Just in time for Christmas--our first success story from the 2014 Baker's Dozen Agent Auction. Who'd've thunk? Hearty congratulations to Susan Mann and Rena Rossner. Here's the story in their own words:
SUSAN:
Oh my gosh! I'm so excited. Thank you for everything you and Jodi and all the agents and everyone involved in Baker's Dozen. In just a few weeks, I went from hoping to be picked as a finalist in Baker's Dozen to being signed by an agent. I'm floored and thrilled and so very grateful. Thank you.
I was entry number 7, the librarian spy story called FRAME OF REFERENCE. Rena won the full manuscript, read it, and loved it. She offered to represent me and I didn't hesitate to accept. She's been fantastic to work with and I know we'll make a great team. I'm already making some revisions she suggested to make the story even stronger.
Again, I'm so grateful to you for doing Baker's Dozen. You made my connection with Rena possible.
RENA:
I was attracted to Susan's pitch and excerpt from the start. It was one of my top choices, and I intended to bid, and bid hard, for it. In the end it was the only one of my top choices that I won, so I got started on it right away. (I mean, who doesn't love bookish wannabe-super-spy librarian?)
I was hooked by Susan's pages on the blog, and the rest of the novel didn't disappoint. While it still needs a bit of work, I shared my thoughts about the manuscript with Susan on the phone and I think our visions for the project really meshed. Having said that, I told her I was completely okay with her giving others the chance to read, and that I'd wait for her to get back to me, but to my great surprise (and joy!) Susan accepted my offer of representation on the spot.
There are some really fantastic moments in this novel, including a scene at Oxford's famed Eagle and Child (Bird and Baby) pub, which won me over, and the banter and chemistry between the two main characters is witty and charming. There's great series potential here, too, and I know Susan is already at work on book two. So excited to work with Susan on this, and I can't wait to share it with the publishing world, and then the rest of the world!
Miss Snark's First Victim
Pages
▼
Monday, December 22, 2014
Friday, December 19, 2014
Friday Fricassee
So it's really and truly the last Friday before Christmas. Despite the fact that I am an avowed summer person (as in, lead me to the beach and let me stay there), this is truly my favorite time of year. Once the holidays are over, of course, I am absolutely done with winter. This is unfortunate for winter, since it has WAY TOO MUCH TIME LEFT after the first of the year.
But why get ahead of myself? I'm reveling in the season.
One thing that's been particularly difficult is drafting this dang novel. It finally hit me the other day that the reason I'm struggling is because this isn't my normal drafting time (as if anything in a writer's life is "normal"). My usual habit is to draft from January through April, or February through May. Getting it out of the way early in the year frees up the rest of the months for revisions and editing, which you all know are my preferred tasks.
This year, though, I had no story in me during that season. Well, I did have the seed of a story--an unusual YA dystopian that began to slowly drag me into an odd world with lots of potential. Of course, having a world without a plot is pretty frustrating after a while--not to mention that it would have been supremely stupid for me to put my time into yet another unsellable dystopian novel. So I set it aside in favor of rewriting an older manuscript that needed fresh love. It was a good decision--the new version of the old story is WORLDS better (helped along by the sharp editorial eyes of Josh and Danielle).
The downside, of course, is now having to draft during the holidays. The amount of energy it takes for me to create a story from scratch is more than I really want to give right now. So much to do! My parents are arriving on Monday (a special gift--they rarely come for Christmas!), and my sister and her family are arriving on Christmas Day (driving 7 1/2 hours to be here in time for dinner. WHO COULD ASK FOR A BETTER SISTER?). So, yeah, I've had lots to do, and still have more to do. And when it's time to sit down and write, I'm a little bit "UGH" right now.
That, and I'm pretty burned out with my Writing Journey in general. Yanno? Life outside the Industry sounds appealing to me.
Still, I've got 73,000 words under my belt, and I have every intention of finishing the draft. It's killing me, knowing I won't finish on my self-proclaimed end date of January 1, only because my projected 80,000 words is not enough to complete the story. I never miss my self-imposed deadlines. Seriously never. So, yeah, I'm a bit miffed at myself. (A glass of Chardonnay and some freshly baked Christmas cookies will make it all better, though.)
So, where does this leave the blog? I've got a HAPPY ANNOUNCEMENT on Monday (no, it's not about me), and then we're pretty much going dark for the holidays. I'll pop in before New Year's Eve to recap the year or something schmoopy like that. But mostly, it's time for jingles and mistletoe.
Oh, and for some reason, blog traffic was especially light on Wednesday when I posted my HOLIDAY GIFT FOR YOU. If you missed it, please click over and enjoy!
Happy weekend, happy writing, happy holidays!
But why get ahead of myself? I'm reveling in the season.
