Seekerville Welcomes Jeff Gerke

Hello Seekervillains! Cheryl Wyatt here.

I'm pleased to welcome Jeff Gerke to Seekerville. Please join me in giving Jeff and Marcher Lord Press (MLP) a round of applause for Eternity Falls by Kirk Outerbridge winning the 2010 Carol Award for Speculative Fiction. Wahoo! In addition, Jeff's author Jill Williamson won a Christy Award in 2010. That's not all! Jeff has some great books lined out for 2011 as they, like Seekerville, also kick off their third year. Congrats to MLP! Check the previous and upcoming releases out at Marcher Lord Press.


How exciting that MLP and Seekerville share the same age! Happy Birthday to us...we are three! Today we will have Knights of Dragonia tea with alien soup for lunch on little UFO saucers served by elfen mimes...with or without anomalies. AND for dessert we have frozen Milky Way candy bar shakes sprinkled with toasted stardust. Yum!




As a tribute to Jeff's love for speculative fiction and to celebrate the success of MLP, I will be interviewing Jeff from outer space. Yes! You heard that right. Actual outer space. If we get cut off communication-wise, it's probably because Laundry Basket Unit #4 (my personal planetary travel pod) was struck by a small meteor or worse...a dreaded starphish...have you heard of them?

NO ONE in the world but Jeff and (now) Seekerville know this yet but starphish are the heinous reason that socks come up missing in the dryer. I'm part of a clandestine group called Desperate Housewives of the Fourth Dimension (DHs of the FD) and I've been deployed on a dangerous mission: to retrieve ALL of humanity's missing dryer socks. I'm also going to give those klepto-crazed, cotton-thirsty starphish a piece of my pairless-sock mind...

Any other DHs of the FD out there or husbands and relatives of?

Enjoy your speculative-fiction-esque interview...sci-fi style!
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Homebase: Earth calling Cheryl, come in Cheryl...

Cheryl: *Static* Yes, I'm here. *Squeeeak-static*

Homebase: Cheryl, we have Jeff Gerke on the line. You know the amazing Jeff Gerke who not only writes out-of-this-world books under the name of Jefferson Scott, but editor-extraordinaire and founding publisher of the amazing Marcher Lord Press whose critically acclaimed books are receiving lots of industry attention, rave reviews and notable awards?

Cheryl: *Static-buzz*: Yes, I know all about Sir Jeff-a-lot. Do you know his newest non-fiction craft book, Plot Versus Character: A Balanced Approach to Writing Great Fiction releases soon from Writers Digest Books?



It can be pre-ordered now though at the link above.

In addition, Jeff authored another craft book titled The Art and Craft of Writing Christian Fiction. That title is available through Marcher Lord Press. It also has a workbook co written with Mary Agius that you can order here.


As a published author I've had critiques with Jeff and can vouch for the fact that he can teach writers at any level. He is incredibly gifted at teaching craft in a way that will bump your writing to the next level. So I hope everyone here will go pre-order his WD book today. Did you know he even does freelance editing? And that his craft books make great homeschool curriculum for high school level students?

Homebase: Yes, we do know because you briefed us before you entered the Fourth Dimension through that invisible hole in the dryer in your laundry room. You know, the unseen black hole where all of America's socks go MIA.

Cheryl: Yes, well, work with me here. I'm in a dangerous spot and Laundry Basket #4 is no match for some of these meteors screaming by.

Homebase: You just be careful out there. Finding America's missing socks is no reason to endanger your life.

Cheryl: I appreciate your concern but my mission is two-fold. I'm going on behalf of every Desperate Housewife in America and Abroad who has suffered from the one-sock-wonder. You know, when you put six pairs of socks in the dryer and only three or four socks total come back out. There are a LOT of pairless socks running around out there. And I'm going to prove our theory that the starphish are at the helm of this massive sock-snitching operation.

Homebase: *mumble* Yeah, good luck with that. *murmur-snicker*

Cheryl: Excuse me? *static*

Homebase: I said "Excellent!" So anyway, Jeff is here in our studio and guess what? He has a surprise for Friends of Seekerville! In addition to Cheryl's other giveaways, Jeff has graciously offered to give away to one lucky Seekervillain today a copy of his previous non-fiction title: The Art and Craft of Writing Christian Fiction! Winner will be announced in our Weekend Edition. Contest rules apply. Everyone who leaves a comment will be entered for a chance to win.




