Music Monday

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Music, Music Monday

My good friend and coworker showed me her cousin’s latest music video, which came out on Friday. And I’ve had this song stuck in my head ever since.

Book Recommendation: Going Too Far

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Book Recommendation, YA

GOING TOO FAR by Jennifer Echols
Published March 17th, 2009 by MTV Books
245 Pages

I was not prepared for how much I enjoyed this book. It was recommended to me by That Cover Girl, and I devoured it in a day. Started it on my morning commute, and couldn’t go to bed until I’d turned the last page. I’m pretty sure that’s a sign you guys should all go pick up a copy.

Having never been to backwater Alabama, I always pictured it as being very similar to backwater Wisconsin. I think Jennifer Echols has a solid grasp on her setting, and really immerses you in it, including a few “y’alls” every now and again. Every time I come back from Virginia, I find myself slipping a few of those in myself, so I thought it was a nice touch. Unlike other books, it wasn’t overdone or cliche, which I appreciated.

It was also great to see a character like Meg. She’s unlike any other girl I’ve seen in YA, with her skimpy shirts, blatant sexuality, blue hair, and backstory (which I won’t give away, for those of you planning on picking this up). She’s bitchy at some points, sarcastic at others, and surprisingly caring, even when she tries not to be. I think that’s her redeeming quality – she cares, even when she wishes she didn’t.

And Johnafter. *Fans self* Let’s talk about him for a sec, shall we? First of all, we all know my love of strange names, so Johnafter fits the bill. But he’s overall really charming. He cares too much, sometimes, and it gets him in as much trouble as Meg’s not caring. There’s a great combination of his tough cop side and the charming, boyish one, and it’ll win your heart as much as it did Meg’s. He’s damaged, and far from perfect, but it’s part of what makes him so likable.

And how about the sexual tension between Meg and John?! You could cut it with a knife, it was so thick. I think that’s where this book really shines. These two people are so different, and so set in their ways, but they force the other to change, and in the end evolve into better people. Which I think is what love is all about – making each other better. Together. Meg and John manage to be frustrating and lovable all at once, and I applaud Jennifer Echols for that. The characterization was spot on.

I dare you to take a shot on this book. I think you’ll be (very) pleasantly surprised.

October Roundup

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Book Recommendation, Books, Fiction, Memoir, Non-Fiction, Roundup, YA

So… I bought a lot of books in October.

AMBITIOUS by Monica McKayhan
THE GODDESS TEST by Aimee Carter
WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD by Stephanie Chong
THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE by Heather Gudenkauf
SHOO, JIMMY CHOO by Catey Hill
UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS by Portia de Rossi
WAITER RANT by Steve Dublanica
LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR by Stephanie Perkins
RIPPLE by Mandy Hubbard
GOING TOO FAR by Jennifer Echols
DASH & LILY’S BOOK OF DARES by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
THIRTEEN REASONS WHY by Jay Asher
BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY by Ruta Sepetys
THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin

Putting Together a Book Proposal

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Book Proposal, Non-Fiction, Writing

Up until recently, I’d kind of forgotten about non-fiction. I didn’t really read it or keep track of its trends. I didn’t know who was writing books or what made for a good platform. Heck, sometimes I wasn’t even sure what qualified. (I mean, come on. Memoirs are kind of in that hazy limbo between fiction and non-fiction, right?) I’d randomly walk past the non-fiction table at Barnes & Noble and think to myself, “Oh… So-and-So wrote a book? That’s nice.”

Ever since I started working at NSB, I’ve definitely been reading more of it. And not just because it’s part of my job description. These days I find myself heading to a book store specifically to buy a non-fiction book. Sure, the majority of my purchases have been memoirs, art books, or fabulous coffee table finds, but I’ve definitely been branching out.

Working where I do, a lot of proposals pass through my hands. As a fiction writer, the querying process is pretty straightforward: you write a novel and when you begin querying, you send out the query letter, a synopsis, and maybe some sample pages. Not so with non-fiction. Proposals include a handful of things, such as sample pages, marketing info, author bio and their platform, as well as other useful tidbits that make their book legit. Also, when querying a non-fiction proposal, you’re selling your idea not on a completed work, but on an idea. In my opinion, it’s much more difficult.