One thing that's been particularly difficult is drafting this dang novel. It finally hit me the other day that the reason I'm struggling is because this isn't my normal drafting time (as if anything in a writer's life is "normal"). My usual habit is to draft from January through April, or February through May. Getting it out of the way early in the year frees up the rest of the months for revisions and editing, which you all know are my preferred tasks.
This year, though, I had no story in me during that season. Well, I did have the seed of a story--an unusual YA dystopian that began to slowly drag me into an odd world with lots of potential. Of course, having a world without a plot is pretty frustrating after a while--not to mention that it would have been supremely stupid for me to put my time into yet another unsellable dystopian novel. So I set it aside in favor of rewriting an older manuscript that needed fresh love. It was a good decision--the new version of the old story is WORLDS better (helped along by the sharp editorial eyes of Josh and Danielle).
The downside, of course, is now having to draft during the holidays. The amount of energy it takes for me to create a story from scratch is more than I really want to give right now. So much to do! My parents are arriving on Monday (a special gift--they rarely come for Christmas!), and my sister and her family are arriving on Christmas Day (driving 7 1/2 hours to be here in time for dinner. WHO COULD ASK FOR A BETTER SISTER?). So, yeah, I've had lots to do, and still have more to do. And when it's time to sit down and write, I'm a little bit "UGH" right now.
That, and I'm pretty burned out with my Writing Journey in general. Yanno? Life outside the Industry sounds appealing to me.
Still, I've got 73,000 words under my belt, and I have every intention of finishing the draft. It's killing me, knowing I won't finish on my self-proclaimed end date of January 1, only because my projected 80,000 words is not enough to complete the story. I never miss my self-imposed deadlines. Seriously never. So, yeah, I'm a bit miffed at myself. (A glass of Chardonnay and some freshly baked Christmas cookies will make it all better, though.)
So, where does this leave the blog? I've got a HAPPY ANNOUNCEMENT on Monday (no, it's not about me), and then we're pretty much going dark for the holidays. I'll pop in before New Year's Eve to recap the year or something schmoopy like that. But mostly, it's time for jingles and mistletoe.
Oh, and for some reason, blog traffic was especially light on Wednesday when I posted my HOLIDAY GIFT FOR YOU. If you missed it, please click over and enjoy!
Happy weekend, happy writing, happy holidays!
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Holiday Gift #1 -- Christmas Lyrics and Recording For You
Of course I had to jump into the fun-with-lyrics, though I thought I'd wait until after the contest to post mine. So here you go--my Christmas creation, for you, with love.
(And if you find yourself singing this in the shower, and especially during the month of November--well, my work here is done!)
(And if you find yourself singing this in the shower, and especially during the month of November--well, my work here is done!)
NANO NANO NANO NANO, OH (Deck the Halls)
NANO NANO NANO NANO, OH (Deck the Halls)
by Authoress (c. Beat Your Own Drum, 2014. All rights reserved.)
In December in the city, NaNo NaNo NaNo NaNo, Oh.
Agent slush piles don’t look pretty, NaNo NaNo NaNo NaNo, Oh.
30 frenzied days of writing, NaNo Na, NaNo Na, NaNo, Oh.
Lead to off’rings uninviting. NaNo NaNo NaNo NaNo, Oh.
See the agents kneel before us, NaNo NaNo NaNo Nano, Oh.
As they sing in mournful chorus: NaNo NaNo NaNo Nano, Oh.
“Pardon us for patronizing, NaNo Na, NaNo Na, NaNo, Oh.
“But you all should be revising!” NaNo NaNo NaNo Nano, Oh.
Purple prose and plot holes yawning, NaNo NaNo NaNo Nano, Oh.
Come the authors, blithe and fawning, NaNo NaNo NaNo Nano, Oh.
“Dearest Agent, here’s my query,” NaNo Na, NaNo Na, NaNo, Oh.
Sent with eyes all red and bleary. NaNo NaNo NaNo Nano, Oh.
Fast away the old year passes, NaNo NaNo NaNo Nano, Oh.
Listen well, you lads and lasses, NaNo NaNo NaNo Nano, Oh.
If you want to land an agent, NaNo Na, NaNo Na, NaNo, Oh.
Toss your NaNo to the pavement! NaNo NaNo NaNo Nano, Oh.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Winners: Holiday Song Lyric Contest
Alison Weiss apparently spent a good chunk of her weekend singing her way through the entries on the blog. (Because, after all, how can you tell if it's good unless you sing it--right?) When it came down to it, she couldn't decide between her two favorites--so she's decided to give out TWO PRIZES!
Here are her winners:
1. (I’m Gonna Stick My) Head into the Sand (Winter Wonderland)by SUE FLIESS
My hands wring, at revision.