Cheryl: Fabulous! Tell him thanks. Is he ready to get started with his interview? Jeff, do you copy? Can you hear me? Lots of turbulence up here. I just passed a planet I didn't recognize and it looks kind of inhabited. I see no sign of socks though, so I'll keep looking for those. So, Jeff, tell us about your new craft book! What is the one thing you'd most want us to know about it?

Jeff: Thanks for beaming me aboard, you guys. Happily, I did not arrive inside-out--or explode. All good signs.



The new book is a path to the Holy Grail of fiction writing: the novel that is perfectly balanced between being character-driven and plot-driven. I believe all novelists are naturally strong at either plots or characters, but are usually very weak at the other thing. This book helps both types--and results in a novel that will appeal to both types of readers.



Cheryl: Sounds great, Jeff! *roar-swoosh!*

Homebase: Cheryl, do you copy? That roaring sounded kind of vicious.

Cheryl: I'm fine. Just a meteor cutting it a bit close. Singed my eyebrows but I'm okay. Laundry Basket #4 is a tad melted but that's what we expect from using recycled alien plastic. I've told you guys a hundred times to only use Earth-made stuff. Anyway, Jeff, my next question is: What inspired you to write this book?

Jeff: It started out as a way to address a weakness in my own fiction. I'm a card-carrying plot-first novelist. I'm awesome at story ideas and massive plots. But my characters tend to be flat, undifferentiated, and stereotypical. You could switch the character names all around and no one would know the difference--because the characters were all the same, distinguishable only by their attitude or role or silly accent.

I was able to realize that this was not an ideal situation. I mean, people liked my novels anyway, but I knew deep down that I should be working on getting better at character development. I set myself a challenge: could I create a new series of novels that were character-driven and peopled by an ensemble cast? It was like asking a dog to learn how to meow, but I wanted to try. So I developed this system to help me create realistic, memorable, differentiated characters.

After I published that series of novels--and got much better reader responses about my characters--I knew I'd at least made good progress toward my goal. I also realized that there were a lot of other plot-first novelists out there who could benefit from my system. So I created an interactive e-book called Character Creation for the Plot-First Novelist.

Shortly after that, I realized I could probably help the other kind of novelist--the character-first novelist--too. I created another e-book, which I tentatively titled Plot Creation for the Character-First Novelist, but finally retitled as How To Find Your Story.

When I taught at Christian writers conferences, I would (and still do) lead attendees through both systems. First, we'd create a protagonist in class. We'd give him or her a full inner journey. Then we'd create a plot that wrapped beautifully around that character that provided the outward manifestation of the character's inner journey.

The system worked so well together that I thought it could be a book. The story of how I landed with WD is interesting in and of itself, but suffice it to say that they agreed it could be a good book for novelists, and now it's out! It's the first book I've ever written that has the potential to be in every major bookstore in America. And that is way cool, even for a veteran spacefarer like me.


Cheryl: Awesome! Both your answer and the fact that I'm seeing starphish droppings! Ugh, one just landed on my podshield. Gross. Anyway, I'm getting closer to my goal of locating the starphish base. Jeff, what is your goal for 2011 and 2012? What's on the horizon for MLP? Any fiction writing on the radar for you?

Jeff: My goal for...always...is to see Marcher Lord Press begin to do so well that I can cease doing as much freelance work and concentrate on growing MLP and get back to writing my own fiction. As far as MLP goes, 2011 is looking fantastic. The Spring 2011 list will almost certainly be our biggest blockbuster season yet. The rest of the year and 2012 look fantastic.

As far as my own fiction...there are always possible developments in the works, things that would subtly or radically change the game for MLP. If one or more of the most exciting possibilities comes to pass, then I'd love to get back to my own fiction. Both of my published trilogies could definitely have more books added to the series. And my epic fantasy is just languishing right now, pining for my attention. I've got lots of other ideas for novels still to come.

[sighs] God willing, it will all happen. There are seasons in a writer's life, and right now I'm in a no-fiction-writing season. But seasons change.


Cheryl: Indeed they do. Whoa! *bling-bling-bling*

Homebase: Cheryl, that doesn't sound good. Your alarms are screaming for you to get the heck out of Galaxy Dodge...

Cheryl: I'm okay. Just a drop in atmospheric pressure in my pod cabin. Too many starphish droppings hitting the windshield. Maybe one landed in my right engine. Can you pull me up on extraterrestrial satellite to see? Jeff, bear with us. I'm trying to conduct your interview and this mission and we all know I'm just a housewife desperate to find her family's missing socks and not a pro-multitasker.

