That's Good; That's Bad; That's Life

When I was growing up, we had a picture book called "That's Good, That's Bad," by Joan M. Lexau. In the book, Tiger sees Boy sitting on a rock. "Run," said Tiger. "And I will run after you. And I will catch you. And I will eat you, Boy. So run from me."

Boy just sat there and looked at Tiger. "Eat me then," said Boy. "I have no more run in me."

Boy then shares with Tiger a tale of woe and joy, explaining why he has no run left. Tiger listens intently, replying "That's good," at Boy's little victories, and "That's bad," at every defeat.

The "good" and the "bad" alternate regularly, bringing the reader along in a compelling narrative, with the threat of Tiger eating Boy constantly lurking in the background.

Decades later, I'm still impressed with the effectiveness of this simple writing strategy: Something bad happens, and then something good happens, and then back to something bad. It's a powerful tool for building tension and keeping a reader's interest.

I think one reason this strategy captures our attention so well is because it's often the pattern found in real life. We're constantly tossed up and down, the good and the bad coming at us in rapid fire. We talk about clouds having silver linings, and about windows opening when doors close. That's the way life works--giving us a healthy blend of both the good and the bad.

It's the way great fiction works, too.

shameless self promotion: Watch for the Bumpy Landings next month! Launch party January 13th, 2011. Save the date.

Literary Agents Tweet Their Authors Right

                                                                     by Trina Boice
                                                                  http://www.boicebox.com/

Literary agents do a LOT of reading, but they also do a lot of talking too, and these days, they're doing both on Twitter.

If you're looking for an agent, wanting to learn from the pros, or simply hoping to connect online, check out the following literary agents who are Tweeting up a storm.  Of course, the list isn't exhaustive; I only included those who looked like real book nerds or had an entertaining description.  After all, if you're going to use an agent, you want one who is truly addicted to good literature, is creative, and has a sense of humor, right?

