For the first time ever, my son asked to go shopping with me on Sunday. This was a real jaw-dropper, since our usual modus operandi has involved my going to the store, buying clothes, and forcing him to try them on later at home. Then I’d return what didn’t fit or what he didn’t like. And this was worth it to me because he was such an unhappy shopper and made the experience miserable for both of us.
But this time he was raring to go. He wanted a new pair of jeans, some new shorts (we’re entering a cold streak, but it’s still pretty warm on normal days), a sweatshirt, and some other things.
That day, he got hungry at 2:00 in the afternoon (two hours after eating a filling lunch of a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread, yogurt, chips, and a plum). He ate a barbeque sandwich, edamame, and grapes. Two hours later, he ate a huge plate of alfredo pasta.
He’s thin as a rail.
I’m guessing he’s growing.
This influenced where we were going to shop. He wanted cool clothes. I figured he would outgrow them very, very soon. Old Navy was my pick…no Hollister or Abercrombie and Fitch on this shopping trip.
When I was shopping for a publisher for Pretty is as Pretty Dies (necessary, because my first book from five years ago was with a small publisher that has—as many small publishers have lately—unfortunately gone under), I had a shopping plan, too. I needed a larger publisher with a more substantial print run. I needed to approach a publisher that wouldn’t require me to have an agent–which, at the time, I didn’t have. I needed someone that was currently open to admissions. I needed a publisher that published humorous cozies. I looked to ensure the publisher published regional mysteries, too. I found Midnight Ink and they were a perfect match for my manuscript.
All the writers I’ve ever spoken to have had similar shopping trips. You increase your chances substantially by not sending your YA book to a romance publisher. Or by not sending your 120,000 word mystery to a cozy publisher (who will be looking in the 75,000 word range.)
Publishers are shopping too, of course. Some of the things they’re looking for: conflict, hooks, riveting beginnings, original characters, and a strong voice.
They’re also looking for basic things like correct spelling, good grammar, active voice, showing-not-telling (some of the time, anyway), and some indication you’ve done your homework (their name is on the query, you’ve spelled their name correctly, you know the type of books the house publishes, your manuscript isn’t extremely long or extremely short, your query doesn’t state that your neighbor/child/cat loved your manuscript, etc.)
If I’d been looking for a suit for my son, we wouldn’t have gone to Old Navy.
If a publisher is looking for non-fiction, they’re not going to come to me. If I’m looking for a cozy mystery publisher, I’m not going to submit to Forge.
But if we do our research and have the merchandise publishers are looking for, both sides will get what they want.
Shopping Tools:
Writer’s Market : Online, or in bookstores and libraries (be sure it’s this year’s edition)
Literary Market Place: Same as above
Online searches–Have a publisher you’re interested in? Google the publisher’s name + submission guidelines. Then, look at the publisher’s website and see what their most recent releases are. Check those books out from the library or look for them in a bookstore and compare them to your own.
This is a great analogy, Elizabeth! It’s so important that we are intentional and specific in who we query as writers. Thank you so much for this reminder!
Great analogy! I’m sorry to hear that your publisher went under. Did you find a new one for your book? There are so many obstacles in the publishing business, aren’t there?
The Writer’s Market gets a good hug from me every night, the big lug.
You can write when you are asleep (I would think) and it all reads well. thanks for the info.
Maybe…one day…if I would finish “it”.
Good plan, Elizabeth, but where do you find these information, easily? Writers’ Digest? I’m not very familiar with American resources.
Bargain with the Devil
A good fit between writer, book, and publisher is vital. Good post! (And just wait until your son wants to start shopping for colognes and specific body washes and shampoos!)
Such a fountain of knowledge and resources you are! And it still blows me away that I could have approached publishers directly when I thought I had to have an agent first. Bummer!
Karen
Elizabeth – I think I’m going to print and frame this post!! Finding the right publisher is almost as important as writing a good, solid piece of work. The time one invests in looking for the right publisher can be really frustrating, in the same way that trying on clothes in lots of different stores can be. But you’re absolutely right that a good publisher is worth the wait and the effort.
