tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post6726385788125956200..comments2024-03-28T06:16:39.508+00:00Comments on Help! I Need a Publisher!: HOW RISKY IS YOUR WRITING?Nicola Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-53336808879004958922010-06-02T18:01:27.099+01:002010-06-02T18:01:27.099+01:00Nicola - I do several every year at the Edinburgh ...Nicola - I do several every year at the Edinburgh book festival - the programme is out on June 17th!<br /><br />Maxine - I'd like to blog about this soon. Good idea. The short answer is that yes, it can often be off-putting, BUT if the idea / hook is strong enough, other aspects of niche are not a problem.Nicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-36211685022527652962010-06-02T12:08:04.132+01:002010-06-02T12:08:04.132+01:00When are you going to give a course/workshop? I wi...When are you going to give a course/workshop? I will pay good money - I will even throw in a bottle of champagne and chocolates. I will walk. I don't live far from you. Perth. Oh, that's Perth Scotland by the way!Nicola Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15646981662772854646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-88249260374123061622010-05-12T18:34:30.784+01:002010-05-12T18:34:30.784+01:00Great post. I'd be interested to hear your/oth...Great post. I'd be interested to hear your/other readers' opinions on what constitutes a 'niche' book Would this refer to books with a very specific setting or 'minority' characters (in terms of their ethnicity or sexuality)? A while ago I chatted to an editor about my WIP, which is set in my (legendarily small) university town, and I asked her if she thought it would Maxinehttp://www.dancingwithmyself.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-90053138672591491432010-05-12T18:32:42.099+01:002010-05-12T18:32:42.099+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.blondezvoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13213260405068532446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-6457968671933811222010-05-09T20:20:39.715+01:002010-05-09T20:20:39.715+01:00I was thinking of 'The Book Thief' by Marc...I was thinking of 'The Book Thief' by Marcus Zusak while reading this excellent post- unusual voice and appela to both YA and adult marketsEeleen Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15221723342556515161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-50890213302777342262010-05-09T14:15:28.405+01:002010-05-09T14:15:28.405+01:00Wonderful, sensible advice. Thank you.Wonderful, sensible advice. Thank you.Carolyn Rosewoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09381979293473387988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-63637739707444891612010-05-09T10:58:11.069+01:002010-05-09T10:58:11.069+01:00It's easy to see why this post is creating a l...It's easy to see why this post is creating a lot of comments - it's excellent and insightful and cuts to the heart of an issue that I think is one of the main concerns of writers today - producing something that the industry can easily compartmentalize yet different enough to be original - and where to position yourself on the sprectrum between the two extremes. Excellent thoughts and James Killickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14513775874350745555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-56217794511202549922010-05-09T09:14:30.523+01:002010-05-09T09:14:30.523+01:00My copy of Wasted has arrived and I'm looking ...My copy of Wasted has arrived and I'm looking forward to reading it though it's sitting a ways down my tbr pile at the moment. My debut novel isn't very risky at all but it is very much MY voice and the way I imagine I will always write but who knows really?DJ Kirkbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08481107164497582398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-25788670165153578742010-05-09T05:32:36.459+01:002010-05-09T05:32:36.459+01:00Hi Nicola,
I've just finished Wasted and loved...Hi Nicola,<br />I've just finished Wasted and loved it.<br />I knew I would.<br /><br />I also knew I'd need a bit of free time to read it because I did not want to be interrupted! Yay, got that too<br /><br />Thank you for a sensational read. You made me cry. Poor, poor Sylvia. Sad, pathetic, lonely Sylvia. Little bit too close to the bone Sylvia.Ebony McKenna.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02724727996270658767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-31333955303926918532010-05-08T20:42:58.290+01:002010-05-08T20:42:58.290+01:00Oooh, I forgot - I'm defo buying your book btw...Oooh, I forgot - I'm defo buying your book btw.Jennifer Nolanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15725186356747613998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-79525821535454932422010-05-08T20:41:24.117+01:002010-05-08T20:41:24.117+01:00I find your blog extremely helpful, and this post ...I find your blog extremely helpful, and this post excellent advice for any writer. I've included a link to your blog on my blog page, and wondered if you'd be ever so kind and put a link for mine on yours?<br />It's http://crazylunaticrants.blogspot.com/<br />(You can delete if not okay)<br /><br />Thank you xxJennifer Nolanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15725186356747613998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-30366924182746728072010-05-07T19:35:03.365+01:002010-05-07T19:35:03.365+01:00Thanks, Nicola, your words were quite thoughtful a...Thanks, Nicola, your words were quite thoughtful and useful. <br /><br />Sometimes a risky novel, like your WASTED, will take hold of your imagination and not let go until you've written it.<br /><br />Such a novel was my Lakota/Celtic fantasy THE BEAR WITH TWO SHADOWS{in the YA school of THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS} was such a book for me.<br /><br />And you won't be surprised to hear me sayRoland D. Yeomanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00338410857990551352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-6754965045425231472010-05-07T16:28:48.500+01:002010-05-07T16:28:48.500+01:00Wasted sounds so interesting! And you've give...Wasted sounds so interesting! And you've given me a lot to think about.