I don’t see my editor’s vision.
My story is slight,
A total rewrite.
I’m gonna stick my head into the sand.
Deadlines loom, I am sweating.
All my skills, I’m forgetting.
My ending is weak,
My characters, bleak.
Nothing’s turning out as I had planned.
In the margins I can see her edits.
Things like “Done before” and “Too cliché.”
She says “Can you fix this?”
I say, “All right.”
And then I cry into my Cabernet.
Gone away is my sanity.
Every thought is profanity.
My cheeks are all flushed.
My ego is crushed.
I’m gonna stick my head into the sand.
In the margins I can see her edits.
Things like “Done before” and “Too cliché.”
She says “Can you fix this?”
I say, “All right.”
And then I polish off the Cabernet.
I request an extension
So I can give the story tension
But panic sets in
My plot is too thin
I’m gonna stick my head into the sand.
2. “Maybe It’s Gold Inside” (based on “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”) by J WALT SCOTT
I really can’t pay.
(But maybe it’s gold inside.)
Oh I gotta say nay.
(My book’s gold inside.)
This submission has been
(Been hoping that you’d buy in.)
So very strange.
(I’ll fix what you say I should change.)
Our accountants would start to worry.
(Hey editor, you’d better hurry.)
The sales team would be pacing the floor.
(Can’t you hear those critics roar?)
So really would it fit my list?
(Don’t let this unique chance be missed.)
Or maybe I should read a bit more.
(Oh put your hands on chapter four.)
The readers might think . . .
(Yeah, but it’s explained in there.)
Hey, I don’t get this link.
(It all makes sense in there.)
I wish I knew how
(Your eyes see awards coming now.)
To break this spell.
(I’ll work like nuts so it will sell.)
I want to say no, no, no, sir.
(You want to read a little bit closer.)
At least I’m going to say that I tried.
(I long ago lost all of my pride.)
I really can’t pay,
(Don’t hold out.)
But maybe it’s gold inside.
I’m liking the flow.
(Maybe it’s gold inside.)
The answer was no.
(But maybe it’s gold inside.)
The writing has been
(Please love the tale I spin.)
Far past the norm.
(Just look at the climax, a genius brainstorm.)
My boss will be suspicious.
(Gosh, you can grant my wishes.)
My intern will think it’s a score.
(Like classic bestsellers of yore.)
Acquisitions meetings are vicious.
(Please fulfill all my wishes.)
Maybe just a few chapters more.
(You know this is a book you adore.)
Oh I’ve got to stop here.
(But then you’ll regret it out there.)
Here’s what I fear:
(My book will do great out there.)
Will it go as planned?
(There will be Rowling-like demand.)
But don’t you see
(How can you say no way to me?)
They’ll ask about sequels tomorrow?
(Well, there are lots of ideas to borrow)
At least they’ll be a series implied.
(From books whose authors have died.)
I really can’t pay.
(Get over that doubt.)
Maybe it’s gold inside.
CONGRATULATIONS, you two! Please email me at facelesswords(at)gmail.com for instructions on receiving your prize from Alison.
And thanks to EVERYONE who took the time to write some crazy lyrics. Your effort is noted and appreciated!
Here are her winners:
1. (I’m Gonna Stick My) Head into the Sand (Winter Wonderland)by SUE FLIESS
My hands wring, at revision.
I don’t see my editor’s vision.
My story is slight,
A total rewrite.
I’m gonna stick my head into the sand.
Deadlines loom, I am sweating.
All my skills, I’m forgetting.
My ending is weak,
My characters, bleak.
Nothing’s turning out as I had planned.
In the margins I can see her edits.
Things like “Done before” and “Too cliché.”
She says “Can you fix this?”
I say, “All right.”
And then I cry into my Cabernet.
Gone away is my sanity.
Every thought is profanity.
My cheeks are all flushed.
My ego is crushed.
I’m gonna stick my head into the sand.
In the margins I can see her edits.
Things like “Done before” and “Too cliché.”
She says “Can you fix this?”
I say, “All right.”
And then I polish off the Cabernet.
I request an extension
So I can give the story tension
But panic sets in
My plot is too thin
I’m gonna stick my head into the sand.
2. “Maybe It’s Gold Inside” (based on “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”) by J WALT SCOTT
I really can’t pay.
(But maybe it’s gold inside.)
Oh I gotta say nay.
(My book’s gold inside.)
This submission has been
(Been hoping that you’d buy in.)
So very strange.
(I’ll fix what you say I should change.)
Our accountants would start to worry.
(Hey editor, you’d better hurry.)
The sales team would be pacing the floor.
(Can’t you hear those critics roar?)
So really would it fit my list?
