Friday was the holiday gathering of the agents I socialize with. We had a fabulous French meal in midtown, and equally fabulous red wine. We were happy.
Until we started talking about the industry. Now you know that today most agent have come from the ranks of full-time publishing employment, so we all were commenting on how glad we were that we weren't on the other side of the paycheck anymore (note to readers: I became an agent directly from a stint as a newspaper publisher). One editorial consultant even mentioned an editor friend who had been promoted and told she still had her junior position expense account, plus the job respsonsibiities she was leaving, as well as those she was taking on. She wondered, "How is she going to get the bigger books, if she can't take agents to lunch?"
And it struck us all how simple it would be to change things now. Yes, I love a good lunch at Ruth Chris or the Rockefeller Cafe, but I really am there for the business. So, why don't publishers invite agencies to the conference room, where a number of editors can meet with a number of agents and order in? This would save so much time and money?
Granted those agents who are so impressed with themselves that they need individual lunches will always be there, but for most agents and editors, this would solve so many problems.
Just my holiday two cents after too much red wine!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
What's Selling
Writers always want to know what editors are buying, and I'm happy to report that editors seem to be buying again, although very slowly.
I want to underline that fact - they're buying but at a slower pace, and, often, for less than you might have gotten a year ago.
OK, so what's selling is paranormal romance and young adult fiction. And, as I've said countless times, you can never have too many vampire novels, with zombies following close behind. And don't forget to set those paranormal YA romances during the vampire/zombie apocalypse (seriously).
However, it's become increasingly difficult to sell any genre fiction from a male protagonist's perspective, unless he's really hot. But even if he's a really hot teen vampire, it's better to tell the story from a female point of view. If you have a male character, I'd almost suggest that you change the gender of your main character to sell a novel in this climate.
And as far as erotica goes, it is nearly impossible to sell any sexually explicit material from the male point of view, unless it's gay or M/M.
I have never seen a time in publishing where women's tastes have driven the market. I'm hoping that it produces a whole new crop of books that are unique (and profitable for all).
I want to underline that fact - they're buying but at a slower pace, and, often, for less than you might have gotten a year ago.
OK, so what's selling is paranormal romance and young adult fiction. And, as I've said countless times, you can never have too many vampire novels, with zombies following close behind. And don't forget to set those paranormal YA romances during the vampire/zombie apocalypse (seriously).
However, it's become increasingly difficult to sell any genre fiction from a male protagonist's perspective, unless he's really hot. But even if he's a really hot teen vampire, it's better to tell the story from a female point of view. If you have a male character, I'd almost suggest that you change the gender of your main character to sell a novel in this climate.
And as far as erotica goes, it is nearly impossible to sell any sexually explicit material from the male point of view, unless it's gay or M/M.
I have never seen a time in publishing where women's tastes have driven the market. I'm hoping that it produces a whole new crop of books that are unique (and profitable for all).
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Can NaNoWriMo Novels be Any Good?
If you go to the ravenousromance.blogspot.com site, you'll find that we are supporting NaNoWriMo. We are encourging writers to write erotic romance novels during this month and send them to us.
We expect to be deluged. We expect most of what we see to need so much work we will be unable to do anything with it except tell you where you need a lot of work. But we also expect to find some writers who we can work with and who will grow into RR authors. That's what editors used to do many years ago.
So I was a little shocked when one of our writers told me that many editors and agents have flat out refused to read any NaNoWriMo books.
And I was equally shocked that a reader of the RR blog said it would take years to get a novel to the point where it could be submitted, so any NaNoWriMo novel sent in after only a month of editing would probably suck.
Writing is a learned skill. And the more you do it, the better you become at it.
I was a journalist before I became an agent and an editor. You learn to write, and then you learn to write quickly. You learn to edit yourself. I've been writing (and pubbing) for three decades (since I was 17) and it took me forever to write anything when I was a young adult, and now I can write good, well-crafted prose at a speed I never imagined.
NanNoWriMo is about learning and mastering style and craft and pacing of information. The first thing you learn about writing is that writers write. That's what NaNoWriMo is really about - getting that book out of your head and onto the page. A writer's group, a good editor and even your reader will tell you what works, how to make it better and where to improve. NaNoWriMo (and RR ) is not about the Great American novel. It's about finishing your first novel. My advice to first time authors has always been to write the novel you can finish. It will teach you how to write the next one.
So, yes, I think there are going to be some pretty good novels sent to us from this NaNoWriMo excercise, especially since now there's a real market and place for your 50,000 word novels.
We expect to be deluged. We expect most of what we see to need so much work we will be unable to do anything with it except tell you where you need a lot of work. But we also expect to find some writers who we can work with and who will grow into RR authors. That's what editors used to do many years ago.
So I was a little shocked when one of our writers told me that many editors and agents have flat out refused to read any NaNoWriMo books.
And I was equally shocked that a reader of the RR blog said it would take years to get a novel to the point where it could be submitted, so any NaNoWriMo novel sent in after only a month of editing would probably suck.
Writing is a learned skill. And the more you do it, the better you become at it.
