After A Contract, Then What?

After I sent in my signed book contract, I sat back in my recliner couch, ate dark chocolate truffles, and quit my day job.

Not!

Even though I'm receiving a good advance for a first time author, the amount I'll make this year from my writing would certainly not be enough to live on, even if I didn't have five children.

My advance will generously cover my writing-related expenses (editor, conference, contests, etc.). But after taxes are extracted and writing bills paid, there won't be much left, hopefully enough to take my family on an overnight celebration trip to the indoor water park that I promised them.

I have to gently explain advances to non-writing family and friends who assume that once we're published we're suddenly earning a decent income. When I break down my advance over three years of writing, they're able to get a much clearer picture of the money an average writer makes. Inevitably I get a look of sympathy.

While I'm grateful for the money to help offset my expenses and treat my family to a mini-vacation, I'd write for absolutely nothing other than the pure joy of creating. I know most writers feel that way. To get something published is a huge bonus and honor, above and beyond the pleasure we already find in the process of writing.

So now that my contract is signed and sent in, it's back to work. Currently, Bethany House editors have Book 1. (In my next post I'll share my experiences so far working with in-house editors.) Soon, this talented team will send me feedback on the changes I'll need to make as I begin the re-write process.

I'm also in the process of researching ideas for Books 2 and 3. The editors are encouraging me to write an American setting for my next historical. In previous posts, I explained that as a new author I need to build a readership. I'm learning the most efficient way to attract readers is to gear my books toward the settings and eras that are selling best.

I've recently emailed my editor at least six different story ideas. I typed a one page overview for each, similar to a synopsis. The editors at BHP will take all these possibilities for Books 2 and 3 to an editorial team meeting. There they will evaluate the pros and cons. My hope is that they'll like one, and I can get writing again soon.

Wherever we're at in the writing process, we don't put forth time and energy toward our books because we hope to one day be rich and famous. We accept the fact that the writer's life includes little glamor, long hours, and minimal pay.

Instead we write because the intangible rewards far outweigh everything else. Through our writing we're transported out of the daily problems of our earthly life; while we're in our imaginary worlds, our hopes and dreams come true; and then, when we return to real life, our steps are lighter and our smiles brighter.

Writing recharges me, and because I'm renewed through it, I'm better able to love those around me.

What are the intangible rewards of writing for you?

An Inside Look at a Book Contract

As most of you know, I recently signed a three-book deal with Bethany House Publishers. I wanted to take the opportunity to thank ALL of you for celebrating with me! Your encouragement and excitement made the moment all the sweeter!

After the initial verbal contract over the phone, BPH sent my agent five pages of legal terminology called the "Publishing Agreement." After Rachelle scrutinized it, she sent it back to them. Then finally, BPH sent me two official copies. I read through the contract, initialed each page, added my signature, and sent everything back.

The entire contract process took about 3 weeks. During that time, I wasn't allowed to say anything about the book deal. I could hint (and I certainly did!) but I couldn't share the details. Only after my publisher had received my signed agreement, could I finally shout my news through all of cyberland!

For the average writer, I think a book contract contains a mixture of both the easy to understand and impossibly complicated. I was just glad to have an agent who could help me make sense of everything. Here are just a few areas that my contract contained:

Grant of Rights: In this section I granted my publisher exclusive rights to print, publish, and sell in all book forms, including data base, electronic and computer publishing throughout the world during the full term of the copyright of three unpublished books.

Manuscript: This was the area in which all of the deadlines were spelled out for each of my books. I agreed to deliver Book One by November 15, 2009; since this book was already complete, I merely made a few name changes and emailed it to my publisher. Book Two is due by November of 2010 and Book Three by November of 2011. (I'll discuss the pro's and con's of writing one book a year versus writing two or more in a later post.)

Royalities: This section took at least half a page. My initial royalty rate is 17% of the publisher's net receipts. After 15,000 copies of my book sell, my percentage jumps up to 18%. It will continue to rise as high as 21% as more copies are sold. There are a lot of other details in this section regarding large-print editions, discount books, audio editions, etc. The general idea is that if I can sell more books, then I'll increase the percentage of my earnings.

