Why I Held Out for the Publishing Deal

I’m finally living the dream! That’s right, as of this writing my supernatural techno-thriller, LILITH, will be published nationwide in hardcover, paperback and e-book by DarkFusePublishing in Jan. 2013.  

I have a lot of friends (yes, that’s right – I have friends!) that have suggested over the course of my writing career that I self-publish and keep all the money to myself. Well, here’s why I decided not to go that route.

For one thing, self-publishing ain’t cheap—it can run up into the $15,000 range, and while I’m not looking to get rich (though I wouldn’t complain if I did), I just don’t have that kind of bread. I realize that a confident writer should be willing to invest in their own talent, but I’m investing time, and lots of it.

Take my first novel, DIABLERO (check out my website). While working full-time, taking care of a family and going to college, I started writing DIABLERO just to see if I could do it. It took five years, but I did it. A year after I typed “The End,” I found a publisher. A year after that, it was published. So, from starting the book to publication: seven years. Was it worth it? It was to me. Here’s why: because someone believed in my book enough to put their own time, money and reputation behind it and believe me, that’s a great feeling. 

I finished my second novel LILITH, around April of 2011, about a year after I started it. As I did with my first novel, I began the search for an agent. Several nibbles and 75 or so rejections later, I decided to search for a publisher on my own. The publisher of my first novel had indicated interest, but already had a full line-up through 2012. Being of an impatient sort, I began looking at other publishers and found about a dozen or so that accepted submissions from authors without agents. More rejection.

Eventually, I gave up and started writing a young adult science fiction novel (which I am nearly half way done with). About that time, I got full manuscript requests from two publishers, one of them being DarkFuse Publishing. DarkFuse made an offer first and I accepted, mainly because I liked them best. I’ll have to say the experience has been exhilarating from day one. They are a great bunch of guys publishing high-quality books by world-class authors and I am excited to be working with them.

Along the way to publication I had the usual thoughts, like “Just self-publish it as an e-book,” “Maybe your writing really sucks” or “Get a real job,” but my family continues to support my dreams and my books continue to get published, so why stop now? I’m on a roll!

Another reason I decided to go with a traditional publisher is the fact that self-publishing is like being a soldier trying to go into battle without basic training: You may be gung-ho, but you’re just not ready for the real world and your writing can suffer for it. I’m saving that topic for next time.

Next week: Going Through the Gauntlet: The Editing Process

It's Not Just a Dream Anymore

I met Jennifer Oliver while working at The Daily Advance, a newspaper here in Elizabeth City. She interviewed me recently on her blog site and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Jennifer is a wonderful human being and an aspiring novelist with a story to tell. Though she hasn't been officially "published" as a novelist, she has years of experience with the written word and I am glad to be able to give her a forum. Besides, her blog has a heck of a lot more followers than mine!

          

I have always dreamed of being a published author, but that's all it was – just a dream.  It never occurred to me that it could really happen. I mean, how many people daydream about being an actress, or astronaut, or a billionaire, or whatever else they want to be when they grow up?  Just about everyone, right? And how many of them actually get off their tushes and do something about it? Yeah, that number just decreased dramatically.

Yet it wasn't until I contributed in writing a novel a year or so ago, that something in my wee brain clicked in place. I could do this. Little old me could be an author, I really could. It would take some long hours and hard work, but it was possible.

So, after some over-analyzing, a few moments of panic, and my husband talking me out from underneath the bed, I decided what the heck – I'm going to follow my dream. I'm going to be a real writer, not some chick who dawdles and stashes tons of snippets in a folder somewhere in the desk. Nope, I'm going to a published author.

Oh yeah, I could see it all happening right before my eyes. I would do interviews and book-signings, deal with movie rights and promote international best-sellers. I'd eat lunch with James Patterson and text back and forth with Stephen King. I'd even do those Nook commercials!

Then reality smacked me around a bit bringing my lovely imagination to a screeching halt. My vision cleared and there I was sitting at my computer staring at a blank page, the cursor taunting me with its consistent blinks. How was I going to make lunch reservations with Bentley Little if I don't write a book? I had to find the proper way to write a novel, and I had to find it now.

So I did what most people do when they need information, I hit the internet. There were loads upon loads of blogs, articles, books, videos, and even vlogs on how to write a novel and how to get published. I read until my eyes crossed and my brain trembled from information overload. It wasn't a pretty sight.

Once I was able to function again, I saw that mostly everything said the same thing - there is no one true path to getting published, nor is there a “one size fits all” formula to writing a good novel. You have to do what works for you. You have to find your own groove, your own magic pace, and your own voice.

