Luree & Tracy

SHORT STORY SUCCESS

2008-04-27T16:43:50Z

Oh happy day!

We've had success at publsihing our short stories.

Luree has had two stories published on the e-zine www.longandshortreviews.com 'A Time Passed' and 'In This Time'

She's getting ready to enter the "Steal From The Best" contest. You write around a line from a movie! www.hazelst.com

Tracy has a story on www.longandshortreviews.com 'Court Ship'

She is entered in the "Steal From The Best" contest. 'In The Eyes Of The Beholder'

She's also entered in the Writers Weekly's Spring 24-Hour Short Story Contest. 'Amanda'

And will be participating in the summer contest!

Check us out and if we win any kudos you, our faithful fans, will be the first to know!

Peace out.

PUBLISHING PREFERENCE SURVEY

2008-03-30T22:18:44Z

The Results Are In!

          Well fans, it looks like we got a pretty even spread among our survey takers.
          The number of published vs unpublished authors was split right down the middle!
          How's that for fairness in representation?
          All our survey writers are fiction writers! Not a single nonfiction groupie!
          The result showed traditional print as the number one form of publishing, followed by e-publishing. None of our respondents had used self-publishing.
          Everyone chose traditional publishing as there first choice and there was an even split between e-publishing and self-publishing.
          Those published in both traditional and e-publishing were equally satisfied with their experience. Many felt e-publishing was a good way to get publishing credits and make extra income. No one had any complaints at all about traditional print, especially after their hard work grew an audience!
          Deborah Reed wrote, "Being published with a traditional publishing company makes it more likely to generate income from one's writing, and get more respect in the writing community."
          Her sentiments echoed many other survey comments.
          The consensus on future trends in publishing kept traditional publishing on the top of the list for reasons of a book in hand being transportable, offering the ability to be read more than once or to be passed on to friends. And not everyone embraces computer driven reading.
          However, every one agreed that e-publishing is a growing source of readable print. There was much interest in watching the future of this media's growth.
          One of our favorite authors had this to say, "Authors are storytellers. Whether that story is printed in a paperback or in a pdf file or scrolling across a screen on a subway, it's still a story, and I'll still write them. The format in which they are offered doesn't really make a difference to me. I'll go for the one the one that reaches the biggest audience!"
          Now there's the attitude we all need to take.
          Thanks again to one and all for sharing your answers and opinions.
          Good luck to us all!
          Tracy & Luree

On The Road Again

2008-03-24T19:14:43Z

Well, we still have several New York agents reading our projects. That's the good news.

But the time we were able to give ouselves is up and we are back on the job market. Shooting for jobs that can support us but not suck the muse from our souls.

Really want to thank all our family and friends that supported this effort and continue to do so.

We'll get there yet... publication.

Thanks!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

2008-03-17T14:18:52Z

If you haven’t had a chance yet, check out Tracy’s short story being featured at The Long and Short of It. Click on Free Short stories and read COURT SHIP by Tracy Gates.

http://www.longandshortreviews.com/

We have sent out a survey to several of our writing friends and writing group asking questions about their preference in publishing choices, if they think the future of publishing will bring more E-publishing or something new. This is a subject of interest to all writers that may well affect our future. The results of the survey will be discussed in place of our author’s interview at the end of the month.

We invite you to participate by emailing luree_tracy@yahoo.com and requesting a survey. Your opinion counts.

Until then,

Luree

Phone Home, New York, Phone Home

2008-03-09T21:52:50Z

Dear Agents and Editors of the Great Publishing Community of New York,

I beseech you to expedite your decisions concerning our projects now under your wise and experienced consideration.

I fear that my dear writing partner has become quite psychotic in her need to receive correspondence from you via e-mail.

She sits all day, every day, staring, glassy eyed at her computer screen. Every few moments she mumbles, "Nothing."

We are no longer able to work, because she is on "New York Time" Monday through Friday and even on the weekends she checks nonstop, 'just in case'.

I may have to take drastic measures and strike her upon her cheek to snap her out of her nearly catatonic state.

I will valiantly attempt to secure her mental health while we await you verdicts.

Thank you for your concern for her welfare and mine as her caregiver.

Phone home, New York, phone home.

Tracy

A Month Gone By

2008-03-04T15:51:52Z

A month has gone by since the SDSU Writer’s Conference and we have weathered the roller coaster ups and downs. I think. (lol)

The conference sent us home with an incredible amount of renewed energy and spirits. So high in fact it took us a few weeks to settle back down and concentrate. But, alas we are nearing the completion of our first write through on Divine Intervention. Something to celebrate! Then of course we start round one of the editing and rewrite process, always challenging. Send good vibes our way so we don’t pull out all our hair!