Laurie Abkemeier: Literary Agent (former Editor), Looking for the Next Big Thing, home of the AGENT OBVIOUS TIP OF THE DAY
Jason Allen Ashlock: Founder of Movable Type Literary Group
Holly Bemiss: Literary Agent. Working to rescue cool writers from obscurity, one book at a time
Carole Blake: Literary agent with a fabulous list of wonderful clients, author of FROM PITCH TO PUBLICATION on how to get published
Michael Bourret: Literary Agent, bran muffin enthusiast and nerdy cat person
Lucy Carson: I’m a literary agent living in NYC, eating as many fried foods as youth allows, and generally ready with an opinion at all times, on everything.
Jill Corcoran: Agent with Herman Agency representing MG and YA authors.
Erin Cox: Gun For Hire
John M Cusick: Author of the young adult novel GIRL PARTS. Literary agent with Scott Treimel NY. Managing fiction editor at Armchair/Shotgun. Mostly harmless.
Greg Daniel: Literary agent, sumo wrestler.
Stacia Decker: Literary agent specializing in crime/mystery fiction.
Brian DeFiore: Literary agent, publishing geek, former editor/publisher, pretty good dad of two teenage girls.
Stephany Evans: Lit agent on the run. Love good food, good wine, good books, and good roads.
Natalie M. Fischer: Literary Agent with the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency, making my way through adventures in agent land.
Miss Daisy Frost: London lit agent and general mischief maker around town.
Louise Fury: Literary Agent, Marketing advocate and general lover of books.
Rachelle Gardner: Literary agent, firefighter’s wife, mom of two awesome girls, Starbucks freak.
Kate Garrick: I like books and i like food; i only like one of those things professionally.
Jonny Geller: literary agent & md of Curtis brown books. Publishing is not a closed book. It just looks like it sometimes.
Kathryn Helmers: Creative Trust agent.
Kristina Holmes: Non-fiction book agent, author advocate, obsessed with nut butters. Often found curled up with a book in one hand and a spoonful of peanut butter in the other.
Weronika Janczuk: Lit agent with D4EO Literary + writer (YA/lit/hist fiction). Lover of witty books, ’80s ♫, tea
Elizabeth Jote: Slushpile Warrior. Bibliophile. Horder of paper. Literary Agent. Chameleon. Random howler from inside the publishing beast.
Deidre Knight: Literary Agent and multi-published author of romance/women’s fiction who loves to travel to far away places, mentally and geographically.
Mary Kole: Kidlit enthusiast and associate agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency!
Jennifer Laughran: “Literary agent at andrea brown lit, children’s bookseller, reader, raconteur, eccentric multi-millionaire and patron of the arts… and some of those are lies”
Kevan Lyon: Literary Agent, historical fiction fanatic, dog lover, beach walker…
Alexandra Machinist: Literary agent. Cultural explorer. Voracious reader. New Yorker. Observer. Sometime Nancy Drew. Sometime Carmen Sandiego. Lover of sandwiches.
Lauren E. MacLeod: A literary agent @strothmanagency with an emphasis in YA and MG fiction and nonfiction. Opinions are my own
Jean Martha: Lit Agent. Potty Mouth. Per @DonLinn you should follow me for NYC cab ride and bus commentary, general fun-and-games, wine-soaked lunches and baked goods
Anthony Mattero: NYC Rookie, Lit Agent, Philly Sports Apologist
Sara Megibow: Associate Literary Agent at Nelson Literary Agency. Publishing and parenting – that’s most of it. Some reading and skiing thrown in for sanity.
Brianne Mulligan: Once an editor, always an editor… But now I’m an agent.
Dana Newman: Tech/contracts/intellectual property lawyer, literary agent, mom, book lover, runner
Laura Nolan: literary agent, digital opportunist, foodie
Ayesha Pande: Literary agent, citizen of the world, lover of the written word, proprietor of boutique agency and book nerd
Jason Pinter: Bestselling thriller writer, upcoming ZEKE BARTHOLOMEW series for young readers, agent at the Waxman Literary Agency, HuffPo Books columnist, publishing wonk.
Barbara Poelle: literary agent, theater wife, professional Polish vodka sampler, it could get a little weird.
Chris Richman: Kid’s book agent, music snob, Philadelphia sports fanatic.
Holly Root: Literary agent, theater wife, cat person, iphone addict.
Elana Roth: Brooklynite, children’s book agent, Squarespace support-team member, semi-pro Jew, bourbon drinker. I work for lots of people. None of these tweets are theirs.
Tamar Rydzinski: Literary agent, mom, Washington Heights resident, scared of dogs
Meredith Smith: Literary agent, Episcopalian, flag football player, reluctant Tweeter.
Rebecca Sherman: Literary Agent at Writers House. Midwesterner transplanted to NYC. Musical theater loving, pop culture addict vegetarian.
Laura Strachan: literary agent representing literary fiction and narrative nonfiction. Loves books, art, theatre — compelling stories, well told.
Kari Stuart: I’m a literary agent in NYC. When I’m not reading fabulous new, unpublished books, you can find me testing new recipes or running in the park with my dogs.
Suzie Townsend: book lover, former HS teacher, literary agent, sci-fi/fantasy nerd, and owner of an unused $6000 wedding dress. love my life.
Joanna Volpe: NYC lit agent and lover of pizza.
Michelle Wolfson: I’m a literary agent. Check out my site and if you think we’re a fit, let me know. Otherwise just support my authors and buy their books!

Launch Party - What Worked and What Didn't

When I decided to host my own launch party, without involving publishers or bookstores, I knew there were risks. What if no one showed up? What if I got stuck with all those books? As a first-timer, it was a bit nerve wracking.

Of course, once my wife was on board, her organizational and decorating skills made me feel more confident with each passing day. She has an innate talent to magnetize an event, which has been well-honed on church and family activities.

