Friday, October 8, 2010
Fiction Friday: Apologies
Forgot to publish my post last night. Then, this morning, had an amazing chat with my editor. Now, no time to polish and post my Fiction Friday entry as I've got just a couple of things to polish on AUDITION. I just keep getting more and more excited about this book. My editor has helped me to make it SO MUCH BETTER. It's been an absolute joy and pleasure working with her. It's been hard work, mind you, but I really feel like we're together in our effort to make this the best book it can be and her thoughts and observations are so useful. Anyhow, no more swooning. Just a quick "catch you next week" and wishing you a happy Friday.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Wordy Wednesday: Blog-xaustion
Ever have one of those days when you think the best writing you've done is in a comment on someone else's blog? When the thought of sharing anymore on your own blog makes you want to nap? When you realize you haven't posted or linked anything on Facebook in weeks and you don't really care?
Now, I write all of my blog posts the night before they post so, in the interest of accuracy, I'll say that YESTERDAY was one of those days for me. I think it's the end of a sort of honeymoon phase after having my agent sell my first book. I was in a frenzy of reaching out, wanting to meet all those other amazing writers (especially fledgling ones like myself) in the blogosphere and to test the virtual marketing waters. What I've realized is that I am just one person and a mom-of-four, choreographer/teacher, and nearly-professional chauffeur at that. Years ago, when I started this blog (long before book deal), I titled it Writer-on-the-Side because that what I was and, no matter how much I rail against it, there are just too many (adorable) people in my world for me to be just a writer, even now.
I try not to get too frustrated about this but it has, at this point, led to a bit of blog exhaustion. Funny, I love to cook, too, but having to do it every night for my huge family makes even that pleasure feel old sometimes. I think the exhaustion is also partly because I'm in heavy revision mode (no NOT for AUDITION, for the new MS). And I'm not sorry. Honestly, now that I've got a book coming out I just want to keep working, writing and revising more material. And writing time, as always, is precious and limited.
BUT, as a person who adores deadlines (compulsive rule follower--c'est moi), I do enjoy the discipline of the M-W-F post schedule and all there is to learn out there in the cyberverse. So, I'm going to keep chugging a long. It might not be pretty all the time, but every writer knows that's just how it goes.
Now, I write all of my blog posts the night before they post so, in the interest of accuracy, I'll say that YESTERDAY was one of those days for me. I think it's the end of a sort of honeymoon phase after having my agent sell my first book. I was in a frenzy of reaching out, wanting to meet all those other amazing writers (especially fledgling ones like myself) in the blogosphere and to test the virtual marketing waters. What I've realized is that I am just one person and a mom-of-four, choreographer/teacher, and nearly-professional chauffeur at that. Years ago, when I started this blog (long before book deal), I titled it Writer-on-the-Side because that what I was and, no matter how much I rail against it, there are just too many (adorable) people in my world for me to be just a writer, even now.
I try not to get too frustrated about this but it has, at this point, led to a bit of blog exhaustion. Funny, I love to cook, too, but having to do it every night for my huge family makes even that pleasure feel old sometimes. I think the exhaustion is also partly because I'm in heavy revision mode (no NOT for AUDITION, for the new MS). And I'm not sorry. Honestly, now that I've got a book coming out I just want to keep working, writing and revising more material. And writing time, as always, is precious and limited.
BUT, as a person who adores deadlines (compulsive rule follower--c'est moi), I do enjoy the discipline of the M-W-F post schedule and all there is to learn out there in the cyberverse. So, I'm going to keep chugging a long. It might not be pretty all the time, but every writer knows that's just how it goes.
Monday, October 4, 2010
THE HONORARIUM QUESTION #4: School/Library Appearances & Bookstores
Okay, let's admit it, not every bookstore signing makes you feel like a rock star. Weak turnout can happen for a variety of reasons and you've all heard the stories so I'm not going to enumerate them here. BUT school and library appearances can be a BIG HELP in making bookstore appearances more successful.
If you've got a bookstore signing lined up, on your own or with help from your publisher, offer to visit nearby schools and libraries so that, when you arrive at the bookstore in the evening, you've built buzz amongst area readers and educators. When you're at the schools, tell them about something special that'll be happening at the bookstore (give-away, secret, food) to give them incentive to come back for more.
HOW do you get school gigs near a local bookstore? Check with the bookstore to see if they have relationships with local schools (clear with your publicity department first, if applicable). Be aware that if your book signing has been planned and funded by your publisher, it's generally considered proper etiquette to comp stops at nearby schools. If you are coordinating bookstore visits on your own (and paying on your own dime) it's a bit of a different story but, since you'll be in town anyway, I'd advise a reduced, flat fee without travel or expense charges.
In general, when you've got to travel to an appearance, it's great to try to maximize the marketing value of all that time and trouble. I know authors who aggressively pursue school visits to coincide with book signings, and authors who always ask host schools if they know another school that might be interested in a second day (especially if the visit requires notable travel). As with all marketing, it's best to keep your publisher in the loop and to be sensitive to your own limits in terms of how much marketing you can manage (or stomach) and still be doing your best writing.
I hope these honorarium posts have been helpful. Now I'm back to my own ms :)
If you've got a bookstore signing lined up, on your own or with help from your publisher, offer to visit nearby schools and libraries so that, when you arrive at the bookstore in the evening, you've built buzz amongst area readers and educators. When you're at the schools, tell them about something special that'll be happening at the bookstore (give-away, secret, food) to give them incentive to come back for more.
HOW do you get school gigs near a local bookstore? Check with the bookstore to see if they have relationships with local schools (clear with your publicity department first, if applicable). Be aware that if your book signing has been planned and funded by your publisher, it's generally considered proper etiquette to comp stops at nearby schools. If you are coordinating bookstore visits on your own (and paying on your own dime) it's a bit of a different story but, since you'll be in town anyway, I'd advise a reduced, flat fee without travel or expense charges.
In general, when you've got to travel to an appearance, it's great to try to maximize the marketing value of all that time and trouble. I know authors who aggressively pursue school visits to coincide with book signings, and authors who always ask host schools if they know another school that might be interested in a second day (especially if the visit requires notable travel). As with all marketing, it's best to keep your publisher in the loop and to be sensitive to your own limits in terms of how much marketing you can manage (or stomach) and still be doing your best writing.
I hope these honorarium posts have been helpful. Now I'm back to my own ms :)
Friday, October 1, 2010
Fiction Friday: CRACKING THE SPINE OF MOCKINGJAY
After studiously avoiding all reviews (not just spoilers) until my kids finished reading our household copy and finally passed it along to me (at one point we actually had two copies but we shared one with a neighbor--long story), tonight I begin reading MOCKINGJAY. My kids are going a bit nuts waiting for me to finish so we can have a long talk about the book and the series. I must admit that, while it was hard to wait, I am always nervous about the end of trilogies and part of me was almost content waiting. Still, I've baked my walnut brownies and bought a box of my favorite tea and the plan is not to come up for air until I get to the last page--hopefully by Sunday. Hope you're planning on some reading fun this weekend!
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