We have our daily trip to the mail box worked up to a very long walk which is proving to be a great mid-day break. There is something to be said for forced exercise, eventually you start liking it. We all need a break from sitting in front of the computer so the blood flows back to our brain.

Checking email obsessively has not improved however. Any minute there could be something of importance waiting for us and it is just too damn easy to slip a peek even in the middle of a scene we are crafting. Ahhh, so much for self discipline!

On another note, I will have a short story In This Time appearing in the Ezine The Long and Short of It starting March 6^th. I would love to hear your comments. Stop by and check it out at:

http://www.longandshortreviews.com Click on free short stories.

A few people have mentioned they are not sure how to leave comments on our blog so here are the general directions:

Choose a posting you wish to comment on

At the bottom of that posting you will see the word “Comments” in light blue letter. Click on the word comments
A box will appear where you can type in your comment
Complete the requested ID information
Click post.

Hope that helps clarify the process. We can’t wait to hear from you.

Luree

Interview with Erin Grady

2008-02-29T14:28:30Z

INTERVIEW WITH

ERIN GRADY

FEBRUARY 2008

Your Opinion, Please?

We are highly honored to have as our guest blogger Erin Grady the Award Winning Author of Web of Smoke, Echoes and Whispers which can be found on Amazon.com. Be looking for Erin's newest title under her pseudonym Roxanne Alcaraz, The Book of Fennore: Beneath the Ruins.

Erin is a local Arizona author, a long standing member of the RWA and a volunteer for San Diego University Writer’s Conference. Erin spent untold hours setting up the advance readings and consultation appointments with editors/agents for all of us attending in January. She deserves an award for all her efforts! Thanks Erin for taking the time to be with us today.

T&L: If you don’t mind tell us a little about yourself. When did you first know you wanted to write? How long had you been writing before the first novel was published?

Erin: I always wanted to be a writer—really since I learned how to read. I kept with it, working on stories and books all through school until I was old enough to drive—then nothing but being a wild teenager was in my head. I lost touch with my dream for many years and then—as destiny has a way of doing—I found myself applying for a job at SDSU. That job led me to working on the SDSU Writers Conference which reconnected me with my dream. (That was 20 years ago!)

T&L: What is your sage advice on agent representation? We've heard that a writer should have some sort of connection with their agent. A mutual excitement over the work. Would a friendly agent be considered a better fit for business than say an agent that seems more aggressive?

Erin: Welllll, this is the question of the hour, I think. For every writer it’s a different answer. And for every stage of your career it’s a different answer. There are very few writers who are with the agent they began with. It’s a complex relationship. I can give advice about what to look for and what not to look for, but the hard fact of the matter is, when you’re starting out the only choice you have (for most of us) is the agent who says yes. Generally you don’t have the pick of the litter—you just get whoever is willing to take you. I can say, however, that if you are in an agent relationship that isn’t working for you—get out. Often times we feel so grateful that they ever said yes that we never want to say no. But an agent who isn’t helping you isn’t helping you. Sounds like a pretty straightforward statement, but you’d be surprised how often writers stay with their agents because they don’t want to go through the agony of severing the relationship and establishing a new one. Like a bad marriage, staying for the sake of staying is rarely the right decision.

T&L: Many writers mention they made mistakes in the beginning, but never expound on the actual lessons learned. Can you share with us some common mistakes new writer’s make and how to avoid them?

Erin: The biggest mistake? Not understanding the business. I’ve published 3 books and I think I am just now starting to grasp how it works. There are so many moving pieces in the publishing machine and they are all going at the same time and in different directions. A writer thinks the most important thing they can do is write a great book. And that would be absolutely true. That IS the most important thing. However, it’s not the only thing. RWA authors will tell you promo, promo, promo comes second. I’m not convinced that that is true, though. I think you can spend a lot of money, burn a lot of calories and the only thing you get it out of it is broke and tired. Jennifer Ashley gave me some of the best advice I ever heard—the only way to sell more books is write more books. Since then, I’ve looked at the careers of successful authors and I see just how very true this is. If you have a choice between promo and writing, take writing. Get the next book written as soon as you can—and the next and the next.

T&L: How important is it for writers to attend conferences? Are there ways to have the same opportunities on a smaller budget?

Erin: Conferences are important for many reasons, depending on where you in your career. For someone starting out, the opportunity to sit across from an editor and agent and have them tell you what they do or don’t like about your ideas is invaluable. The chance to ask, “would it be better if . . .” and get an answer—again, priceless. So much of the business is dumb luck that if you have a chance to get a solid answer—good or bad—take it.

