My agent (Christine Witthohn http://www.bookcentsliteraryagency.com/ ) recently paid me a visit to Arizona to speak at my Desert Rose writer's meeting and she kindly agreed to take individual pitches from the writers in my group. I was so very proud of my friends! They acted professionally and although the nerves were high, bravely faced the dreaded pitch. Laurie Schnebly Campbell spoke at my Valley of the Sun meeting last night with a fabulous presentation on how to compose and present a pitch (she offers on-line classes as well at http://www.booklaurie.com/ ) as many of my friends will also be pitching at the upcoming Desert Dreams Conference in Scottsdale.
I was very impressed with one of my fellow writers when we had an impromptu lunch with my agent (Yes, you could find yourself with an unexpected opportunity). She asked how my agent went from nursing to opening her own literary agency. My agent smiled and launched into an explanation and I guarantee she will not forget the lady who asked this question. It meant that the writer had done her homework. It only takes a few minutes to go to the agent's website and read a bit more than what he/she accepts for submissions. Besides making an impression on your professionalism, it also shows that you are truly interested in this particular agent. This is a person that could be your partner long into the forseeable future and I can't stress enough how important it is to know that person. If your personalities don't mesh it can make for a difficult relationship. If your vision of what you expect from an agent does not match with what the agent is willing to do you are going to be disappointed.
If you can't determine that information from their website, look up the agent's authors. Most of them have contact information on their website. Ask them what the agent is like to work with. I often get queries and I have no hesitation in answering them with why my agent is perfect for me. I prefer a down-to-earth, honest agent who has my best interests at heart and strives to meet my needs. Who is interested in long-term career planning and answers my e-mails or phone calls in a timely manner, and who I feel as comfortable enough with as if she were my own sister (well, okay, this last one is an added bonus).
I would like to add one other caution, whether you're attending a writer's meeting or a conference. Be professional at all times (yes, this means even in the bathroom!) You never know who you are likely to run in to. People have long memories and a good attitude can make a good impression and provide you with unexpected opportunities.
Wishing you the best in your writing endeavors,
Kathryne
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
And the winner is....
Congratulations Amanda. You're the winner of Pat's book. Please contact Kim at kwatters21 (at) hotmail.com (no spaces) to claim your prize. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Pitch to an Agent or Editor!
2010 Desert Dreams Conference www.desertroserwa.org
Hurry! The official Desert Dreams Conference Registration Deadline is March 17th! Don't miss out! Every aspiring and published author will benefit by our many Editor/Agent Appointments, incredible craft and career workshops, book signing event and the great hospitality of the Desert Rose Chapter!
Attendees will have an opportunity to pitch their book to an editor or agent. But hurry, available slots are filling up fast!
Agents:
Steve Laube - Steve Laube Agency
Jill Marsal - Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
Miriam Kriss - Irene Goodman Agency
Janet Reid - FinePrint Literary Management
Paige Wheeler- Folio Literary Management
Editors:
Kathleen Scheibling - Harlequin
Kate Seaver - Berkley
Heather Osborn - TOR
Peter Senftleben - Kensington
Maria Clayton - Sapphire Blue Publishing
Laurie M. Rauch - Samhain Publishing
Deborah Werksman - Sourcebooks
Disclaimer: Editors, agents and speakers subject to change
If you have general questions about the conference, contact desertdreams@desertroserwa.org
Hurry! The official Desert Dreams Conference Registration Deadline is March 17th! Don't miss out! Every aspiring and published author will benefit by our many Editor/Agent Appointments, incredible craft and career workshops, book signing event and the great hospitality of the Desert Rose Chapter!
Attendees will have an opportunity to pitch their book to an editor or agent. But hurry, available slots are filling up fast!
Agents:
Steve Laube - Steve Laube Agency
Jill Marsal - Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
Miriam Kriss - Irene Goodman Agency
Janet Reid - FinePrint Literary Management
Paige Wheeler- Folio Literary Management
Editors:
Kathleen Scheibling - Harlequin
Kate Seaver - Berkley
Heather Osborn - TOR
Peter Senftleben - Kensington
Maria Clayton - Sapphire Blue Publishing
Laurie M. Rauch - Samhain Publishing
Deborah Werksman - Sourcebooks
Disclaimer: Editors, agents and speakers subject to change
If you have general questions about the conference, contact desertdreams@desertroserwa.org
Friday, March 5, 2010
Interview with Patricia Davids
I’d like to welcome our guest today, Patricia Davids. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.
I understand you have a new release out called Katie’s Redemption. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?
First, thanks for the chocolate. I’m an addict, my dress size proves it. Can I have more? Absolutely. We aim to please. (KW)
Katie’s Redemption is the first book in my Brides of Amish Country series from Steeple Hill. It’s the story of a young Amish woman who returns to her unhappy childhood home because she is destitute and very pregnant. She prays her unfeeling brother will take her in but what she doesn’t know is that her family has moved away. Another Amish family now owns the farm. Carpenter Elam Sutter and his mother, Nettie. The new family takes Katie in. Through their kindness, they show her a side of Amish life she’s never known. Soon love grows, but can Elam trust that Katie’s change of heart is real?
Katie’s Redemption is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?
Katie is an unwed mother. Her need to keep and protect her child is what brought her back to her Amish roots. To her surprise, she finds more than a roof over her head. She finds love and a new faith. In my mind, Katie’s daughter became her redemption, hence the title.
What made you decide to write in this genre?
My mother. Yes, really.
