I've got several books out on submission. The waiting is killing me, so I need to blog to distract myself. I'm never really sure what to blog about. If you have suggestions or questions, please comment with them because I am at a loss. A lot.
Anyway, today I got a query with attached cover image. It was actually rather nice looking for a homemade cover. I'd almost rather it be the ugliest thing in the world (which does happen occasionally with queries). See, unless you are a very powerful famous author, you aren't going to have any approval over your cover image. I can't think of any debut authors who've even had cover consultation (meaning input but not the final say) in their contract.
You might think this is is mean and terrible. How dare publishers not consult you? But the truth is that they have very talented, and lovely people who make covers for a living. Sometimes these people miss the mark and that is always unfortunate when a cover is bad. But it's never an author's fault that a cover is bad, because--again--author's don't have control over that.
Sending me a cover image with your query only shows me that you don't know how the industry works. Which means I'd have to explain it to you (downside) and that you have wasted your time (downside x2).
Monday, March 5, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Geek Girl Con
Tickets have gone on sale for Geek Girl Con 2012! It's in August this year. I missed the initial announcement; I feel like a bad geek girl. Buy your tickets here!
Sadly, I'm not going to attend for the second year in a row. Sob. But I still want to promote it to anyone out there reading this in the Seattle area. I think it's a really good thing. I'm one of those people who has been quizzed on knowledge of fantasy books and comic books by guys who don't believe that I could possibly know this stuff.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Queries
I read queries this afternoon. If you sent me anything before this morning (March 1) then you should've received a response. If not, then I probably didn't get it. Please send again!
I know I don't get nearly as many queries as some of the bigger agents out there. Probably not even a 1/10th. I'm not sure how they do it. After a little while reading through all the new names and ideas, my eyes start to cross and I can't read anymore.
Unfortunately, I feel like I am kinder to the queries that I happen to read at the beginning of day than I am those toward the end. Taking breaks is the only way to keep me sane. I probably won't read any more for another few days.
I know I don't get nearly as many queries as some of the bigger agents out there. Probably not even a 1/10th. I'm not sure how they do it. After a little while reading through all the new names and ideas, my eyes start to cross and I can't read anymore.
Unfortunately, I feel like I am kinder to the queries that I happen to read at the beginning of day than I am those toward the end. Taking breaks is the only way to keep me sane. I probably won't read any more for another few days.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Molly Contest
Molly Contest for Unpublished Writers is held by the Heart of Denver Romance Writers every year. (Above is the information from their Facebook.) It seems that this year I will be involved as a judge.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Crucible of Gold preview
For fantasy fans, there is a 50-page preview of Naomi Novik's CRUCIBLE OF GOLD now available from the publisher.
Love this series so much. Really wish I were the agent on these but I'm just a fan. I want a dragon of my own. The first in the series is HIS MAJESTY'S DRAGON if you haven't read it. I highly recommend!
Love this series so much. Really wish I were the agent on these but I'm just a fan. I want a dragon of my own. The first in the series is HIS MAJESTY'S DRAGON if you haven't read it. I highly recommend!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Writing is rewriting
Writing is rewriting. Does anyone know who originated that phrase? Because it's so true.
I'm doing revisions with a couple different authors right now. It can be very hard for some people. But other people love it. Certainly, if you work with me, you're going to have to learn to love it. Although I don't think I could ever be an editor, I do rather enjoy the creative aspect of this business. I want things I send out to be as polished as possible before a real editor sees them.
I'm doing revisions with a couple different authors right now. It can be very hard for some people. But other people love it. Certainly, if you work with me, you're going to have to learn to love it. Although I don't think I could ever be an editor, I do rather enjoy the creative aspect of this business. I want things I send out to be as polished as possible before a real editor sees them.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Emily Keyes: What's In a Name?
I'm told it's kind of hard to find me online.
My name is pretty common, but also there is a more famous Emily Keyes. Sadly, she's known for being killed too young. Originally, when I started with Lori I was going by EK (which is how I sign my emails sometimes) because I'd hate for people searching for the charity inspired by the other Emily to find me instead and be frustrated. Taking away donations from a charity would be very bad karma points, I'm sure.