Another biggie in my personal book of reasons to go to conferences is the energy charge. With the exception of a few, every conference I’ve been too has been turbo charged with people excited about their work, opportunities, etc. Sometimes we need to step out of our solitary writing world and amp up on creative energy. I quit writing for about 5 years after my first book was published and I couldn’t sell my second (which later became multi-award winning ECHOES). I was so depressed that I just walked away. But then I met a writer at the SDSU conference who was working on her first book. She still had all the stars in her eyes and thought great things were going to happen and she convinced me to become her critique partner. For the first year, I was very resistant. I agreed to read so many pages and only if I received them in advance and on a schedule. But through mentoring, I reconnected with my love of the craft and went on to re-writing ECHOES and selling it. I might not have come back to writing if it hadn’t been for this experience.

And last but not least, for the author who has been publishing (and for those on their way) you can’t put a price tag on the advice someone higher up on the food chain might give you in the bar. The guidance of other authors who have been there done that can change your career.

T&L: Do you think entering contests is worth the time away from your actual writing projects at the moment? We've heard that it's a good way to get noticed. We've also heard that agents don't really pay any attention to awards.

Erin: Ugh, the contest question. It’s a tough call on that. I wouldn’t spend all my writing time on entering them, however there are some great perks that come with it. For example, in a business where 90% of the news is bad news, getting something good like a finalist status or a contest win can really soothe the soul. And we need that. It’s also a message to you—you’re close. You’re good. Agents and editors aren’t going to make decisions on contest wins. They won’t say, “she won the pink heart throb, let’s sign her today!” but they will say, “hmmm, okay, I’ll read more.” When you’re starting out, getting them to read more is vital.

T&L: As a published author, how have your experiences with editors played out? Any advice for unpublished writer's getting ready to work with an editor for the first time?

Erin: Editors are usually warm, friendly people. They are excited to buy your book and they like working with authors. I’ve heard stories of editors who have asked for changes on a book that the author didn’t believe were right, but I’ve never had the experience—I’ve always been lucky I guess. The best way to look at your editor/writer relationship is s/he is your favorite customer. Yes, I said customer. You are the supplier, they are your buyer. You have to make sure you deliver fresh, tasty products on time to keep them coming back for more and you have to listen to feedback and change your business plan to accommodate them. Or, you have to find a new customer who likes the product you’re selling as it is. It’s as simple as that. You wouldn’t call your customer and waste their time, bitch about other suppliers, whine because your kids are bugging you or any of that. Don’t do this with your editor (or agent) either.

T&L: Raising a family, working full time outside your home, how do you find the self discipline to write? What is your schedule like? And how do you deal with publishing deadlines?

Erin: Ah, the whole how do you do it question . . . The simple answer is I couldn’t not do it so it’s a non-issue. The more detailed answer . . . Well, I’ll tell you, it’s not easy but it can be done. The key element though is how important you think writing is. If you set down a rule that between the hours of 8-10 (or whenever) on Saturday and Sunday you are not to be disturbed and you show discipline about it, the family will learn to accept it. I wrote my first 2 books on lunch hours. Literally, because I wasn’t determined enough to make my family respect it, I had to do it in my only free time which amounted to 60 minutes Monday through Friday.

You have to give up the idea that “I can only write when ___________” (fill in the blank.) I can write WHENEVER. Really, if I have 15 minutes to write, then I write for 15 minutes. You can do whatever you say you can do. Now (and I fought for this) I have a job where I work 4 10-hour days. So I have one day a week that is mine to write. My husband it always trying to get me to run errands on those days, but I flat out refuse. I write. From the time my kids leave the house until they come home. Half the time I don’t even shower until 3:20. And I write Saturday and Sunday mornings. I have this whole routine where I light candles in my office and the kids (and hubby) know that if the candles are burning, it’s a “Keep Out” sign.

T&L: Once that first book is published, how do you keep getting published? Is there more to it than just writing that next novel?

Erin: You need to have a proposal ready to go when you sell the first book. They generally do not offer multi-book deals unless you offer multi-book ideas.

T&L: How important is a writer's ability to market themselves? Do you have any suggestions for new writer's just starting out?

Erin: Here’s the sad truth to marketing. No one knows what sells book. The only sure thing (and it’s not always sure) is to have a lot of them placed everywhere. Unfortunately, this rarely happens with authors who are unknown. Everything else—well if publishers knew what made a book a bestseller, they’d be doing it for every book. But they don’t know. No one knows. Bob Mayer gives a great workshop on numbers and selling and he says it simply: you never know who is buying your book. It could be an 80 year old grandpa or a 14 year old cheerleader. There is no rhyme or reason to why a book appeals to someone so there’s no way to bottle it and market it. You just have to try everything.