Homebase: Cheryl, we may have to abort the mission. Your right engine is in fact gone. Do you have a few more questions for Jeff just in case?

Cheryl: Just in case what?

Homebase. *awkward silence* Well, just in case you, well, get abducted by the starphish cavalry stalking up behind you. They've been tracking you since Mars and appear to be hiding their starcraft under a clever Tide box disguise.

Cheryl: Great. And I wanted to be home in time for dinner too. Oh well, Jeff, tell me what you hope authors and aspiring authors will take away from your craft book?

Jeff: I know there are many novelists out there who are strong at either character development or plot ideas, but know they're weak in the other. I know the despair they feel: "I know I need to get better at that thing I'm weak at, but I don't know how!" Through the examples, clear teaching, and humor I use in this book, I hope to help those novelists find the guide they're reaching out for.

Of course, it will be more than just Christian novelists who buy this book. Sometimes I wonder how I feel about helping plot-first erotica novelists write better erotica. LOL. But I'll let God sort that one out.

Cheryl: LOL! Sweet! So, hey guys, mind sending some backup? I got two more Tide boxes and a batch of Bounty-hunters on my tail. Permission to engage?

Homebase: Permission granted. Backup deployed. Laundry Basket Units # 2, 7 & 9 are en route to your location. Stand down until they come within orbit of your craft. Starphish aren't aggressive until you try to take back the cotton they've acquired by five-phalanges-discount.

Cheryl: Roger that. Jeff, any last words? What is your favorite speculative fiction genre to read?

Jeff: I don't pick genres so much as ideas that appeal to me. But I'm finding lately that the futuristic story is appealing to me a lot. It takes a special Christian fantasy novelist--such as all the ones I publish at MLP--to create Christian fantasy that isn't didactic or overly allegorical. So I'm not always a big fan of Christian fantasy (except what I publish). But the Christian SF ideas I've encountered lately have been fresh and intriguing. And my own mind has been coming up with SF story ideas lately too.

Cheryl: Jeff, we look forward to reading more of your great stuff! Listen, my back-up is here so I need to join them in agitating some Tide boxes, but I'll leave you in the good hands of my fellow Seeker Sisters plus Friends of Seekerville. Today we have homemade moonpies for breakfast and coffee that is out of this world. Literally. Let's hope Helen hooks us up! I had to take the coffeemaker to house apprehended starphish in after capture. So I'm off! I'll see you and all of Seekerville in the comment section soon! Chat away all! Help me welcome Jeff to Seekerville and let him know what questions you have about MLP etc.

Amazon link to purchase Jeff's upcoming Writer's Digest book, Plot Versus Character-A Balanced Approach.

I love the cover of this book! It's very retro-coolio. :-) Ya gotta check it out!

About the Author
Jeff Gerke (www.marcherlordpress.com and www.wherethemapends.com) is an author of fiction and nonfiction including such books as the Operation: Firebrand novels. He has worked as an editor for numerous publications and is the founder of Marcher Lord Press, an indie publishing company dedicated to producing the finest in Christian science fiction, fantasy, and other wonderfully weird genres.

Cheryl aka DH of the Fourth Dimension.

Jeff: Thanks, Cheryl!


Friends of Seekerville, comment away!

On The Receiving End of the Red Pen: Insights from an Editor turned Author

Hello everyone, Julie Lessman here. I am very excited to welcome to Seekerville today award-winning author AND editor for Bethany House, Julie Klassen. I was fortunate enough to meet Julie at the ACFW 2008 conference last September, and I will NEVER forget either the woman OR our truly anointed chance encounter in a Sheraton bathroom (you can read my blog about it here http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2008/11/oh-for-love-of-god-part-2.html).

Julie Klassen has worked in Christian publishing for more than twelve years and is the author of two novels: Lady of Milkweed Manor and The Apothecary’s Daughter. Without further ado, I give you Julie Klassen:

I have the privilege of working as a fiction editor for Bethany House Publishers. When I (secretly) wrote my first historical, Bethany House was my hoped-for publisher. Since I work with the people who would be reviewing it, I submitted it under a pseudonym so that if it was accepted, it would be done so objectively. Of course, this also allowed me to cower under the protection of anonymity in case it was rejected! Since then, I have learned a lot about being on the other side of the desk—and on the receiving end of the red pen. With that in mind, I offer a few tips from one editor/author. (Note: just my personal opinion; not necessarily policy!)