(Don’t let this unique chance be missed.)
Or maybe I should read a bit more.
(Oh put your hands on chapter four.)
The readers might think . . .
(Yeah, but it’s explained in there.)
Hey, I don’t get this link.
(It all makes sense in there.)
I wish I knew how
(Your eyes see awards coming now.)
To break this spell.
(I’ll work like nuts so it will sell.)
I want to say no, no, no, sir.
(You want to read a little bit closer.)
At least I’m going to say that I tried.
(I long ago lost all of my pride.)
I really can’t pay,
(Don’t hold out.)
But maybe it’s gold inside.
I’m liking the flow.
(Maybe it’s gold inside.)
The answer was no.
(But maybe it’s gold inside.)
The writing has been
(Please love the tale I spin.)
Far past the norm.
(Just look at the climax, a genius brainstorm.)
My boss will be suspicious.
(Gosh, you can grant my wishes.)
My intern will think it’s a score.
(Like classic bestsellers of yore.)
Acquisitions meetings are vicious.
(Please fulfill all my wishes.)
Maybe just a few chapters more.
(You know this is a book you adore.)
Oh I’ve got to stop here.
(But then you’ll regret it out there.)
Here’s what I fear:
(My book will do great out there.)
Will it go as planned?
(There will be Rowling-like demand.)
But don’t you see
(How can you say no way to me?)
They’ll ask about sequels tomorrow?
(Well, there are lots of ideas to borrow)
At least they’ll be a series implied.
(From books whose authors have died.)
I really can’t pay.
(Get over that doubt.)
Maybe it’s gold inside.
CONGRATULATIONS, you two! Please email me at facelesswords(at)gmail.com for instructions on receiving your prize from Alison.
And thanks to EVERYONE who took the time to write some crazy lyrics. Your effort is noted and appreciated!
Friday, December 12, 2014
Friday Fricassee
Winding up for Christmas and winding down the year here on the blog--it's an odd juxtaposition.
Thanks to all of those who submitted lyrics in our Christmas/Chanukah Song Lyric contest. I have some definite favorites! Alison Weiss is going to be reading them over the weekend, and I will announce her winner on Monday.
Yes, I've written a couple, too. I will post mine on Monday as well. (I couldn't resist.)
I am still in the midst of sending out requests from agents for Baker's Dozen entries. If you had an entry in the auction and you don't receive another request by the end of the weekend, then it is safe to assume that none are coming. You will then be free to query anyone who bid on your item.
(Note: It makes sense to wait, because that way you're getting an official request that gets to be marked, well, "requested". And those always float to the top in an agent's inbox. Bear this in mind.)
As for me? I'm going to hit 70,000 words on my WIP today. Sounds like an almost-finished book, right? In fact, I've got my Scrivener project target set to 80,000 words, to be completed by January 1. I will definitely hit that in the next ten to twelve days...but my story won't be finished. Which is pretty frustrating, because I'm tired of this drafting thing.
I'm just letting it happen, though. I figure I'm probably just fleshing things out that will eventually be removed from the page. This isn't a bad thing! In the end, I'd rather have to cut and trim than beef up. So there's that. It's just that I was really, really hoping to have a completed draft by New Year's Day.
C'est la vie!
And, really, I'm writing this story for me. I've come to the place where, yes, I realize this is what has to happen, if I am to actually keep writing. Not to sound fatalistic, but I've stopped believing that my Big Dreams are actually going to come true. No, this isn't a feel-sorry-for-Authoress thing. It's just reality. I've had an agent for four years (as of next week), and if someone had told me that this much time would pass and I still wouldn't have a publishing contract, I probably would have jumped off the nearest overpass.
Well, not really. But I definitely would have quit.
There's been so much good--really. I wouldn't have written my currently-on-submission novel if it weren't for Josh. "You should consider writing a straight-up YA sci-fi," he said. So I did. And I honestly believe it's the strongest thing I've ever written. I completely believe in it. I've gotten positive editor responses. It's all good.
All good, but still unpublished.
And, yanno, there's only so much a gal can take.
So I'm channeling my inner writer--the one who writes simply to write. Sometimes she fights me. Sometimes her eyes tear up, and she fails to see the point of spending another hour and a half to two hours working on a story that will likely join all the other stories in the land of Stories No One Will Ever See.
But then, somehow, I always get myself together, and I write. So, yeah. This one's for me. This one's to keep me writing, to keep me going.
We do whatever we can to keep our heads afloat, yes?
So, until life actually veers me in a different, undeniable direction, I will continue to write. And I will continue to champion the rest of you who are on this journey with me.
Please don't give up. If I can keep going, so can you.
Have a blessed weekend!
