Monday, July 30, 2007

Fun Stuff

I turned in book 3 in the bayou series to my editor. I can't wait to hear her thoughts. The first revision letter is always the scariest. Now, I look forward to hearing her ideas on what will make the story even better. I'm blessed to have an editor who knows what her line's readers like. My mentor once told me that my story isn't anything until someone interacts with it, and my editor is the first one and gives me that feedback. So, I'm anxiously awaiting to hear what she has to say.

I also submitted the proposal for book 4 in the bayou series to her. This is the one book that from the beginning of planning this series, I knew I'd have a blast writing. It's the one heroine who's most near my heart, and her story will be the most fun to tell. So, I'm anxiously awaiting hearing back from my editor on that as well.

In the meantime, I'm working on the proposal for my single title EXPOSURE to be ready to pitch at the ACFW conference in Dallas in September. It's amazing that we have 50 days left until conference! I'm keeping really busy with last minute conference things, but I'm determined to have this proposal ready to pitch.

So, what about you? What're you working on?

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Ane Got Me!

I've been tagged by Ane Mulligan. But you know what, I don't mind this one. It's writing-related, my favorite subject! :) Here are the questions and my answers:

1. What's the one book or writing project you haven't yet written but still hope to?
The "inspired-by-a-true-story" telling of my husband's legal issues. Already have a title picked out.

2. If you had one entire day in which to do nothing but read, what book would you start with? The STAND

3. What was your first writing "instrument" (besides pen and paper)? An OLD computer. I took a fiction writing course from Writer's Digest back when my oldest daughter was a baby.

4. What's your best guess as to how many books you read in a month? Best guess? 30-40

5. What's your favorite writing "machine" you've ever owned? My laptop, but I've got my eye on a MACBOOK for the future! :D

6. Think historical fiction: what's your favorite time period in which to read? You have GOT to be kidding me?! I don't read hystericals! LOL

7. What's the one book you remember most clearly from your youth (childhood or teens)? Trixie Beldon series, hands down

Okay, enough about me. I'm going to tag, uh, Camy, Dineen, Ronie, and Ron. Not gonna bother with Heather because she won't do it. Would hit up other ACFW board members, but I have a feeling Ane got us all! But hey, feel FREE to leave your answers here under comments. I'd like to hear everyone's responses!

Thursday, July 12, 2007

ACFW Conference Thoughts...Interview with Kelly Mortimer

Welcome Kelly Mortimer of the Mortimer Literary Agency to the blog! Thanks for joining us, Kelly. I'd like to talk about the upcoming ACFW conference in September.

Robin: You've attended various conferences over the years. In your opinion, what makes a conference stand out from the others?

Kelly: Clean restrooms. Sorry, my bad. Actually, the site of the conference is important. Who wants to travel 30-minutes from the airport to the hotel, and back? Someone without a life! At one conference, the hotel booked another huge group at the same time. I won't mention the name of the other company, but there were a lot of frenzied women running around wearing tiaras and sashes. No, it wasn't the Miss America Pageant. Nothing against those "pink" ladies, by the way, I use some of their stuff. But registration was a nightmare, and getting a table at the hotel restaurant nearly impossible. I'm sure I lost three months of my life waiting for the elevator to make it to the lobby. At least I spent the time wisely. One day alone I got three free makeovers....

Robin: Any advice you'd like to offer to a 1st time conference attendee?

Kelly: Come early and get acclimated to the hotel. Find the rooms where the workshops you want to attend are located, and where the conference is holding your editor/agent appointments. Knowing where you have to go and how long it takes to get there will relieve stress, especially if you're running late. Take time to "hang out." You never know who you'll meet in the rest areas and the bar. Walk around with an air of confidence. I've seen attendees who look like Jack Nicholson or Anthony Perkins is waiting around the corner.

Robin: As an agent taking appointments, what do you look for most in a new author? An established author?

Kelly: Someone with a pulse. No reason to quake in fear you'll say or do the wrong thing. Be yourself, and if that's not good enough, you don't want that editor or agent. As to established authors, I have nothing against them, but I got into this business to help the unpublished get published.

Robin: Some people have said an agent will request something from each writer they have an appointment with at a conference--simply because it's easier to reject via mail rather than face-to-face. What's your stand on this?