Web Site Usage: I agreed to the stipulation that I have the right to publish excerpts of my books on my web sites or the web sites of others for promotional purposes, but that I couldn't exceed 1,00o words total.

Author's Copies: My publisher agreed to furnish 50 copies of my book to me and a certain amount to my agent. And then if I want additional copies I can purchase them at a discount of the retail price.

Agent: In this section I irrevocably appointed WordServe as my literary agent for this book contract. It spelled out that my agent is due to receive 15% of all the money I make as a result of the contract.

Advance: The final section contained my complicated advance schedule. After my publisher receives my signed contract, they'll pay me my first advance. Then I'll be paid another amount after my publisher accepts the complete manuscript for Book One. I'll get a check after they accept and approve each synopsis for Books Two and Three. And then finally I'll get paid again after the acceptance and approval of the complete manuscripts for Books Two and Three.

There you have it! Of course this is a VERY abbreviated version of my contract and I left out sections that are much more complicated. But I think this gives an overview of some of the more important areas of a book contract.

What areas of a contract are confusing to you? And what part would be most important to you? I'd love to hear your thoughts and questions!

Conferences: How To Know When To Go?

In talking about the benefits of writers' conferences this week, I can't forget to mention they are an excellent place to network with editors too. In fact for authors without agents, conferences might be one of the only ways to get a manuscript in front of large traditional publishing house editors who otherwise don't accept unagented materials.

Several blogging friends got requests for partials or fulls from editors while at ACFW. It's not uncommon for writers to get contracted this way and then go on to acquire an agent as a result.

I was able to meet with Bethany House editor, Charlene Patterson, during the conference. Even though she isn't my "assigned" editor, she knew EVERYTHING about my work--my proposals, books, and future plans. I coveted her honest feedback and direction for my next book. And I gained a greater appreciation for editorial teams and their ability to work together with an author.

Aside from meeting other writers in real life and networking with agents and editors, are there any other benefits of a conference?

What about going to a conference to learn more about writing? I'm always reading one writing craft book or another. And I figure I don't need to spend $500 to go to a conference to learn more about how to be a good writer when I can spend $25 and get a couple of new books that can teach me just as much or more.

Of course, while I was at the conference, I tried to take full advantage of workshops. Some offered me new information, and some were--well, let's just say I sneaked out early. In other words, I wouldn't recommend going to a large expensive writer's conference if your main reason is to learn about the craft of writing. Save your money, go to smaller, less expensive conferences, and then head out to Barnes and Noble and splurge on craft books.

We hear a LOT of hype about attending conferences. But honestly, not everyone needs them or is ready for them. Before this fall, I'd never attended a writer's conference, not even a local one. I'd never been at a place in my writing career where I was truly ready to reap the benefits of a large conference. Until this year. . .

So, how do we know when we're ready to go to a conference and spend more cash in one weekend than most of us make in a year with our writing? Only each of us can truly know when that moment is.

However, here's a good test: Ask yourself if your writing is ready to submit to an agent or editor. Could you sit across from them in an appointment and proudly display your work? If yes, then maybe it's time to think about going. If no, then why not put the money to better use? Hire an editor instead.

Of course, this is all my opinion and some of you might feel differently. What's your opinion? How does a writer know when it's time to go to one of the large expensive conferences? How did you know it was time for you to go?

Benefits of a Conference: Meeting Agents

One highlight of my recent conference was meeting my agent, Rachelle Gardner, for the first time. Here we are at a dinner WordServe hosted for their fiction clients. I had the lucky privilege of sitting next to her during the meal!

In addition to our dinner together, we had the opportunity to sit and chat for a while one night and get to know each other on a more personal level.

Did I really need to meet Rachelle in order to have a good working relationship with her? Absolutely not. But because we've interacted face to face, I believe our partnership will be even better. We got a taste of each other's personalities and styles. And I realized I can communicate with her about deeper issues. That's not easy to do with everybody. So I consider our connection a huge bonus!

