A Quickie and a Query!

Yesterday I completed my second revision of my novel AND I also wrote an alternative ending—then sent it off to my editor. I will be sending it to some beta readers to get some more eyes and feedback.

The next step is querying agents. I’ve gone back and forth about whether or not I want to go through traditional publishing or self-publish. I decided I will ‘try’ the traditional route first and if that doesn’t work out then I’ll self-publish. If I self-publish, all control is in my hands, which includes finding someone to do the cover art, binding the book, distribution (won’t be in stores), sales, and marketing and publicity. If I go the traditional route, I need to get an agent (receives 15%), the agent finds a publisher and they do the cover art, distribution to stores, but I’ll mainly be responsible for marketing and publicity. The publishing world that existed when John Irving and Stephen King started their writing careers is long gone.

Since I am going to attempt traditional publishing I need to get an agent first, which means I need to write a great query letter. A query letter is a letter that pitches your book idea. Agents receive hundreds of queries a day, so they don’t have time to shuffle through words to find out what my book is about. I’ve been doing some research about querying, such as  writers with similar books, who their agents are and how to write one. Hopefully, I can start practicing now and get some drafts done.

That’s it for now folks! What’s going on in your part of the world? I hope my family and friends dug themselves out from the Chicago snowstorm.

From an Established Writer!

John Irving wrote one of my favorite books, “A Prayer for Owen Meany.” For some reason he reminds me of one of my favorite classic novelists, William Faulkner. I bought his new book, “Last Night in Twisted River,” which I haven’t read yet and came across this interview on Big Think. Below I picked out a few highlights from the interview.

An Interview with John Irving

Question: “How often do you rewrite your books?” Mr. Irving responded saying more of his years are spent rewriting then writing the first draft. *wipes brow* Now I don’t feel so bad about my revisions taking so long. What I find interesting, and what I did with my first novel, is he writes his first drafts in long hand because it helps him slow it down—keep the pace.

Question: “What your thoughts on the future of the book?” Mr. Irving responded with if he was young and trying to publish a book today he’d probably want to shoot himself. He feels it’s much harder today to start out as a writer then back when he published his first book in the late 60s. I’ve heard this from several published writers that publishing today isn’t what it used to be years ago. I think we can safely say nothing is anymore. John Irving also said he worries about what will happen with young, good writers, but the book will survive. Hmm… does this mean I’m safe because I’m older? *smiles*

Question: “As a writer, what is your relation to America?” He responded, I’m paraphrasing, “If he is going to pick on his country, he better be here first hand instead of as an ex-patriot.” He completely won me over with that comment, since I’ve pretty much had it with hearing from foreigners about the negatives of America. Yes, we do have our faults, I’m not going to deny it, but we’ve also done plenty of great things.

Question: “What keeps you up at night?” John Irving said being a young father, from 22 to 67 he has had one of his children living with him. His principle anxieties are parental. A natural worrier. I don’t have children, but I agree that my principle anxieties are loss of family. And Mr. Irving and I have something in common, because I’m a natural worrier too.

Thank you, Mr. Irving for your storytelling and your thoughts as a writer.