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I started writing about a different topic for this issue of For Authors Newsletter, but my thoughts kept going back to some writing goals I set for myself. Setting goals is different from making resolutions because even if we don't make the goal, if we've moved toward it we haven't "broken" anything.
Allow me to share the odds and ends of thoughts about goals, successes, and disappointments.
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Odds 'n Ends about Writing Goals
Last summer my writing group decided we needed to set writing goals. Most of us took pen to paper or fingers to keyboards and made of list of a few things we wanted to accomplish concerning our writing.
My list included the desire to participate in at least two to three book festivals and/or writing conferences per year; the goal of entering at least four items in the OWFI (Oklahoma Writing Federation, of which my writing group is an affiliate) writing competition; to help the book designer fine-tune the juvenile book I wrote; to start at least one more book; and to submit a novel to a major literary agent.
Putting goals in writing is a good idea. It helps people visualize what they want to accomplish. Seeing the words seems to make goals real, and writing them helps us decide what is realistic and what isn't.
I made my list and checked it twice, thrice, and more. Since late summer 2008, I've participated in the Decatur Book Festival, the Muse Online Writing Conference, and the Edmond Authors Book Festival. On tap so far for 2009 is the Border Queen Book Festival in March, the OWFI Writing Conference April 30 - May 2, the OKC Zoo Children's Book Festival July 25, and the Red Dirt Book Festival in October. Each of those activities helped me or will help me to promote my books as well as help me become a better writer.
Each year OWFI holds a writing competition with thirty-three categories. The winners are announced as part of the writing conference. In 2008, my unpublished manuscript entered in the mystery/suspense category took 2nd. Suggestions by the judge (which I shared with the book designed since the book by then was in the process of being published) resulted in changes which improved the novel.
Since the deadline each year is to have entries postmarked by February 1 before that year's conference, my goal to enter four categories meant I had to start working on material long before the deadline, in fact I start right after I mailed the entries for the 2008 contest. I entered nine, including two books in the published book categories, for the 2009 competition. Without setting a goal, I probably wouldn't have managed.
The book designer and I finished the final touches on Prairie Dog Cowboy, and it was released in October. I've started the sequel to it, titled Prairie Winds, which won't be finished until 2010.
All the goals set except the last one on the list weren't too hard to work toward meeting: They just took determination, planning, and effort. Ah, but that last one ... submitting a novel to a major agent. Sometimes we need to have goals that we know will be difficult to reach. We need to learn to reach for the stars and stretch past our comfort zones. Being rejected or putting myself in a position to be rejected is one of my uncomfortable zones. Yes, I've submitted a large volume of writing over the years. Yes, some was accepted, resulting in a huge sigh of relief and great celebration. However, much has been rejected, too, and rejection hurts -- even when I may have learned something from some of it.
I have only submitted a novel manuscript one time before to a large, important literary agency. The rest of my submissions have been to smaller publishers that don't require an agent. The rejection from the agent was not a form letter, but a very nice letter explaining why my manuscript didn't meet their needs.
The agent I wanted to submit a manuscript to this time asked me to write her. We had an appointment at the 2008 OWFI Conference; she seemed actually interested after I made my five minute pitch. I did write her as requested: nothing. I'm acquainted with one of her clients, although I didn't know at the time. The client is a best-selling author. She told me to re-submit to the agent, and told me to use her name as a reference if I wished.
I waffled; I procrastinated; I found excuses; I didn't want to be rejected whether by form letter, nice letter, or being ignored.
That list of goals taunted me for over two months. Finally, I took the plunge. I prepared the cover letter, the synopsis, and the first chapter of the book. I put the packet in a large envelope with a post card (stamped and self-addressed) for notification that the submission arrived and a stamped-self-addressed envelope so either an acceptance or rejection could be sent to me. The submission went into the mail today.
Whether the agent accepts me as a client or not, meeting that difficult goal moved me forward. I overcame my fear enough that I stretched out of my comfort zone into an area that makes me very uncomfortable. Even if I am rejected, I've moved forward from where I started.