ACK! How do I do that? What is “voice?” What about structure and scenes? What if I use the wrong words? How will I know if its ready to submit? All these questions and more came swooping into my brain. I was no closer to writing a novel than when I first sat down in front of a blank document. But I didn't give up. I kept researching and reading everything I could find.

The turning point for me was when I started reading best-selling author Kristen Lamb's blog.  And then I took the online course that she taught, “How to Build an Author Platform.” Through her, I was introduced to the WANA (We Are Not Alone) concept. Kristen didn't just put this out as a theory,  she made it come alive. She started the WANA network, an amazing community of pre-published and published authors in all stages of the process, who not only support and encourage each other but share their knowledge and advice. I felt like I had hit the jackpot.

 Now, I feel like I'm truly on my way to becoming an author. I'm learning everything I possibly can about the craft of writing. I'm reading books like Plot and Structure and Hooked. I'm taking online classes and workshops that totally fit my budget through Lawson Writer's Academy and Who Dares Wins Publishing. I'm networking through social media platforms and blogging regularly. I'm half way through a first draft of a work-in-progress and along with a fantastic critique partner, I have an entire group of people who are cheering me on every day. 

The best thing though is I'm learning to believe in myself. Don't get me wrong, I still battle with that evil monster, doubt. Most writers do. This gig is tough. You are putting yourself and the work you have slaved over, on a figurative stage for all the world to see and judge. It can be scary, and downright heart-breaking if you let it.

But that's okay because I know that as a writer I'm still learning and growing. I know that I'm in the beginning stages of a journey that will most likely last my whole life. And that excites me.

I may not text Stephen King or exchange emails with Bentley anytime soon, but I will follow my dream through to fruition. I will be a published author one day. And to me, that means the world.

I'd love to hear your experiences, as well. Have you ever followed your dreams? Are you struggling as a new writer, trying to find direction? Or maybe you're a seasoned author and want to offer advice to us newbies out there? Feel free to leave your questions and comments! 


Thanks Jennifer! Check out Jennifer's awesome blog featuring interviews with authors (like me!) and others at Jennifer L. Oliver's Blog.

Mr. Agent Man (or: Hey, Why Do I Need an Agent?)

As I go through the seemingly endless process of finding a literary agent, the devil sits on one shoulder and an angel on the other, going at it like prize fighters. “You don’t need an agent,” one says. “You’ll do just fine on your own. In fact, you’ll do better because you can keep more of your money!”

On the other shoulder is the voice that says, “But the publishing world is huge and so difficult to navigate for a writer. You need some help!”

I believe there is some truth in what both of these voices say. Sure, I got my first book, DIABLERO, published all by my lonesome by a small press in Atlanta, Georgia and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Nightbird Publishing is a quality publishing house with integrity and vision. They set me up with a book release party in Atlanta, helped get me some book signings, some publicity and were just generally easy to work with and enthusiastic about my book. DIABLERO was one of their best-selling releases up to that time, so I can’t complain.

Then, along came David Niall Wilson and Crossroad Press, who offered to release DIABLERO as an e-book. That deal was also done without the aid of an agent.

So why get an agent?

Well, let me put it this way: I believe I could get along in the publishing world without one, maybe eventually publish a best-seller at some point. I’ve always believed in being self-sufficient and self-reliant, so it would fit right into my philosophy.

But the thing is I don’t want to do it alone. Sure, my family and friends are supportive, but they aren’t in the publishing business and I want someone on my side that is—someone who knows the ins and outs, the loopholes in the publishing contracts, the editors at the publishing houses and the people that will review my book. I want someone on my side that believes in me and my work and will fight to get it out there into the world and make sure I get paid when it does.

I don’t think 15 percent is too much to ask for a little piece of mind.

Whenever I see my novelist friend and mentor Stephen March, the first thing he always asks me is, “Got any offers on that book, yet?” followed by, “Don’t give up and don’t stop believing in yourself.”

I can’t think of any better advice to give a struggling writer. So far I’ve had several agents request my full manuscript and right now it’s in the hands of one of the most influential agents in the world. Not bad.

But even if he says, “No thanks,” I will continue my quest, because eventually I believe someone is going to say, “Yes!”

For more info on my books and other craziness, visit my web site at Toby Tate Stories.

Chasing the Fame Train

A lot of writers think that chasing the latest fads in the literary field is the way to a publishing contract. The misunderstood vampire, the wild-eyed zombie, the child-wizard, the gin-soaked, smart-mouthed private investigator—you know the ones—the tired, clichéd, overused characters.

Well, I used to be one of those writers. I was ready and willing to jump on that fame train.

