AFTER THE SALE...

As some of you may know, I recently sold my debut, RUNNING ON EMPTY, to Tulip Romance—Spencer Hill Press’s newest imprint. (For more info on that journey, Bethany Griffin interviewed me here on YA Fusion a couple months ago.) The sale was finalized June 12, 2013 and the release date is scheduled for November 25, 2013. Yes—only 5 ½ short months from the sale date! Talk about a crash course!J

So for those of you who are pre-sale or have recently sold, I thought I’d offer some insight on what happens next…

 First of all, I advise anyone who is hesitant about joining the twenty-first century with the whole social media thing, to ease into this world BEFORE the sale!! I’m pretty sure I was one of the last hold-outs on planet earth to join Facebook and I still find it quite overwhelming. With the help and guidance of one of my amazing critique partners and my techno-savvy nephew, I now have a website/blogsite—on Blogger (still learning terms). I’ve also had to learn to maneuver Goodreads and link my blog etc. Thankfully, my smart writer friends wore me down and convinced me to join the Twitter-verse a few months before I sold. Oh, did I forget to mention that I’m one of the regular contributors to YA Fusion as well…

Needless to say, there’s a lot to learn about social media. If only I’d listened sooner to those who forged the path ahead of me… Learn from my mistakes; the sooner you master social media, the sooner you’ll have time for what comes next…

Second word of advice: it takes awhile to receive that first editor letter so use your time wisely. After you take a few moments to let the happy settle in—all those hours, months, years that it’s taken to turn your dream into a reality deserves to be celebrated—then jump back into work!

Start that next project if you haven’t already. It will keep you distracted from worrying about what kind of revisions you might be facing or imagining scenarios of your editor calling you up and saying they’ve changed their mind about buying your book, or wondering with each passing day that you don’t hear any news if all of this sale-business was just another story you’ve conjured in your head…

Third: the editor’s letter; deep breaths. When you receive round one revisions, take a couple of days to thoroughly absorb the good and the bad before you dive in. This can be overwhelming at first; I had no clue about how I was going to fix some of the things that needed to be fixed, or added. I started with smaller things and things I knew exactly how to fix while my mind worked consciously and subconsciously on how to fix some of the bigger problems.

Revising for an editor was incredibly hard work and I put in MANY sixteen-hour days over the course of my month-long, first round revisions, but I finally pulled it off. After many restless nights, lots of hair pulling, nail-biting, and random dry-heaving, I am happy say to that after adding approximately seventy pages, tons of revisions, and even cutting a character, I was happier than ever with my book and finally managed to push the SEND button, (not to be confused with the EASY button.)J

More anxious waiting, then came ROUND TWO… three more pages of edit notes that my editor lovingly called “minor”.  I could probably think of a stronger word…J After another grueling week of sifting through nearly a 400 page manuscript and stretching my brain until I thought it would snap, I finally managed to push SEND again...

The manuscript is off to copy editors now, so I’ll let you know how it goes from here. But honestly, this process has been amazing and nothing feels better than being able to work with an editor who loves and believes in your manuscript as much as you do, and to have a whole team willing to stand behind you and help push your book to that next level! :)

Interview with Jennifer Armentrout

Today’s blog post is an interview with fellow group blog member, Jennifer Armentrout, whose latest novel has just been released!!

PURE

Book 2 in The Covenant Series

By Jennifer Armentrout

There is need. And then there is Fate...

Being destined to become some kind of supernatural electrical outlet isn't exactly awesome--especially when Alexandria's "other half" is everywhere she goes. Seth's in her training room, outside her classes, and keeps showing up in her bedroom--so not cool. Their connection does have some benefits, like staving off her nightmares of the tragic showdown with her mother, but it has no effect on what Alex feels for the forbidden, pure-blooded Aiden. Or what he will do--and sacrifice--for her.