You’ve heard it before, but I’ll say it again: Don’t start with back story. I can’t tell you how many proposals I’ve read where the story doesn’t really begin until Chapter 3. Most readers (and editors) won’t last that long. Drizzle in only necessary back story after you’ve hooked the reader.

Hook reader on the first page with either action, suspense, a dramatic question, or the compelling stakes the protagonist will face. Readers, agents, and editors are becoming increasingly jaded and need to be engaged quickly.

Sell It! Editors are readers first. When writing the synopsis portion of your query letter, think promotional or back cover copy and not “this happens, then this, then this…” Unless specifically requested, I wouldn’t include a chapter-by-chapter summary. Every one I’ve ever read makes even a potentially interesting book sound tedious or contrived. (Note: Several great articles about hooking readers and writing queries have already been posted—refer to these for more details.)

Issue Smissue: Avoid trying to tackle too many issues in your novel. I recently reviewed a proposal which covered abortion, depression, mental illness, feminism, and anti-Christian sentiment. We rejected it. Yes, your novel should have a point, a theme, an uplifting faith message, something worthwhile—but the story needs to be king.

Buzzword: Sympathetic. Your main character needs to be likeable OR understandably unlikeable (due to _____ (you fill in back story)) but redeemable. Perhaps it sounds obvious, but often proposals are rejected due to unsympathetic or un-relatable characters. Ask yourself, am I creating a character readers will want to spend time with? Will they feel for him? Care about her and her problem? I am NOT saying she needs to be a perfect, sweet, godly Christian. Even characters we wouldn’t want our sons to date can be effective protagonists. Think of Julie Lessman’s Charity. Or read Home Another Way by Christa Parrish. Christa’s protagonist is bristly, bitter and unapologetically immoral. But she is also wounded, talented, interesting, and wickedly funny. And ultimately, poignantly, redeemable. (Note: I am not suggesting you all go out and create sexually immoral protagonists—this can be a stumbling block to becoming published, and is a challenge to do well.)

Don’t kill the messenger, er, editor. Don’t take it personally when you receive that detailed rejection letter or seven pages of rewrite suggestions. Yes, editors are fallible human beings and you don’t have to do everything they suggest. But neither should you dismiss such feedback lightly. Seasoned editors have reviewed and edited hundreds of books and know a few things about crafting novels that sell. They really are trying to help you. So consider, pray, and in the end take the suggestions that resonate with you before respectfully ignoring the rest. It is, after all, your book.

The Editor, Edited. I, too, received plenty of feedback (praise and criticism) on my manuscripts. Yes, it’s sometimes painful to hear where a story falls short or needs work, but in the end I agreed with 90% of the suggestions and set about the hard work of rewriting. (Ah well, who needs to go outside during the summer anyway?)

Which is harder, writing or editing? Writing, hands down. Tired? Stressed? No wonder! I’ve learned that writing a book is ten (fifty?) times harder than editing one. I have such admiration and respect for anyone who has completed a novel—published or not. If you haven’t finished—keep your derriere in the chair. And if you have, give yourself a pat on the back and then return your derriere to the chair. Hard, lonely work? Yes. Worth it? You betcha.

Visit Julie at her Web site at http://www.julieklassen.com/index.html where you can learn more about her fabulous debut novel, Lady of Milkweed Manor, and her second novel, The Apothecary's Daughter, release date January 2009.

Today's Guest is Susan Sleeman

Every published author has one. A story about how they came to be published, or about receiving THE CALL. Over the years, I used my writer’s senses to hear, see, taste, smell, and feel the day I’d pick up my ringing phone to hear the words, ‘we want your manuscript,’ but THE CALL never came. And it never will.

You see, I received something far bigger than THE CALL. I learned of my book contract by a surprise announcement in front of five hundred of my closest friends, my fellow writers, at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference. Many of you may know that each year at the ACFW conference Barbour Publishing publically awards contracts to three recipients. You may know this, but I had never been to an ACFW conference and didn’t know contracts were awarded in the Heartsong Presents Mysteries imprint. So my first surprise of the afternoon was when Susan Downs took the stage. My mind started racing. What? Susan gave out contracts? Too bad I’m not in the running for something like this. She’ll never say my name. No, definitely not me.

Yes, I was certain I would be the last name she announced. Here’s why. At the end of March, I submitted a proposal to Susan for Nipped in the Bud and within three days she asked for the full manuscript. Wow, something in the proposal must have resonated with her. Then within three weeks I received a positive evaluation of the manuscript with a few suggested revisions. Susan was not able to contract new works until the fall and she requested I return the revised manuscript to her by August 1 when she was in a position to make a decision. This was a good sign, right?

