to start blogging? Keep your writing short, interesting and unique. Remember, this is the platform that will help you promote your book when it's published.
Agents, editors, readers and fellow writers can contact Brian at www.briandrake88.blogspot.com.
No comments have been added yet.
