I thought I'd be less stressed out now after pushing so hard and getting it done, but I'm just kind of . . . flailing around uselessly. This is normal, right?
Yep!
I thought I'd be less stressed out now after pushing so hard and getting it done, but I'm just kind of . . . flailing around uselessly. This is normal, right?
Holy crap, two of my agency-siblings just walked away with awards at the Hugos today. I have no idea what I'm doing with the same as agent as these people...
Since I have all this time, I’m putting together an ARC tour. If anybody’s interested in reading the book (YA thriller/cyberhorror) in advance and potentially posting a review (no expectations or strings), please PM me! How it works is that I make a Google sheet where readers can sign up to share a physical book via mail. It’s kinda fun; I read a lot of great books through my debut group’s tours, though I also paid a lot in postage!
Shoeless -- Future Hugo award-winner??? Why not?
I'd bet money against it. Hugo winners have to have some kind of literary/thematic merit, with significant ideas and stellar writing. Some snarky combat mage hurling lightning and one-liners at cyborgs is definitely not that.
Lol shoeless, you're underselling your book. If I remember right, you mentioned it has themes addressing racism and other forms of discrimination in it, so yanno, you're tackling some pretty big stuff in there too. Although having said that, "snarky combat mage hurling lightning and one-liners at cyborg" sounds AMAZING and I need this book in my life soon.
Hah, likewise (against me I mean, not you!) - I'm with the same agent too, and yeah. Thinly disguised gangster thrillers don't win Hugos either.
They do get shortlisted for the British Fantasy Award though, apparently. I'll take that
Your book is FUN though. And that's also important. One of the most important things for a certain kind of fiction anyway. In the days we live in, I'm really starting to appreciate the value of escapism, and how powerful and therapeutic it can be for a story to actually just take you away from your current circumstances, and put you somewhere else for a little while. There's a magic to that that should't be underestimated.
Didn't know I was feeling down until after we hung up and I felt really happy? I guess that's just the reality of the Circle sometimes.
Had an extremely reassuring (exciting) phone call with agent (no, not THAT kind of phone call, the kind with dollar bills attached, but a scheduled one for a check in). The check in thing is so amazing and I didn't have anything similar with my last agent. She went over the few rejections we've gotten so far, and we have --eleven-- requests outstanding, including some extra editor chatter lately, so that's exciting. She also loves the new project (thank God), so I'll keep plugging away with the reassurance that it will be saleable even if this submission project languishes.
Didn't know I was feeling down until after we hung up and I felt really happy? I guess that's just the reality of the Circle sometimes.
I'm stuck in the saggy middle and I have like 3 other New Shinies that I'm *dying* to move on to, so I am so bitter at this book right now. WHY WON'T YOU JUST WRITE YOURSELF.
Didn't know I was feeling down until after we hung up and I felt really happy? I guess that's just the reality of the Circle sometimes.
1. Do you think it's appropriate to mention that part?
So, it can be done. The shroud over the message in fiction does not have to be heavy.
But, it's a subjective business. (My favorites are invariably fiction that leave me bigger after reading. That often means themes and messages and always means think-y). Non fiction is great too--but I'm personally more likely to DNF it.
Others prefer more escapist reads. That's fair. It's subjective.
1. Do you think it's appropriate to mention that part?
2. If so, suggestions on wording?
Sonya - Are you on a deadline? Here's to hoping you don't have to scrap and redo the next book. Just the thought is enough to give me the sweats.