The party is over, and it was everything we hoped for. Even the single uncontrollable factor, the weather, cooperated. We sent out 150 paper invitations, and touched another 500 or so online. Close to 200 showed up. We had prepared by buying 100 books wholesale, after agonizing over the number as being too high. The number turned out to be dead on, as the party started at 6pm and ALL the books were signed and sold before 8:00pm.

The food was another concern: No matter how much we packed into the back of the pickup truck before the party, it didn't look like enough. But as it turned out, despite the crowd, about half of it was left over. I think the key here is being up-front that you are serving "light refreshments". People have dinner before or after they come, they don't expect much, and they don't consume much.

The venue and decor were perfect for what we needed, and we had plenty of help from family to set up and take down. The "open house" format gave everyone a 3-hour window to show up, and the bulk of them came in the first half. It was all over by 8:30.

How successful was it as a launch? Well, we put the first 100 copies of the book into the hands of people who will read it, all signed and personalized. From this group of readers will come the first wave of online reviews and verbal recommendations. Certainly we succeeded in setting up that initial "launch" group. Financially? Forget about being in this business for the money. The receipts from the books sold will not come close to covering the overall cost of the event. The plan is more long-term, strategic: If this core group of 100 readers likes the story and spreads the word, the results will pay off in future months, combined with additional signings, appearances, and online promotional efforts. At the party, I was able to ask people if they would consider helping me with promotion. I asked people face-to-face if they would consider the book for a Whitney Award nomination when they turn the last page. I can't do all that if I just point people to bookstores. In that sense, the event and all the preparation and work leading up to it were well worth it.

Click HERE to see pictures from the party and more information about how it went. In the coming first quarter of 2011, my focus will be more on bookstore appearances and the WOMBAT marketing program. Here's wishing you all a Merry Christmas and best of luck in your own promotional efforts.

Meg's Melody by Kaylee Baldwin

by Rebecca Talley

Meg's Melody by Kaylee Baldwin

From the back cover:

It's only after her husband leaves that Meg finds out she's pregnant.

Now facing the prospect of single parenthood, she'll have to rely on the family she pushed away, the church she abandoned, and an unexpected friendship to see her through.

This touching story combines romance with real conflicts to remind you it's never too late to find love - if you know where to look.




I read this touching story a while back and I've been waiting until its release to review it. I loved this book. I thought Baldwin did an excellent job of portraying this young woman's reactions to her conflicts. Her husband was a loser and I wanted to slap him. What a jerk.

I thought the budding friendship was realistic and wasn't rushed and I loved the end. I also thought her reluctance to go back to church and the feelings she experienced were very real and I felt like Meg was a fully-developed character. I also thought Baldwin did a good job developing Matt and I felt like I was witnessing a real friendship in the making.

I shed tears while I read this book and I would definitely recommend it if you enjoy romances with some meat to them. Great book. I expect to see much more from this new CFI author.

Meg's Melody is available online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and should be in LDS bookstores as well. Great idea for a Christmas gift!

A Little Christmas Cheer

I'd like to share with you a poem I wrote some years ago to celebrate the Christmas holiday, and the true meaning of the season. This is my own personal rebellion against the insane commercialism that hits us sometime in September and doesn't let up until January 15th or so. ;)

"Jesus Child"
by Cheri Chesley

The star shone high and bright,
in the sky above our heads.
We tried to tend our flocks,
but followed it instead.
How far it led us, we know not.
Nor do we really care.
For we'd have trod a thousand steps
to see who we saw there.
He was so small, this Son of God,
an infant child who lay
in a manger, with Mother dear
on a bed of hay.
His eyes, so bright, just like the star
that shone in Heaven above,
looked on us with approval
as we gazed at him in awe.
Others came, but we were first
this sweet child here to see.
And we knew then, deep in our hearts
our Savior he would be.