I didn’t start out to be an inspirational author. I wrote the sexy stuff. Not all that well, mind you. My mother kept pushing me to write a “clean book”. It wasn’t until I met the wonderful Christian author Deborah Raney that I realized there was a market for clean romances filled with faith and hope. It’s funny how God works in our lives and how often when He talks to us he sounds just like our mother.
Are you a plotter or a pantser and how did it affect the writing of this book?
I’m a plotter and a panster. I know where and when I want certain plot elements to come in my book. I have to figure that out before I start. It’s when the characters speak that I find I’m a panster. However, like a good cattle dog, I keep them all headed in the right direction. More or less.
Did you have to do a lot of research for the book? What are your favorite research books or sites?
I spent a good six months doing research for this book. I live in Kansas and while we do have an Amish community here it isn’t the size of the Ohio or Pennsylvania settlements. I read dozens of books, spent hours on the Internet and came to the conclusion I could never get the details to be exact. So, I concentrated on the emotions of the characters. We are all human, Amish and English alike. We fall in love, we fear being hurt, we have to find the courage to make a leap of faith. Once I had that firmly in mind, the rest was easy. As for my favorite tool, I’m a Google girl.
Where did you get your idea for this particular book?
My editor at Steeple Hill contacted me to see if I would be interested in developing an Amish series. After doing some research, I said “yes” to the project. I had read stories about people who have left the Amish but I wanted to show what would happen if someone tried to come back. Katie needed a valid and pressing reason to return to a life she hated so I came up with the idea of making her pregnant and having the boyfriend dump her.
Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?
I can honestly say I dislike the work of writing. I do, but I love to tell stories. I love it. It’s a gift God gave me. He made me a storyteller. I enjoy creating all kinds of characters but the hero of any book has my heart. Be he a tough guy, a soft guy, a wounded guy, I want to make things right in his life. What better way than to give him the woman who will make him complete and the faith that will complete them both?
Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research affect your character development?
I don’t have a set way to create characters. Some appear full-blown and ready to rock in my head. Others, I have to work at fleshing them out by finding their hidden desires and fears. There is no right way to write a book. There is only your way.
Do you have any authors that inspired you?
Deborah Raney for one. She creates wonderful characters. I deeply admire Nora Roberts’ work ethic although I’m not a fan of her writing. (She has plenty without me.) She can turn out six or more books a year. What I wouldn’t give to be able to harness that kind of productivity.
What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?
That is an easy question. I write for Steeple Hill. They have worldwide marketing. All I have to do is write a book that people will talk about. I do speaking engagements, I have a website, I do interviews and blogs, but I honest don’t know if they have an impact on sales.
What do we have to look forward next?
The Doctor’s Blessing is next for me. It is the story of a nurse-midwife working among the Amish and how the arrival of a new doctor upsets her personal and professional life. Yes, sparks will fly in Amish county.
Thanks, Pat!
To celebrate her book release, Pat is offering a free book of Katie’s Redemption to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see who won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)
She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...
Check out author’s website at http://www.patriciadavids.com/. Buy eHarlequin.com.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Can inanimate objects be characters in a novel?
In my new Georgian fantasy romance series, THE ELVEN LORDS, there are seven magical scepters that the elven lords used to open the gate to the world of man. The scepters long to return to their home world of Elfhame, and using their magical connection to the dragon-steeds, aid the English in taking back their home world through their magical connection to the sentient dragons. In book one, THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER, the scepter communicates that need through the dragon Ador, and the dragon in turn begins to influence the half-blood son of the elven lord, Dominic, in their quest to return home.
It didn’t occur to me that the scepter might be a character until I started writing book two, THE STORM LORD’S DAUGHTER. My warrior hero, Giles Beaumont, has an enchanted sword (or cursed, depending on your point of view) that quivers at the scent of blood and flies to Giles’s hand when battle is near. Like the scepters, the sword has wants and needs…and develops a personality even stronger than the scepters’. I then realized that the influence of the scepter permeates throughout THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER, although it doesn’t appear in too many scenes, and when it does, it is nothing but a cold lump of ancient jet-black stone. They may not be fully fleshed characters, given that they are inanimate objects, but I think the fantasy element allows them a sort of awareness of the world around them, and combined with their needs and desires, may certainly qualify them as characters.
So can inanimate objects be a character in a novel? I believe with magic that anything is possible…but I will let you decide for yourself when you read my upcoming series, THE ELVEN LORDS.
With All My Best,
Kathryne
It didn’t occur to me that the scepter might be a character until I started writing book two, THE STORM LORD’S DAUGHTER. My warrior hero, Giles Beaumont, has an enchanted sword (or cursed, depending on your point of view) that quivers at the scent of blood and flies to Giles’s hand when battle is near. Like the scepters, the sword has wants and needs…and develops a personality even stronger than the scepters’. I then realized that the influence of the scepter permeates throughout THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER, although it doesn’t appear in too many scenes, and when it does, it is nothing but a cold lump of ancient jet-black stone. They may not be fully fleshed characters, given that they are inanimate objects, but I think the fantasy element allows them a sort of awareness of the world around them, and combined with their needs and desires, may certainly qualify them as characters.
So can inanimate objects be a character in a novel? I believe with magic that anything is possible…but I will let you decide for yourself when you read my upcoming series, THE ELVEN LORDS.
With All My Best,
Kathryne
Monday, March 1, 2010
And the winner is.......
Congratulations Carolyn. You're the winner of Pam's book. Please contact Kim at kwatters21 (at) hotmail (dot) com no spaces to claim your prize. Thaks or stopping. by and leaving a comment.
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