T&L: If you would, tell us about your newest projects and when we can expect to see them in the book stores?

Erin: My newest project is a trilogy centered around two mystical families and the legendary Book of Fennore. As old as the earth and sky, the Book of Fennore is a dark entity with its own consuming desires and twisted needs. Just touching the Book can give it access to the heart, mind, and very soul of those it seeks. Its call is irresistible. Its promises, unimaginable. Its price, unthinkable.
I can’t tell you a release date yet because I don’t know, but my guess is next year. J

T&L: Thanks once again for sharing with everyone your experiences and knowledge. We love talking with you and as always you are great. Keep us informed on your up coming projects.

You can visit Erin Grady at: www.eringrady.com

Be watching for our next author interview in March as we continue our theme: On the Road to Publication.

If you would like to be a guest blogger please feel free to contact us at: luree_tracy@yahoo.com or visit our website: tagates-lureevanderpool.com

Check out our book projects. Vote on your favorite title or send us a blog message with comments or questions. We are looking forward to hearing from you.

Tracy & Luree

February 24, 2008

2008-02-24T21:53:45Z

Ping?

Anyone out there know what a ping is? It has just started to mess with our blog site and we can find very little info on how to fix said ping.

Any technos out there care to advise?

Thanks, T

February 21, 2008

2008-02-21T20:17:43Z

Howdy,

It's rodeo week here in the Old Pueblo. Makes me think of chaps and spurs...

Oh, yeah, I promised Luree no erotica on this blog. The restraint I have to practice is very difficult.

As for our other writing, we are so busy doing every other minute detail of daily living, BJ is feeling abandoned.

40 lashes, I say. Does that fall under erotica, too?

I think I better go take a walk around the block and try to get my mind off cowboys.

But let me tell you, Luree will be fanatically watching Survivor tonight, because we both drool over James!!!

High excitement on the dusty desert plains.

Bye for now, Tracy

PS Any cowboys out there or grave diggers, give me a call!

February Interview Coming soon.....

2008-02-21T18:33:26Z

The end of February is fast approaching. Where does the time go?

Our February interview will be with Erin Grady and posted on February 29, 2008

Erin Grady is the Award winning Author of Web of Smoke, Echoes and Whispers. Check out her books on her web site www.eringrady.com. Be looking for Erin's newest title under her pseudonym Roxanne Alcaraz The Book of Fennore: Beneath the Ruins.

We are looking forward to Erin’s advice and input and hope you will join us in welcoming her as our guest.

As for Tracy and I, we keep plugging away despite the fact we have been distracted this month. Some days we have to remind ourselves we have accomplished an incredible amount of work over the last five months and not beat ourselves up over not being productive enough!

We are continually looking for authors who would like to be guests and give advice to aspiring authors On the Road to Publication. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested at luree_tracy@yahoo.com.

Luree

Writer’s Obsessions-Beware

2008-02-12T18:14:27Z

Obsession 1: Checking “The Mail” in all forms

Ahhh…..checking the email isn’t giving us as much exercise as checking the mail box! Checking the mail box requires our self imposed walk around the block and is only a once a day event. How ever checking the email only requires a push of a button and a few key strokes and like magic- there you are. Way too easy for obsessive souls. I think we may have to impose some sort of self discipline technique maybe along the lines of we can’t check email until was have written a 1000 words on our manuscript for the day? I am not sure either of us would survive the anxiety of waiting four hours. But man would we get a lot of writing done.

Obsession 2: Researching Agents

I am always looking for one more agent that might fit our needs for representation. Research is a necessary evil to find out who is out there and what kinds of projects and authors they represent. There are several great places to look online including:
http://www.aar-online.org and http://www.preditorsandeditors.com/. That said the obsession takes over when I start reading every little detail that leads me to a new web page with more great information that leads me to a blog that has lots of great tips that leads me to a new author and I fall in love with the book that they are promoting………
You can see how this can progress to no work getting done.

The list could go on believe me: rewriting and editing queries, proposals and manuscripts, blog entries, trying to drive traffic to your blog entries, researching editors, publishers and money to live on!

Some days it is just darn hard to focus on writing, but I better get back to work.

Luree

Post Traumatic Conference Stress

2008-02-09T01:27:09Z

Well... Here we are.

We were so pumped when we got home from the conference. We were flying high. I was even more hyper that usual, which under normal circumstances can be scary enough.

