Bad news on Moon Thief, they apparently didn't like it or didn't even read it. With the market the way it is, I expect I'll get a rejection for The Gifted Ones, too. Oh well, time to take action I suppose. I disagree with the way publishing is anyway, how writers only get a percentage of the sales and whatnot. I think I will start my own epublishing business. Everything will go to that soon anyhow. It doesn't cost too much and I already have the software and the store to load my books to, so I just need to practice art again and start designing my covers. I suppose since I'm taking it slow on writing again, I'll start working on those.
GP :)
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
New Ideas Keep Coming
Wow! My mind is so full of book ideas right now. Too bad the economy is so bad. I've started two new books, one a series of first chapter books that will hopefully be funny. Guess I'll have to start my e-book publishing business this year. With the increased demands on using technology in the classroom, e-books would be more beneficial to teachers. It would cut down on the space used by bookshelves in the classroom, too. I thought about this a few years ago. As a teacher, also, I use the document camera a lot when reading with the class because I usually don't have several copies of the book I want to read with them. They love reading that way. I think they would really enjoy e-books.
Anyway, got to get busy. Perhaps one day soon the economy will rise again and I will reach my goal of getting 4 new books published this year. If not, I will have my illustrator do the artwork and I will start my own publishing company so that I can reach my goal.
GP:)
Anyway, got to get busy. Perhaps one day soon the economy will rise again and I will reach my goal of getting 4 new books published this year. If not, I will have my illustrator do the artwork and I will start my own publishing company so that I can reach my goal.
GP:)
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Publishing World and Recession
I just read a few articles yesterday on the recession and the publishing industry. I never thought the big R would reach that far, but I was wrong. Here I was, so excited about possibly being published with a big publisher like HMH, and then come to find out that they put a freeze on acquisitions back at the end of 2008. I can't help but wonder whether the freeze came before or after I received the letter to revise and return for a second look.
Anyway, this all got me thinking about my original idea of self publishing, and not in hard copy. I have the means, the ability and the software to publish my own e-books and sell them as digital, so I suppose I may do that. I mean, I can sell them for a lot less than traditional publishing houses and give people the entertainment they want for less. Schools can access the digital version for reading online and sharing with a class. I don't know. I guess between now and summer I may be working on that. I'm getting quite the repertoire of books finished and I just started another series featuring a third grade class clown, Bobby J and his antics, akin to Junie B. Jones, but older character and all taking place at or near school.
It is the way of the world, change, and this recession is making many changes. I just hope my digital bookstore will be successful. I mean, really, how many households have computers these days and how many kids are more proficient at using them than adults?
We'll see what happens, I guess.
GP:)
Anyway, this all got me thinking about my original idea of self publishing, and not in hard copy. I have the means, the ability and the software to publish my own e-books and sell them as digital, so I suppose I may do that. I mean, I can sell them for a lot less than traditional publishing houses and give people the entertainment they want for less. Schools can access the digital version for reading online and sharing with a class. I don't know. I guess between now and summer I may be working on that. I'm getting quite the repertoire of books finished and I just started another series featuring a third grade class clown, Bobby J and his antics, akin to Junie B. Jones, but older character and all taking place at or near school.
It is the way of the world, change, and this recession is making many changes. I just hope my digital bookstore will be successful. I mean, really, how many households have computers these days and how many kids are more proficient at using them than adults?
We'll see what happens, I guess.
GP:)
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
New Ideas
I'm in stuck mode with my writing. I'm trying to think of a new series idea for beginning chapter books, but it's just not coming to me. I should really be working on my YA series, but I'm strange like that. I've been working so hard on the four I've sent out, that I kind of want a little break from writing for a while. That's okay, I guess, as long as I continue to write every day in some fashion.
Anyhow, as soon as I hear something good about the first book in the series, I'll have to go back to working every morning on the second book, and then the third and so on. There are six books in the series. In between, though, I thought I might like to try a humorous beginning chapter book for younger kids, but I'm stuck on ideas. So many have been done about school. I want to do something original, something not out there. It will come to me. Until it does, or until I hear about The Gifted Ones, I'll keep thinking. Once I get started on writing a book, I will almost have to finish it before I can move on to the next one.
I'm reading The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz. I think I'll go read a chapter or two before I start writing. Very interesting book! Of course, I love dogs, and DKs books, so it would be interesting to me.
GP :)
Anyhow, as soon as I hear something good about the first book in the series, I'll have to go back to working every morning on the second book, and then the third and so on. There are six books in the series. In between, though, I thought I might like to try a humorous beginning chapter book for younger kids, but I'm stuck on ideas. So many have been done about school. I want to do something original, something not out there. It will come to me. Until it does, or until I hear about The Gifted Ones, I'll keep thinking. Once I get started on writing a book, I will almost have to finish it before I can move on to the next one.