Though disappointed that I would have to wait until August for any firm answer, I made the revisions, sent the manuscript back in late July and waited to hear from Susan. I’d also completed Read Between the Tines, book two in the Garden Gate Mystery series and sent that proposal to Susan, as well. I was pumped. My phone was polished. Charged. I eagerly waited for that call. Each day I woke up hoping it would be THE DAY.

But Susan was silent. Nothing. No response. And when I asked my agent about it, he was vague, encouraging me, yet at the same time saying nothing. I whined to my critique group, which includes three Heartsong Mystery authors. They tried to encourage me, but when August came and went, I was certain Susan had lost interest in Nipped in the Bud and I began living with the Maybes. Maybe my revisions hadn’t been enough. Maybe she didn’t think I could take direction. Maybe a better manuscript landed on her desk and she went with that one. Maybe I missed another opportunity.

So, you can see with that mind set, when Susan began to describe who the contract would be awarded to, starting first with vague items like she’s a wife and a mother, I peered around the room waiting for someone’s face to burst with excitement as they recognized her description. Susan continued, and I realized each point was true of me. Her focus became narrower and it still fit me. I can’t remember the exact comment that told me she was awarding the contract to me, but I can remember turning and looking into the excited faces of three members of my crit group and their faces telling me that they had known about this. Some of them since April.

Yes, they were in on the surprise. They had to be. You see, I wasn’t even planning on attending the conference. So they had to help Susan get me there. My first reaction, was no fair. You knew for so long, and I stressed all this time. But then, I realized what an honor it was to have Barbour publicly announce their affiliation with me, that tears were my only response. Today, the question I am asked most often is, was it worth waiting for months to learn of the contract this way. My answer is a resounding YES. And I eagerly look forward to May of 2009 when my first book in my Garden Gate Mystery Series, Nipped in the Bud will be released, and in 2010 book two Read between the Tines and book three Seed You Later will be released. You can read more about these books at my website, http://www.susansleeman.com/ .

My dream came true. Not in the black and white of a phone call, but in living Technicolor of up close and personal. And as my dream came true in full view of the conference attendees, it spoke to the unpublished writers in the group proudly proclaiming, “Yes, it can happen to you. Keep working. Learn the craft. In the face of rejections, keep writing. Don’t give up. Next year, this could be you.”

Avalon Books

With ACFW conference coming up, I want to get at least one more post of info from RWA Nationals. Have any of you considered submitting to Avalon Books?  I know I didn't when I started because they don't have large advances. But I have a friend who writes for them and after watching my paperbacks disappear off the shelf, I'm reconsidering their value.  Avalon books target libraries so they are hardbound books. They are designed to hold up with lots of wear and tear in public libraries. Not only that, their books are available for a much longer time period.  You may not be aware, but Steeple Hill comes out for six weeks and then its off the shelf and the next round of books come out. Your book will never be seen again unless you become another Debbie Macomber and all your old books are republished.  Steeple Hill will give you a bigger advance, but remember an advance is an advance against royalties.  So even if you don't get the big advance with Avalon, you will still get the royalties.  And because the book is available for a much longer time, you will get royalties for a longer period of time.

When I wrote for Harlequin in the eighties, I received super advances, but like I mentioned, once the book was off the shelf, that was it.  I could not buy any more. (Something to keep in mind you folks publishing your first books. Be sure and buy plenty of author copies).  I also wrote teenage self help books for Rosen Publishing Group. I didn't get any advance for them, but the royalties were great. They were hardbound and targeted for libraries. Those books are still available and I am still receiving royalties. It is really fun to still be able to see my books out there after all this time.  And over the years they have ended up making more money for me than the Harlequins.  It was just over a period of years instead of a big bunch at once.

The disadvantage of hardbound books is they cost more so it is more difficult for your friends and family to buy them. However, they make excellent gifts. My friend, Annette Mahon's books are really beautiful.  Her latest book, SECRET CORRESPONDENCE, has some great reviews.

Avalon Books target libraries so they want wholesome books.  Faith Black, Editor, who spoke in San Francisco, said religion was okay as long as it was inherent to the characters and plot. They don't want religion as preachy. The characters can pray and go to church, but they don't want conversion or salvation as the main theme.   They allow a glass of wine, but do not want much more alcohol. They do not allow cursing either.  So Avalon is a viable possibility for an author who wants to maintain Christian values in the ABA market.  They are recognized by RWA.  

