My Journey to Publication - Part VII

Hi, it's me, again. Rhonda McKnight. Your host here on UCFT Blog. Today I continue my series "My Journey to Publication". If you’ve missed any installment of this series you may click here to catch up.

It’s early summer of 2008, six months after I received “the call”. At this point I’ve been paid. I have a contract that commits me to two books. I want to emphasize here that it’s really important to understand your contract. I don’t know if it’s my publisher or if this is how it’s done with them all, but there was no “this is what you do next” class, but your contract will clue you in to questions you should ask. For example: I’m sitting at my house, looking at the contract one day when I notice it says I have to turn in my first book, Secrets and Lies, on September 1. “Hmmm,” I muse. “What do they mean turn in my first book. I’ve already turned it in.” I mean, I turned it in so they could buy it, right? I think this must be standard language, maybe for an author who is writing on spec. (that’s someone who gets paid before they produce a book); that’s not me. I sent in a manuscript to get a deal. But it keeps nagging at me, so I ask my author buddy, Sherri Lewis and she explains that I actually turn in my final copy on September 1. What you say??? How was I supposed to know that? I get over not knowing how I was supposed to know fairly quickly, because I realize its good news. Good news because I have an opportunity to fix three things that are broken:

1. There are a few things about Secrets and Lies that continue to bug me. Scenes that could have been tighter and dialogue that could have been sharper. I’d assumed I’d get feedback on my editor on this stuff and that would’ve been the time to fix it, but now that I have until September 1, I can work on fixing it myself.

Tidbit #1 - Editors love for you to turn in your best work, so turn in your best work.

2. I had a fault in my critique system. The only people, other than my best buddy, Janice, who had read my book were people from my critique group, ie. other writers. That’s not good. Writers kind of think like writers. I needed more feedback from readers, so I sent the book to several non-writing, avid readers who were not in my circle of friends. They provided really valuable feedback on the story.

Tidbit #2 – You can never have enough feedback and please make sure you do get feedback. Others can see things you can’t see and you need that input to smooth out the wrinkles.

3. I didn’t have endorsements from other authors and I had no idea where getting them came in in the process. So I decided since I had time, to seek them out. I made the changes the readers suggested and printed a few copies of the book and sent it out to get those “What People Are Saying” blurbs.

While Secrets and Lies was out being read by my new readers I realized something else. (As you can see I’m always thinking). My publisher has a lot of authors – 29 to be exact and we’re all competing for 24 slots in the annual rotation. Plus there are a few folks who are pretty prolific that release more than one book a year. If I wanted to be in a book a year cycle I needed to be proactive about making that happen. I contacted my agent and she told me to get her a proposal for the 2nd book, NOW! She’d actually told me that before, but I think I was somewhere being annoyed about my contract being delayed.

So I started to really think about my second book. I’d been kicking a sequel around in my head for a few months, but I decided I didn’t really want to do a sequel. I thought it might be too hard to sell to readers who haven’t read Secrets and Lies. I know that’s kind of a silly thought, because sequels are everywhere, they’re very popular and of course you can write any book to be a standalone title, but I just can’t get the notion out of my head that I’d lose sales on book two, because people hadn’t read Secrets and Lies. Plus I was sick of those folks in Secrets and Lies, really. We’d been married to each other since 2003! I opted to do something different, I decided to do a spin-off. I took a minor character from Secrets and Lies, and gave her her own story world. Cool right. I know, that’s kind of a sequel, but I feel better about it.

The process for submitting book two is to submit a synopsis and the first four chapters. I get that done in a few weeks and submit it through my agent to my editor with a request for a September 2010 release. It’s approved. Yeah! Then I get lots of great feedback on Secrets and Lies, incorporate it and on September 1 – push the send button on an email to my editor. It was a busy summer, but hey, I wanted to be a published writer, right?

What’s next? Content Edits…now it’s getting good.

Don't forget to pre-order your copy today. Just click on the image. The price is down to $10.17 and you don't actually pay until it ships!

Thanks for reading, and thanks for your support.

Blessings,

Rhonda McKnight

Interview with author, Linda Beed

Today, I welcome one of my informal mentors back to Urban Christian Fiction Today. Linda Beed is the founder and moderator for Black Writers Christian Lit, an invaluable online network for African-American Christian writers, where we learn everything from basic grammar to the nitty gritty details of the publishing business, celebrate, fellowship, and pray.

Welcome to UCFT, Linda. Tell us about yourself?
Linda the person is one in love with life and the things of God. Through love and obedience on any given day I function under the headings of, wife, mother, grandmother, educator, speaker, columnist, reviewer, developmental editor and children’s minister. I have a passion for seeing others excel at what they set their hands to and am ecstatic when people discover and operate in purpose. Basically, like most women, I’m a nurturer of those set under my care.