Then, ya know, reality set in once more.

Now checking the mail box has taken second place to obsessively checking our e-mail. Our stuff is out there in all its glory. And we expect instant gratification. Hello.

We are undecided if we should be sending out more queries. Or do we wait in the face of the overwhelming interest we received from both agents and editors?

Do we hang in one more month in the hopes we get a manuscript sold and an advance? Or do we attempt to get tiny little jobs that will some magical way keep us going financially but still leave us time to write, write, write?

Oh, the uncertainty of it all.

I think I'd prefer to be hit on the head with a large rubber mallet and wait out the process in la-la land.

But hang in there with us, you tons o' fans, because one day SOON, we will be published authors and you can say you knew us when and suffered through our journey right along with us!

Oh joy!

Love and peace, man,

Tracy

Important things we learned at the SDSU Writer's Conference

2008-02-04T05:01:32Z

I wanted to share some of the advice and information we gathered at the conference during the next few weeks for all to benefit.

Why Good Agents turn down Good Manuscripts, presented by Anne Hawkins of the John Hawkins and Associates Inc. was a very informative session. Ms. Hawkins discussed the need for writers to be sure they are querying agents that handle the type of work they represent by researching web sites and writers publications. The Publisher Weekly was on the top of her list.

Agents like all other professions have certain types of editorial and publishing contacts that they deal with regularly. The agent may receive a wonderful manuscript and still reject that piece because they do not feel they have the proper contacts to get the manuscript sold.

Another reason manuscripts may be rejected by an agent may revolve around a conflict of interest. A conflict of interest may exist if they represent a client that is doing very similar work. For example your novel is a historical book about Queen Elizabeth and the agent represents another author’s book about the same subject.

Personal taste was another factor Ms. Hawkins reflected on during her presentation. Each individual has certain types of writing and styles that appeal to them, just like every reader out there. Since it is essential an agent is highly enthused about your work for them to be an effective advocate for you; the project has to truly appeal to the agents personal taste. Even though it may not appeal to that agent, it does not mean that it may not ‘speak to’ the next agent you query.

So even though you may have received a form rejection letter, do not automatically assume the agent didn’t like your work. There may be other reasons.

In the mean time Tracy and I our continuing to work on our projects and hoping the agents that have our work are enthused!

Luree

Sneak Peeks at Luree & Tracy's Book Projects

2008-02-04T02:33:54Z

Divine Intervention

A BJ Divine Novel

Women's Fiction

By TA Gates & Luree Vanderpool

Three strikes. She was out. Out the door of the courthouse with divorce decree number three. BJ loved men. It was a sickness. She could swear them off. Right? She would be footloose and fancy free. Yet that very evening at the radio station, during the call in spot 'Midnight Confessions of the Love Torn', a mystery man hits on BJ. And the next day her best friend from kindergarten, after bellowing 'those tits are mine' in public, suddenly gave her an ultimatum to love him or he's leavin'.

Failing to give him the correct answer within the 48 hour deadline, her BFF took off for a vacation, with no promise of returning. Leaving BJ minus a bartender at Bitchin', her far out 70's bar, he said goodbye with a kiss that far surpassed their teenage sex science project.

Join BJ Divine in her quest to straighten out a suddenly complicated life, with her no holds barred sense of humor. Warning: not for the faint hearted. BJ's new favorite way to describe her feelings for the men in her life, past, present and future is represented in one word: FUCKERS!
Sneak Peek Available at:
http://tagates-lureevanderpool.com/sneakpeekBJDivine.html

Master Plan

By TA Gates & Luree Vanderpool

Thiller

Master Plan, a twisted tale of obsession so dark you can't see the end coming.

Lightening split the desert sky. Fate had followed the path of the master plan. Silent laughter echoed through the night.

Set in southwestern Arizona on Rancho Feliz guest ranch, Leslie Miller's career as General Manager is beginning to unravel. Missing horses lead to a trail of death. Steve Weaver, undercover investigator, becomes increasingly uneasy due to clueless crime scenes and his confusing relationship with Leslie.

Leslie's father and close friends try to draw protectively closer to her as she begins to receive anonymous, intimate packages. When the sheriff becomes a murder victim and his badge is found nestled in a pink satin and lace gift box, Federal Investigators suspect Leslie as the key that connects all the unsolved events of the summer.

Searching through the smoking ashes of the burnt barn for remains, everyone thinks the terrifying ordeal is over. Not until the last page of the fast paced plot do you discover the ultimate deception.