Their guidelines are listed on their website www.avalonbooks.com.  They publish romances, westerns and mysteries.  They accept unagented proposals.  I'll list a few of the guidelines below.  

Their guidelines say:  Under its AVALON BOOKS imprint, Thomas Bouregy & Co., Inc., publishes hardcover secular romances, mysteries, and westerns for the library market Our books are wholesome adult fiction, suitable for family reading. There is no graphic or premarital sex or sexual tension in any of the novels; kisses and embraces are as far as our characters go. It is author's responsibility to heighten the romantic atmosphere by developing love scenes with tenderness, emotion, and perception. The heroines of our romances should be looking forward to marriage at the end of the book.  There is never any profanity in any of our books. 

We publish sixty books a year in bimonthly cycles of ten. A cycle consists of two career romances, two general romances, two historical romances, two mysteries, and two westerns. 

You must include with your submission:

• Query letter addressed: The Editors (they say no name required, but I'd use Faith Black, Editor as she gave out cards in SF)
• Synopsis (2-3 pages) 
  
• First three chapters
• SASE

Ms. Black said they get back between two weeks to a month. That's a great turnaround time. She also said that if you are multiple submitting to be sure and mention that in the query letter.

Well enough from me. You can find out more info on their website. For now, lets sit back and enjoy a steaming cup of coffee, some sliced pears with blackberries sprinkled on top and maybe a yummy cranberry muffin.   

Happy writing.

PS Since this date is historical I'd like to recommend a super read on 9 11.  Has anyone read ONE TUESDAY by Karen Kingsbury?  You won't be able to put it down.  

Barbara Scott, Abingdon Press, Welcome to Seekerville!

As you guys all know, today we're privileged to chat-it-up with Barbara Scott, the Senior Acquisitions Editor for Fiction from Abingdon Press. Barb has promised to stop in from time to time today, stretch her legs from long hours of editing, sorting, e-mailing, reading, meeting, etc. to play in Seekerville. I promised her good food and great conversation. Or vice versa. Not quite sure which!!

To further that end I've got a lovely brunch laid for everyone and a full cafe'/cappuccino bar set up. If ya' didn't bring your mug, I've got plenty. Stop in, relax a while, chat with us and pour yourself a cup of chocolate velvet, hazelnut decaf or straight ol' 'joe'.

And there are some lovely See's dark chocolates because I hear dark chocolate is one of her weaknesses. As authors, we're not afraid to play on one's weakness, now are we????

Barbara’s bio:

Barbara Scott, Sr. Acquisitions Editor for Fiction, is actively acquiring new voices, as well as published authors, in the genres of contemporary women's fiction, contemporary romance, historical romance, historical fiction, mystery, action/adventure, and suspense/thrillers. Abingdon is not looking for literary, supernatural, or apocalyptic manuscripts. Barbara has more than 30 years experience in newspaper, magazine, and book publishing, including adult, youth, and children's fiction. She also has published two bestselling novels for Thomas Nelson with coauthor Carrie Younce, ghost-written books for well-known ministers, and written numerous work-for-hire gift books.

Barbara, welcome to Seekerville! Your bio for ACFW covers many pertinent points. I know when I put out a request for questions, genres was the most often asked. Since the bio covers that, let’s get more specific. Are you looking for a certain word count? Will the books be released in trade or mass paperback sizes? Do you prefer alpha or beta heroes? (Sorry, that one just slipped in. You know us romance writers. Sneaky little things…)

Thanks for the warm welcome, Ruthy. Love those virtual chocolates! Fiction lovers have such vivid imaginations that I can feel myself gaining five pounds just thinking about them. But on to your questions... ;)

Our fiction will be released in trade paperback (5-1/2” x 8-1/2”) and we’re looking at word counts of around 75 to 80,000 words, although I have some that go up to 100,000 and a couple in the 60 to 70,000 range. To keep our price point at $13.99, we’d like to stay below a 400-page novel.

As for alpha or beta heroes, they just need to respect their women and treat them as if they have brains. No chauvinists unless they reform by the end of the book or get their just desserts. LOL

You’ve been fast and gracious in your dealings with authors submitting proposals, sometimes responding within hours. Minutes… Do you ever worry that your turn-around time might make you the target of other editors whose turnarounds stretch into months and sometimes years? The upcoming ACFW conference is known for rather interesting pranks. Have you ordered extra locks on your hotel room door? Surveillance equipment? J If not, it might not be a bad idea. Assumed identities are helpful as well. Anybody got a Groucho mustache for Barbara?