Tell us about your novel. Business Unusual is the first release from the Covenant Series. It is the story of an eclectic group of people, all of who are at the crossroads of life. They are humorous, complex, accomplished, have set and are marching toward personal goals that most people only dare to dream about. It will be in their quest to go to the next level that they find that their lives are not their own and that the decisions they have to make have the potential to change the course of not only their lives, but that of generations to come.

Who is your favorite character and why?
It’s hard to choose because I like them all. For the sake of this interview I will choose Hayes. I choose Hayes because he is not the stereotypical man we meet in most books. He is a man who is not afraid to be a man, a lover or friend. His personality is one that challenges and provokes in a way that dares you say that he is not true to what and who he believes in. The question is – what are his beliefs and in whom does he pledge his allegiance?

Is there a message you’d like readers to take away from the story?
Exiting the pages of Business Unusual I would like the reader to understand how valuable they are to God that the errors they have made and will make does not change the plans/purpose He has for you.

What is your writing process like?
My writing process is somewhat unorthodox. I tried following the advice of outlining the story and making a character chart for the cast before writing, but found that this strategy hampers the process for me.

When I have an idea, I jot it down and then free write until I cannot without structure. I will then go back and incorporate the mechanics necessary to flesh out the storyline and my characters.

You went the independent route with publishing your novel, tell us why and share some wisdom about the process? Prior to shopping the manuscript around I thoroughly investigated the options available to me at that time for publishing. After realizing that the traditional contracts being offered did not align with my vision for the book, I chose to independently publish.

Publishing a book by whichever method you choose is hard work. I would advise writers to understand that in addition to this being an art form, writing is also a business. The business can be trying as well as fulfilling. You can minimize the amount of trauma to be overcome when you take the time to become skilled in both the writing and business side of craft.

What’s been the most rewarding thing about being published?
By nature and I am a teacher and exhorter. For me, I would say that the most rewarding aspect of being published is the opportunity to minister and encourage others.

Linda, you are quite the teacher – your ministry of sharing information has benefited so many writers and authors. There’s a lot of time involved in the teaching that you do. Tell me about your personal mission with respect to this.

During my time of preparation (pre-publication) I asked many questions. I also took notes when people shared the pitfalls of uninformed choices and/or fell prey to predatory practices. Hearing their experiences planted a seed in me to help others bypass as many stumbles as possible by making available ongoing information regarding the literary industry.

Thank you for taking the time today. What’s next for you?
Before I answer I would like to thank you for providing a place for readers of Christian works.
This year has truly been one of preparation for things to come. I have a contribution in the October 2009 Anthology – The Gumbo for The Soul/Women of Honor: The Special Pink Edition. In 2010 I have another anthology release (The Breakthrough: A Triumph of My Soul) along with a non-fiction release and Continued Business, the second installment in the Covenant Series. There is also a forth-coming workshop series and a historical fiction set to release in 2011.

Sounds great, Linda. We can expect quite a bit from you. How can readers find you on the web? I invite you to visit me on the web at:
Website: http://www.lindabeed.com/
Review Blog: http://lindabeed.blogspot.com/
Industry Blog: http://bwchristianlit.blogspot.com/

My Journey to Publication - Part VI

Money, money, money, money...Money!

by

Rhonda McKnight

I’m back with more on the journey. If you’ve missed any installment of my story, please click here for the link to the other five parts.

I left off with the contract. You know the part where the $$$ comes into this scenario. Depending on your attitude and goals this is can be the good part or the part of publishing that sucks. I have a good attitude, nothing sucks about attaining a lifelong goal.

My contract was delayed, but I finally got it. I’m a pretty thorough reader, so I sat down and read it, made notes about questions and set a telephone meeting with my agent. She explained all the confusing stuff. What’s the confusing stuff you ask? For me it was book club royalties payments (to clubs like Black Expressions or Crossings), direct sales details(I’m still foggy on that), reserves (that’s where the publisher holds back royalty payments because of anticipated returns from the distributor) and the option clause. The option clause can vary, but it’s basically language around whether or not the publishing house has a legal right to see your next work of fiction before anyone else can. It gives them the right to buy it and in some cases can have you stuck with them. Most publishers require an option, it protects their investment, but the author does have some rights to refuse, all be them limited. So once I understood the contact, I signed, put it in the mail and about a month later the advance check came.

