Revisions and critiques

Lots of great NaNoWriMo advice floating around Twitter, much of it revolving around the truism that once you finish those 50,000 words (or however much you’ve been able to accomplish), you have not =finished= the book.  First, 50,000 words is often too short to be considered a novel, depending on the age group for which you’re writing.  Second, a novel is so much more than a first draft.  I’m asked all the time, “I’ve finished my novel.  Now what?”  My response is always to find a critique partner or group and workshop/revise the heck out of it.  I suggest critiquing because often we’re too close to our own work to see it’s flaws.  We know what we meant, so we don’t necessarily know when we’ve been unclear.  We won’t always call ourselves on the tough stuff or even see that there’s something we’ve shied away from until someone points it out.  Once we know, we can’t unknow.  Oh, we can do denial, but that’s never helped anyone deal with the problems at hand.  That’s not to say that all criticism will be useful.  You do have to run it all through your own filters, but listen with an open mind and approach the manuscript with the attitude that you’re going to take the time and expend the effort needed to make it not just acceptable, but sensational.  Not just done, but done right.

Now, the above is not a lead in to my next note.  I don’t think you have to pay for critiques necessarily.  However, Publishing for Vision & Hearing is holding an auction to raise money for the Foundation Fighting Blindness and the Deafness Research Foundation.  Many great authors, editors and agents (including me) have donated critiques to benefit these great causes.  So, if you’re so inclined, stop by and see if you want to place a bid or help us spread the word.

Around the block

As if I didn’t already know the blogosphere could get along without me, here are some recent posts saying what needs to be said:

Chuck Sambuchino of Writers Digest answering 11 Frequently Asked Questions about Book Royalties, Advances and Money

and

Victoria Strauss for Writer Beware on Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistic

In other news, two of my authors are talking to each other (imagine that!) over at Magical Words today, in case you want to stop in and say “hey” or hear a bit about plotting for a single novel vs. a series and working within a historical setting vs. a fantasy world.

Happy Release Day!

Happy release day to David B. Coe, Marjorie M. Liu and David Mack for their latest!

THE DARK-EYES’ WAR by David B. Coe (Tor Books)

The conclusion to the epic series Blood of the Southlands comes to mass market:

“I came across David B Coe’s writing a little over a year, year and half ago, and I was amazed. He is one of my all time favorite fantasy writers. The Dark Eyes’ War has been highly anticipated for myself for over a year. It didn’t disappoint at all.”        —Fantasy Book Critic

A bitter old woman’s curse has set in motion events that have felled innocent lives across an already war-weary land. She has paid the ultimate price, and an end to the curse is at hand, but her evil has created chaos and destruction.

Qirsi all across the Southlands are dying from a plague that turns their own magic against them, allowing an Eandi army from Stelpana to boldly march into their territory. But magic has many faces, and the Qirsi aren’t the only ones cursed; even as Stelpana’s force wins battles, an insidious magic has corrupted the spells of their sorcerers, and what began as a military triumph is suddenly jeopardized. The future of the Southlands hangs in the balance, as the deeds of previous generations wreak terrible consequences on both sides in this misbegotten war.

WITHIN THE FLAMES by Marjorie M. Liu (Avon Books)

New Dirk & Steele paranormal romance:

“Within the Flames is another sterling addition to Marjorie M. Liu’s Dirk & Steele series. Eddie and Lyssa set the pages ablaze, literally! … Within the Flames is a fiery explosion of action, adventure and beautiful romance.” –Joyfully Reviewed

Joining the Dirk & Steele Agency turned Eddie’s life around. A pyrokinetic and former car thief, he cannot refuse an assignment to cross the continent in order to rescue an extraordinary woman in peril . . . even though he fears losing control of the destructive power of flame at his fingertips.