Here are some things to keep in mind when putting your proposal together:

1. Have a strong platform. I could write a book about being an avant garde skateboarder (does such a thing even exist?), but that doesn’t mean I’m qualified. You need to show why you’re an expert in your field, and why your opinion matters. Do  you have a doctorate? Are you a celebrity? Where else has your name appeared? Those kinds of things lend you credibility (or, at the very least, selling power).

2. Know the market. If you’re writing about avant garde skateboarding (god, I really hope this exists, the more I think about it), know what other books have been published pertaining to your topic. Do some research, and explain what gap in the market you plan to fill.

3. Give them sample pages. And don’t skimp. If you’ve got room to put two or three chapters in, do it. The average proposal is 50ish pages, so fill that space with writing – the reason you’re querying in the first place. If your platform isn’t that strong, but your writing is, it may be enough to pique someone’s interest. Conversely, if your idea is good, agents and editors want proof that you can actually deliver a decent book.

But that’s not all you need to include. Below is a list of everything you want to consider when putting together your proposal:

- A kickass title that will give people an idea of what they’re getting into right off the bat.

- An overview of what the book is about. I’ve seen these be as short as a paragraph and as long as ten. Say what you have to say — that’s the best advice I can give.

- A section about you and your qualifications.

- A table of contents of your book’s chapters.

- A breakdown of what each chapter is about. A few sentences will suffice.

- Sample chapters.

- At some point you also need to include how long you expect the book to be, and how long it should take you to write it.

- A section about marketing, which details what’s out there that’s similar, and how your book will stand out.

- Any relevant supplemental material.

And if you include those things, your proposal should be in pretty good shape. Be as thorough as possible because, remember, you’re querying/submitting based on an idea, not a completed book. Lots of other people probably have an idea similar to yours, so you need to stand out. Having a great proposal will definitely give you a leg up. And sometimes, that’s all it takes.

Music Monday

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Music, Music Monday

I absolutely adore Two Door Cinema Club. I actually first saw them when I was living in Ireland — they played at a pub down the street from my house. We’d come in late, so I missed the name of the band, but a while ago I heard the song on LastFM or Pandora or something and thought, Hey! I’ve heard this before! And the rest is history.

I actually had the chance to see them in concert at Terminal 5 last month. Here’s the opening of the above song — I had to stop filming because I started singing, and wanted to save you the pain of hearing my voice as it slowly died.

If you ever get the chance to see them in concert, do it. They put on one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. Plus, they’re Irish. Who doesn’t love an accent?

  

It doesn’t hurt that the opening band, The Lonely Forest, was also really great. Check them out if you get a chance!

Book Recommendation: Lola and the Boy Next Door

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Book Recommendation, YA

LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR by Stephanie Perkins
Published 9/29/2011 by Dutton
338 Pages

I’d been eagerly awaiting the companion novel to Stephanie Perkins’ ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS (one of my favorite books of all time), but when the release day finally rolled around, I completely forgot! To be fair, I don’t know what day it is on a very frequent basis. Luckily, I had Twitter to remind me. I was a few days late in picking up my copy, but I managed to snag one from a book store while passing through Grand Central.

Now, I feel like there’s an expectation that second things — second books, second movies — rarely live up to the first. (Pirates of the Caribbean, I’m looking at you.) I wasn’t worried about LOLA, and my thoughts were confirmed when reviews started popping up online saying how wonderful it was. It’s taken me a while to get to it, but I spent the last two days devouring it, and I can happily say that LOLA is just as wonderful as ANNA.

First of all, how adorable is that cover? I love the colors, the fact that Cricket is wearing pinstripes and rubberband bracelets, that they’re sitting on a window ledge, and Lola’s wig. There are so many details I didn’t even notice until I’d finished the book and actually took some time to study the image. It’s absolutely perfect.

Like ANNA, there are so many things to love about this book. Lola’s wardrobe is incredible, and I kind of wish I’d been brave enough as a teen to pull off the ensembles she wore. Her dads are adorable, and having never been to San Francisco, I felt as if I’d gone on vacation after I turned the last page. I had that same feeling when I finished ANNA — as if I’d just returned from a vacation in Paris — which is testament to the research and details Stephanie weaves into her stories. It’s really some of the best I’ve seen (read?).

And Cricket… can we just all bask in the incredible love interests Stephanie creates? I am still head-over-heels in love with St. Clair, but Cricket is JUST as lovable. There isn’t a single point where I doubted his sincerity, and there were definitely times where I just wanted to hug him for being so wonderful.