Advances come in all shapes and sizes. Let me say for a new author with a small press the size of my advance was not sizable, but it was nice to pull it out of the ole mailbox and take it to the bank. I had my son take pics of me smiling as I held it, and I took great delight in going to the bank to open a new account for my writing business. So exciting. Someone had paid me to write. Let me say here that no matter what the advance, be it $1000 or $5 million dollars, you don’t get it all at once. Most contracts split the payment and it’s done in various ways. I have a two book contract, so I got 1/4 of the total contract value at contract. I’ll receive another 1/4 thirty days after Secrets and Lies is released, another 1/4 when the final edits are completed for my 2nd novel and the final 1/4 when the second novel is released. I know you’re thinking, wow, talk about splitting it up. Yep, that’s what they do, but that’s actually a good split. I talked to an author the other day whose publisher split her advance into eight payments. Can you imagine the manpower it takes to manage that stuff at the publishing house? I mean I’m sure it’s all automated and such, but still, the oversight and postage. Give me a break.

So I gots the big bucks now and I’m wondering is it time to quit my job? Hee, hee, hee…I am so kidding. What it was really time for was to sit in front of the computer and start book two.

To be continued…

Thanks for reading, and please feel free to ask me questions.

Blessings,

Rhonda McKnight
http://www.rhondamcknight.net/

Book in a Nutshell Contest

The literary agency, Knight Agency, is holding the Book in a Nutshell submissions contest. The deadline is April 20, 2009.

If you're interested in participating, submit three compelling sentences - 150 words maximum - about your completed, unpublished manuscript to submissions@knightagency.net. You must write BOOK IN A NUTSHELL in the e-mail subject line. One submission per project.

Agents will choose 20 of the best submissions and request the writers' work. The agent will then give feedback on that work. The contest may even lead to possible representation.

Remember, the deadline is April 20, 2009. Winners will be notified by May 1, 2009. For more information, click here.

I'm Not Published Yet

People who know me well, like my mama, remember that when I was a little girl I was a big Diana Ross fan. I didn’t want to just be like Diana Ross, I wanted to be Diana Ross: the hair, the voice, the glamorous persona. I bought almost all of her albums and watched as many of her HBO specials that mama would allow me to see. I still even have a Diana Ross fashion doll, complete with disco-era evening gowns and shoes. I loved her style.

As a writer, it’s taken me a while to develop and believe in my own style, my own voice, without worrying about whether my writing is as good as other authors that I admire. It’s more important for me to study the craft of writing so that I can tell my own stories well, rather than trying to imitate someone else. I had to find out who I was as a writer, which I like to call the art of discovery.

Things I’ve discovered in the process:

If there are no words on the page, there is no story, hence there is no voice. Fleshing out a story idea takes time. The first draft may not be the best draft, but at least it’s a start to the journey.

Only talking about writing a story does not create book. Writing a story creates a book. (see paragraph above)

Writers must use time wisely. Whether you have 15 minutes in the morning before everyone else in the house wakes up or you have 30 minutes at lunch, use that time to be creative. Even if you only get one or two sentences written, that’s still forward motion.

Writers read. It’s essential to expose yourself to good writing in a variety of genres, whether it’s the classics or contemporary writing.

Writers embrace their creative gifts, even when those gifts are still in the process of being molded and shaped.

I encourage other writers to seek out your own voice, your special expression. Only you can give your view of the world, your testimony. Nobody can tell your story like you can.

Tell the story that God gave you.


About the Author

Veronica Fields Johnson is a freelance writer, trivia buff, game show enthusiast and avid reader. She is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University and the President of the Faith Based Fiction Writers of Atlanta, formerly Visions in Print. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and two daughters and is currently working on her first novel.

I'm Not Published Yet

My columnist for "I'm Not Published Yet" was unable to submit today, so I thought I'd take the time to give some advice to unpublished writers who are working their way towards achieving their dream.

Writing Tips

By

Rhonda McKnight

Ah, "The End". I can't think of words I've ever written that were more satisfying. Not even a final paper for my bachelor's or master's degree gave me the rush I had when I typed "The End" on my first manuscript. I began writing at the age of six, so "The End" was more than thirty-three years in the making. I cried for at least an hour. Thanked God over and over again that he had moved me to this point and reflected on the goodness of the writing community that had helped me achieve my dream. I'd like to pass on the ten tips that helped me the most. If you're a writer you may have heard them before, but getting a reminder never hurts, because sometimes we find that we're not really doing the things that people advised us to do either because we forget them, we don't think they'll work, or we just hadn't figured out a way to incorporate it. I know, been there done that, especially the forgot it after I heard it part. I am good for getting a lightbulb moment and then getting home and sitting in the dark. So here are my tips:

1. Plot out your story. There are very few truly organic writers and you're probably not one of them. Take the time to sit down and think through the entire book. If you ever become a professional writer you'll have to do this to sell more books, so learn it out right.

2. Write often, daily if you can. You have to have butt in the chair time to get to "The End", plus writing often keeps the story fresh.