The last of her shape-shifting kind, Lyssa hides in the abandoned tunnels beneath Manhattan, seeking refuge from those who murdered her family a decade ago and would now destroy her as well. Like Eddie, fire is her weapon, her destiny . . . and her curse. Yet she wants nothing to do with this mesmerizing stranger who seeks her trust while enflaming her passion. For beneath Lyssa’s extraordinary beauty are dangerous secrets . . . and even darker, nearly irresistible urges. But she has won the heart of a fearless protector . . . and all the demons in the world will not make him back down.

STAR TREK: MIRROR UNIVERSE: RISE LIKE LIONS by David Mack (Pocket Books)

Miles “Smiley” O’Brien struggles to hold together his weary band of freedom fighters in their war against the overwhelming might of the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance. Each day pushes the rebels on Terok Nor one step closer to defeat, but with nowhere left to run, the time has come to make their last stand.

Light-years away, Mac Calhoun and his Romulan allies harass Klingon forces with devious hit-and-run attacks. But Calhoun has a grander ambition: he intends to merge his fleet with the Terran Rebellion and lead it to victory—or die trying.

Meanwhile, a bitter feud threatens to shatter the Alliance from within. The old rivalry between the Klingons and the Cardassians erupts into open warfare as each vies for the upper hand in their partnership.

Manipulating events from its hidden redoubts, Memory Omega—the secret operation initiated by Spock a century earlier—sees its plans come to fruition sooner than expected. But striking early means risking everything—and if the revolution fails, Spock’s vision for the future will be lost forever.

TEXAS GOTHIC

A huge, super-congrats to Rosemary Clement-Moore, whose novel TEXAS GOTHIC (Delacorte Books for Young Readers) is on Kirkus Reviews’ Best Teen Books of 2011 list!

So well deserved!  Anyone who likes mystery, romance, the paranormal or simply a wonderful read ought to pick it up.

But don’t take my word for it:

“A deeply affectionate rendering of Texas landscapes and legends combines with an appealing cast of well-developed characters to give texture to this well-plotted mystery; truly scary moments are balanced by the humorous bumbles of the awkwardly developing romance between Amy and Ben, as well as Phin’s sublime cluelessness about the way her eccentricities appear to other people. The mystery itself is a richly imagined interpolation on documented history and lore of the area; readers who’ve outgrown the silliness but not the adventure of Scooby-Doo will thoroughly enjoy this.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“This engaging mystery has plenty of both paranormal and romance, spiced with loving families and satisfyingly packed with self-sufficient, competent girls.” —Kirkus, Starred Review

“Teens looking for a rollicking adventure filled with paranormal events, dastardly evildoers, and laugh-out-loud moments as Amy and Ben argue and snipe their way to love will adore this book.”       —School Library Journal, Starred Review

“Overall, an amazing book and Rosemary Clement Moore is definitely someone you guys should check out!” —Radiant Reads

Tension

I hope that everyone had a glorious Thanksgiving!  I did something I almost never do…went nearly off the grid.  While I did a lot of work (reading, writing…), I mostly spent the long weekend in realtime with family and friends, so social media fell a bit by the wayside.  In the immortal words of Madeleine Kahn from Blazing Saddles, “I feel refreshed.”

So, I’m back.  I can promise anyone who ever told me to get stuffed that I have taken their advice, and I’m over at Magical Words today with a post chock full of tension and suspense.

I’ve been so crazed this fall that I just realized I never shared my cover copy for FANGTASTIC, the third novel in my Vamped series, which is coming from Flux Books in January!  So, without further ado, I’m stoked to present….

“Gina never fails to please, as she strides down the runway of afterlife with just the right mix of humor, make-up advice, youthful lust that never crosses the line, and a kung-fu style all her own. [Fangtastic] doesn’t miss a beat.” —Kirkus Reviews

My Super-Secret Vampire Mission

Can you still be a Fed and fabulous?  When undercover involves infiltrating the club lair of poser vamps killing people in Florida (like real murderers!), the only way to blend in is to stand out.  The job certainly has its upside: five alarm hotties, wicked fashion tips from the steampunk crowd and partnering with my BFF Marcy and my gorgeous, genius boyfriend Bobby.   It helps to have a team behind me when facing the deadliest mission yet, where we might not actually be the scariest things to go bump in the night.