Most conferences provide opportunities to meet with agents in appointments, at meals, and through panel discussions. These agent interactions provide many benefits:

1. Gaining confidence. With all of the agent blogs that are surfacing, agents tend to take on a larger-than-life status. A conference is the perfect place to see that agents are still just our size. We can cower in shyness or we can force ourselves to reach out with confidence. I took advantage of meeting other agents, besides my own, for that very reason. After one workshop, I shook hands with the agent who taught it and thanked him.

2. Promoting ourselves. If we've already been building a web presence, visiting agent blogs, and twittering, then there's the chance that our name and face will spark their attention when we finally meet them at a conference.

3. Learning more about publishing trends. Agents are a wealth of knowledge about the pulse of the writing industry. Hearing other writers talk about their pitch sessions with agents, about what various agents are looking for, was incredibly informative. I came away from the conference with a much greater feel for what is selling and what isn't.

4. Pitching manuscripts. Of course, having the one-on-one time to pitch a manuscript is what most writers crave out of a conference experience. If we're lucky, an agent might request a partial or full. Several of my blogging friends had this happen. Hopefully, because of the personal meeting, their manuscripts won't wallow in a slush pile once they send them to the agents.

A word of caution is in order, however. Meetings with agents aren't always sunshine and roses. I heard one story of an agent who looked around the room during the entire pitch, acting bored. Another agent wouldn't even glance at sample writing or a one sheet. And then there were some agents who requested manuscripts from everyone they met, without any discrimination.

Those kinds of experiences are frustrating, especially when a writer spends hundreds of dollars to attend, hoping for a genuinely helpful agent/editor meeting, even if it ends in rejection.

Writers should take advantage of all of the benefits of meeting with agents at conferences. But at the same time, we need to go in with realistic expectations. Agents are busy every minute of every day that they're at the conference. We may not get much time with them and it might not end up being the quality time we hoped for. That's the reality.

But here's the good news: excellent stories with superb writing will get an agent's attention eventually.

If you've gone to a conference, did you have a beneficial agent experience or did you leave disappointed? And if you haven't gone to a conference, how would you hope to benefit from meeting an agent at one someday?

Benefits of a Conference: Meeting Real-Life Writers

I'm back from my first writer's conference and couldn't pass up the opportunity to share about my experience. Even though I want to convey my perspective of the benefits of going to one, I want to clarify that I DON'T think they're necessary to achieve success. I might be in the minority with my view, but I'd never gone to one before I got my agent and book contract.

However, after attending my first this past weekend, I do see the benefits of going to conferences to network with other writers, agents, and editors. Today I'd like to focus on the benefit of networking with other writers, and then in later posts this week, I'll share my thoughts about agents and editors.

At some point, every writer who's serious about publication needs to start networking with other writers. We can easily mingle online through blogging and other social media. So, why then would we need to do this in REAL life. Isn't the cyber world enough?

After this conference, I can honestly say that, no, I don't think online friendships are enough. There's something about cyberland that lends itself to superficiality. We can make happy comments, add smiley faces, and use lots of encouraging adjectives, when maybe we don't really mean it. After all, we're writers and we're good at typing out the right words. But are they always honest words?

This past weekend, when I was face to face with many of my blogging friends, meeting them for the first time, I realized this was my chance to develop honest, genuine writer friendships. Maybe I wouldn't necessarily become best friends forever with everyone I met. But at least I could let them see me for who I really was without hiding behind my lap top, and they could do likewise. Even though we definitely can wear masks in real-life too, it's much harder to hide who we really are.


So, what are the benefits of networking with real-life writers?

Encouragement: The writing journey is brutal. When we're together and can share openly about our struggles, we can draw encouragement and comfort from one another. I appreciated the listening ear so many of my blogging friends gave me over the weekend—the opportunity to share both my joys and fears. And having that outlet strengthened me in a way I just can't get in cyberland.

Advice: No matter where we're at in the process, we always have something more to learn. The conference provided countless opportunities for me to question other authors about the editing process and what I can expect over the next year. As a result I feel that I'll be starting this next phase of my career with more confidence.