Sneak Peek Available at:

http://tagates-lureevanderpool.com/SneakPeekMasterPlan.html

Bitchin’: Those ‘70’s Girls

By TA Gates & Luree Vanderpool

Non-Fiction

A retro look into the 70's through the eyes of the innocent and the echoing of past events culminating in present challenges.

As a couple of women heading into their fifties, we are dealing with the accumulation of our lives to this point. Young girls who basically came of age in the 1970’s, we were faced with particular dilemmas not experienced before in America due to societal changes in the role of women. Our proposed title BITCHIN’: Those 70’s Girls reflects our personal memories of those times and how they shaped us into the adults we are today. Perhaps no longer dazed, but certainly confused.

We've woken up to the unsatisfactory truth that living our lives as good girls who do what is expected, earned us nothing but exhaustion and a feeling of defeat. Even our careers that were built without the benefit of higher education and degrees has not soothed our ravaged hearts.

We are alone and no longer have anything to prove to any one. We did it. We became superwomen who could and did do it all. For what, we now ask ourselves? Admitting not much remains of the dreams that once were.

With the time left, can we recapture the spirit that lived wild inside us? Can we now carve the lives we yearn for from the remnants of our souls?

It’s a fact that many baby boomers are facing the same uncertainties. As recent as this past April, ‘The New York Times’, carried a related article in their Sunday Edition. BITCHIN’ offers insight, and hopefully comfort in the knowledge that Those 70’s Girls (and boys) are not alone.

We grew up during those BITCHIN’ times, and have managed to relive the lives of Those 70’s Girls we once were and still remain. Emotionally raw observations and the candid truths as we see it, offer our sisters and brothers a trip back in time.

So, come take a ride with us in Tracy’s ‘66 T-bird or Luree‘s ‘67 Bug. Enjoy some familiar tunes. Maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of yourself. Far out, man.

Sneak Peek Available at:
http://tagates-lureevanderpool.com/SneakPeekBitchin.html

We would love your feed back or questions regarding our projects.

Luree & Tracy

Interview with Jennifer Ashely

2008-01-31T23:28:52Z

Entry for January 31, 2008

INTERVIEW WITH

JENNIFER ASHLEY

JANUARY 2008

Your Opinion, Please?

Tracy and I are so excited to have Jennifer Ashley as our first guest blogger. Jennifer writes romance, mystery and mainstream fiction. Jennifer currently has nineteen published titles and uses several pseudonyms, including Allyson James and Ashley Gardner. Her most current releases include “The Queens Handmaiden” and “Immortals: The Gathering” by Jennifer Ashley and “The Black Dragon” by Allyson James.

Jennifer is a prolific writer but even better a really great person who is willing to share her experiences about ‘On the Road to Publication’. Thanks Jennifer for being here with us today.

T&L: We have noticed that quite a few new writers get an agent, get published, fire the agent, then return to the hunt for representation. Is it worth going through that process just to get that first book out? Or is it wiser in the long run to hold out for that magical agent who likes you? Really likes you?

Jennifer:

First, you don’t always need an agent to sell a book. You can sell directly to an editor via a conference pitch or through a contest in which the editor judged your entry and asks to see the full manuscript. BUT you need the agent for what comes next--negotiating the contract, being the go-between for you and the editor, and protecting your rights.

I think some authors part ways with their first agent because the author didn’t really know what he was looking for in an agent and signed with the first person who showed interest in him.

A relationship with an agent is like a marriage. It might seem rosy at first and then you realize you aren’t at all compatible. Or you have a rocky start then a wonderful relationship from there on out.

The best way to find an agent right for you is, unfortunately, trial and error. A good agent spells a good career for you, but sometimes it takes a few tries to find that agent. Don’t be afraid to sign with an agent (that you have done research on to make sure he/she is legit and actually sells to editors), but then again, don’t sign with the first one who beams at you.

On the other hand, I know authors who, twenty years on, are still with their first agent. You never know.

T&L: We have read that many agents love to say no to the slush pile. That they much prefer to have their writers introduced through personal avenues. How does someone who lives in the middle of nowhere and has no 'connections' get past this enigma?

Jennifer:

I have never, ever believed the old adage that “it’s not what you know but who you know.” If that was true, I’d never have become a published author! When I started I knew absolutely no one--no published authors who would enthusiastically recommend me to their agent, no cousin whose wife’s brother was an agent. I mean no one. I’d never even been to New York.

You can meet agents several ways that don‘t involve “connections:” Appointments at conferences, through writing contests, and through query letters. Each of these methods is a first contact with an agent who then may request your partial or full manuscript. Once you’ve made that contact, and they ask to look at your work, you need to wow them with your writing and storytelling. It really is what you know, or rather, how well you write something that is marketable, that gets you an agent.

