I mailed off my second book to a contest today. Winner gets published with a big publishing house, and $20,000. I've really worked hard on my book, and I believe it's been the best writing I've ever done. But there's no guarentee what the judges will think.
I edited this thing to the best of my ability and lost a lot of sleep in the process. I went through it about six times. 
(Bad photo, I know. There's only so much you can do with a webcam.)
I sent the first chapter plus some in for a crituqe with these people. They said it was a very good start...and then they said my readers would be predominately woman. What?! (I know, that's not a real puncuation) That's the exact opposite group I was going for.
Well, at least I know how to appeal to the female market, but I'll talk about that some other time.
Be praying that the judges are given wisdom from God to see the best submission. Oh, wait, don't do that. That would probably put me out of the contest. :)
Thursday, September 25, 2008
It Is Finished
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
Oh dear, that's pretty funny! I had to look "predominately" up in the dictionary, though!
Hey, at least you had the guts to send it in. You should be proud of yourself. And it's not that bad of a photo.... :D
"predominately women"??? oh, wow...I'll make sure to ask for an autographed copy of your book when it comes out. :)
-Judi
Wow! Is the manuscript in your hand just the chapter you're sending in or the whole book? It looks pretty thick!
Good luck in the contest (although the 'good luck' is a little late, seeing as you sent in your story and now it's all out of your hands :)! Can you tell us anything about the book, or do we just have to wait and see?
~Kiwi
It's really funny about who the book has appeal to. I thought it was weak to the female market.
OK, if you don't mind bad hand writing, Judi.
That's the whole book. It's about 2-3 solid inches and I went through it about 6 times.
The book I wrote, The Leper King, is about a prince who's been banished from society for years. Now, he has to overcome raiders, assasins, and his own bitterness to save his father's conquered kingdom.
I'm going to need to do some more work on that, but that is as it stands right now.
Congratulations! I am very, very impressed. I'll be praying that you'll do well and be encouraged in this competition.
How funny! Well, even if you're not appealing to the market you were hoping to, you'll at least have readers (as opposed to those articles you write and then realize afterward that no one wants to read.) When you get that book published, I'll be one of your first readers. :)
-Catey
Maybe the judges said that because an outcast prince is something that would garner their sympathy, but when it gets published, can I have a signed copy?
lol, don't just pray, "God, please, please, oh please let my book get published!" Be bold! Command its existence, like Jesus did with the storm, "In Jesus' name, I declare I have favor with the judge's panel." And you will! (I've got the Biblical support if anyone wants to see it...!)
Actually, I read that 78% of readers are female. Be thankful you're appealing to female readers - otherwise your book would only corner 22% of the market. ;)
Debbie
I don't mind bad hand writing...but, I need a free copy..if that's alright with you..
-Judi
I try to find a market for something before I start writing, Catey. Getting rejected then feels so much better :) Kidding.
You sound a lot like my old coach, Araken!
I'd been concerned about that the whole time I was writing it, Debbied. I decided after a lot of thought, "I can't write anything that women would like. I shouldn't try and botch things up and look like an idiot."
There's a thought pattern that will come back to laugh you (me anyway)!
Sounds good...if you can sell two others to friends ;-) Call me an opportunist!
Post a Comment