December 19, 1994

'Tis Not Long Before Christmas and I'm Going Insane

'Tis not long before Christmas, and I'm going insane,
With thousands of to-do lists going all through my brain.
There’s the shopping and the wrapping while the kids are at school,
And I musn’t forget to make dinner; that wouldn’t be cool.

Then there’s housework and homework and service for neighbors,
Programs and projects and festive favors,
Cards and gifts and another trip to the store,
New callings and teaching and oh, so much more!

And what about writing, editing, and my blog for today?
How can I make time to even think what to say?
And what of those voices of characters in my head,
Reminding me that I’m neglecting them! That fills me with dread.

Then out of the blue enters a thought crystal clear,
“Remember the importance of why you are here.
Is it not to be a daughter, a wife, and a mother?
Your role in the family can be filled by no other.

“So smile and hug; there’s no need to hurry,
Do the best that you can and the rest just don’t worry.
This is the reason Jesus was sent from above,
To do what we can’t, because of His great love.”

So with this advice, I feel the insanity leave,
All I really need to do is my best and believe.
As far as writing, I can jot down my thoughts,
While running errands or scrubbing out pots.

With everything else, I’ll just do my best,
And remember to eat, exercise, and get plenty of rest.
Well, that about wraps up all I have to say,
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good day!

Interview With Shersta Gatica- Acquisitions Editor for Cedar Fort

Today I am pleased to post my interview with Shersta Gatica, acquisitions editor at CFI. As authors hoping to be published for the first time, and even published authors hoping to be published again, it is important to learn about the business side of publishing.

I worked with Shersta on the release of my first book, Defensive Tactics and had a wonderful experience working with her. I thought it would be helpful to ask her some questions and have her share some of her knowledge and wisdom for aspiring authors.

Interview

Shersta, thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions about the acquisitions process at Cedar Fort.

How long have you been with CFI?

About 1 year

What are your duties?

As Acquisitions Editor, I am in charge of all new submissions. I record each submission as it comes in, and then review (read) them one by one, making notes as I go. If the submission is not something I think Cedar Fort wants to publish, I will send the author a letter explaining our decision. If I think the submission is exceptionally written and is a good fit for our company, I will prepare a presentation on it, which I give at our weekly team meetings. If the submission is accepted, I then create and send out contracts and other materials. I monitor and facilitate any contract negotiations and special terms, as well.

Once we’ve signed a book, I will then prepare an announcement for the other members of my team, and oversee the transfer of the text and publication materials to the editorial and design departments. In addition, I actively research and solicit new book ideas from various media and print sources, as well as stay informed as to current trends in the marketplace.

Can you give us an idea of how many manuscripts are submitted to CFI annually and the percentage of manuscripts accepted for publication?

It varies, but I would estimate we receive about 1,000 submissions annually. Of those, we publish approximately 6-8 a month, which is less than 10%.

Do you see a large influx of submissions following NaNoWriMo? Is any time of year better than any other for submitting a manuscript?

Yes. And no, each submission is given equal consideration. The one exception would be seasonal submissions like Christmas, etc. We like to see these in January. It is best to anticipate about 9 to 12 months from submission to release, sometimes more.

Who is involved in the acquisitions process and how does it work?

Decisions about acquisitions are made as a team, with members from sales, marketing, production, and management, together with the acquisitions editors. Once a submission has been presented, members from each team are invited to ask questions and comment on how they see the book performing under current market conditions, the financial and logistical implications of production, etc. All final decisions are made by management in a separate meeting.

What are the three main concerns a publisher has in deciding whether or not to publish a manuscript?

1-Content. Is the writing high-quality, well-presented, relevant, and credible? Does it grab your attention immediately, and then keep you turning the pages?
2- Market. Who is the audience? Do our readers buy this kind of book?
3- Financial. Can we produce the book in a way that is high-quality and appealing to buyers while keeping it competitively priced?

What are the biggest pet peeves for an acquisitions editor? What makes you cringe?