Connections: Let's face it, connections with the right people are a part of the game. Whether the connections can help get an agent or editor, or help sell more books, we need to hook up with others for help. In my case, I wanted to meet other authors published through Bethany House. At some point I will need to have some of those authors review my books. If I can meet them now and they can get to know who I am, then perhaps the process of getting endorsers will be easier.


What do you think? Does cyberland provide enough networking benefits for you? Or have you benefited more from meeting real-life writers?
Special thanks to Eileen Astels Watson for rooming with me and listening to all my joys and fears. The picture is of Eileen and me before the banquet on Saturday evening.

Conference Time

This weekend is a momentous occasion in my writing career. I'll be attending my first writer's conference! I'll be at the American Christian Fiction Writer's (ACFW) national conference in Denver.

I really don't know what to expect from the conference since this is my first. Originally, I signed up to go because in May I finaled in the ACFW Genesis contest and I thought the conference would be a great place to pitch my manuscripts, especially because both had finaled.

But a LOT has happened since May. My contest final pushed my MS out of the slush pile and helped me acquire an agent. Then my agent worked incredibly hard over the summer and landed me a three-book deal with Bethany House Publishers.

As I head to the conference, I'm incredibly blessed that I don't need to find an agent or sell my book to an editor. The pressure is off. The hard work of getting the deal is behind me.

Instead, I changed my focus for the conference and now the primary reason that I'm going is to build relationships.

• I want to meet other writers face to face. The blogging community is AWESOME! But. . . nothing can compare to the give and take of a real life friendships. I hope I can make new lifelong friendships and network with others.

• I want to get to know my agent better. Even though Rachelle's schedule will be full just about every minute of every hour of the conference, I'm looking forward to meeting her and thanking her in person for everything she's done.

• I'll get to meet one of the Bethany House editors. Charlene Peterson is one of the BPH editors attending the conference. We've schedule a short time to meet together. I'm excited about the opportunity to connect with someone from Bethany House and learn a little bit more about the publishing process.

Anything else I should try to gain from the conference? If you have any other conference tips, I'd love to hear them!

I might be absent from the blogging world for a couple of days, but now you know where I am and what I'm doing! I'll report back on Monday!

Book Contract Details

THANK YOU ALL for celebrating the news of my book contract with me! I read each of your well wishes and am treasuring them in my heart!

Some of you asked for me to share more of the details of my book contract. Those who use Twitter already got a sneak peek! A few of my sweet tweeting friends (you know who you are!) pulled the information from me in short bursts of 140 characters or less.

On the one hand, I'm super excited to share the news and want to tell everyone, everywhere! But on the other hand, I'm struggling with how to broach such life-altering information humbly (aka without pride or boasting!). Even though I know it's important to build a web presence and market ourselves, I don't want this whole experience to be just about me.

It's my desire that by sharing my experiences I can encourage and give hope to other writers; if dreams can come true for an ordinary writer like me, they can come true for you too.

I also hope through blogging about the ups and downs of my journey I can provide an inside glimpse of what the steps to publication look like. It's never my intention to boast, so if I ever sound like I am, I give you permission to email me and scold me!

On that note. . . I would love to share more of the details of what my book contract contained:

1. Bethany House Publisher (BHP) is the publisher that I'll be working with. They are a large, traditional Christian publishing company. They publish both fiction and non-fiction and have authors like Beverly Lewis, Tracie Peterson, and many others.

2. They've offered me a three book deal. As part of the contract, they agreed to publish one of my completed books and would like for me to write two additional new books for them.

If you remember from previous posts, I had another completed book as part of my book proposal. While BPH liked it and might possibly consider it for future publication, it was set in the middle ages in Europe, not the greatest time period and setting for an author trying to break in and build a readership.

They would like to have some input into the direction of the next books with the intention of helping me develop the most marketable novels possible. Since they're good at selling books, I'm going to trust their advice!

3. My first book is slotted for publication next fall. That means, one year from now, I could be kissing the cover of my book. That is truly an amazing and humbling thought. Over the next months I'll begin the editing process. I've already spoken on the phone with the one of the editors I'll be working with, and he did an incredible job of immediately making me feel apart of Bethany House.

