This is my first time doing a poll— so fingers crossed I’m doing it right!
An exciting opportunity has come my way to create a book with someone I admire. I’ll go into more details later, but due to a recent injury this person isn’t in a position to write the book themselves but their story is incredible. This book would be a memoir with commercial potential, so I would be helping this person develop a book concept, turn it into a book proposal, and hopefully (hopefully!) get it represented by an agent and purchased by an editor. Would it be of value to you to watch this book be built behind the scenes? To see how I help someone nail down a memoir concept and build it out in a proposal?
Thanks for weighing in and for being a subscriber.
I'm just about to embark on this process with my second memoir. Seems like a no-brainer since I already wrote my first, right? But I'm having so much trouble with my proposal! I love this idea!!! Thank you!
Thanks, Courtney. I'll definitely check it out. Before and After the Book Deal has been my Bible throughout this whole process. I have a post-it on p. 155 right now because we're starting to request blurbs. :-) I can't thank you enough for all you do for us publishing newbies!
Yes!!!! Behind-the-scenes is great. This would be fascinating. Please do this!
I've been thinking too about chronicling my attempts at my first book, which are sloooowly underway (mentioned in another thread today: Navigating the Journey You Never Wanted to Go On :), in my tiny newsletter, and wondering if it was a good or awful idea. My proposal is half done; I'm struggling with comps; I don't have an agent; it's all learning as I go, so I'm in a very different place than you. But feeling how wildly enthused I felt instantly at this question from you made me feel like it's probably worth doing myself too. We all love watching someone in the middle of something meaningful to them. So, thank you!
Your project sounds truly interesting! The one thing to keep in mind if you haven't published is to be careful, and inform yourself, around how much of the project you can release online. Like, if you share a lot of the chapters/content in your Substack, some gatekeepers might be like, "Cool! Buzz! Platform!" and others might say "That counts as self publication and now we can't publish her." Generally (no hard and fast rules) but generally, if you want a book deal, what is helpful is to write on and around the topics that will be in your book to build up people who will actually buy it, without actually releasing content before the book exists.
Would this apply to novels too, Courtney? I have 3 excerpts either published or forthcoming in lit journals. I've included that information in my query. Is that wise/okay to do?
It's a risk with any genre. Like I said, if the project is a great success, (see Coleen Hoover) then gatekeepers are like, Awesome, there's buzz out there, let's pick up that project, but if it doesn't get a lot of momentum, they're like, Not a lot of buzz and that counts as self published so we can't even consider it. It's good to do some research or even ask editors (if you are friends with any) how they feel about online serialization. This only comes into play if you are pursuing a traditional publication track.
Not sure I understand the part about self-publishing and online serialization. I probably wasn't clear in my question. Sorry. I am pursuing traditional publication. Of the three novel excerpts one was published in an online literary journal (Susurrus). The other two will come out in print journals (Transition and Arkansas Internat'l Review). None of them will be self-published. How do agents look at a query that says excerpts of the novel are published/forthcoming in literary journals? "Yay! People like him!" or "Boo! Overexposed!"
Ah, sorry-- maybe I misunderstood. If the excerpts are in mags or literary journals that is EXCELLENT and will be super helpful in your agent/editor search! I thought you were talking about releasing excerpts online (like in a Substack or blog or something.)
Great! Thank you! Fingers crossed. I'm finding being patient while waiting to hear back from agents can be really tough, but I try to focus on new writing, etc. And I try to remind myself that it's a good problem to have. It's like being on the sidelines saying, "Put me in the game, Coach. Put me in!"
I’ve been sharing more of my process in my newsletter and I’ve had good feedback. I think the specifics, seeing our emotional journey and knowing they’re not alone is super helpful.
Thanks, Cynthia! I subscribed. I loved this line on your website, too: "I explore the inner adventure of making."
I enjoy Substack; it's the best email system I've used for writing and community. (Not ideal for marketing; I use Constant Contact at work.) What do you use now?
In the grande scheme it is super fascinating, and congratulations on the opportunity! Speaking from a day-to-day point of view, considering the quantity of emails that arrive daily, I'm more likely to open and engage with (at least in a timely manner) the ones that I can apply directly to my own writing goals. I would probably follow this journey of yours with sincere interest, but not in real time.
That totally makes sense! If I did this, I'd build out a separate section of the newsletter that people could stay subscribe to or unsubscribe so they wouldn't receive if that section's content didn't interest them.
Late to the poll but super excited for this content. What a great resource you are!
That is so kind to say, Jayne, thank you!
This would be incredibly helpful!!!
Sounds fascinating!
Yes, please!
I'm just about to embark on this process with my second memoir. Seems like a no-brainer since I already wrote my first, right? But I'm having so much trouble with my proposal! I love this idea!!! Thank you!