You know, I have been looking over my shoulder a lot lately and getting these stabbing pains between my shoulder blades. Hm.

Since I was an author once, I know what it’s like to wait and wait for somebody… anybody...the guy at Starbucks…to get back to me. Not fun! Of course, I could always self-diagnose and say it has a lot to do with OCD. I must have a little Monk in me because I can’t stand a full email box.

Actually, I’m quite fortunate at Abingdon because we are consciously not booking ourselves in meetings all day. You’d be amazed at how much time most editors spend in pre-planning, planning, and post-planning meetings from development to pub boards to title and cover direction to marketing and promotions. And did I mention that most receive 75 to 100 emails a day? Try to keep up with that!

Barb, I’m a life-long, choir-singing Irish Catholic. Abingdon is a Methodist press, but rumor has it you’re open to Catholic stories and that’s uncommon in CBA. Tell us a little more about that, what you’d be willing to see and consider.

One thing I love about Abingdon Press is that we respect people of various faiths, cultures, and denominations. For instance, the protagonists in one new mystery series, which will debut in Spring 2009, are a liturgical Christian church secretary and the Jewish Rabbi from the synagogue next door…crime solvers extraordinaire! There will be ample opportunity for them to share their faith in natural, organic ways, just as we all do with our friends, but our rabbi will not be converting. Diversity is the beauty of our lives, and it’s only through dialogue with one another that we gain understanding.

Abingdon has created a stir in the waters with this opportunity, especially opening their doors to new authors and unheard voices. What helped forge that decision? Do you consider new authors a risk or an opportunity to draw new readers?

Cool!! Let’s stir a little water together. I’ve had this conversation with editors and agents for years. Especially in the bigger houses, it’s difficult to take a risk on new writers. This may come as a revelation, but the average fiction book in CBA only sells 3,500 to 5,000 copies. That’s not enough for the financial models of some larger publishing companies, so editors need to find authors with established track records. It makes it difficult for a new author to break in, but it’s not impossible. Realistic expectations were built into our publishing model, which allows us to open the door for those writers who have been working at their craft but are not yet published. New authors are a risk, but they are also an opportunity. Together, we can beat the bushes for those readers who have never read Christian fiction and are looking for engaging stories.

From talking with you, I know that Abingdon Press Fiction is interested in agented submissions at this time. You’ve been added to the list of ACFW editors for the upcoming Twin Cities conference and I know a lot of our guests are planning to attend. Other than the ladies’ room, (we’ve all heard those stories and no, people, it was never ME!!!) is there any place you’d like aspiring authors to ignore you, pretend they don’t see you, or, at the very least, pretend they’re not authors, LOL!????

I’d rather not throw open the doors to unsolicited manuscripts because then you’d never hear from me. I’d be answering mail all day. However, if I open up an opportunity at a writers’ conference or on a writers’ blog, you don’t need an agent to send me a short query email. In fact, I’m signing up two authors who read Brandilyn Collins’ blog and asked if they could send me proposals. Voila! Dreams do come true!

And yeah, those bathroom encounters can be embarrassing. So just smile and let me wash my hands. I might have an appointment with another conferee and need to get out of there. Oh, and my hotel room is off limits. But you knew that, right?

A few years ago Nav Press branched into fiction after a long and successful ministry in non-fiction. Have you or your staff studied Nav Press’s strategy to ponder what you might do differently? Similarly?

My understanding is that Nav Press has a new administration that decided to go back to their roots of serving the Navigators. Naturally, fiction would no longer fit their mission. You’d have to ask someone from Nav Press for more information.

Barb, as a strong, long-established press, Abingdon has inroads into various sale venues. Can you give us a breakdown of your future fiction marketing strategy? I noticed that Cokesbury, the retail arm of Abingdon, offers books and study materials, etc. from numerous publishers, not just Abingdon. Insourcing from other publishers makes good economic sense for all concerned. Will the fiction line be available through Cokesbury as well as traditional ABA and CBA bookstores? Do you ever use mass retail outlets like Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Sam’s Club, etc.?

Abingdon Press has a big advantage in that we’ve been around for a long time and have a solid reputation. It’s amazing how fast the word has spread to the publishing trade. Our fiction will be available in all Cokesbury stores, as well as ABA and CBA bookstores, and our reps also will be calling on other major accounts.

Barb, you’ve got to be excited about launching a new line, being the ‘go-to’ gal. Do you have a personal goal for this line that you’d like to share with us? And does the line have a name yet?