I'm reading The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz. I think I'll go read a chapter or two before I start writing. Very interesting book! Of course, I love dogs, and DKs books, so it would be interesting to me.
GP :)
Monday, February 9, 2009
Rainy Monday
Well, it's a rainy Monday here. I've been taking a break from my writing. I'm running a mailing for my first book today to some local schools including free bookmarks. I didn't realize I would have to do so much marketing to sell my book. I thought the publisher did that stuff, after all, they would like to make money on it, too. I mean, when all is said and done, if the mailings even work, I'll only make half the amount of royalties off my book. Oh, well, I guess if it takes off, it will be worth it. Must be the rain that is making me so moody and negative.
I'm trying to think of a series that kids will really enjoy. I have numerous books to work on, but I want to try something different, something today's kids will like and want. I guess all writers do that, hoping.
Off to face the day and the rain. Next time.
GP :)
I'm trying to think of a series that kids will really enjoy. I have numerous books to work on, but I want to try something different, something today's kids will like and want. I guess all writers do that, hoping.
Off to face the day and the rain. Next time.
GP :)
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Another Manuscript in theMail
Yesterday morning I sent Moon Thief to an agent. This weekend I'll send Master Stinky Dances, a picturebook, to an editor or two. I took a break from writing this morning and did some research I needed to do. Tomorrow morning, though, I start again on another manuscript. I think I have decided on the next one to work on. Tomorrow, I become a thief's daughter!
I'm looking forward to working on this one. It should be interesting. I plan to tie many situations from my past into the storyline (not that I was a thief's daughter). I think readers will like it.
I'm reading a Dean Koontz book on the side. I love the way he uses metaphors and symbols in his writing. I aspire to be as good at Children's Books as he is at Adult books. I say adult, but he's got my 14 year old daughter hooked with the retriever characters. We have a half retriever and its amazing how much he reminds us of Einstein in Watchers. I think she reread Watchers as often as she reread the first Harry Potter book at the age of 7. (She'll probably kill me for admitting that in public, but not many kids--and adults--didn't love Harry when he first came out) We love dogs!
Anyway,
All for today. Tomorrow I start again! Hope anyone reading this is looking forward to seeing more books from me. Send me a reply!
GP :)
I'm looking forward to working on this one. It should be interesting. I plan to tie many situations from my past into the storyline (not that I was a thief's daughter). I think readers will like it.
I'm reading a Dean Koontz book on the side. I love the way he uses metaphors and symbols in his writing. I aspire to be as good at Children's Books as he is at Adult books. I say adult, but he's got my 14 year old daughter hooked with the retriever characters. We have a half retriever and its amazing how much he reminds us of Einstein in Watchers. I think she reread Watchers as often as she reread the first Harry Potter book at the age of 7. (She'll probably kill me for admitting that in public, but not many kids--and adults--didn't love Harry when he first came out) We love dogs!
Anyway,
All for today. Tomorrow I start again! Hope anyone reading this is looking forward to seeing more books from me. Send me a reply!
GP :)
Monday, February 2, 2009
Back to the Rat Race
It's Monday. It's back to the rat race day! I worked all weekend on two different manuscripts. I completed one, and then went back and revised a picture book manuscript I'm getting ready to send off.
Wow, I can't believe Monday is here and that I worked so much over the weekend. It would be so nice to spend my mornings writing until around 10 or 11. I get so much more accomplished in those early hours. Well, every writer needs a means of support, right?
I've posted a short story to my Authorsden website. Hope you enjoy reading it. It kind of fit my mood on Saturday after I completed a new middle level manuscript.
You know what I find the hardest thing to do? Write a query letter, or cover letter, to sell my books. I believe that takes just as long as a manuscript sometimes. Too bad it can't be like the old days when editors just read the manuscript and ignored the simple cover letter! Such is the way of things, though, when a field becomes inundated with competition.
Well, have a good Monday! I will certainly try. Looking forward to summer, though, so I can spend my mornings writing!
GP:)
Wow, I can't believe Monday is here and that I worked so much over the weekend. It would be so nice to spend my mornings writing until around 10 or 11. I get so much more accomplished in those early hours. Well, every writer needs a means of support, right?
I've posted a short story to my Authorsden website. Hope you enjoy reading it. It kind of fit my mood on Saturday after I completed a new middle level manuscript.
You know what I find the hardest thing to do? Write a query letter, or cover letter, to sell my books. I believe that takes just as long as a manuscript sometimes. Too bad it can't be like the old days when editors just read the manuscript and ignored the simple cover letter! Such is the way of things, though, when a field becomes inundated with competition.
Well, have a good Monday! I will certainly try. Looking forward to summer, though, so I can spend my mornings writing!
GP:)
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