Ah, don’t get me started! My list is too long, but I’ll point out a few common mistakes that new authors should try to avoid:

1. Missing information. Include the Submission Form and all other requested materials with your submission. We really do use and need everything we ask for, and following the instructions really does improve your chances of getting published.
2. Calling or emailing just to see if your submission was received. If you are really concerned about it, include a self-addressed stamped postcard or envelope with your submission. It is thoughtful and shows that you are paying attention.
3. Showing up unannounced just to “talk.” If you feel the need to discuss your work in person, call and make an appointment.
4. Insulting the acquisitions editor in your cover letter. If you show that you are difficult to work with, or pushy or extremely opinionated, we will take that into consideration before we offer to publish your book. Treat us like you’d want to be treated – with respect.

What 5 things should authors avoid doing on the first page of their manuscript?

1-Avoid cliches (i.e. Weather, dreams, etc)
2- Proof-read your work. Don’t just hit the spell-check function of your word processor. READ it and fix the spelling errors before you send it in.
3- Do NOT start slowly. I read so many submissions that yours needs to stand out in some way. Hit me with it! I’ve got to be hooked from page 1.
4- [Do not]Explain why you wrote the book. This might work for memoirs and some other forms of non-fiction, but for the most part this should be in your cover letter or on the submission form, not part of the writing itself.
5- Avoid cliches. Did I say that already?

Do you have any tips for first time authors in presenting a compelling query to Cedar Fort?

Follow the submission instructions. Follow all of the submission instructions. Did I mention that you should follow the submission instructions? And then, go the extra mile. Prepare a nice cover letter with a well-written and compelling blurb (paragraph) about your book, and another paragraph about you. Put some thought and effort into it. But leave out anything that is not directly relevant to your work as an author. If you have never written anything before, say that. It won’t scare me off. And a page filled with all of your previous church callings and hobbies does not make you look good. We can tell when you’re trying too hard.

What role do BETA readers play in acquisitions?

For genres like juvenile and children’s fiction, we often will recruit readers in the target age group to review a submission. Of course, this is after the acquisitions editor has already determined that it is a possible candidate for publication. Our junior readers are not given any information about the submission, and then once they’ve read it they are interviewed by a member of the acquisitions team.

How much weight is placed on prior book sales when considering making an existing CFI author an offer on a new manuscript?

A ton (pun intended). If the book is in the same genre as his or her previous books, prior book sales are a major consideration. Sometimes, however, we will have an author submit work in a new genre, and then they are given the same consideration we would give any new submission, plus some extra for being one of our own.

Does CFI have a formula for how many books to accept in different genres?

Not really. We do prefer to produce more non-fiction than fiction, as non-fiction tends to sell better over the long term than fiction. But it still boils down to the quality of the submissions. If we don’t have enough quality non-fiction, we’ll accept more fiction until we’ve filled our production schedule.

Is it useful for an author to query CFI prior to beginning a project to ensure that CFI is interested in the concept of the novel?

No. For works of fiction, we require the full manuscript before we will consider it for publication. You’d be surprised at how many times a novel will start out strong and then fall apart near the end. For non-fiction, we do accept queries as long as you include all of the requested materials.

As a major publisher in Utah and among the LDS community, does CFI have plans to extend its national market share through the acquisition of non-LDS based fiction?

Yes, we are currently working actively to expand into the national market. We have had a few notable successes in the recent past, and are always working hard to make more. However, we have decided that any national market fiction we produce will adhere to the same standards that are expected of our LDS fiction. As evidenced by recent adult national bestsellers, this is a little different than what many national market buyers might expect, or even want.

With the emergence of e-books in the publishing world, does Cedar Fort plan to acquire manuscripts for e-book only distribution?

Not at this time. E-books, while an expanding market, still represent a very small percentage of total book sales. However, this may change as the demands of our buyers change.

Shersta, thank you for taking your time to answer my questions.

I learned something and I hope you do to.

Steve