Thanks to all of those who submitted lyrics in our Christmas/Chanukah Song Lyric contest. I have some definite favorites! Alison Weiss is going to be reading them over the weekend, and I will announce her winner on Monday.
Yes, I've written a couple, too. I will post mine on Monday as well. (I couldn't resist.)
I am still in the midst of sending out requests from agents for Baker's Dozen entries. If you had an entry in the auction and you don't receive another request by the end of the weekend, then it is safe to assume that none are coming. You will then be free to query anyone who bid on your item.
(Note: It makes sense to wait, because that way you're getting an official request that gets to be marked, well, "requested". And those always float to the top in an agent's inbox. Bear this in mind.)
As for me? I'm going to hit 70,000 words on my WIP today. Sounds like an almost-finished book, right? In fact, I've got my Scrivener project target set to 80,000 words, to be completed by January 1. I will definitely hit that in the next ten to twelve days...but my story won't be finished. Which is pretty frustrating, because I'm tired of this drafting thing.
I'm just letting it happen, though. I figure I'm probably just fleshing things out that will eventually be removed from the page. This isn't a bad thing! In the end, I'd rather have to cut and trim than beef up. So there's that. It's just that I was really, really hoping to have a completed draft by New Year's Day.
C'est la vie!
And, really, I'm writing this story for me. I've come to the place where, yes, I realize this is what has to happen, if I am to actually keep writing. Not to sound fatalistic, but I've stopped believing that my Big Dreams are actually going to come true. No, this isn't a feel-sorry-for-Authoress thing. It's just reality. I've had an agent for four years (as of next week), and if someone had told me that this much time would pass and I still wouldn't have a publishing contract, I probably would have jumped off the nearest overpass.
Well, not really. But I definitely would have quit.
There's been so much good--really. I wouldn't have written my currently-on-submission novel if it weren't for Josh. "You should consider writing a straight-up YA sci-fi," he said. So I did. And I honestly believe it's the strongest thing I've ever written. I completely believe in it. I've gotten positive editor responses. It's all good.
All good, but still unpublished.
And, yanno, there's only so much a gal can take.
So I'm channeling my inner writer--the one who writes simply to write. Sometimes she fights me. Sometimes her eyes tear up, and she fails to see the point of spending another hour and a half to two hours working on a story that will likely join all the other stories in the land of Stories No One Will Ever See.
But then, somehow, I always get myself together, and I write. So, yeah. This one's for me. This one's to keep me writing, to keep me going.
We do whatever we can to keep our heads afloat, yes?
So, until life actually veers me in a different, undeniable direction, I will continue to write. And I will continue to champion the rest of you who are on this journey with me.
Please don't give up. If I can keep going, so can you.
Have a blessed weekend!
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
The Christmas/Chanukah Song Lyric Contest -- Now Open!
And here we go! You've got 24 hours to post your original holiday lyrics.
THE RULES:
THE RULES:
- Enter your masterpiece IN THE COMMENT BOX BELOW.
- Absolutely no emails, please. Comment box only. (In other words, if you're subscribed to this blog via email, you MAY NOT hit reply and email your lyrics. Alison will not see them if you do that.)
- Please do not enter more than TWO masterpieces.
- Please use a screen name by which you will be EASILY IDENTIFIABLE.
- Lewd entries will be deleted. But you wouldn't do that, anyway.
- Your masterpiece should be an ORIGINAL set of lyrics that go along with a CHRISTMAS CAROL OR SONG or a CHANUKAH SONG. Make sure your theme is writing- or publishing-related. Please include the TITLE of the holiday tune so that we can all sing along.
How do you know if song lyrics are good? SING THEM! If they fit naturally with the melody, with the correct syllables accented and decent rhymes, you've got a winner. If you feel like you're stumbling through or have to force the words to fit the music, then not so much. So pick your favorites, and see how they line up with Alison's.
Have fun!
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Have You Written Your Christmas/Chanukah Parody?
Tomorrow's the big day! Our Christmas/Chanukah Song Lyric Contest goes live at 8:00 a.m. EST.
HERE ARE ALL THE DETAILS ONE MORE TIME.
The contest will be open for 24 hours. After that time, comments will be closed, and the delightful Alison Weiss will read the entries and pick her favorite.
It's that simple!
Even if you're not planning on entering the contest, do stop by and enjoy the entries. I love these opportunities for folks to branch out a little and express their creativity in a new and perhaps a bit silly way. And honestly? Writing lyrics isn't easy! If this is the first time you've tried your hand at it, you know this is true.
I'm looking forward to reading your wonderful offerings tomorrow. If you have any last-minute questions, please post them below.
HERE ARE ALL THE DETAILS ONE MORE TIME.