The best part of the book, though, was the message: When it’s right, love is easy. Sure, there will still be problems, but they can be worked out. Imperfections make you perfect for someone else, and together you make each other better. Lola reminded Cricket of his gift, and he’s the reason she’s confident in herself. I love that, like Anna and St. Clair, their relationship took time. It was charming in its realism, and even the situation with Calliope was relatable. Plus, who doesn’t love figure skating? Let’s be real.

If you loved ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, then I can guarantee you’ll love LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR. My heart swells just thinking about it.

Cool It, Man!

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Bad Behavior, Professsionalism, Publishing Etiquette, Query Letters, Rejection, Rejection Letters

Fact: Everyone gets rejected at some point in their life.

Fact: Rejection stings.

Fact: Some people need to think before responding to said rejection.

Over the last few years, I’ve seen many a rejection letter. I’ve gotten them myself when querying, and applying for internships and jobs. I’ve also written them in regards to all sorts of submissions. And you know what? Neither is enjoyable. Nobody likes to open their email to find a pile of rejection letters that have stacked up over the course of a few hours’ sleep. Also not enjoyable? Having to tell someone their work isn’t right for you.

Here’s the thing, though. In my time working in publishing, I’ve seen many an author act before they took the time to think things through. It’s resulted in some incredibly embarrassing emails on their part, and frustration on mine.

So here’s what I propose — some handy dandy step-by-step instructions on how to handle a rejection letter.

1. Open letter.

2. Read letter.

3. Re-read letter.

4. DO NOT RESPOND TO LETTER. I REPEAT: DO NOT RESPOND.

5. Take a deep breath.

6. Go do something else. Preferably something non-literary. Like mudding. Or watching mindless hours of television.

7. Re-read letter again.

8. DO NOT RESPOND.

9. Cross off magazine/journal/agent/editor from your list.

10. Move on.

If you didn’t catch my subtle hints, I’d suggest not responding to rejection letters. Make a note on your chart that someone passed and move on. The worst thing you can do is write a response that’s mean-spirited, condescending, and angry. You’re giving the person you queried yet another reason why they shouldn’t work with you, not to mention the fact that you’re giving yourself a bad name. People talk, and if you make a big deal out of one lousy rejection letter, it’s fairly likely that other people are going to hear about it and won’t be so interested in working with you.

The only time it’s really acceptable to respond is to send a quick note thanking the person for their time, especially if you met them in person, or were referred by someone else. Aside from that, it’s best to just move on. A lot of agents have interns who handle their email, so chances are they may not see that response you send anyway. Unless it falls under the category of majorly unprofessional, in which case I can guarantee they’ll see it.

So, when it comes to professionalism, the bottom line is you need to maintain it at all times. Even when you’d rather not, it’s always best to think before you speak.

YPG: Romance Panel

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Books, Reader/Writer Interaction, Reading, Romance, Social Media, Writing, YPG

You may remember hearing about the last YPG (Young to Publishing Group) event I went to, which was a lecture about current trends in publishing. A few weeks ago I went to another — a brown bag lunch at Hachette Book Group. The panel was dedicated to romance books and made up of editors from Harlequin and Pocket, romance writers, and other industry professionals. Funnily enough, I forgot to actually bring a lunch. I did, however, take notes.

• Biggest Industry Changes

Obviously the economy has had a huge impact on book buying. Ereaders provide quicker and easier access to books, and the lower price definitely appeals to buyers (myself included, and I thought I’d never be converted). They’re also the reason behind the rise of production and distribution of books, particularly romance.

(Fun fact: Harlequin puts out 120 titles a month. That’s at least 1,440 books a year!)

Books themselves have created changes in the market. TWILIGHT created a huge shift in YA romance, and is a large part of why vampire novels are still selling. The upsurge in paranormal romance has remained steady, and now the market for that is even larger than before. The only difference is that authors are having to find new angles to approach the genre. Vampires and werewolves aren’t cutting it anymore, which is why there has been an upsurge in mermaids and other fringe creatures.

• The Impact of Social Media

I don’t think I can ever stress enough how important it is to be up on social media. Especially now that it’s expected. Not only is it promotional, but romance readers and writers use it more than anyone else in the industry. Treat it as a professional tool and it provides you with quicker and broader access to industry info. There are discussion boards, live chats, and sites that provide access to writing samples and free books. Write YA? Those book bloggers are your biggest advocates, so it pays to be nice and get involved.