When daimons infiltrate the Covenants and attack students, the gods send furies--lesser gods determined to eradicate any threat to the Covenants and to the gods, and that includes the Apollyon... and Alex. And if that and hordes of aether-sucking monsters didn't blow bad enough, a mysterious threat seems willing to do anything to neutralize Seth, even if that means forcing Alex into servitude... or killing her.

When the gods are involved, some decisions can never, ever be undone.

1. The premise for your book is so cool! Can you tell us how the idea for your book came about?


I've always been fascinated with Greek Mythology, so when I started writing the Covenant series in 2007 with Half-Blood, it seemed fitting that I incorporate that into my story. I'm really inspired by stories that have strong female leads. The original concept started with Alex and how she was different from the rest of her kind. It sort of spun out from there.

2. Who's your favorite character in PURE? What are some of the attributes or flaws that make him/her your favorite?

I've got to say that my favorite character in Pure is Seth, mainly because he gets a lot of screen time and readers will become more familiar with him.

3. Any upcoming projects you'd like to tell us about?


Well, I'm working on the Lux Series books and projects under my adult pen name J. Lynn. I'm going to be tackling a YA mystery/thriller for Disney/Hyperion next.

4. What are some of your favorite books?


Anything with romance, intrigue, humor and romance.

5. It appears you're on a successful path, can you tell us a little bit about your journey to publication?


I kind of went the unorthodox way, signing first with a small press and then obtaining agent. I think a lot of writers believe you have to get the agent first and then the contract, but that's not always the only avenue. Success comes in many different forms.

6. What advice would you give to beginning writers? Writer's on submission? Published authors struggling to get that second book published?


The biggest advice I can give is to never give up. I know it sounds cliche, but it's the truth for writers at any stages. Publication is not easy. I don't think there's one easy step in it, but if it's something you're truly passionate with, keep at it and you'll succeed.

Thanks Jennifer for letting us have a closer look into your world. We wish you much success!!

PURE is available through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, BAM, etc. To read an excerpt go to: http://www.site.spencerhillpress.com/uploads/Pure_excerpt.pdf

THE VALUE OF CONTESTS AND AN OPEN MIND

To enter or not to enter?

I say enter!

When I first started my writing journey, I read an article suggesting contests were a great way to build a resume. And since my resume consisted of a blank sheet of paper, I took that advice.

I found my first contest through an invaluable book called the Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market. This particular contest was sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Writer’s Association; you paid a fee, were entered for the contest, and received two critiques from experienced writers. The first two times I entered a picture book, I didn’t final, but I did receive valuable critiques—one of them even suggesting that I turn my PB into a chapter book. I didn’t particularly care for that advice, but decided to keep an open mind and try it anyway. And what do you know, the next time I entered it as a chapter book (completely rewritten), I placed second! The following year, I decided to take a chance and try my hand at beginning the novel that had persistently floated around in my head for several years. I finaled that year and the enthusiastic critiques allowed me to give myself permission to explore writing the edgy YA novel I couldn’t stop thinking about.

During those years, I also discovered the Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition. You don’t receive critiques, but the contest is huge (one year there was a total of 18,000 entries over ten categories). I knew if I could get on the honorable mention list (they place 100 entries in each category) it would be a great addition to my still-skimpy resume. Eventually, I racked up a total of four honorable mentions: one for a PB and three YA short stories.

After joining a critique group a year and a half ago, my critique partner introduced me to the Romance Writer’s of America contests. Nearly every month, each chapter sponsors some type of contest and you normally receive three detailed critiques. Once again, I encountered several ups and downs before I finally earned second place in the 2010 Love and Laughter Contest.

Contests have been a valuable source for me over the years. They’ve taught me everything from goal setting and discipline, to patience and perseverance. Most of all, contests have taught me to keep an open mind! No matter how thick your skin, it’s hard to be prepared for the competitive and sometimes vicious world of writing. I couldn’t help but be surprised by the wide range of opinions—what one contest judge might see as brilliant, the other may see as total crap. I have actually received a score as low as a 65, while another judge gave it a perfect 100. A friend of mine even scored a couple of 40 somethings only to go on and sell the same book at auction two short months later.