Excited?! More than excited!! We just closed our Fall 2009 list, and I had to restrain myself from jumping on a desk and singing the Hallelujah Chorus. I’ve never had this much fun in my life! My personal goal is to be another Maxwell Perkins, the editor who encouraged and nurtured writers like Hemingway and Faulkner. My main motivation in life has never been money, although I certainly need to be successful to keep this job, but rather I’m motivated by my passion for discovering great stories, meeting authors who become my friends, and touching readers’ hearts and minds with books that make them want to know and love God.

For now…we’re Abingdon Press.

Barb, thanks so much for being here. I know our Seekerville buds are looking forward to your visit. The Seekers appreciate your time, your expertise and we're totally appreciative of the fact that you took our Myra off of Unpubbed Island with her contract for A Perfect Christmas. Gives me more coconut macaroons, having her gone an' all. And yes, I saved you some, drizzled with dark chocolate per your request. I tucked them away because, well... we get lots of women visitors here and you know how THAT can be.

Ruthy

Tracie Peterson is guest blogging on Edit Cafe today. Edit Cafe is the blog written by Rebecca Germany, Acquiring Editor for Barbour Trade Fiction, Susan Downs, Acquiring Editor for Heartsong Presents Mysteries and JoAnne Simmons, Acquiring Editor for Heartsong Presents. They are all three editors for different books of mine and I love working with them.

Tracie Petersen is the author of...let's see...rounding down...ONE ZILLION Best Selling Christian Fiction novels. Her article on Character Motivation is a great addition to Cheryl's post on Characterization earlier this week on Seekerville.

Check it out. http://editcafe.blogspot.com/

Research your publishers

Camy here, up to my eyeballs in Love Inspired Suspense novels.

Yeah, I know—such a hardship. But someone’s got to do it, and I’m more than willing to sacrifice. {grin}

I’ve actually been a Love Inspired Suspense book club subscriber for a while (I only recently stopped because of finances) so I’ve been an avid reader of the line for a few years. But in the past year or so, I’ve slacked off on reading romantic suspense novels because I’ve been reading every Christian chick lit I can get my hands on, since I was writing my Asian Christian chick lit novels.

Now, I’m putting together a proposal for a romantic suspense, so I’m doing research.

I’m not talking about historical research or police procedural research or occupation research for my characters. I’m talking about researching the line I’m targeting.

For example, I know Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense has recently published a chef heroine, a philanthropist/heiress heroine, and a large-animal veterinarian heroine. Guess what occupations my heroine is NOT going to be?

LI Suspense has also recently published stories about a college reunion, a cold case skeleton found during a renovation, a woman running from her ex-husband who wants to murder her, and a man seeking to clear the name of his father, who was imprisoned for a murder he didn’t commit. Those are plot elements I WON’T be using in my proposal.

However, I’m also looking for trends about things they DON’T publish. I’ve noticed that Love Inspired doesn’t often publish books set in foreign countries or Hawaii (there have only been handful of them). So, I probably will keep my story in the continental US.

Love Inspired also tends not to publish big-city settings like New York or Los Angeles. So I’ll be setting my story either in a small town or some place not quite so metropolitan.

And it’s not just category romance lines you can research. Do you have a dream publisher? Well look at what authors they have and what each author’s brand is. How would YOUR novel fit in that line?

Here’s the tricky part. You want to be different yet the same as what they already publish.

For example, my publisher, Zondervan, has suspense authors like Brandilyn Collins, Terri Blackstock, and James Scott Bell. If you write legal thrillers and want to be published by Zondervan, you’ve got to show an editor how you’re markedly different from what James Scott Bell writes.

Zondervan also has chick lit/romance authors Laura Jensen Walker and me. Laura’s next book to come out is Daring Chloe, the first book in a series about a book club who moves out of their comfort zones to do exciting things, including a fabulous trip to Paris. If you have a humorous women’s fiction about a group that travels together, you’ve got to show an editor how that’ll be markedly different from Laura’s series.

Zondervan also has women’s fiction authors like Karen Kingsbury and Mary DeMuth. If your women’s fiction is anything like the two of them, you have to show the editor how yours is different, too.

So spend some time doing the research. Borrow books from the library and read up on your targeted publisher (most libraries have an inter-library loan system if your town’s library doesn’t have the books you want). You’ll be glad you did—you’ll be able to craft a killer proposal and a terrific story premise that an editor will jump up and down over.