Newly published writers -- What's next?

Azure Skye · Oct 30, 2007

For those of you who aren't writing a series, what is next for you? I mean, you have your book out but does your agent expect something else from you? Or do you have to query your next project like you did the first?

How does all of that work? :Huh:

JamieFord · Oct 30, 2007

My editor has the option on my next book, which means they get the first look at the next commercial/literary novel written under my name. I don't have to write the whole thing this time, they'll consider it off of a synopsis and sample chapters. ( Conceivably I could shop around another book under a pen name. )

Between editing I'm working on a YA novel, and submitted a treatment for a graphic novel. I'm holding off on pitching the next novel until July when we'll have a better sense of how the first one is going to sell-in.

Will Lavender · Oct 30, 2007

I actually just submitted my new one to my agent last week. Like Jamie said, a lot depends on how well the first one does. New writers and their books bloom on the shelves every month. If they don't sell, though, they disappear and are never heard from again.

Hopefully I'll sell enough books to get a second shot at this novel-writing thing.

K1P1 · Oct 30, 2007

I write knitting books and just submitted the ms for my second book. I got myself an agent this time around, who negotiated a 2-book contract, so right now I'm dusting off my book concepts and have a meeting with my editor to see which ones they are interested in. Then I'll do a full proposal and it will have to go before their editorial committee. Once we agree on the book, I'll get back to work.

In the meantime, I've let other publishers in the field know that I've got a small window of time during which I'm available to do copy/technical editing on other knitting books and I'm working on a series of articles for a knitting magazine.

illiterwrite · Oct 30, 2007

JamieFord said:
My editor has the option on my next book, which means they get the first look at the next commercial/literary novel written under my name. I don't have to write the whole thing this time, they'll consider it off of a synopsis and sample chapters.

Same here. I'm actually finished a draft of the second novel and have sent the first couple of chapters to my editor (well, my agent did), but I didn't do an outline. (I tried at the beginning, but it didn't work for me.) The editor has a certain time limit; if she doesn't respond (or if she says "no thanks," or even if we don't like the offer if she does want it) we can send it elsewhere.

Azure Skye · Nov 1, 2007

Thanks for taking the time to answer.

grommet · Nov 1, 2007

Well, I am a series writer, but I hope I can still answer

Book II is in the pipeline for a June '08 release. Books 3 and 4 were just bought on proposal. And I just turned in a standalone new thingy to my agent which I'm anxiously awaiting his feedback on.

You think it would get easier, but I swear I'm almost as nervous about this book as I was about the first one...

grommet

Toothpaste · Nov 1, 2007

I'm a series writer too, but I have to say there is something very nerve wracking writing something that someone has already bought. You really want to live up to the expectations. With my deadline looming, like really really soon, I am feeling rather terrified these days!

Azure Skye · Nov 1, 2007

Toothpaste said:
I'm a series writer too, but I have to say there is something very nerve wracking writing something that someone has already bought. You really want to live up to the expectations. With my deadline looming, like really really soon, I am feeling rather terrified these days!

How soon is your deadline? Happy typing.

Azure Skye · Nov 1, 2007

grommet said:
Well, I am a series writer, but I hope I can still answer

Book II is in the pipeline for a June '08 release. Books 3 and 4 were just bought on proposal. And I just turned in a standalone new thingy to my agent which I'm anxiously awaiting his feedback on.

You think it would get easier, but I swear I'm almost as nervous about this book as I was about the first one...

grommet

My motivation for asking this question was wondering and worrying if that once you're in, are you in for good? Does having one book published mean you'll have a second and a third or do you have to keep plugging away?

So your standalone, was that something you presented or was it requested by your agent? Do agents expect that from their clients or do they come out and ask, "Hey, you have anything else?"

Toothpaste · Nov 1, 2007

Um . . . yesterday. But now next week! Thanks for the well wishes!

swvaughn · Nov 1, 2007

*runs off crying for no particular reason*

Azure Skye · Nov 1, 2007

swvaughn said:
*runs off crying for no particular reason*

Come back.

I has chocolate.

grommet · Nov 1, 2007

Yay, Toothpaste, for getting an extension!

Azure: what my agent did after I got my first deal was to sit down and discuss with me "what's next." We talked through some vague ideas of what the next project should be. Then, every six weeks or so, he would call me just to make sure I was working on something and not losing my momentum. So, in a sense, he asked for this type of project, but the nature and shape of it were completely my own.

I hope that makes sense.

I'm hoping that I have an "in" and I'll be able to keep publishing stuff, but I think the real question "will I keep writing stuff that's worthy of being published?" Unfortunately, even with a series, there's the very real possibility that you could be cancelled after the next book if the sales aren't there.

grommet

Manat · Nov 1, 2007

I'm taking a chance with mine, and I hope it wasn't a mistake. It's really making me nervous. I sold the first without an agent, but the sale helped me get one and he is the agent of record.. I sent a proposal,(well my agent did) first three chapters and synopsis of my second to the folks that bought the first, as per my contract and first right of refusal. They offered to buy on proposal, which was a big thrill, but the offer wasn't much better than for the first. That's understandable as the first is still a year from release. My agent thinks we can do better and is prepared to send it to the big publishers, but he says I have to finish it first, as the first isn't published yet and I have no track record. I'm hurrying to get it done but it feels wierd. I turned down a sure thing and a slot for 2009 for a maybe with a bigger publisher. I feel like one of those highwire folk with Cirque de Soleil.

willietheshakes · Nov 1, 2007

Toothpaste said:
I have to say there is something very nerve wracking writing something that someone has already bought.

Oh, hell yeah!

ishtar'sgate · Nov 1, 2007

Azure Skye said:
For those of you who aren't writing a series, what is next for you? I mean, you have your book out but does your agent expect something else from you? Or do you have to query your next project like you did the first?

How does all of that work?

I sold my first book directly to a publisher so I'll be looking for an agent to represent my next novel. I'm actually glad I didn't have an agent because I've learned a lot about the industry from a close involvement in getting out the first novel and have a far better idea of the sort of person I can work with. As for what's next, my WIP is another historical and I have two more books on the backburner just waiting for me to give them some time. I'm sure an agent is expecting more from the authors they represent and hoping for long and profitable associations.
Linnea

Newly published writers -- What's next?

Azure Skye

Huh?

JamieFord

giving resonant directions

Will Lavender

Everything is what it seems.

K1P1

Procrastination is its own reward

illiterwrite

Azure Skye

Huh?

grommet

Toothpaste

THE RECKLESS RESCUE is out now!

Azure Skye

Huh?

Azure Skye

Huh?

Toothpaste

THE RECKLESS RESCUE is out now!

swvaughn

adrift

Azure Skye

Huh?

grommet

Manat

willietheshakes

Gentleman. Scholar. Bastard.

ishtar'sgate

living in the past