For what it's worth I have a super affordable online class about book proposal writing! It's self paced and involves video tutorials of me walking you through each stage of the process: https://www.domestika.org/en/courses/2864-book-proposal-writing-how-to-get-published/cmaum
Thanks, Courtney. I'll definitely check it out. Before and After the Book Deal has been my Bible throughout this whole process. I have a post-it on p. 155 right now because we're starting to request blurbs. :-) I can't thank you enough for all you do for us publishing newbies!
yes, please!!
Absolutely ! I would be very interested in following along with your process.
Count me in too.
Yes!!!! Behind-the-scenes is great. This would be fascinating. Please do this!
I've been thinking too about chronicling my attempts at my first book, which are sloooowly underway (mentioned in another thread today: Navigating the Journey You Never Wanted to Go On :), in my tiny newsletter, and wondering if it was a good or awful idea. My proposal is half done; I'm struggling with comps; I don't have an agent; it's all learning as I go, so I'm in a very different place than you. But feeling how wildly enthused I felt instantly at this question from you made me feel like it's probably worth doing myself too. We all love watching someone in the middle of something meaningful to them. So, thank you!
Your project sounds truly interesting! The one thing to keep in mind if you haven't published is to be careful, and inform yourself, around how much of the project you can release online. Like, if you share a lot of the chapters/content in your Substack, some gatekeepers might be like, "Cool! Buzz! Platform!" and others might say "That counts as self publication and now we can't publish her." Generally (no hard and fast rules) but generally, if you want a book deal, what is helpful is to write on and around the topics that will be in your book to build up people who will actually buy it, without actually releasing content before the book exists.
Would this apply to novels too, Courtney? I have 3 excerpts either published or forthcoming in lit journals. I've included that information in my query. Is that wise/okay to do?
It's a risk with any genre. Like I said, if the project is a great success, (see Coleen Hoover) then gatekeepers are like, Awesome, there's buzz out there, let's pick up that project, but if it doesn't get a lot of momentum, they're like, Not a lot of buzz and that counts as self published so we can't even consider it. It's good to do some research or even ask editors (if you are friends with any) how they feel about online serialization. This only comes into play if you are pursuing a traditional publication track.
Not sure I understand the part about self-publishing and online serialization. I probably wasn't clear in my question. Sorry. I am pursuing traditional publication. Of the three novel excerpts one was published in an online literary journal (Susurrus). The other two will come out in print journals (Transition and Arkansas Internat'l Review). None of them will be self-published. How do agents look at a query that says excerpts of the novel are published/forthcoming in literary journals? "Yay! People like him!" or "Boo! Overexposed!"
Ah, sorry-- maybe I misunderstood. If the excerpts are in mags or literary journals that is EXCELLENT and will be super helpful in your agent/editor search! I thought you were talking about releasing excerpts online (like in a Substack or blog or something.)
Great! Thank you! Fingers crossed. I'm finding being patient while waiting to hear back from agents can be really tough, but I try to focus on new writing, etc. And I try to remind myself that it's a good problem to have. It's like being on the sidelines saying, "Put me in the game, Coach. Put me in!"
Thanks for the guidance, Courtney! I'll keep that in mind. Really helpful.
I’ve been sharing more of my process in my newsletter and I’ve had good feedback. I think the specifics, seeing our emotional journey and knowing they’re not alone is super helpful.
Thanks for sharing!
That's great to hear, Cynthia. Thank you for sharing. Where could I read or sign up for your newsletter?
Thanks, Brianne! https://www.originalimpulse.com/creativity-newsletter/
I signed up for Odyssey of the Body!
I am considering a switch to Substack for all the interaction that's possible.
Thanks, Cynthia! I subscribed. I loved this line on your website, too: "I explore the inner adventure of making."
I enjoy Substack; it's the best email system I've used for writing and community. (Not ideal for marketing; I use Constant Contact at work.) What do you use now?
In the grande scheme it is super fascinating, and congratulations on the opportunity! Speaking from a day-to-day point of view, considering the quantity of emails that arrive daily, I'm more likely to open and engage with (at least in a timely manner) the ones that I can apply directly to my own writing goals. I would probably follow this journey of yours with sincere interest, but not in real time.
That totally makes sense! If I did this, I'd build out a separate section of the newsletter that people could stay subscribe to or unsubscribe so they wouldn't receive if that section's content didn't interest them.
Count me in with this enthusiastic group! Yes please!
Oh man yes I need a much more enthusiastic yes button as well!
Yes!
Yes yes yes!
Where's the Hell Yeah button? I'm pretty much up for any behind-the-scenes look!
Twist all of my arms! Hell, throw my legs in there too!
Keep your arms and legs in tact Daryl! No need to twist anything LOL