4. My synopsis for book number two is due by November and the completed book next fall. I'm in the process of gathering ideas to present to the editorial team. After I get their seal of approval, then I'll jump into writing the next book. My agent and now my new editor have both had to listen to me whine about how READY I am to start writing it!

5. And finally, my advance pleased my agent. Of course it pleased me too! But I since I'm a flop at financial issues AND since I had no idea what to expect, I would have been happy with a couple of pennies. What's most important to me is getting this awesome privilege of publishing a book. However, advances are part of the deal and I'm very grateful for what I was offered! (See Rachelle's recent blog post More About Advances.)

Thanks again for sharing in this joyful experience with me! Most days I wake up and wonder, is this REALLY happening?

If you have any words of wisdom for me as I start this new path of the writing journey, I'd love to hear them! And let me know if you have any other questions about the details of my contract.

Big News! Book Contract!

I GOT A BOOK CONTRACT!!!!!

I've known for several weeks now, and I've been hinting about it on Twitter. But I wasn't allowed to officially share the news until I received the contract in the mail, signed it, and returned it to the publishing house. Boy, was the wait excruciating!

But now it's signed and completely official! And finally I can share this news with all of you who understand just how long and hard I've worked for this accomplishment.

Last time I updated you, my book proposal was on it's way to Publication Committee which is the group of important people who make the final decision on whether to take on a project or not. They were meeting on Thursday. And my agent had informed me the committee would make a decision that day.

All Thursday I tried not to think about my proposal and the fact that the editors might be using its pages as coasters. But no matter how hard I tried to think of raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, my eyes kept straying to the clock. I had decided if I didn't hear from anyone by the end of the business day, then they'd wadded up the many sheets of my proposal and tossed them in the trash with their paper coffee cups.

6:00 p.m. loomed nearer and I prepared myself for the worst. At 5:58 the phone rang. Before it could ring twice, I sprang for it with a breathless, "Hello."

"Hi, Jody." The perky voice on the other end belonged to none other than my agent, Rachelle Gardner.

My heart didn't know whether to stop beating or speed up, so it started doing crazy splutters. "Rachelle. Good news or bad?"

She laughed. "I literally got a one line email from the senior editor on his way out the door. And. . ." She paused.

My fingers squeezed the phone and left a permanent imprint.

"And. . ." A jubilant ring infused Rachelle's voice. "They're offering you a contract!"

"Yes!" I threw my clenched fists into the air in victory and praise!

Even though Rachelle didn't know any of the details of the contract at that point, I knew ALL I needed to know. I had a contract. I would finally get to publish a book. My lifelong dream had come true.

Thanks, Rachelle, for making dreams come true.

And thanks to all of you for sharing in this joyful experience with me!

More about what was in my contract in the next post. . .

Life With An Agent

Before I had an agent, I always wondered what an author-agent relationship would be like. How often would we talk? How would we mesh? Would we be able to build rapport?

I knew I’d enter the working relationship like any inexperienced employee: grateful, humble, and teachable. I’d labor hard, earn respect, and try to one day make my agent glad she took a chance on me.

I’m not there yet by any means. But in the few short months I’ve worked with my agent, it's my hope that we're off to a mutually satisfying partnership.

I’m sure there are no two author-agent relationships that are identical. But here's a glimpse into what my life's been like with my agent so far:

For very important communication we talk on the phone. Sometimes we may talk a couple of times a week when there's a lot going on with my book proposal, and other times a month may go by. This week Rachelle gave me a call and patiently explained a few publishing terms I didn't understand.

For less urgent communication we use email. On average, I receive one or two emails per week from Rachelle or WordServe. Of course this is a hectic time planning for the ACFW conference as well as working out details of my book proposal. Once I’m past this busy stage, I don’t expect I’ll need to communicate with Rachelle as frequently.

For every-day exchanges we stay in touch via twitter. Sometimes when I tweet, Rachelle will respond to me, most often through a direct message. There are times when I respond to her tweets the same way. It's a quick and fun way to stay in touch.