Even recommendations to agents from their current clients only gets the agent to read your book (maybe). It’s still no guarantee he’ll like what he sees or think he can sell it.

I found an agent (both of them; I’m on agent #2), by writing query letters. Master the art, because it might be your only “in”(conferences are expensive and contests are a long shot). There are good books out there on how to write fantastic query letters, and I have a quick and dirty guide to them on my website: http://www.jennifersromances.com/writerstips.html#Queries

Jennifer:

I made several:

1. Not realizing I had to make some marketing effort. I had no clue that I had to do anything more than put up a website and wait for sales to roll in. I quickly learned from other authors (who were generous with information and advice) that I needed to keep in contact with readers and booksellers and let them know I had a book out there.

I’m not convinced that self-promo makes a huge dent when you’re published by a big house and have a large print run. But you can still reach a small number of people who then might spread the word. Word of mouth is gold.

2. I also had no idea that I could say no to my editor, publisher, or agent. I really thought I wasn’t allowed to! I thought I wasn’t even allowed to talk to my editor about where I wanted my career to go. Or talk to them about anything at all! Fortunately, I have very personable editors who disabused me of that notion.

3. I think the biggest mistake I made was not to have a coherent plan about where I wanted my career to go. Before I published I tried many different genres, trying to find my voice and my style. Well, I got published right in the middle of all that, before I could sit down and say, “ok, I’m going to write this kind of series in this genre, and I’ll write two books a year, all under the same name.” I suddenly had three different names and four-five different series that I’ve had to scramble to keep up with. If I’d been able to go in only one direction (instead of four or five) I might have been a bestseller after five books instead of fifteen.

A big BUT--Publishing in different genres under different names opened up a lot of opportunities I might not have had if I’d stuck with one series, one name, one genre. And if that one series hadn’t worked--I’d have no career at all. Even though I scrambled in too many different directions, when certain books or series didn’t do as well, I still had other books and series that did *very* well to keep me from having to start all over again. So who knows? Maybe what I did was perfect! But I’d have felt better with a plan.

T&L: What are you feelings on how useful and important websites and blogs are to writers? If you do feel they are important, do you have any tips for new writers on how to make them successful?

Jennifer:

You should have either a website or blog or both--the choice is really up to you and your personality). I myself like a website with lots of info and visuals and a blog I update every so often as opposed to a chatty blog, because I never know what to chat about. That’s just my way--other authors do fantastic with chatty blogs.

No matter which way you go, remember that your website/blog is your billboard to your readers. When a reader reads one of your books, chances are they’ll go to your website to find out what else you’ve written or what you’re working on now. You need your site (or blog) to be very up to date and give them everything they need to know--book titles, publisher, and pub dates; what is already out; what is forthcoming; and a little bit about you personally. Book covers should have a direct link to a place the reader can buy the books.

I’ve been compiling my stats for last five years, and the most hit pages on my sites are (other than the home page): forthcoming books, current books, and bio. Everything else is hit only half as much as those three. I keep other stuff so readers can have fun, but mostly they want solid information.

If you’re not published yet, make your site look like a published authors’ site anyway. List the books you’re working on and any contests they’ve won or finaled in. Keep the blurbs short and professional--don’t give away the store. And no grumbling about how hard it is to be published or how much you hate such-and-such editor for rejecting you. Your site is open to the world, including that editor who just rejected you.

Very important--keep your site and blog updated. I update my website at least every month or so, my blogs at least once every two weeks (I try to do more, but twice a month is my minimum). Nothing bores me faster than looking up an author and finding her website hasn’t changed in eight months! Even if she doesn’t have another book coming out soon, I want to know what’s going on with her!

T&L: You give a lot of yourself to other writers. You share information on your blog and by doing interviews such as this. Are there other ways that you have found that we as women, as writers, can be more supportive of each other?

Jennifer: Thank you. I try to “pay forward” because when I first started (remember, I knew no one and nothing), I got the brush-off more times than I could count. If I met an author and tried to talk about writing, she’d change the subject or effectively say, “get lost, kid, don’t bother me.” (And I was always very polite, never rude and pushy, I swear). Fortunately for me, I found many books in the library that helped steer me in the right direction. I determined that when I got published, I’d answer questions honestly. It doesn’t take much effort to point someone to the Writer’s Market at the local library.

Other things we can do: Critique partners can help each other write better and lend support when rejection happens or when our spirits are low. Attend an author’s book signing (and buy a book!) when you can--book signings can be very hard for authors to get through (especially for shy authors). A personal thing--keep envy and jealousy to a minimum. Really publishing isn’t an “I win, you lose” scenario. Someone who sells a book exactly like yours and does very well with it will only increase the demand for your book. And karma works, too. Giving to someone else means increased bounty for you somewhere down the road.