But I have learned that if your writing doesn’t come from the heart and is instead motivated by the hope of an expanding wallet, you are headed down a rocky path and toward a perpetually empty bank account. Literary agents’ in-boxes are filled with queries from would-be authors following the latest trends or trying to copy the styles of famous writers. But those authors are traveling a dead-end street and they don’t even realize it.

I read blogs—lots and lots of blogs—by literary agents that receive anywhere from 30 to 100 queries a day and one theme that occurs throughout these blogs is this: Write in your own voice and don’t follow trends. So why try to be someone you’re not? Write what you love. Write what you would like to read, but use your own words and ideas, not someone else’s. Yeah, vampire stories are the schizzle right now, but that market could soon fizzle and you’re left standing with manuscript in hand and nowhere to turn.

Instead of trying to figure out what agents and publishers are looking for and writing for the market, write for yourself and try to find a niche—something that no one else is writing about. Make it unique and interesting, make your characters jump off the page, make your story crackle with excitement!

My latest manuscript has been requested by no less than five literary agents and I’m still waiting to hear back from several more because I chose not to follow trends. I read the latest books by authors who write in my field, not because I want to copy them, but to make sure I DON’T copy them. I try to keep an eye on the latest trends to make sure I DON’T follow them. My characters and my stories are unique because I dare to be different, and hopefully it will pay off in a big way.

But if not, I have the satisfaction of knowing that I have integrity and will continue to have integrity because I write stories that come from my own heart and mind and no one else’s. If the fame train leaves the station without me, then so be it. I'll take the bus.

My Time at Borders

I was a Borders, Inc. employee from about 1995 until 2004 and I have to say they were one of the better companies I have worked for. They purchased a large music store where I was employed (Planet Music in Virginia Beach) and when they sold the store two years later, I decided to stay with Borders and got a job at Waldenbooks, which they also owned.

They treated their employees well, and although I can’t say they always hired the best store managers, they did tend to hire some pretty knowledgeable, talented people. I had the time of my life working for Waldenbooks and made a lot of friends with other employees as well as customers.

The closest Borders store to me is the one in Virginia Beach, about 60 miles away. I played my music there once and they even sold my CD on consignment. Pretty cool. And their coffee was way better than Starbuck’s (sorry Starbuck’s fans).

One of the draws for me was the fact that they sold tons of multi-media, i.e., video, music and books. But not just in a little room in the back of the store—I’m talking aisles of stuff. They carried music that I just couldn’t find anywhere else without going online or to a specialty store. And as an employee, I got a really awesome discount.

At Planet Music, you could listen to any music before you bought it and we had a huge room that catered specifically to classical music fans. We sold new and used CDs and also had the biggest video and DVD selection you’ve ever seen. It was paradise.

But when they sold the company, I decided to stay with Borders and began as a bookseller at a little stand-alone Waldenbooks in Virginia Beach before becoming assistant manager. Then, writing called and I never looked back.

But I have to say that I will never forget my time working for Borders, shopping in their stores and making so many friends. They were a great company and I will miss them.

Writing a good query letter

Since I am asked about it so much (well, okay, maybe two people asked about it) I have decided to post the query letter for my latest military thriller/dark fantasy, LILITH. So far, I have gotten full manuscript requests from four literary agencies and from what I understand, those are pretty good numbers. Two of the agencies are small, one-person operations, one is medium (three agents) and one is a large New York agency (about eight agents).

This letter has been through several revisions and could go through several more, but as of now, this is the one I’ve been sending out. It pretty much answers the questions agents want answered in a query in a short, succinct way. Feel free to peruse it and get some ideas for writing your own query, if you want. But please, no copying, or I’ll have to tell the teacher! Of course, I personalize each letter so it isn’t the exact same thing every time, but this is the gist of the query:


Before evil had a name, there was Lilith.

Something has come aboard the U.S. Navy’s newest state-of-the-art super carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford—a creature that has existed since the time of Adam and Eve is masquerading as a human and secretly taking over the ship and her crew.

Reporter Hunter Singleton and his wife, Lisa, are invited aboard the Ford as part of a media tour to witness training operations off the coast of North Carolina. Instead, the couple find themselves in the midst of a nightmare.

The CIA has an operative on board, someone who has been closely watching the creature, following its every move, hoping to find a weakness before it’s too late. But it possesses powers that defy the very laws of nature.

A hurricane materializes practically overnight, taking the ship and her crew by surprise and forcing them to go north. Soon the hurricane gains strength, following close behind the Ford.

The crew discovers that the hurricane, now a category five, is headed directly toward New York Harbor. The Ford is called to assist in the aftermath, but whatever has come aboard has other plans, a terrifying plot that could destroy the carrier and wipe out the entire population of New York City.

The true horror lies not only in the creature’s supernatural abilities, but also in its ultimate goal—to eradicate the human race and become the Earth’s dominant life form.


