Anyone can call in and ask questions: At the appointed time, dial 1-857-232-0155 (long distance charges may apply, depending on your phone plan). Enter the Conference Code: 245657. To raise your hand and ask a question, dial 5*.To Mute yourself, dial4*.
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New interviews are being scheduled. Watch this space for details.
Showing posts with label The Business of Writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Business of Writing. Show all posts
Tonight for the first call of the official Second Season of Farland's Authors Advisory Conference Calls, we had the distinct pleasure of welcoming two time World Fantasy Award and Philip K Dick Memorial Award winning author Tim Powers as our guest. Tim is the author of such award winning novels as: The Anubis Gates, Last Call, The Stress of Her Regard and On Stranger Tides. Tim shared with us a literary concept that has been in existance for a long time and has become connected with his works. The concept of "Secret Histories", which is defined as a " revisionist interpretation of either Fictional or real (or known) historical events which claim to be deliberately supressed, forgotten or ignored by established scholars".
Tim answered such questions as:
What makes real world history a good starting point for writing a Fantasy novel?
How much of your historical research is used in your novel?
How would you accurately portray an historical figure and have them as a character in your novel?
For over an hour of answers to these and even more intriguing and insightful audience questions, press "Play".
I have a friend at work who reads a lot of the same books I love. We're constantly trading book recommendations. One day, I stopped by her counter and she had this new book: SOULLESS by Gail Carriger. I read the back and couldn't wait to read the whole thing. It's an amazing comedic blend of Victorian steampunk and fantasy (think werewolves and vampires, out in society, winning wars for the crown and influencing fashion). I was hooked. I wasn't the only one: it was a NYT Bestseller, won an ALA award, and forced debut author Gail to learn a lot about the publishing industry, like NOW.
On this call, she shared her knowledge with us, for when it's our turn. Some (but not all, by a long shot) highlights:
It is still possible to be plucked from a publishing house slush pile.
Pick an agent who can help you negotiate a favorable contract, and who has time for you on her client list. (Gail's agent is Kristin Nelson of Nelson Literary Agency. Kristin also blogs at Pub Rants.)
Pick a publishing house with an editor you can trust to be professional, and with whom you can relate (Gail's publisher for the SOULLESS series is Orbit Books).
Your publisher's marketing efforts will likely correspond to the size of your advance.
There are a lot of things an author can do to market her own books--calling in favors is often involved.
Blending genres is cool, but can be confusing to marketing departments, bookstores, and other industry professionals. Be prepared to explain your book, but you might get to help design your cover. :) (Well, at least Gail did.)
If you perform well in public, your publisher will give you more opportunities to do so.
Publishing money comes in stages: upon signing, upon delivery, upon publication, upon winning of awards, hitting benchmarks, out-earning advance, etc. Don't expect a big fat check all at once.
Gail stayed extra long to answer caller questions and to make sure we knew everything she thought we should. Plus, she pointed us to this post on her blog, where she talks in detail about her post-sale events and marketing efforts. Be sure to check it out!
You can access the MP3 by clicking here, or you can listen to the call below.
Tonight for the first call of the official Second Season of Farland's Authors Advisory Conference Calls, we had the distinct pleasure of welcoming two time World Fantasy Award and Philip K Dick Memorial Award winning author Tim Powers as our guest. Tim is the author of such award winning novels as: The Anubis Gates, Last Call, The Stress of Her Regard and On Stranger Tides. Tim shared with us a literary concept that has been in existance for a long time and has become connected with his works. The concept of "Secret Histories", which is defined as a " revisionist interpretation of either Fictional or real (or known) historical events which claim to be deliberately supressed, forgotten or ignored by established scholars".