I had to smile, too, as I read your shopping story. I went through the same thing when my daughter was younger. And Alan is absolutely right; it’s going to be really interesting when your son gets older. It was when my daughter became a teen; my “veto power” became an essential tool.. ; )
Kristen–Otherwise, the shopping trip could go on forever! I can only imagine the eye rolls if I’d taken my son to a series of fuddy-duddy stores.
Enid–The granddaddy of the research compilations is “Literary Market Place” which can be found in the library or online: http://www.literarymarketplace.com/lmp/us/index_us.asp .Writer’s Market (http://www.writersmarket.com/)is also excellent. For both listings, it’s important to either get this year’s copy (it comes out every year) or subscribe to the online edition. Enid, you might also be interested in romance-community sites that list publisher guidelines. A quick search led me to this: http://www.romanceauthorspage.com/guidelines.htm .
Bookstores and libraries are also great resources: to see publishers’ most-recently published books and see if they’re similar to yours.
Thanks for the comment, Enid–I’m going to go back and amend my post to add this info.
Jody–I should have mentioned that, too! Gosh, I’m going to be amending this post until the cows come home. Yes, Midnight Ink. First publisher was 5 years ago, Midnight Ink is 2nd, and Berkley Prime Crime is my other.
I shouldn’t write blog posts at bedtime! I leave all kinds of stuff out.
Hi Elizabeth.
When you have time, please stop by my blog at http://coffeeringseverywhere.blogspot.com/2009/10/passing-on-heart-of-dragon-award.html where I have passed on The Heart of the Dragon Award to you for sharing your world and therefore expanding my own.
Who needs an agent? My last agent talked me out of three book contracts and I now market on my own.
Jean
http://mysteriouspeople.blogspot.com/
Wonderful analogy, Elizabeth! Like anything, we need to search for the ‘right fit’. Shopping for kids…it’s an adventure. I’ve got three at home, two teenagers and a 12 year old. We have an on-going war between “cool clothes” and “Mom not wanting to take out a second mortgage to pay for them”.
Elspeth
Very good advice, Elizabeth. Writers really need to take aim at publishers and agents, not do a scatter shot and see what falls. And thanks for the links.
Helen
Straight From Hel
Journaling Woman–Just stick with it and you’ll finish that ms! As for Writer’s Market–yes, I could definitely do some strength training exercises with that thing.
Natasha–Thanks so much! You are really sweet.
Alan–Well, he was asking for that “Axe” deodorant–and asked his DAD for it. Doesn’t want Mom to know he wants to be pleasantly aromatic for the middle school ladies, apparently. Sigh.
Helen–Thanks!
Karen–Thanks! There are plenty of publishers out there who don’t require an agent, but you have to look. For example, I know quite a few authors with Gale-Five Star (Patricia Stoltey among them), which is a publisher that only markets to the library market. They seem very happy: http://www.gale.cengage.com/fivestar/
Margot–Definitely a frustrating process (like jeans shopping.) But it really does work out in the end.
Veto power! That’s what I need! I’m not so worried about my son, but my daughter is such a fashionista that I’m in for a rough ride, I think.
Another advantage of thinking carefully about to whom you submit or query is rejection letter reduction. Who likes those. Don’t care how many books you’ve published, it kinda hurts to have someone say, “No thanks.”
Best Regards, Galen
Imagineering Fiction Blog
Good analogy and sound advice, Elizabeth.
The Old Silly
Galen–Very true. Especially if the rejection could have been prevented by a little more research.
Marvin–Thanks! :)
Jean–Absolutely! That’s another important point you’ve brought up. If you *do* get an agent, be sure to shop for one just as carefully as you’re shopping for a publisher. Much better to not have an agent at all, than to have a bad one.
Elspeth–I think it would help if I actually knew what cool clothes *were*. Then maybe I could comparison shop. But…I’m clueless. :) Good luck with your 3!
For a moment there I thought maybe my son had ended up in your house!!! It’s really hard to keep those boys fed, isn’t it!
I wonder if the publishers are just as hungry for good fiction :)
Jemi–I’d like to think the publishers are. :) Let’s hope!