I was a journalist before I became an agent and an editor. You learn to write, and then you learn to write quickly. You learn to edit yourself. I've been writing (and pubbing) for three decades (since I was 17) and it took me forever to write anything when I was a young adult, and now I can write good, well-crafted prose at a speed I never imagined.
NanNoWriMo is about learning and mastering style and craft and pacing of information. The first thing you learn about writing is that writers write. That's what NaNoWriMo is really about - getting that book out of your head and onto the page. A writer's group, a good editor and even your reader will tell you what works, how to make it better and where to improve. NaNoWriMo (and RR ) is not about the Great American novel. It's about finishing your first novel. My advice to first time authors has always been to write the novel you can finish. It will teach you how to write the next one.
So, yes, I think there are going to be some pretty good novels sent to us from this NaNoWriMo excercise, especially since now there's a real market and place for your 50,000 word novels.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Are Agents Zombies?
It's what we've all been waiting for, and yes . . . I know it's short notice, but please do come!
WHAT: Live Chat With NY Agent Lori Perkins - "THE ZOMBIE STOMP"
WHEN: Friday, October 30th - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. EST
WHERE: RAVENOUS ROMANCE NING - Chat room, http://rrauthors. ning.com
Bring your poisonous apples, your favorite witch's brew and a *black hat* full of questions. We'll be talking zombie love and what's hot in publishing. Now's your chance to ask Lori what you always wanted to know about agents. So don't be shy!
And, oh, yes, we'll be giving away gift certificates for free e-books from the Ravenous Romance site!
Please pass the word and let all your friends know. We'd appreciate it if you'd twitter about the chat in the next few days.
Be there or Be Square!
Keta Diablo
http://ketaskeep. blogspot. com
WHAT: Live Chat With NY Agent Lori Perkins - "THE ZOMBIE STOMP"
WHEN: Friday, October 30th - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. EST
WHERE: RAVENOUS ROMANCE NING - Chat room, http://rrauthors. ning.com
Bring your poisonous apples, your favorite witch's brew and a *black hat* full of questions. We'll be talking zombie love and what's hot in publishing. Now's your chance to ask Lori what you always wanted to know about agents. So don't be shy!
And, oh, yes, we'll be giving away gift certificates for free e-books from the Ravenous Romance site!
Please pass the word and let all your friends know. We'd appreciate it if you'd twitter about the chat in the next few days.
Be there or Be Square!
Keta Diablo
http://ketaskeep. blogspot. com
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Back from Killercon
Every now and then an agent goes to a convention and gets inspired. This usually happens for me at Necon. It happened at Killercon too.
Killercon was awesome. Imagine your favorite horror, thriller and paranormal romance writers let loose upon Las Vegas? I don't think the city will ever be the same.
Now, you have to realize my biases here (my heart belongs to horror - especially vampires - I've sold more than 200 vampire novels in 22 years - although the zombies are trying to seduce me), and then my second love is erotica and paranormal romance, so this was an orgy for me. I went to every single panel and reading I could - I mean Joe Landsdale, L.A. Banks, Heather Graham - it was almost too rich for my blood.
And then we judged an erotic horror contest at midnight one night, and the submissions were so good, that I think we're going to buy the first place story for Ravenous Romance!
I dragged Lisa and Tommy Lane to Bite!, the vampire burlesque show that's been running on and off on the strip for the last two years and we had second row seats. Great concept, costumes, and dancing, although it could use more story and hotter men. But what fun!
And I even witnessed Brian Keene get inspired on the zombie panel. He now has the ending for his comic book series, and we all were amazed as Hal Bodner realized the underlying themes of his M/M zombie novel, FOR THE LOVE OF THE DEAD.
If you love these genres, mark your calendar for next year's Killercon. Brian Lumley and John Skipp have already agreed to attend. I think it's going to be in August next year. I can't wait.
Killercon was awesome. Imagine your favorite horror, thriller and paranormal romance writers let loose upon Las Vegas? I don't think the city will ever be the same.
Now, you have to realize my biases here (my heart belongs to horror - especially vampires - I've sold more than 200 vampire novels in 22 years - although the zombies are trying to seduce me), and then my second love is erotica and paranormal romance, so this was an orgy for me. I went to every single panel and reading I could - I mean Joe Landsdale, L.A. Banks, Heather Graham - it was almost too rich for my blood.
And then we judged an erotic horror contest at midnight one night, and the submissions were so good, that I think we're going to buy the first place story for Ravenous Romance!
I dragged Lisa and Tommy Lane to Bite!, the vampire burlesque show that's been running on and off on the strip for the last two years and we had second row seats. Great concept, costumes, and dancing, although it could use more story and hotter men. But what fun!
And I even witnessed Brian Keene get inspired on the zombie panel. He now has the ending for his comic book series, and we all were amazed as Hal Bodner realized the underlying themes of his M/M zombie novel, FOR THE LOVE OF THE DEAD.
If you love these genres, mark your calendar for next year's Killercon. Brian Lumley and John Skipp have already agreed to attend. I think it's going to be in August next year. I can't wait.
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