<br /><br />Besides having a lot to learn about writing, my previous MG and YA manuscripts weren't risky enough. I travelled down well-trodden paths. The one I'm writing now feels unique, but hopefully not so much that I scare people away when I begin querying. It's first person, past tense, so that's Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-14139228020941305012010-05-07T16:10:27.760+01:002010-05-07T16:10:27.760+01:00I saw your link at Talli's blog and thought I&...I saw your link at Talli's blog and thought I'd drop in. Glad I did. Your writing tips are succinct and, thus, helpful. And congrats on your awards. Well-deserved!Kittie Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07756250649095903317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-52866737140276526842010-05-07T15:58:59.792+01:002010-05-07T15:58:59.792+01:00Love the advice! I'm so glad i visited from ov...Love the advice! I'm so glad i visited from over at Talli Rolands blog! She's amazing and if she is showcasing you it's because you must also be amazing!!!!<br /><br />Awesome advice and I can't wait to check out your latest book!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667521490706435608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-26741379634110742782010-05-07T15:22:19.446+01:002010-05-07T15:22:19.446+01:00Very interesting; I particularly sat up when readi...Very interesting; I particularly sat up when reading about taking risks as a novice in the paranormal romantic comedy genre. My first book is paranormal and somewhat romantic, however, certainly not comic. I have finished it now and am spending time editing.<br /><br />CJ xxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-35310966339868363422010-05-07T11:41:53.397+01:002010-05-07T11:41:53.397+01:00I write SF romances for young adults. Which is li...I write SF romances for young adults. Which is likely a big problem - I've had lots of nice personal rejections, including some compliments about my writing, but no deal!<br /><br />So now I am writing a ghost story instead.<br /><br />Today I am having a sour day, so forgive me if I sound a bit negative about taking risks, but I wonder if there are limits to the risks we can take as debut Catherine Hugheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17540552933192453722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-55962280264676047142010-05-07T10:02:22.154+01:002010-05-07T10:02:22.154+01:00Sage advice, as usual, Nicola. Your #1 point remin...Sage advice, as usual, Nicola. Your #1 point reminds me of how a publisher answered the 'what are you looking for?' question at the Harrogate Crime Writing Festival a few years ago: 'The same but different'. Cries of frustration came from the audience, but I've kept this in mind during my writing.Janet O'Kanehttp://www.jokwriting.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-41686766415188824932010-05-07T09:34:41.100+01:002010-05-07T09:34:41.100+01:00very wise comments Nicola.very wise comments Nicola.Flowerpothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14102679179201725732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-17916006658296172032010-05-07T09:01:45.556+01:002010-05-07T09:01:45.556+01:00Thanks, all, for your comments. As you may know, I...Thanks, all, for your comments. As you may know, I've been on a book tour and have had really bad internet access so haven't been able to join in. I'm bacl, but now inundated by tasks!<br /><br />Kathryn, Jo and KarenG - thank you so much for your comments about Wasted!<br /><br />altguy3 - you make a good point. I agree that originality is relative and subjective (I think the Nicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-91099850872074657032010-05-07T03:14:16.522+01:002010-05-07T03:14:16.522+01:00#6 makes so much sense, I'm surprised I've...#6 makes so much sense, I'm surprised I've never read that kind of advice anywhere else! Thanks for making me think hard about my current WiPs with these great points!Laura S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13934230198562773803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-25272619900358641192010-05-07T02:29:22.645+01:002010-05-07T02:29:22.645+01:00Great post, Nicola, and something to keep in mind....Great post, Nicola, and something to keep in mind. I like the book I'm querying now and like the crime genre, but another one I'm planning/piddling with would be risky. I want to write it anyway. I've gotten some down and know what is going to happen, but I'm having trouble finding the right narrative structure. The straightforward style I used in my romantic crime thriller is Elizabeth Westhttp://aelizabethwest.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-80124363381482285752010-05-07T01:15:01.357+01:002010-05-07T01:15:01.357+01:00altguy3:
Good to see you found a publisher. J...altguy3: <br /> Good to see you found a publisher. John Masters said that one publisher rejected a book as too sympathetic toward an Indian terrorist, another rejected it because it wasn't sympathetic enough. <br /> The first publisher was probably right-wing, the second left-wing. <br />:-)steeleweedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02077739629921574784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-47152991620283758712010-05-07T01:08:27.772+01:002010-05-07T01:08:27.772+01:00A very interesting posting. The question of origin...A very interesting posting. The question of originality particularly struck me. I agree entirely with your advice... but have to qualify that by saying that originality is highly subjective.<br /><br />When I wrote my book, THE AFRIKA REICH, I wanted to do something which I felt was original but not intimidatingly so (as you suggested). Despite that, several publishers rejected it as being 'TARguyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359075503866925256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-83152491049459908812010-05-06T23:32:19.383+01:002010-05-06T23:32:19.383+01:00Having used 8 of my 9 lives I tend to be terribly ...Having used 8 of my 9 lives I tend to be terribly cautious about everything. I rather suspect though that one of the things I like about trying to write is that my characters can take risks for me!catdownunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06959328192182156574noreply@blogger.com