3. Don't self-edit while you're writing. I CANNOT emphasis this enough. That's for advanced writers. Get the first draft down before you go back and try to fix anything. You'll make yourself crazy trying to perfect what you've written. Draft writing and rewriting/editing are different processes, so let them be different.

4. Read craft books and/or take writing classes. Executing a saleable commerical fiction novel is not just art, some of it method. I'm sure you've heard terms like opening hook, beginning, middle, end, goal, motivation and conflict, black moment, three act set up, scene and sequel, etc, etc... These are some of the components to a story and no good novel is written without them. Learn how from the experts and save yourself time.

5. Do the stuff you learn in the books and classes. Check your writing to make sure you're practicing what you've learned. For example if you read a book on description, look at your descriptions and analyze if you're doing what the craft books suggest.

6. Join a critique group or find some one to help you with your work. If you dont' have access to a local writer's group, try an online group or invest in a writing coach (like me!). Be prayerful about this. The Lord will lead you to the right people.

7. Be teachable. Learn from the critique process. Take what you can use and leave what you can't in the wind, but learn something, because in most critiques there's something of value that can help you.

8. Reach out to other writers. I know in the Christian Fiction community, most authors and writers are friendly people who love to help and share advice. Don't ask anyone to read your entire manuscript and help you edit it, that's unreasonable, but don't be shy.

9. Read well written books. Learn from the best.

10. Trust the creativity is really inside you. If God has called your to be a writer, you have it in you, you just have to do the work to get it out.

Hope this helps.

Happy Writing!

*********************************************************************************

About my novel - Secrets and Lies

It’s hard enough to keep a secret without telling a lie, but when you’re married it’s almost impossible. In Secrets and Lies, the Morgan’s marriage is collapsing under the weight of both. Against the backdrop of old memories, new enemies, and a plot for revenge this drama unfolds addressing several relationship issues; communication, honesty and trust among them. The story takes readers into the complex mind of Dr. Jonah Morgan, a man who’s dedicated his life to physically healing children, but he’s emotionally and spiritually sick himself. And can his wife, Faith, keep the “faith” after Jonah’s accused of sexual harassment? Or when a woman’s fed up, is she truly fed up? Find out in Secrets and Lies, coming December 2009 from Urban Christian Books.

Click here to read or listen to prequel to the novel...

Manuscript Submissions...Oh dear

I found this horrifying picture of an editor's slush pile at a publishing house. Pretty scary. If you're sending off a manuscript in 2009 make sure it's top notch work. It takes forever to get pulled out of the pile and the editor or reader is going to give you one paragrah worth of reading to determine if they'll read the entire page. Once they make it past the 1st page they'll keep going to 2, 3, 4, and 5. So that first paragaph and then first five pages has to absolutely grab them. Literary agent, Noah Lukeman wrote a very good book, titled exactly that, The First Five Pages: A Writer's Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile to help aspiring writers understand what an editor or agent is looking for. DO NOT MAIL OFF A MANUSCRIPT without reading this book. Really, don't.

Also, if you don't have a good critique partner(s), considering having a free-lance editor look at it first. It could save you time, postage and lots of praying about your baby as it waits in the slush pile.

I'm availabe at Legacy Editing and I'm having a New Year sale that ending soon!

Sell a book without writing a query letter???

Want to get your book in front of an agent without having to write a query letter? Of course you do. Here's your chance:

Firebrand Literary Agency is allowing you to take a holiday from querying. They believe the ability to write an amazing first chapter is a much more important skill, as a novelist, than the ability to write a good query letter. So why even bother with a query? That’s why we’re announcing the first annual FIREBRAND QUERY HOLIDAY—to support authors who want to spend their time and energy perfecting their manuscripts and not just polishing their sales skills. We want to read your first chapter. Click here for more...

I say if you've got a finished, polished manuscript, go for it!

Thanks for stopping by,

Rhonda

African American "Christian/Inspirational" Market Comes of Age

This was an interesting article in PW a few weeks ago. Probably should have had "Christian or Inspirational in the title because that is the focus. I hope acquisitions editors in the CBA and ABA read it and consider expanding their offerings of African American fiction. The readers and writers are out there...me and you, included.

African-American Market Comes of Age

Angie Kiesling of Publishers Weekly

A rising crop of new authors

Within religion publishing, it’s hard to miss the surge in growth over the last several years of the African-American market. Industry professionals of all stripes-agents, authors, editors, PR gurus-will tell you the market demand is there, the desire to reach the market is there, and strong sales records of heavy-hitting backlist authors and new literary voices promise to keep demand high. But if ever a market required targeting the right way or finding the heart and soul of its people and communities, it’s this one.

Click to read more http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6590679.html?rssid=218