A Writer’s ‘Team’
Guest Post
When it comes to choosing a ‘team,’
a writer is usually stepping into unfamiliar waters. As an author (especially a
new one), you want to make sure you look for the people who will give their all
for you and your book, not just toss a cover on it, charge you thousands of
dollars, and then make YOU buy the copies. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not only
saying be careful of the ‘schemes’ out there, contracts from bigger houses can
have ‘loopholes’ as well, so you need to be very aware of who you’re going to
be working with.
The first thing most all
writers do is start sending out query letters to the ‘big guys.’ They buy the
marketing books that list every agent and publisher in the world that ‘accept
unsolicited manuscripts.’ But when going this route, many authors find
themselves extremely depressed extremely quickly, all because the form
responses - the ‘Unfortunately…” - arrive very fast in your email.
But even before you send
those letters, you have to have an editor. I know that some people will say
that they’ve read their book a thousand times and there are no misspellings and
no work needs to be done to make it better. I’m sorry to say, that’s not true.
A book always has a flaw; and when the writer reads the work over and over
again, we - of course - miss things. In fact, we’ve read the book so much we
can barely deal with reading it anymore. I can’t tell you how many times I read
13 - which is a new book coming December 1st. I read it for
ages. I edited, I worked on it, updated it, added things, subtracted things…until
I actually didn’t want to see the thing anymore. And, sure enough, when a
publisher called and said they wanted the whole series, they mentioned the four
errors they found in the text: Three misspellings and one error in location.
So, yes…none of us are perfect.
But an editor has to be your
best friend. You cannot have a relationship with your editor that is cold. I
mean that. No, I don’t mean that you will be the matron of honor at their
wedding, but you have to have a person who is there for you. They need to
respond to your emails as fast as possible, not let you sit and wait for two
weeks for an answer. Yes, they’re busy, but YOU are their client and it is
their job to make sure YOU and your book are well taken care of. Do research,
make sure they have the background that makes you feel most comfortable when
giving them your blood, sweat and tears, but ALSO make sure that you get along
with them on a personal level. They need to love your material and WANT to make
it the best it can be.
This is the same for a
publisher. Now, they have other books and other clients and you SHOULD be
ecstatic when they want to ‘add you’ to their publishing family. But make sure
that every word of that contract is read and understood before signing
anything. I know that sounds like common sense but, believe me, contracts do
have terms that you need to know about. Getting carried away with finally
receiving a ‘yes’ happens. It’s thrilling when you’re accepted and start the
publishing process - from cover art to distribution to blogs, etc. - but you
must make sure from the very beginning that the publisher knows their industry;
they have that network, contacts and, most of all, the determination to see
that your book becomes a success.
Bottom line: You work hard to
make your book the best it can be, so don’t surround yourself with a ‘team’
that works any less hard to see your novel shine!
Until Next Time, Everybody,
Amy
About The Book
Summary
How does a girl choose between the one
who steals her heart and the one who owns her soul?
Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the 'life' they've been assigned. What they don't realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache.
When the reason for their training is finally revealed, the angel/warrior team find themselves thrust into a world they know nothing about. Matt takes over the life of Daniel, a young man with a great deal of baggage. Emily becomes Liz, a girl living in a remote village who relies on nothing more than her own strength to survive. A violent storm erupts one night, and framed in the window of Liz's establishment is a frightening face. Let in by the soul of a Good Samaritan, the two visitors bring with them a past full of secrets that could literally change an angel's path and a warrior's plans.
From murder to redemption, this angel/warrior team must find a way to keep the faith they have in each other in a world that's ripping them apart.
Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the 'life' they've been assigned. What they don't realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache.
When the reason for their training is finally revealed, the angel/warrior team find themselves thrust into a world they know nothing about. Matt takes over the life of Daniel, a young man with a great deal of baggage. Emily becomes Liz, a girl living in a remote village who relies on nothing more than her own strength to survive. A violent storm erupts one night, and framed in the window of Liz's establishment is a frightening face. Let in by the soul of a Good Samaritan, the two visitors bring with them a past full of secrets that could literally change an angel's path and a warrior's plans.
From murder to redemption, this angel/warrior team must find a way to keep the faith they have in each other in a world that's ripping them apart.
Excerpt
Gabriel stared at her and thought about Matthew down below.
Sitting quietly, he wrote the first chapter in his mind that would
describe a brand new time in history, following the first steps
that his beloved students would take on American soil. His heart
ached for the lessons that Emily would have to learn and the
things she would have to overcome in order to change the course of
things. Her soul...Matthew’s...they had no idea what the human
emotions of love and desire had in store for them down there this
time around.Gabriel’s brain told him to keep quiet, to let her go back to the life she’d trained for, but the father in him didn’t want to let her go. “Rest here for a time, child. The end of your boat ride is at least two days away. Here, you can at least be at peace and protected.”
The corners of Emily’s mouth fluttered as she opened her midnight eyes and offered him a loving smile. “I have a protector on the boat, Gabriel. A young boy. He’s going to be a sheriff and rid the world of outlaws. I must go back so he can tell me more of his dreams.” A spark shone in Emily’s gaze. “He’s so special. It makes me wonder if Matthew’s in there.”
Find The Angel Chronicles:
About The Author
Amy Lignor
began her career at Grey House Publishing in northwest Connecticut where
she was the Editor-in-Chief of numerous educational and business
directories.
Now she is a published author of several works of fiction. The Billy the Kid historical The Heart of a Legend; the thriller, Mind Made; and the adventure novel, Tallent & Lowery 13.
She is also the owner of The Write Companion, a company that offers help and support to writers through a full range of editorial services from proofreading and copyediting to ghostwriting and research. As the daughter of a research librarian, she is also an active book reviewer.
Currently, she lives with her daughter, mother and a rambunctious German Shepherd named Reuben, in the beautiful state of New Mexico.
Now she is a published author of several works of fiction. The Billy the Kid historical The Heart of a Legend; the thriller, Mind Made; and the adventure novel, Tallent & Lowery 13.
She is also the owner of The Write Companion, a company that offers help and support to writers through a full range of editorial services from proofreading and copyediting to ghostwriting and research. As the daughter of a research librarian, she is also an active book reviewer.
Currently, she lives with her daughter, mother and a rambunctious German Shepherd named Reuben, in the beautiful state of New Mexico.
Find Amy:
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Amanda, thanks so much for inviting Amy and the angels by for a visit!
ReplyDeleteAmanda: Thank you so much for having Emily and Matthew on your awesome site. I hope your readers love their second adventure. Happy Thanksgiving!!
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