Oddly enough, it seems the harshest criticisms have been the most helpful for me. That’s not to say that after obsessively reading the negative ones, I didn’t end up in bed with a bag of potato chips, or staring at a blank computer screen, or wonder who the hell I thought I was trying to write a novel anyway. But eventually, I discovered that if I forced myself to keep an open mind to the possibility of what the critiques said and consider them, that it usually ended up making my writing better, stronger, and richer. Though, I have reserved the right, on occasion, to allow myself to acknowledge that maybe, just maybe, the judge’s opinion is the one that’s crap! And that’s the beauty of keeping an open mind: )

If you know of any great contests or have any contest stories, feel free to share!

READY, SET, GOAL!

Many years ago, when I decided to actively explore becoming a writer, I got ready by gathering all the information I could about writing books for children. Next, I set goals on how I would go about making my dream a reality.

For me, setting goals has been the most important part of the writing process. Unstructured and disorganized by nature, I knew that if I were to accomplish the ultimate goal of getting published that I would need accountability and a timeline from which I could measure success.

I needed clear goals, and I needed pressure, but I also needed rewards! In the early days, I set goals where if I wrote a certain amount of pages, I would reward myself with additional reading time, or a trip alone to the library.

I stepped it up a bit after I discovered contests in The Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market. Contests worked for me because they came with a list of strict guidelines including specific formats, word count, and last but not least: a deadline. Not to mention, they were great practice for getting ready for future submissions. Every time I sent off an entry, I’d treat myself to a trip to the bookstore to purchase a new book, or simply give myself the rest of the day off.

After I’d accomplished some contest success, I felt comfortable enough to move to the next level—conferences. Getting ready for a conference meant preparing myself with everything from elevator pitches, to feedback from one on one critiques, to meeting complete strangers and networking. The experience and knowledge gained at a conference were invaluable rewards.

Joining a critique group was next on the list. I was terrified at the thought of face-to-face critiques with people I’d never met, but it seemed all the successful writer interviews I’d ever read recommended joining a critique group. And since my goal was to become a successful writer, I stepped out of my comfort zone and signed up. Talk about deadlines and accountability--my group meets every two weeks and we push each other to not only submit material to each other, but also to contests, agents, editors, or whatever the case may be. The experience, sharing of information, and the friendships have been life-changing.

So, many years and goals later, I have met personal deadlines, graduated from the safety of anonymous contests to face to face pitches with agents and editors, endured the brutal honesty of a critique group, and as difficult as it was to let go and face the possibility of rejection, I sent my completed YA novel out to agents...

I’m overjoyed to report that seven weeks ago, I reached my goal of obtaining an agent!! My reward is huge—I’m going to the RWA Nationals in NYC and I get to meet with my agent in person!!

And after my agent approves my revisions and sends my manuscript out on submission, I plan on meeting my ultimate goal: getting published!!

…Then I’ll start all over with a whole new set of goals; )

Do you have any goal-setting tips you’d like to share?

Writing and Risk

“Follow your passion. Figure out what you love to do, then find a way to make money doing it.” We’ve all heard this wisdom before. Easier said than done when you discover your passion is writing—a highly competitive and slow-moving business that takes years of practice and learning the craft before earning a penny.

And I’m the wrong person to ask about the money part because to date I’ve cashed one measly check from a contest win and received a handful of fancy certificates. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very proud of those accomplishments because I love writing and couldn’t stop if I wanted to. But my point is; to get anything you want in life, you have to take risks. You have to be willing to face brutal honesty, rejection, and acquire a taste for patience.

Originally on Monday, when I started working on this post, it was going in the direction of this upbeat ‘just do it’ kind of rambling. I didn’t exactly know where I was going with it, and to be honest it wasn’t all that interesting. Then my dad came over to deliver my dead dog. He’d just run over our adorable little Jack Russell Terrier, Dodger. I was devastated, and still am.