LILITH by Toby Tate


LILITH is a dark fantasy of about 80,000 words. I feel the target audience for LILITH would be 18-50 year-old men and women who enjoy a good scare, an intricate plot, lots of action and true-to-life characters. It is part of a series featuring man and wife team Hunter and Lisa Singleton.


Biography

My first novel, DIABLERO, was published in paperback by Nightbird Publishing in Oct. 2010 and in e-book form by Crossroad Press in March, 2011. It was endorsed by NY Times best-selling author Steve Alten (MEG) and is currently the #2 bestseller at Eagle Eye Book Shop, Atlanta’s #1 indie bookstore. DIABLERO has been nominated for the Southern Independent Booksellers Award (SIBA).

Some of my favorite modern authors include Dan Brown, Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, Steve Alten, James Rollins, Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, James Patterson, Nelson DeMille, Clive Cussler, Lee Child, Stephen King and Bentley Little. Some of my influences include Ray Bradbury, Stephen King, H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert Heinlein, Rod Serling, Edgar Allen Poe, Jules Verne, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Arthur Conan Doyle.

I am deeply involved in the marketing and promotion of my own books, with over 12,000 hits on my website, over 1,200 friends on Facebook and over 5,000 reads on my Scribd page. I am also on Twitter and have my own blog, “Here There Be Monsters,” which I frequently update. I have done internet radio and newspaper interviews and guest blogs. I have pages on AuthorsDen.com, WriterFace.com, FiledBy.com and have created a YouTube video for DIABLERO, which has received nearly 2,000 hits. I post often on message boards such as Kindle Boards, Author Nook, Mobile Reads, Absolute Write, Horror.com and on local North Carolina boards.

I have also done many book signings and question and answer sessions, where I sell anywhere from 20 to 30 books at a time.

I was a newspaper reporter for five years and have also been published in The Pedestal Magazine, Famous Monsters of Filmland, Scary Monsters Magazine and other periodicals. I am currently a freelance writer and journalist with regular articles appearing on eHow.com and other websites and newspapers.

I am currently working on my third novel in the series, NOCTURNAL, and have ideas for several more in the series and some stand-alone novels.

Thanks for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

Toby Tate
Author of DIABLERO
Elizabeth City, NC
Phone # here
Visit http://www.tobytatestories.com for
an excerpt from the book, as well as links
to my writing on the publishing industry,
the music industry, and more.

Cashing In and Selling Out

I always hear people talk about authors who are sellouts, i.e. an author that becomes popular. A good example of this is J.K. Rowling. Before becoming a multi-millionaire, Ms. Rowling lived in what most would describe as poverty, eking out a living writing books that weren’t big sellers. The same with Stephen King, who mostly wrote short fiction and taught high school English; or John Grisham, who famously sold his first novel out of the trunk of his car. All of these authors would be considered successful by most standards, but to some, they are sellouts. Why?

People come up with lots of different reasons for thinking someone is a sellout. The biggest offenders are the authors who let someone else publish their books instead of doing it themselves. In the publishing industry, most self-published books are ignored, and for good reason—most have never had the advantage of a good editor going over the manuscript. Words are misspelled, punctuation is off, grammar is atrocious, the plot has more holes than a block of Swiss cheese, the characters are shallow and one-dimensional, or the story just plain stinks.

Don’t get me wrong, I have friends that have published some wonderful books, but virtually anyone with enough money can self-publish. And when it comes time to get an agent to sell your next book, guess what? Your self-published book, unless it was a huge seller, will be counted as a big zero. Unfortunate, but that’s the way the cookie bounces.

Another form of sellout is the writer who decides to write something, perhaps in another genre, that is a breakout best-seller. The loyal fans that had been following her for the last ten or so years are incensed that said writer could do such a thing—sell out to the big corporate publishers and actually—gasp!—make money! How could she?

But it’s not about authors following current trends, though that does happen. I mean, how many vampire novels have you seen lately? But often, an author will tire of writing the same old thing and go a different direction or simply write a book that has wide appeal. A good example of this is Walter Moseley, who writes everything from science fiction to mystery and even erotica. I have author friends with four or five unpublished manuscripts who were ecstatic when they were finally able to sell a novel. Sellouts? Hardly. I call it something else—patience.

I have been asked so many times why I bother trying to find an agent or why I decided to go with an actual publisher for my first book instead of doing it myself and keeping all the rights. But guess what? I retained all the rights to my book after it got published, albeit to a larger audience than I ever could have gotten, or would have had time to get, on my own. My publisher gave me a lot of encouragement and insight, edited my book, listened to my input, printed, distributed and then marketed my book. And they even paid me!

Guess that makes me a sellout.