The contest will be open for 24 hours. After that time, comments will be closed, and the delightful Alison Weiss will read the entries and pick her favorite.
It's that simple!
Even if you're not planning on entering the contest, do stop by and enjoy the entries. I love these opportunities for folks to branch out a little and express their creativity in a new and perhaps a bit silly way. And honestly? Writing lyrics isn't easy! If this is the first time you've tried your hand at it, you know this is true.
I'm looking forward to reading your wonderful offerings tomorrow. If you have any last-minute questions, please post them below.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Friday Fricassee
And suddenly life feels a bit slower!
Not really, though. Next week, the requests will be pouring in (and subsequently out) from all the agents who didn't win what they wanted, so I'll be doing the email tango again.
Best of all, of course, is that our HOLIDAY LYRICS CONTEST is next week! I hope you've been hard at work on your musical masterpieces.
HERE IS ALL THE INFO ON THE CONTEST, which will be judged by Alison Weiss of Egmont USA.
Alison Weiss, by the way, is one of the sweethearts of the publishing world. Back when our sister site-for-teen-writers, Write On!, was active, she donated her time once a month to a Q and A on their bulletin boards. I have always appreciated her heart for young writers and her desire to offer help and encouragement. Apparently she likes the not-so-teen writers, too, because she's once again generously devoting her time to our community.
As for me? Sad to say that my drafting honeymoon is over. I'm at 65,000 words and I SHOULD be heading toward that climax, right? But I'm right in the middle.
WE HATES THE MIDDLE.
Seriously, I cannot believe how many words it's taking for me to spew out this story. I'm going to have to do a hack and burn session that will light the horizon for miles. I'm right on target with my word count and my project finish line of January 1. Problem is, my story won't be finished by that word count.
This has never happened to me before. And I hate it!
I desperately want to be finished drafting, so that January doesn't have--well, drafting in it. But it looks like I'm just going to have to keep at this thing until it tells itself.
Anyway. I'm looking forward to reading your Christmas and Chanukah creations, and I'm feeling absolutely twinkly about the holidays. (My parents have decided to travel to our house this year, a sort of last-minute decision that has me over the moon!) Have a glorious weekend, and I'll see you on Monday!
Not really, though. Next week, the requests will be pouring in (and subsequently out) from all the agents who didn't win what they wanted, so I'll be doing the email tango again.
Best of all, of course, is that our HOLIDAY LYRICS CONTEST is next week! I hope you've been hard at work on your musical masterpieces.
HERE IS ALL THE INFO ON THE CONTEST, which will be judged by Alison Weiss of Egmont USA.
Alison Weiss, by the way, is one of the sweethearts of the publishing world. Back when our sister site-for-teen-writers, Write On!, was active, she donated her time once a month to a Q and A on their bulletin boards. I have always appreciated her heart for young writers and her desire to offer help and encouragement. Apparently she likes the not-so-teen writers, too, because she's once again generously devoting her time to our community.
As for me? Sad to say that my drafting honeymoon is over. I'm at 65,000 words and I SHOULD be heading toward that climax, right? But I'm right in the middle.
WE HATES THE MIDDLE.
Seriously, I cannot believe how many words it's taking for me to spew out this story. I'm going to have to do a hack and burn session that will light the horizon for miles. I'm right on target with my word count and my project finish line of January 1. Problem is, my story won't be finished by that word count.
This has never happened to me before. And I hate it!
I desperately want to be finished drafting, so that January doesn't have--well, drafting in it. But it looks like I'm just going to have to keep at this thing until it tells itself.
Anyway. I'm looking forward to reading your Christmas and Chanukah creations, and I'm feeling absolutely twinkly about the holidays. (My parents have decided to travel to our house this year, a sort of last-minute decision that has me over the moon!) Have a glorious weekend, and I'll see you on Monday!
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
The 2014 Baker's Dozen Agent Auction Winners
Another fine auction! If you didn't get a chance to follow along during that fiery first hour-or-so yesterday, head over to #BakersDozen2014 on Twitter and scroll through the fun. My Tweet Divas did a great job tweeting the bids! (Better than I did, for sure--what was I thinking, trying to tweet and moderate the auction simultaneously??)
70% of the entries received bids in the auction; 28 of these were fulls. Good stuff!