I have business cards that say ES Keyes. Unfortunately, those are my sister Elizabeth's initials as well so that confused my Mom. Plus, if someone yelled "ES!" on the street, I would not turn around.
I found a happy medium with my twitter handle @esc_key. I was raised Catholic and my Confirmation Name was Catherine (after St. Catherine of Siena). I used this initial to differentiate myself from my sister. Then I realized ESC KEY is a key on every keyboard. I loved it. Thought it was hilarious. (My Dad told me it was lame. What's he know?)
Escape. I'd love to escape sometimes. Wouldn't it be cool if we could just hit an ESC key and find ourselves somewhere else? (Maybe that is what books are for. Hmm. Will think more on this.)
So my blog name is officially ESCKeyes. (Someone already had the esc_key handle, darn them.)
... and now you know way too much about how I chose my blog name. But, hey, check out that charity if you get a chance.
My name is pretty common, but also there is a more famous Emily Keyes. Sadly, she's known for being killed too young. Originally, when I started with Lori I was going by EK (which is how I sign my emails sometimes) because I'd hate for people searching for the charity inspired by the other Emily to find me instead and be frustrated. Taking away donations from a charity would be very bad karma points, I'm sure.
I have business cards that say ES Keyes. Unfortunately, those are my sister Elizabeth's initials as well so that confused my Mom. Plus, if someone yelled "ES!" on the street, I would not turn around.
I found a happy medium with my twitter handle @esc_key. I was raised Catholic and my Confirmation Name was Catherine (after St. Catherine of Siena). I used this initial to differentiate myself from my sister. Then I realized ESC KEY is a key on every keyboard. I loved it. Thought it was hilarious. (My Dad told me it was lame. What's he know?)
Escape. I'd love to escape sometimes. Wouldn't it be cool if we could just hit an ESC key and find ourselves somewhere else? (Maybe that is what books are for. Hmm. Will think more on this.)
So my blog name is officially ESCKeyes. (Someone already had the esc_key handle, darn them.)
... and now you know way too much about how I chose my blog name. But, hey, check out that charity if you get a chance.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Doc Voodoo Review
The SF site reviewed DOC VOODOO: ACES & EIGHTS today. I'm so excited that Mr. Brazil said the only thing wrong with the book was the cover (hey, it's a small publisher; it happens). Hopefully Dale's next book will have a bigger publisher. *fingers crossed*
If it sounds like DOC VOODOO is up your alley, you can get it on Amazon!
If it sounds like DOC VOODOO is up your alley, you can get it on Amazon!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Conferences
If anyone out there is looking for me (unless you're a stalker, then don't read this), there are a few conferences I will be at in the upcoming months.
Liberty States Fiction Writers' Create Something Magical
March 17, 2012
Iselin, NJ
CTRWA Fiction Fest
May 12, 2012
Southbury, CT
Pacific Northwest Writers Association Conference
July 19-22, 2012
Seattle, WA
If you're a conference planner and interested in having me, please email me about it.
Liberty States Fiction Writers' Create Something Magical
March 17, 2012
Iselin, NJ
CTRWA Fiction Fest
May 12, 2012
Southbury, CT
Pacific Northwest Writers Association Conference
July 19-22, 2012
Seattle, WA
If you're a conference planner and interested in having me, please email me about it.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Rejections
Getting some really good queries lately. I need to find more time in the day to read the partials/fulls.
One time-sucker I could do without is when people reply to my rejections like that was the go-ahead to ask me lots of questions and beg me to reconsider. I try to be nice! I know it's hard to put yourself out there. But no is no.
I really don't want to start replying to queries with, "LOL NO" but if I do, you'll know what happened.
One time-sucker I could do without is when people reply to my rejections like that was the go-ahead to ask me lots of questions and beg me to reconsider. I try to be nice! I know it's hard to put yourself out there. But no is no.
I really don't want to start replying to queries with, "LOL NO" but if I do, you'll know what happened.
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