Celebrity Cruising and Book Dealing at Book Expo America (BEA)
Few people outside the publishing industry know about BEA or understand what people do there. Here's an overview.
Magic Bullet Q&A for Writers
You Do NOT Need an Agent to Get Your Novel Published
I put out a call to readers to help put an end to the urban myth that one cannot publish two novels without securing an agent first.
Getting Novels Published Without an Agent
Q: Do you know of any writers who have gotten at least two novels published without the aid of an agent, excluding vanity presses?
Time Frame for Resending a Query to an Agent
Q: What is the time frame for resending a query to an agent and should I requery? (I have received many, many replies to my queries that simply state the agent or agency is too overloaded and cannot handle any new projects.)
Unimpressed with Story-Writing Contest Winners
Q: I have read a lot of books in my time and find the
stories that are entered in contests are not that interesting. Doesn't
the winner depend on what the judge likes? Also, how do I know if
I am good, or how I can do better, if I can't let an authority read
it?
Book Proposals and the Acquisitions Process – A Publisher’s Perspective
Writers often ask me what happens when I receive book proposals. Do I offer a contract as soon as I realize I like the book concept? Do I share with colleagues first? What's the acquisitions process like?
Finding a Publisher for a Poetry Book
Q: I have put together a poetic tribute to Ogden Nash that I have written and would like to have published but don't have the money to do so on my own. It contains about 64 poems. I would like to know if you know of anyone who might be interested in publishing it, or …
Decoding a Rejection Letter
When I talk with working writers, they always ask about rejection. How many times should you be rejected before you give up? Jane Friedman on decoding a rejection letter.
Waiting Time After Submitting Manuscript to Publisher
Q: A publisher agreed to read my manuscript. It has been five months and I have heard nothing. In terms of proper etiquette in the publishing world, I was wondering how long I should wait to hear something before I assume I am being ignored?
Republishing Public Domain Stories, Plus Other Questions
Q: I am very new to all this and I have found a children's book in the public domain I would like to keep pretty much as it is and get it published. I am sure I cannot just copy it and send it off to a publisher—or can I?