Anyway, HERE ARE THE WINNING BIDS:
1 DONOVAN -- 25 pages to TAMAR RYDZINSKI
2 MRS. PETERMAN'S BENTLEY -- Full to STEFANIE LIEBERMAN
4 DOWN INTO DARKNESS -- 10 page to SALLY APOKEDAK
5 BLOOD AND SALT -- Full to JENNIFER UDDEN
6 THE WILDFLOWER SEASON -- Full to CARLIE WEBBER
7 FRAME OF REFERENCE -- Full to RENA ROSSNER
15 THE CAT'S MEOW -- 10 pages to SALLY APOKEDAK
16 BLOODBIRD -- 25 pages to JOSH GETZLER
17 THE SWORD AND THE SKULL -- Full to DANIELLE BURBY
21 TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE -- Full to TAMAR RYDZINSKI
22 HOT FLASHES FROM HELL -- Full to STEFANIE LIEBERMAN
25 GRANDMA'S GOT MURDER ON HER MIND -- Full to STEFANIE LIEBERMAN
26 MECHANIC -- 75 pages to SARAH NEGOVATICH
27 ESTER, CALLED MARIA -- Full to JOAN PAQUETTE
30 WHERE ALL THE MISSING PIECES GO -- Full to CARLIE WEBBER
31 PHOENIX RISING -- 75 pages to SARAH NEGOVATICH
32 THE DIASPORA -- Full to JENNIFER UDDEN
33 LITTLE DO YOU KNOW -- Full to SARAH LAPOLLA
34 THE FAN GENE -- Full to MICHELLE WOLFSON
35 CHASING A STARLIGHT -- 30 pages to LAURA BRADFORD
36 THIRD TIME'S A CURSE -- 100 pages to DANIELLE BURBY
37 FIX YOUR LIFE! -- Full to JOSH GETZLER
39 DARK CORE -- 25 pages to RENA ROSSNER
40 THE LAPRAN LINK -- Full to STEFANIE LIEBERMAN
41 THE MEMORY THIEF -- Full to SALLY APOKEDAK
43 DEAD SILENCE -- 115 pages to SARAH NEGOVATICH
44 NIXIE IN THE CENTER -- Full to MELISSA JEGLINSKI
46 THE MIND TAMER -- 5 pages to SALLY APOKEDAK
47 STICK FIGURE -- Full to CARLIE WEBBER
48 THE DEMON PRINCE -- Full to RENA ROSSNER
49 THE TASTE OF LIGHTENING --Full to JOSH GETZLER
50 SUBMERGED -- 50 pages to SARAH NEGOVATICH
51 LOOKING FOR STARDUST -- Full to SUSAN HAWK
52 NOWHERE TO BELONG -- 30 pages to LAURA BRADFORD
53 LAST CHANCE -- Full to TAMAR RYDZINSKI
54 THE VIRTUE OF SIN -- Full to TAMAR RYDZINKSI
55 AGE OF THE GIFT -- Full to DANIELLE BURBY
56 ROOT BEER CANDY AND OTHER MIRACLES -- Full to CARYN WISEMAN
57 MONSTERS OF WINTERVAST ISLAND -- Full to SARAH NEGOVATICH
58 THE ADVENTURES OF RATBOY -- 150 pages to PAM VAN HYLCKAMA VLIEG
59 TRACKER 220 -- Full to SARAH LAPOLLA
60 CATCH HIM BY DISGUISE -- Full to CARLIE WEBBER
Congratulations, all!
Winners: Please email me at facelesswords(at)gmail.com with the following: Your post number, title, the agent who won you, and the amount of the request. This will facilitate my getting you the correct submission information quickly and easily.
IMPORTANT: Do not query the agents who bid on your work but did not win. After a 1-week exclusive with your winning agent, the non-winners will have the opportunity to request your work. In fact, some have already done so. So please sit tight! I've got your back.
A huge THANK YOU to absolutely everybody. This was a smashing success.
70% of the entries received bids in the auction; 28 of these were fulls. Good stuff!