Did you know romance readers are more eager to interact with authors than anyone else, even teens? Not only do they want to know more about the books their favorite authors are putting out, but they want to know the author. They genuinely want to make a connection to the people behind the books, and it’s worth reaching out to your readers because it will only benefit you in the long run.

• Big Trends

Want to know what’s selling right now in romance? Westerns! (And if you like those, check out SUSANNA’S CHOICE by Sarah Luck, which comes out in late December.) Amish (bonnet) fiction! Contemporary cowboys and small town throwbacks. Also, steampunk and dystopians (although those may be on their way out sooner rather than later). But editors are looking for unusual settings, so keep that in mind when writing your next book.

And, for the record, middle grade is making a push.

• Editing Challenges

Like any genre, editing romance has its own unique challenges. When it comes to YA, romance is all about the couple developing over the course of the book. It has to be the main plot, and it has to be done well. If you’re writing adult romance, your characters need to know who they are. Unlike teenagers, they’ve had time to grow into themselves, so character development through romance is less of a priority. Plot, on the other hand, plays a much bigger hand.

Something else to keep in mind? Page count. Romance books are slimming down, so it’s up to the writer to create a concise plot and a romance that develops fully over the course of the book, but in fewer pages. And if you’re writing a series, you need to know that they require promises. Each installment has to answer questions and set up new ones to be answered later.

• Covers

It’s undisputed that YA covers are the best of the bunch — as one editor put it, they’re essentially dress porn. (Have you seen the cover for WITHER?) Covers have their own trends, and with YA it’s all about fitting in with the ones already on the shelves, just pumping up the volume a notch or two. Check out Jacket Whys and That Cover Girl if you need some more cover porn.

If you’re writing adult books, your title is the selling point (especially if it’s available as an ebook). Sarah MacLean, who was a member of the panel, is a perfect example of this. When buying ebooks, you don’t get the gorgeous cover art, so titles like ELEVEN WAYS TO START TO WIN A DUKE’S HEART are what’s going to drive sales.

Hopefully some of this information was helpful! It was a really great way to spend my lunch hour, and I definitely gained some insight into the genre. I also picked up a few titles while I was there (both adult and YA), so I’ll have some new book reviews in the upcoming weeks.

I’m not sure when the next brownbag lunch will be, but I’ll be sure to take notes the next time I attend!

Music Monday

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Music, Music Monday

I grew up listening to Nickel Creek. Over a decade later, this is still my all-time favorite song. It keeps me company during those times where I’m feeling lost, cheers me up when I need it, and never fails to reminds me of fall. I’m still depressed over the fact that the trio split, but at least I’ve seen each of them in concert individually! They’re amazing no matter what.

November Pledges

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NaNoWriMo, No Repeat November

It’s strange to think it’s already October. It’s particularly difficult when there are still days when the temperature hovers in the low 80s and the humidity turns my wavy hair into nothing more than a glorified bush. November is just around the corner, but we’ve barely even had time to enjoy fall! November is when I pull out my winter coat, eat a crapload of turkey, and see tiny puffs in front of my face when I go outside in the morning.

And if you’re a writer, you know that November means NaNoWriMo.

Initially, I wasn’t going to participate this year, but I haven’t been writing much these days, so maybe this will be the push I need to get me back in gear. It’s also an opportunity to play with an idea I’ve had for a while, so I think it’ll be good to try again after basically skipping last year. It is entirely likely that I will fail, but my hope is that forcing myself to write every night for a month will get me back into the habit of carving out some time every day to work on my own projects.

So, if you too are turning yourself into a word slave for the month of November, feel free to add me!

And on an unrelated note, but equally as interesting (well, maybe), I’m also pledging myself to No Repeat November. I’ve wanted to do this for a long time, but never actually got around to it. Essentially, for a month, I am not allowed to repeat an outfit. Repeats of garments are acceptable if they’re worn with other things, but the point is to refrain from buying any clothes for a month. Since most of my clothes have finally made the move to New York as well, November seemed like a great time to give this a try. (The alliteration helped, too.) Maybe I’ll post pictures of some of my favorites. Alex Bracken did this for the month of October, and it gave me the push I needed to finally do it myself. (She also had some ridiculously adorable outfits that I am now coveting.)

If you want to pledge yourself to No Repeat November, too, let me know! It always helps to have partners in crime to motivate you.

God, November is going to be insane.