But I didn't start out writing Westerns. I started out with straight romance with a dash of women's fiction on the side... and there were no takers. NONE. And of course my nose got out of joint, I scowled, caused wrinkles, bought more anti-wrinkle cream and tried to figure out where I was going wrong.
Years ago, New York Times bestselling author Karen White told me "Write what you want... and when someone grabs you, specialize in that until you can spread your wings again."
Brilliant advice. Loosely translated it means enjoy what you do... but keep it in front of editors. When you sell... Specialize in THAT.... and once you're solid enough, it's amazing how many doors just might open up. And I owe a huge bundle of thanks to my amazing literary agent Natasha Kern for the boatload of opportunities she's arranged for me!
Vince Mooney once dubbed my work "Romance Realism" years ago. I love that title! But not every publisher is dying for that much realism, and so I targeted a line I loved, one that was open to new authors: Love Inspired from Harlequin.... And in doing so it cost me an agent (Nicholas Sparks' agent had called me after going over my submission, but when she found out I wanted to work with Love Inspired, she told me she was no longer interested because she didn't work with Harlequin)....
That was a weird night in my house, because two weeks later, Love Inspired rejected three different manuscripts. So I'd given up my shot at having Theresa Park as an agent and I got multiple rejections... Right then I was pretty sure I was just plain stupid.
And maybe I was, but I look back and have no regrets. I don't work well with major constraints and while Theresa liked the proposal I sent her, (which would be published later by Franciscan Media as "The First Gift"), I wasn't ready for prime time. I know that now. And it taught me a lesson: Learn all you can about your target publisher and aim high!
1. Read the line.... I can't emphasize this enough, it seems simple, doesn't it? But you would be amazed (raises hand in guilt) how many writers NEVER read the line they're targeting because they're so sure they're better than the current authors in the stable.
2. Where do they sell their books? Are they on mass market displays across the country or are they limited to Christian retail and B&N and Amazon? What is their price point? Will people BUY YOU at that price point?
3. Does this publisher take wild chances?
I love my work with Love Inspired, and they know I love working with them.... because I love the simple folk who aren't afraid to embrace Walmart and Kroger and Winn Dixie and Winco and Wegmans, etc. But Love Inspired isn't going to take wild chances, so if I'm writing something outside the norm, it's not going to sell to them... So I better have another publisher in mind or be prepared to indie publish some things!
4. Does this publisher already have a voice like yours?
If so, you probably want to look elsewhere. Why would a publisher with a successful Amish author want to be their own competition? Or if they've got a great Western author, why would they be looking for another? They want to compete with OTHER publishers... not themselves. It's important to examine who they've got doing what so you can be the person to fill a niche they might not know they have until you come along! Harlequin and Love Inspired are the exception to this, and it's a very important exception... They publish more books monthly and annually than any other publisher, and they sell a lot of books... and that means they need a strong stable of authors.
5. Scout the Internet for editor interviews from your targeted publisher.
Learn about the editors. Not just one... all of them. If they give you a shot, or even ask for a full manuscript, you want to be able to carry on a conversation with them that makes you sound like a normal human being... this is NOT EASY when you are in editor shock. :) But editors are people, too, and what they want is the Next Big Thing. Entice them with your talent, but it's plain old common sense to have a clue about the person you're submitting to.... and their team!
6. Keep your online presence stellar.
I'm not kidding about this. I've seen so many Christian authors, male and female, putting really tacky post-election things on facebook and twitter... and I'm here to say that's pretty short-sighted. First, it's not exactly up there with living your faith and "being a light".... and Second.... EDITORS WATCH. MARKETING WATCHES. If you make it difficult for them to sell your work (and insulting 50% of the population for their voting choices in a free society might make it trickier, darlings!!!!) then you've tied their hands and publishers don't like that. If you're aiming straight at indie publishing, this rule might not apply because sometimes you can raise a furor among fans by getting them on your side... but that's a different blog post! If it's a publisher's money you're putting at risk... Don't give them a silly reason to stamp your proposal with the customary "Sorry, this is not right for us at this time...."
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| This looks fun! Check out the facebook page, a way to connect with great books and authors this summer! LINK TO SUMMER BOOK CLUB! |
7. Submit on a regular basis. Enter contests with your targeted editors/publisher(s) as final round judges and keep working until it's YOU in the winner's circle! Keep trying until it's your work being requested. Keep your name out there, don't get lax, your work ethic and effort will speak well of you. And when asked to Revise and Re-submit, do it. That's an invitation with so much merit and they've put the ball back in your court to see if you are:
A. Cooperative
B. Willing to work
C. Able to compromise
D. Willing to take direction
E. Prompt and focused
This is not the time to whine on facebook that you didn't get the contract, you worked so hard, and you just wish they saw your brilliance... :)
If you need a further reminder of this, go back to #6. Editors and sales teams watch the people they're considering. They know when you change your website, your blog, how often you post on facebook or instagram, how often you tweet and the list goes on. This doesn't mean you need to live on social media... That's a time drain none of us can afford. Not if we're serious about this career... but what you do post should be done to show you as a genuinely nice person. Three Faces of Eve was a GREAT horror show on split personality. For authors on facebook, simple and nice works better. Remember that even if they're not your "friend", your things can be seen and shared by others. Be smart.
And here's an extra tip: Be open to new opportunities when they come your way. Be ready. Like a bench player who gets called into the game when the star shortstop or quarterback goes out on injury... Like John the Baptist proclaimed... Be ready. When Susan Downs from Guideposts messaged that she wanted to talk to me, and offered me a spot on this year's amazingly fun "Mysteries of Martha's Vineyard" author group, I was able to jump on board... and practice something new to me! Be ready and willing. The good Lord might have given you a marvelous talent, but it's only as good as the work you're willing to put in!
Here are questions for you. How are you picking publishers? How are you targeting them? Come on in, grab fresh coffee and a slice of that rhubarb custard pie.... or the lemon bars, right next to it... and let's talk game prep. You're talking with a former soccer coach here, a woman that knows it's the preparation that makes the day... not the day itself!
And today I've got a copy of MY FIRST MYSTERY EVER....
to send to one lucky person! (Once my copies come!) Leave a comment inside and I'll toss your name into the bakery box from Candy Lane's Confectionery, one of the popular stop-by places in Vineyard Haven! :)
Multi-published, bestselling author Ruthy Logan Herne loves writing stories folks remember, sweet tales of faith, hope and yes... most of all... love. With over 40 novels and novellas in print, Ruthy is having the time of her life and loves to chat it up with readers and writers from all over the world! Friend her on facebook, give her a shout out on @Twitter or stop by her web page ruthloganherne.com or her blog www.ruthysplace.com.