Anyway, HERE ARE THE WINNING BIDS:
1 DONOVAN -- 25 pages to TAMAR RYDZINSKI
2 MRS. PETERMAN'S BENTLEY -- Full to STEFANIE LIEBERMAN
4 DOWN INTO DARKNESS -- 10 page to SALLY APOKEDAK
5 BLOOD AND SALT -- Full to JENNIFER UDDEN
6 THE WILDFLOWER SEASON -- Full to CARLIE WEBBER
7 FRAME OF REFERENCE -- Full to RENA ROSSNER
15 THE CAT'S MEOW -- 10 pages to SALLY APOKEDAK
16 BLOODBIRD -- 25 pages to JOSH GETZLER
17 THE SWORD AND THE SKULL -- Full to DANIELLE BURBY
21 TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE -- Full to TAMAR RYDZINSKI
22 HOT FLASHES FROM HELL -- Full to STEFANIE LIEBERMAN
25 GRANDMA'S GOT MURDER ON HER MIND -- Full to STEFANIE LIEBERMAN
26 MECHANIC -- 75 pages to SARAH NEGOVATICH
27 ESTER, CALLED MARIA -- Full to JOAN PAQUETTE
30 WHERE ALL THE MISSING PIECES GO -- Full to CARLIE WEBBER
31 PHOENIX RISING -- 75 pages to SARAH NEGOVATICH
32 THE DIASPORA -- Full to JENNIFER UDDEN
33 LITTLE DO YOU KNOW -- Full to SARAH LAPOLLA
34 THE FAN GENE -- Full to MICHELLE WOLFSON
35 CHASING A STARLIGHT -- 30 pages to LAURA BRADFORD
36 THIRD TIME'S A CURSE -- 100 pages to DANIELLE BURBY
37 FIX YOUR LIFE! -- Full to JOSH GETZLER
39 DARK CORE -- 25 pages to RENA ROSSNER
40 THE LAPRAN LINK -- Full to STEFANIE LIEBERMAN
41 THE MEMORY THIEF -- Full to SALLY APOKEDAK
43 DEAD SILENCE -- 115 pages to SARAH NEGOVATICH
44 NIXIE IN THE CENTER -- Full to MELISSA JEGLINSKI
46 THE MIND TAMER -- 5 pages to SALLY APOKEDAK
47 STICK FIGURE -- Full to CARLIE WEBBER
48 THE DEMON PRINCE -- Full to RENA ROSSNER
49 THE TASTE OF LIGHTENING --Full to JOSH GETZLER
50 SUBMERGED -- 50 pages to SARAH NEGOVATICH
51 LOOKING FOR STARDUST -- Full to SUSAN HAWK
52 NOWHERE TO BELONG -- 30 pages to LAURA BRADFORD
53 LAST CHANCE -- Full to TAMAR RYDZINSKI
54 THE VIRTUE OF SIN -- Full to TAMAR RYDZINKSI
55 AGE OF THE GIFT -- Full to DANIELLE BURBY
56 ROOT BEER CANDY AND OTHER MIRACLES -- Full to CARYN WISEMAN
57 MONSTERS OF WINTERVAST ISLAND -- Full to SARAH NEGOVATICH
58 THE ADVENTURES OF RATBOY -- 150 pages to PAM VAN HYLCKAMA VLIEG
59 TRACKER 220 -- Full to SARAH LAPOLLA
60 CATCH HIM BY DISGUISE -- Full to CARLIE WEBBER
Congratulations, all!
Winners: Please email me at facelesswords(at)gmail.com with the following: Your post number, title, the agent who won you, and the amount of the request. This will facilitate my getting you the correct submission information quickly and easily.
IMPORTANT: Do not query the agents who bid on your work but did not win. After a 1-week exclusive with your winning agent, the non-winners will have the opportunity to request your work. In fact, some have already done so. So please sit tight! I've got your back.
A huge THANK YOU to absolutely everybody. This was a smashing success.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
AND THE GAVEL DROPS -- The 2014 Baker's Dozen Agent Auction is Live!
Welcome to the 5th Annual Baker's Dozen Agent Auction!
Please STOP CRITIQUING at this time. Bidding is now LIVE.
HOW IT WORKS:
* Agents will open bidding with a minimum bid of 5 pages.
* A total of 5 bids must be made on an item before agents are allowed to bid the full.
* The full bid trumps all. Once an item receives a full bid, bidding for that item is closed, and the agent who bid the full wins it.
*At the close of the auction tonight (at 11:00 pm EST), all high bids win the items.
TO THE ENTRANTS:
Dear Ones:
Not everyone will receive bids. I know you know this, but I wanted to point it out again. Because IT DOESN'T MEAN YOUR WORK STINKS. Keep writing. Keep querying widely. Keep believing.
TO EVERYONE:
Follow along on Twitter at #BakersDozen2014 starting NOW! We're live tweeting the bids this morning (to the best of our ability--because they come in VERY FAST at first!). Grab your seat and get in on the adrenaline rush!
Please STOP CRITIQUING at this time. Bidding is now LIVE.
HOW IT WORKS:
* Agents will open bidding with a minimum bid of 5 pages.
* A total of 5 bids must be made on an item before agents are allowed to bid the full.
* The full bid trumps all. Once an item receives a full bid, bidding for that item is closed, and the agent who bid the full wins it.
*At the close of the auction tonight (at 11:00 pm EST), all high bids win the items.
TO THE ENTRANTS:
Dear Ones:
Not everyone will receive bids. I know you know this, but I wanted to point it out again. Because IT DOESN'T MEAN YOUR WORK STINKS. Keep writing. Keep querying widely. Keep believing.
TO EVERYONE:
Follow along on Twitter at #BakersDozen2014 starting NOW! We're live tweeting the bids this morning (to the best of our ability--because they come in VERY FAST at first!). Grab your seat and get in on the adrenaline rush!