Perks of this assignment: I get to spend a lot of time in clubs and my undercover outfit is smoking hot, with no VPL (visible panty lines for those playing along at home).

Downside of this assignment: I have to offer Bobby to the killers as bait!

Praise for the Vamped series

“A total delight! Diver delivers a delightful cast of undead characters and a fresh, fast take on the vampire mythos.”

—Rachel Caine, New York Times bestselling author of the Morganville Vampires series

“A witty vampire romance/adventure with plenty of heart and action.”—VOYA

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Thankful

Some wonderful things to be thankful for as I work frantically to wrap up all I can before the holidays.  For one, our authors are hanging tough in the Goodreads Choice Awards.  Check out:

Chloe Neill’s HARD BITTEN in the Paranormal Fantasy category

Rob Thurman’s BASILISK in Science Fiction

Gena Showalter and Nalini Singh both in Romance!

Want more positivity?  Check out this great Chicago Social article on Chloe Neill, whose latest Chicagoland Vampires novel DRINK DEEP was back again last week on the New York Times bestseller list.  Yup, a lot to be thankful for this holiday season in addition to the fact that I don’t have to cook.  (Trust me, the rest of my family is just as thankful for this!)

What are you most thankful for?  Any great holiday traditions you want to share?

What I Love (and Don’t) About my Job

What I love about my job:

Wednesdays. Why, you ask? Is it that the week is half over or the glass is half full? No, it’s the evening the New York Times bestseller list comes out. It’s like watching to see if you won the Lotto, but with a much better chance of someone you know (or represent) hitting.

Brilliant people. Other agents, authors, editors, bloggers, fans…they’re all BOOK people. I work with some of the most brilliant, creative, out-of-the-box thinkers in the universe. I call that blessed.

Deals. I admit it, I’m a deal junkie. I live for the rush of making a sale and negotiating terms. Yes, I like to haggle. I love a good debate, where both sides present logical and well-reasoned support for their positions and in the end hammer out an agreement.

Travel. I’m seeing the world one convention at a time. In 2011 alone, I’ve been on a writers’ conference cruise to Key West and Cozumel; to Dallas, TX; Yosemite, CA; New York, NY (several times over, of course); Reno, NV; Atlanta, GA; Germany and Greece (though this latter was for vacation). Gorgeous places, great company. It satisfies the travel junkie in me. Yes, you now know my two of my major addictions: deals and travel.

What I don’t love quite so much:

Power reading. Power reading, like power walking, is about the goal and not the journey. I miss the days when I could immerse myself in a book and become one with the characters, my gut churning and pulse-pounding along with them. Now, I have so much to read, all of which needs to be evaluated, that my inner editor keeps me intent on the details and not the ride. Every once in a while I have to stop and smell the fiction to refresh.

The Internet. To be honest, my feelings about the internet are a little love/hate. Complex and chaotic. It’s wonderful for spreading information, putting people in touch, networking, learning and growing. But some people use it to spread misinformation, further an agenda or browbeat others. However, since I did an entire post on cyberbullying last month at the Magical Words blog, I’ll move right along.

The Downers. As agents, we see a lot of rejection. We take on projects we love and work with people we admire. Don’t think we’re not affected by rejections, silences or bad reviews for our clients. We are. We champion these books and authors. We want to win the day, bring back the holy grail every darned time. It doesn’t always work like that.

And…let’s see, I feel like I should have four downs, since I have four ups. But you know what? The good completely outweighs the bad. By a longshot. I love my job. I love most everyone I’ve met and everywhere I’ve been because of it. I love being surrounded by bookshelves I’ve helped stock and being part of a business that meant so much to me growing up and still does. You know those addictions I mentioned? You add reading and family…oh, and caffeine…and my life is complete.