T&L: We all know rejection is part of the path to publication. The process can become very discouraging. Especially when you read books that are simply not well written. How did you keep yourself motivated before those rejections turned into book deals?

Jennifer:

I know all about rejection!! My rejections have ranged from long, thoughtful and helpful letters to the words “Not for me” scrawled in pencil across my returned query letter.

Rejections made me think two things (after the initial grief and anger): 1. What I’m working on now is much better, and it has a better chance of selling; and 2. “Oh yeah, Ms. Editor, you think my writing is wooden? Well watch *this*!!” I basically took rejection as a challenge to do better and keep going. What got me to publication was dogged determination more than anything else.

You will always come across published books that aren’t well written, but realize that something in that poorly constructed book spoke to someone somewhere, perhaps to many someones. Try to find out what that something was. If you still can’t find the magic in it, don’t read it, because you’ll either get frustrated or start believing you have to write that too--and there’s nothing more depressing than thinking you have to write what you hate.

Instead, find books that make you smile and feel warm or excited or ones that wrench your heart or kick you in the gut--and write that.

T&L: You have mentioned before that writing contests are a good way for new writers to get noticed. Can you recommend specific contests or resources that unpublished authors may be interested in and why these contests may be useful for unpublished authors?

Jennifer: The best contests are publisher sponsored or sponsored by good writing groups and have agents and editors for judges. Romance Writers of America chapters have excellent contests that get your writing in front of editors and agents. You don’t always have to be a member to enter the contests (you pay a slightly higher fee for the ones that let non-RWA members enter), but if you make the finals, your work gets in front of an editor or agent. These are for romance novels, of course, but many have young adult or mainstream novel categories.

St. Martin’s Press does an annual contest for first mysteries--the prize, a publishing contract. Dorchester Publishing does a yearly contest looking for new single-title romance authors. Harlequin runs contests when they’re looking for new authors to write for a line they’re starting or expanding. I’ve seen other publishing houses run them periodically--check publisher websites or Writer’s Digest magazine for them. Even if you don’t win these contests, editors are reading your entries, and they might offer a contract even if you don’t win or place in the contest. I think that’s worth forking out the postage to send in your manuscript.

T&L: Have you been able to successfully cut back on your manuscript out put? And how do your fans help you keep on keeping on?

Jennifer: I laughed when I read this question. No, I haven’t cut back. I have four more full-length books and a novella to write this year, before Dec. 1. That will include doing revisions, looking over copy-edits, and proofreading for each book after I turn it in, not to mention marketing (interviews, signings, conferences, etc.) .

My readers do help by being so enthusiastic about my books. I get tons of email from readers begging me to do the next book in a series or to keep on writing no matter what it is. It’s bolstering on the days I think I can’t write another word! So please, readers, keep those emails coming. I appreciate every one.

T&L: If you would, tell us about your newest projects and when we can expect to see them in the book stores?

Jennifer: Oh so many things!! My next Jennifer Ashley book is Highlander Ever After, out in April 2008, which is a historical romance with paranormal elements. After that comes the fifth book in the Immortals series in September 2008, Immortals: The Redeeming, which is urban fantasy/romance.

Allyson James books this year include a novella in an anthology called Private Places--Robin Schone is the headliner for that anthology. That will be out in August 2008 from Berkley. After that, the third book in the Dragon series, Fire Dragon, will be out in November, also from Berkley.

I’m currently working on a new historical romance series, a new paranormal romance series, an Immortals novella, and continuing an e-book series from Allyson James. I’m also hoping to slide in another Ashley Gardner mystery. We’ll see if I can do all this!

All my upcoming projects are listed here: www.jennifersromances.com/forthcoming.html

T&L: Thanks you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to be our guest. As always we are looking forward to seeing your next book in the bookstores. We highly recommend checking out Jennifer’s web sites and blog at:

www.jenniferonwriting.blogspot.com and www.jennifersromances.com.

Jennifer does a wonderful job sharing useful information for aspiring authors!

Thanks for having me, ladies!!

As always, Tracy and Luree invite you to visit our web site at:

www.tagates-lureevanderpool.com and vote for the project that you would like to see published first.

Our on going theme is ‘On the Road to Publication’. If you would like to contribute to our blog by doing an interview that aspiring authors would find helpful. Please contact us at luree_tracy@yahoo.com. We would love to hear from you.

Tracy & Luree