At first, I was angry at myself. I knew it was going to happen because of past experiences. Since childhood, I can’t even count the number of dogs I’ve had that have gotten killed. Living on a farm and always having lots of pets, it seemed one of them was always getting run over or injured. After our last dog was killed, I vowed we'd never get another one.

So when my nine-year-old son came to me with his birthday list--which included only one item--I was prepared with my list of valid reasons to not get a puppy. I didn’t have time to potty train, didn’t want dog hair in the house, the expense, or crap in the yard… In my heart, I knew there was a bigger reason—I didn’t want to fall in love only to have my heart broken when it died.

But eventually, my son's big blue eyes got to me, and we ended up with Dodger. When Dodger hopped across the yard like a rabbit, flipped on his back for a belly rub, or fell asleep on the couch with the kids, my original arguments for not wanting a dog dissolved, and my attempt at not getting too attached failed miserably. I was in love with this funny little dog and I tried not to worry when he started playing tag with the cows or wandering to the neighbors’. But he was a curious puppy who loved to be outdoors, and on Monday, my worst fear came true.

Nearly a week later, after much thought, self-therapy, and a knot in my throat the size of Montana, I look at his empty dog bed and feel sad and disappointed and frustrated. But I won’t tell my kids we were unlucky or that we’ll never get another dog. I’ll say we were lucky to have him because of the joy he brought to our family. I’ll tell them yes; eventually we’ll get another one because loving and losing him was worth the risk.

And on this writing journey, when I receive another rejection or brutal critique, I’ll probably feel sad and disappointed and frustrated, but I won’t say I’m unlucky and quit. I’ll say I’m lucky because that agent or editor wasn’t the right match for me anyway. Then I’ll pick myself up, work harder, and send out again because the passion I feel for writing is worth the risk.

It makes no difference whether it’s pursuing your passion or the decision whether to bring a new pet into your life; love is always worth the risk.

Colette Ballard

BIO: Back in the day… when Aqua Net was bought in bulk and mullets were cool, I endured the high school experience. But surviving the hairstyles wasn’t my only challenge—school didn’t come easily. I’d always been a big daydreamer and considered it a curse to be constantly distracted by the elaborate stories in my head. While everyone else was trying to understand why 8+y=x, I was in the mountains of Colorado horseback riding alongside a hot cowboy until an avalanche sent us plummeting to the bottom of a canyon and into a pit of angry crocodiles... Yeah, not a good thing when you need x number of credits to graduate.

Many years later, I began to see my daydreaming not as a curse, but as a gift. One that I have learned to channel into writing contemporary young adult fiction with strong elements of suspense—and a hot cowboy or two.

Which leads us to my current work in progress… MIDDLE OF NOWHERE:

What’s it feel like when you die—in those final moments just before? Do you feel the physical pain, or just the pain of your regrets? What’s it feel like when you realize you can’t answer these questions because you’re not the victim?

You’re the killer.

River Daniels lives an ordinary life as a high school junior growing up in the confines of rural Texas until her boyfriend’s brutal attack leaves her both a murderer and a fugitive. With the help of her closest friends, River eludes the police for months. But with the law and her conscience closing in, she returns to Texas to search for the evidence that will prove she acted in self-defense. Her risky return means more than facing her ugly past, she must also face the one person she was protecting the night her world caved in.

My awards for MIDDLE OF NOWHERE include:

• Finalist in the 2008 PNWA Literary Contest.
• Two Honorable Mentions in the YA short story category of the 2009 Writer’s Digest Writing Competition
• Honorable Mention in the YA short story category of the 2010 Writer’s Digest Writing Competition
• Second place winner of the 2010 RWA/NYC chapter’s Love and Laughter contest

Awards for other projects include:

• Second place in the chapter book category of the 2009 PNWA Literary Contest
• Honorable Mention in the 73rd Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competion.