I had a long visit on the phone with an agent today. It was very empowering to hear her comments on my writing. She liked my characters, emotion and overall writing. She felt all I needed to catch the eye of an editor in a big publishing house was to come up with a unique plot in my westerns. So if anyone out there has something they think would be a unique western plot let me know!
A reporter and photographer for the local paper were out this morning for an interview and photos. The reporter was easy to talk to and heard more than she probably cared about the business. :) After I cleaned my house and set out my books thinking the photos would be taken in the house. (Heck, I even cleaned my desk) the photographer wanted me outside and wanted to know if there was anything around the property that looked western! All I could think of were the horses and cows. (I never claimed to be a fast thinker). So she set me on a fence with the horses eating hay right next to me and the cows in the background. It will be interesting to see how the photos turn out since there was a cold wind and that makes my eyes tear like crazy. I kept swiping at the tears running down my face.
Trying to think of a new unique plot line has me thinking about a book I've had simmering in my head for a while. One I didn't want to attempt until I was a better writer. It may be the book I need to break into the big leagues. I'll keep you posted.
So how was your day?
5 comments:
Hey, Paty! That is FABULOUS NEWS.
I thought that the plot in MIP was pretty unique.
"Unique" these days all seems to mean paranormal--and I have no idea how you'd get a paranormal western comedy. Like the fairy godmother comes in on the stagecoach? And vampires and the old west definetely don't mix. IMHO.
I think you've got the unique in you already:) You're doing something unique by making your heroines so self-reliant and capable.
Thanks Wavy! Yeah, the more I think about it, what isn't unique about my Spirit book??
Sheesh, there's spirits battling, and a love match between the spirit and the human, not to mention a triangle sort of, that's Desperate Housewifish.
I'm thinking of sending Spirit of the Mountain to Medallion and Five Star, Though M wants exclusive until they decide, which kind of puts it off the market until they come back to me. *sigh*
Not sure where to go with those.
Paty, good luck with finding a new slant on a historical western plot. I have a question, if you don't mind. If an author is contracted with TWRP, is the author still free to seek publication with the big NY pubs? That's what I'm gathering from reading your blog. I know that most contracts are pretty restrictive about "future" works, so this would be a good thing to know up front. Thanks!
To anonymous,
If you are contracted with TWRP the only thing you are contracted to them for is that one piece. You are free to submit other work any where you want. And you are only contracted to them for that piece for two years or longer if you wish to extend the contract.
Thanks, Paty!
This is very good to know. I asked the question because someone in my chapter has just signed with an e-pub (not TWRP) and she had to negotiate their contract to only cover sequels or works directly related to the ms. being published. They originally wanted first dibs on ALL future works.
Thank you for answering my question and good luck with your publishing goals!
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