{indent]Just my odds and ends of thoughts about writing goals. Do you have any? Are you working toward trying to reach those goals? |
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Words from Our Readers
Thanks for all the feedback. I appreciate the comments and questions. The kudos are always nice, even if I might not post a comment after each one.
Michelle Broughton 
Since I am in the midst of attempting to have a 12 and under book published, this new law almost guarantees it will be impossible. If I self-publish, the law will probably apply to me, too. Depressing news at best unless we all write to our Congress and insist they rethink this ill thought out law.
The law applies to anyone selling or providing items for twelve-year-olds or under. Self-publishing puts the full burden on the person self-publishing. However, people are still working to get the CPSIA repealed and a better crafted law to replace it. A year's stay for enforcement was passed, but the law is still there.
reikidreamer
Excellent newsletter! I find each time I read it only gets better and more information packed. Can't wait until the next one.
Thank you. I hope you find this issue as helpful, even if I did mainly meander through my thoughts.
SHEA
Wonderful and guiding words; thank you!
I would love to have some of my writing published. I am a disabled man due to a severe accident I lived through; living my days commanded by that fact. Yet, none the less, I think I should look in the phone book for publishers, and contact them giving a sampling of selected work of mine. What so you think?
Thanks again Viv, for your helpful guiding words,
Kindest,
Shea
My first word of advice to anyone wanting to be published is not take any short cuts. Be sure your manuscript is thoroughly edited (and by someone who knows how to edit manuscripts meant for submission, not just a good friend or family member -- unless that person is a professional editor) after you have prepared a well-written work. Then, an only then, don't look in the phone book. Go to writing magazines or Writers Market or WritersMarket.com.
Shaziane 
Thanks so much for the info, Viv.
Fyn 
Awesome newsletter, Viv! Scary, but awesome!
NickiD89 
Hello Vivian! Wow, this newsletter is packed with interesting and alarming information about how the precarious economic times are effecting the publishing sector. As a hopeful, but as yet unpublished author, your NL has given me lots to think about. Thank you so much for including links to websites where I can follow this situation and become increasingly better informed!
All my best,
Nicki
StephBee 
Viv - two thumbs up for introducing this here and making a wide audience aware. I think in order to be successfully published it helps to understand the trends of the industry as you query and look for an agent and publisher.
I'm glad that you all found the last issue interesting and helpful. I do try to keep people as up to date about the publishing business as I can.
Strange Wulf
Oh, that's ridiculous. Forcing publishers to pay to prove what they already have? Figures some idiot would think this is a good idea.
Laws are necessary, but sometimes there's such a thing as too many.
Poorly written laws are worse than no law.
tscully
Me and my friend have plans to try and finalize a children's book for publsihing sometime within the next year or so. After reading this newsletter, however, I don't know if I can or should even try. We still have to get illustrations done and a complete draft together, but with this current publishing situation, would it be better to wait it out or give up altogether?
I'm not the type person to give up ever. However, most publishing houses prefer to provide their own illustrators, and the use of correct grammar and spelling is a must.
My suggestion is to finish your manuscript, check and check and check it. Find someone who knows editing and have them edit it. Revise, revise, revise. Then try to find a publisher.
DB Cooper
Why didn't your friend the aspiring author try PublishAmerica?
PublishAmerica isn't considered a traditional publisher because the author pays to much for the honor. A traditional publisher doesn't charge the author anything to have an accepted manuscript published. That publisher also has a discounted price for extra copies of the book the author might order, but the author is not required to buy even one copy, or to pay for packages. PublishAmerica's books are not accepted by major distributors or major bookstores.
Plus books from PublishAmerica have to be tested, too, if the CPISA isn't changed.
Acme
Hey Viv, after reading your thoughtful and slightly worrying article regarding the changes in publishing, I thought you might be interested in this link from Harper Collins:
http://www.authonomy.com/about.aspx
Hugs,
Acme 
Thanks for the link, Acme
Goodbye until next month when I'm supposed to return. We'll have to see what my mind discovers.
Viv |
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For Authors: February 18, 2009 Issue [#2895]
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