Kelly: Either the agent is a coward, or too worried about hurting the writer's feelings. Look, if the story isn't something you think you can sell, you'll be hurting the writer more in the long run by stringing them along. I'm not advocating slamming writers. I'd never tell anyone to quit writing. But for me, tactful honesty is worth its weight in gold.

Robin: Can you share with the bloggers some specifics of what you in particular are looking for now?

Kelly: A few good men. Oops, wrong conference. Everyone always says the same thing: "A great read that wows me! Something different." Then you give 'em something different and they say they can't sell it because they don't know what to market it as. I'll just say I could use a good contemporary writer, good non-fiction, YA or middle grade for boys, but I keep an open mind for anything else on my list.

Robin: What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming conference?

Kelly: The security checkpoints at the airport. I just love showing off my new shoes to all those bored workers. Anything to brighten up someone's day! Okay, I'll stop. I look forward to hugging my clients, especially the ones I haven't met in person. After that, meeting the editors I've spoken to, but have never seen, plus hunting down new ones so I can talk-up my talented clients, and saying "hey" to my agent friends.

Robin: We've all shared the horror stories of worst pitches, stalking of agents/editors, and our most horrible moment. What is your BEST experience in one of these areas?

Kelly: Ah, my best experience with a stalker? My best worst pitch? I don't understand the question. If you mean what is the best experience I've had, hmm. I guess the pile of thank you notes I get from writers I had to reject. They've called me, "The Agent with a Heart," the "Agent of the People," and the "Un-agent." It's tough to have to turn people down, but great if you can at least give them some insight and encouragement.

Robin: LOL Thank you so much for stopping by and giving of your time to answer my questions. I look forward to seeing you in September!

Kelly: Right back at ya, babe!


Robin: Yet one more reason to sign up for the ACFW conference. Wait. You haven't yet? My! What're you waiting for? Here's the link! See you there!

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Thoughts on ACFW by Krista Stroever, Steeple Hill

Welcome Krista Stroever, senior editor of Steeple Hill to the blog! Thanks for joining us, Krista. I'd like to talk about the upcoming ACFW conference in September.

Robin: You've attended various conferences over the years. In your opinion, what makes ACFW's conference stand out from the others?


Krista: Few of the conferences I attend (with the exception of some of the trade shows) are exclusively Christian fiction & romance. It's refreshing to attend a conference with people who are doing what I do!


Robin: Any advice you'd like to offer to a 1st time conference attendee?

Krista: Relax! Honestly—most people are so nervous themselves about attending that they won’t even notice anything you do! Also, take notes and accept that it’s just not possible to attend everything.


Robin: As an editor taking appointments, what do you look for most in a new author?
An established author?


Krista: In a new author, I look for the fact they’re querying me on a complete manuscript, a sense of their book’s hooks, a concise keynote, and a knowledge of what my house publishes.

In an established author, I look for the latter 3 items, as well as a strong sales track record, info on their marketing/promotional/subrights history and an exciting new project.


Robin: Some people have said an editor will request something from each appointment they have at a conference--simply because it's easier to reject via snail mail rather than face-to-face. What's your stand on this?


Krista: I can’t speak for all editors, so it may certainly happen, but as several prospective authors can tell you, I have rejected projects not suitable for my house right at the appointment. There’s no point in my wasting your time.


Robin: Can you share with the bloggers some specifics of what Steeple Hill, and you in particular, are looking for now?


Krista: The biggest opportunities for new authors lie in the Love Inspired, Love Inspired Suspense and Love Inspired Historical lines. We’re looking for strong character-driven romances and are particularly eager for new talent in the romantic suspense genre.

For the Steeple Hill women’s fiction line, we prefer established authors.

We are not looking for chick-lit for the Love Inspired line from new authors, and we are sufficiently inventoried in cozies.


Robin: What are you looking forward to the most about the upcoming conference?


Krista: Fellowship! (And great new projects, of course.)


Robin: We've all shared the horror stories of worst pitches, stalking of agents/editors, and most horrible moment. What BEST moment of an ACFW conference can you tell us about?


Krista: The best moments are when you get to reconnect with authors you work with, but don’t have the chance to see every day.

Robin: Thank you so much for stopping by and giving of your time to answer my
questions. I look forward to seeing you in September!

Krista: My pleasure!

Robin here: So, you haven't registered for the ACFW conference yet? What're you waiting for? Go. Now. Here. Register. You'll feel better!