One of the things I appreciate most about Rachelle is how quickly she responds to any of my concerns. Night or day, weekday or weekend, Rachelle always emails back. And she's gone out of her way to talk to me no matter where she's at. One time she was literally driving out of town to go camping with her family and she still took the time to chat about my proposal.

Among agent blogs, I've run across the term HMC (high maintenance client). I'm not exactly sure what classifies an author as high maintenance, but I'd hate to ever deserve such a label.

If we exude confidence, take initiative, and work diligently, then maybe we can avoid burdening busy agents. Most of all we need to realize when they take on a new author, they're not getting paid to help us, at least not initially. So, I don't believe we have any right to be demanding, but every reason to be extremely grateful.

I'll have the opportunity to meet my agent for the first time next week. We'll both be attending ACFW in Denver. I'm really excited that I'll be able to finally thank Rachelle in person for all that she's done for me!

What do you expect in an author-agent relationship? What's the most important quality you hope to find (or have found) in an agent?

Finding An Agent: Tips From Christina Berry

As a single mom and foster parent, Christina Berry carves time out of her busy schedule to write about the heart and soul of life. She lives with her family in rural Oregon. The Familiar Stranger is her debut novel. She’s visiting today to share her tips for finding an agent.

1. What was your agent-hunting experience like?

Let me check my file. (You all DO keep a file, right? The IRS considers a file of rejections to be proof your writing is a career and not a hobby. Casual writers don’t get rejections!)

All told, we submitted to agents nine times before receiving an offer of representation. I say “we” because my mother, Sherrie Ashcraft, and I were pitching our joint projects and were a package deal.

We first submitted to Natasha Kern in 2002, garnering our first agent rejection. Our last rejection came from Steve Laube on August 3, 2006—the very day the Van Diests asked for our full manuscript!

2. Every writer dreams of getting The Call. How and when did you get your Call?

It’s a little hard to remember exactly how that call played out because I’ve been with the Van Diest Agency for three years, which is a testament to their belief in my writing. I often hear stories of agents and authors parting ways when a sale has not occurred within the first year.

Let me jump in my time machine and go back … back … back to 2006 … I’m pretty sure we wore leg warmers and had huge bangs with side ponytails then, right?

My mother and I pitched a book called On the Threshold to Sarah & David Van Diest at the Oregon Christian Writer's Summer Conference. They told us to run through the entire plot, then asked to keep the proposal. Unusual, but definitely a good sign.

The next day, just as Randy Ingermanson was promoting his workshop from the podium ["What do we want to do? Create a Powerful, Emotional Experience in our reader." Yes, we want PEE], Sarah Van Diest poked her head between our shoulders and said, “That’s what you did for me.” Despite knowing the plot, she had cried in the first chapter of the book.

The Van Diests requested the full manuscript shortly thereafter and offered a contract within six days, which was before several other interested agents could even reply.

I read their email at about 2 AM. The adrenaline rush hit so hard and stayed so long, I only got about an hour of sleep. I remember lying in bed with my eyes refusing to close and my body literally humming.

3. What tips do you have for writers searching for representation?

• Follow agent blogs. It amazes me how much Chip MacGregor, Wendy Lawton, and Rachelle Gardner (among others) share about the business on their blogs.

• Attend conferences. If you don’t meet with potential agents, how will you know if you “click” or not?

• Hire a professional editor. Getting an agent is almost as hard as finding a publisher these days. If spending some money now takes your craft to the next level and garners the attention of an agent, isn’t that money well spent? Consider it getting a jump-start on your publishing career.

• Accept feedback. If you are fortunate enough to get ANY feedback in a rejection from an agent, thank the Lord and pay attention to what he or she has said.

Summary (Jody here): It's interesting to note that Christina and her mom looked for an agent for approximately four years. Four years is a LONG time!

While we're waiting on agents, it's often hard to know what's causing the hold up. Sometimes it's the nature of the game; there are so many factors outside our control (poor economy, busy agents, tall slush piles, etc.). However, sometimes our stories just aren't ready; agents are rejecting our work because we need to improve our writing skills.

If only we knew what was REALLY going on with those manuscripts we've sent out, then we'd have clearer direction on how to proceed. Have you ever been frustrated by the agent-hunt delays? If you're waiting for agent responses, do you have any guesses on what is causing the hold up?

