Day 1 Starts Here
Awesome,
BFloGal! I hate parking in the city.
Matt, you can post things here and to your blog. In my case, I'm doing half and half so I can imbed the photos/videos on my blog and protect the workshop here (since I'm giving it later tonight).
Here's my start for today (click over to the blog, then back for the workshop):
Day 1: The I-Wish-I-Was-at-Bouchercon Party
I've included
coffee, your daily workout, registration,
That Special Conference Moment and links back here to
today's workshop:
See Here! Seven Steps to Bring Your Finished Manuscript to the Attention of Publishers
The purpose of this talk is to help you prepare your book for the traditional publishing marketplace. It's more about fully understanding your book and making it the very best it can be than anything technical. If your work is chosen by a traditional publishing house, they will format it for Kindle, Nook and print editions. They will develop an overall strategy for everything from Oxford commas to marketing. The writer's role in a traditional publishing is more focused than in self-publishing. Your job is to write well, to balance an open mind with a willingness to defend your artistic vision during the editing process, and to help publicists promote your book.
This may look like a simple process, but each step has specific procedures and will improve your book and its marketability in unique ways. While our chat today only allows for time to outline a basic strategy for each step, I suggest joining Absolute Write Water Cooler for ongoing insights on this process.
* Find Your Pond: Relevance
Why this book and why now? What does your book give to this world that's fresh and unique? Is it a good laugh? A heart-stopping suspense masterpiece? (Okay, don't use the word "masterpiece" when describing your own book--not ever.) Is there some special insight into humanity that will make readers sit up straight and think? Why should anyone beyond your family care about this book at this moment in time? Write this down, then make certain that you've brought out that point effectively in your book. Your book's relevance should be central to every document you prepare below.
* Choose Your Bait: Pitch, Bio & Query - Revision
These are common documents of the publishing industry.
Pitch: In twenty words or less, describe your novel in such a way that I'm drooling with desire to read it.
Bio: Tell me why YOU are the the best person to write this book.
Query: In 200 words (or preferably less), write an agent or publisher a letter asking them to read your manuscript. Do it in the same tone as your book and make them want to drive across country to see the manuscript. As you write these three documents, you'll find that you might actually have to bring out some parts of your book more or cut others. Paste your query into Absolute Write's "Query Letter Hell" for critique. Then revise it--and your book--with the feedback in mind. Repeat as needed.
* Develop Your Hook: Critiques - Revision
Post your opening scene in Absolute Write's Share Your Work board so everyone can critique it. Go back, make some changes, post again. Do this often enough to develop a thick skin. You first scene is a "hook" to lure in readers. Some people say that agents and editors give you only a couple of sentences to hook them. Some say that's a myth. I say, think about what you do when you pick up a book in a shop: how many sentences/pages does an author have to make his case with you? Really? Be honest with yourself. With me, it's about two sentences ... maybe a couple of paragraphs.
* Assess the Waters: Betas - Revision
Get at least 5 people
who don't know you to read the book. Try asking your friends to each refer a reader they know but you don't. Revise your book with their feedback. If they didn't finish the book, try five more betas.
* Grease the Gears: Do you need to pay an editor?
How's your spelling, punctuation? How often do you say "that" in Chapter One?" Do your readers know where they are? Have you changed shirt colors in the middle of a scene? Find someone to help you spot those errors. I lucked into a beta-reader who was a former magazine copy editor. She used to send me emails with 40 corrections in a chapter, ugh. Let's just say that I learned real fast about semicolons: according to her, we're allowed about
one per novel. Geez!
* Thread the Reel: Synopsis, Outline – Revise Again
Tell your entire story in one page or two. Give a complete outline, chapter by chapter. Use these tools to find plot holes and weaknesses in your themes. Revise the book again.
* Go Fishing
Research agents and small publishers on Absolute Write, Publisher's Marketplace and Agent Query. Now that you have the tools you need and a tight manuscript, start querying. If an agent or editor asks for the manuscript, send it over in five minutes. That'll make him sit up and notice.
Good luck!
Lucie
(Uh, probably just me then, huh? 
)
I don't see cookies on the Bouchercon schedule. Darn it! Strategic miscalculation.