Thanks to Christina Berry for sharing her agent story! Here's a little more about her debut novel.

The Familiar Stranger: Craig Littleton has decided to end his marriage with his wife, Denise, but an accident lands him in the ICU with fuzzy memories. As Denise helps him remember who he is, she uncovers dark secrets. Will this trauma create a fresh start? Or has his deceit destroyed the life they built together?

If you would like to learn more about Christina visit her here:
http://www.christinaberry.net/
http://www.authorchristinaberry.blogspot.com/

5 Tips for Hooking an Agent

Most writers seeking traditional publication need an agent. Those writing category novels, pursuing a small publisher, or self-publishing might not need representation. But the vast majority of us at some point will have to throw out the bait and try to hook an agent.

More and more agents are blogging. Setting up a lawn chair and camping out at their sites is THE best way to get a picture of who they are, what they represent, and what their submission guidelines are.

Once we've studied agent blogs, educated ourselves about the submission process, and narrowed down the list of who to query, then we're ready to toss our letter and sample chapters into the pond and wait for a bite.

But as anyone who's ever fished knows, sometimes the fish just aren't biting. In today's tight economy and flooded writer's market, agents don't seem to be biting. They might be nibbling, but often we dangle our line into the murky depths and wait. Endlessly.

Even though agents might not seem to be biting, they are. I recently hooked an agent. And if I can get one, then certainly there's hope for all of us, especially if we look for ways to increase our chances of getting a bite. So, here are a few things that worked for me.

5 Tips for Hooking an Agent:

1. Don't send out a book unless it's been critiqued, preferably by another writer who's further along in the writing journey. Editors and published authors are ideal. Critique partners are helpful, but not always able to provide critical feedback due to lack of honesty or skill. The bottom line is that we MUST have EXCELLENT writing skills and we often can't see our own work objectively enough to know if it's truly excellent. When we're getting consistent positive feedback from qualified sources, then maybe, just maybe we're ready to send it out.

2. Have two books polished and ready to sell. While one book might be enough to showcase our story-telling ability, two books are even better. I first queried one book to Rachelle, but after I had two professionally critiqued, well-written manuscripts, Rachelle seemed to take a greater interest in my writing.

3. Take advantage of contest wins, awards, or national recognition. Many of us are entering writing contests (if you're not, why not?). After I finaled in the Genesis contest, I decided I had the perfect opportunity to follow-up with Rachelle who still had my manuscript. If she wasn't interested, then while I was in the spotlight I needed to get my name in front of other agents familiar with the contest. Thankfully, she was interested.

4. Network among the writing community. Building a web presence is critical. For a previous post on this topic, click here. Another of Rachelle's clients, Billy Coffey, was rejected by Rachelle at least once. Through blogging, he became friends with a client of Rachelle's who liked his writing. That client talked to Rachelle who then agreed to read his manuscript and subsequently offered him representation. Conferences, blogs, twitter, facebook--if used correctly, they can help make connections and put our names in front of agents.

5. Don't get discouraged and give up. My manuscript sat in Rachelle's slush pile for months. I followed up periodically. But as I waited, I wrote the next book, entered contests, and worked on improving my writing. If we're getting continuous rejections on one book, then we need to put it aside, write the next one, and do even better. If we keep on improving, we can't go wrong with that.

These are just a few tips based on my experience. Do you have any other helpful ideas to add to the list? What has discouraged you most in your attempts to hook an agent?

Into the Spotlight

In my last post I shared my experience stepping out of the writer's closet. Those first stumbles and toe stubs are behind me. Most of the time now, I square my shoulders and unashamedly wear my "I'm a writer" shirt. (No, I don't really have one. But maybe that would make it easier!)

Because now that I'm OUT and finally READY to talk about my writing, I don't know how to naturally bring it up. When my friends and acquaintances don't have a clue I've been secretly writing, what do I say? "Yeah, I'm making homemade pizza for dinner. Oh and guess what? All those years when you thought I was busy folding laundry and cleaning my house, I was writing novels instead."

Seriously, I don't usually start talking about myself and my accomplishments, unless someone asks. But friends aren't going to ask me about something they're oblivious to. So, maybe I really should invest in a "I'm a writer" shirt. Then at least I'd have an easier way to start conversations. About myself.

I've learned to be grateful for gossip and for how quickly word travels in a small community. And I've developed a new appreciation for facebook and for talkative family and friends. The more everyone else discusses my writing endeavors, the less creative I have to get in trying to bring it up.

At times it's tempting to avoid the spotlight. But as I enter a new phase of my writing career, I know I need to embrace the attention. In fact, at some point, I will even need seek it out. When I begin marketing, I'll have to do everything possible to shine the light on me and my books.

Writers can face the spotlight in three ways:

One, we can run from it in trepidation, erring on the side of being too shy and timid. In today's competitive climate, this could be the kiss of death to our career. We can't build a readership or web presence, if we cower away from the spotlight in fear or humility.

Two, we can err on the side of being too prideful. We can join the ranks of the published but unapproachable authors. These are the ones have let the glory of fame and publication keep them from genuinely associating with readers and unpublished writers.

Or three, we can have the attitude of Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Her book sold out two days after the first printing. Overnight, she became a celebrity. After her book became a world-wide best seller, someone suggested that her sudden fame might lead her to pride and vanity.

She replied, "You do not have to be afraid of that. You see, I did not write the book."

"What do you mean?" the fan asked.

"I was only the instrument. The Lord wrote the book."

She toured the US and Europe and was constantly in the spotlight. But her husband described her as "meek, humble, pious, and loving, the same as she ever was." Harriet Beecher Stowe said that it wasn't fame or praise that contented her, but rather love. This is my prayer for myself.

Someday we may have our time in the spotlight. What will you be like when the light is shining on you?

Stepping Out of the Writer's Closet

Many of us have written in the closet at some point in our writing career. I never intended to write in the closet, but I ended up there for many long years. Several of my friends knew I "liked" to write, but that's about as much as I disclosed. Until recently. . .

Slowly I began to push open the door.

Since I finaled in a national fiction writer's contest and then acquired an agent, my writing career has expanded and the closet has grown cramped. I know I can't wait until my book is on the shelf at Barnes & Noble before I start telling people I'm an author. But at what point do I share the news that I'm a writer seriously pursuing publication?

I can't hide in the closet forever, especially because I've learned how important marketing is for new authors. I would have to learn to promote myself and my books at some point. Why not start now?

So. . . I told my hair stylist of eight years. She combed her fingers through my hair and asked how much I wanted cut. And that's when I sprang out of the closet. I needed a fresh cut for the photo shoot I was having, because I'd finaled in a writer's conference and needed to send them a picture. After a moment of silence, she said, "I didn't know you were a writer. Why didn't you ever tell me?" Along with my guilt came her embarrassing questions about what I was writing and when I'd be published.

Then. . . I told my photographer friend. Of course I had to let her know why I wanted a photo shoot. After all, I not only needed a picture for the contest but also for the book proposal my agent was sending to a publishing house.

And next. . . I had to tell a couple of girlfriends why I couldn't join them for a family barbecue. Because that was the weekend right before my book proposal deadline and surely they knew I'd be working day and night until I had it ready for my agent.

The closet door opened wider and wider and wider. With each situation, I'd wipe the perspiration from my forehead, unstick my tongue from the roof of my mouth, and straighten my shoulders for the next encounter.

Yes, it's been incredibly awkward at times. And yes, I've fumbled over my explanations of what I'm doing and why. I've battled the guilt of hiding an important part of myself from those who could have supported me. And I've fought the frustration of well-meaning people not understanding how difficult the writing journey really is.

For better or worse, the closet door is all the way open. I've stepped out. And I can't go back in, ever again.

But, strangely I'm breathing the fresh air of freedom--the freedom to express who I really am. I have more room to stretch my arms and legs and move with the confidence that I am a writer.

What reactions from others did you experience when you opened the closet and stepped out? And if you haven't opened the door yet, what reaction do you dread the most?