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Bonnie Hearn Hill | Breaking Into Fiction -- 4 Most Often Asked Questions Answered
March 26, 2010
Although I had published nonfiction for many years and worked as an editor,
I wanted to be a novelist. I made every mistake imaginable as I taught
myself how to write. Then I wrote what I thought was upmarket women's
fiction, a book the publisher later titled INTERN. When I began
searching
for an agent, I was dismayed by the lack of response. Those who bothered to
reply said they would get back to me in three months or longer.
One day, I e-mailed a wonderful woman who owns a regional publishing firm
where I had sold a nonfiction book several years before. She gave me the
name of an agent she said was the best she knew. She also said that she
didn't know if the agent was taking new writers because she had become
extremely successful.
I sent an e-mail query with the publisher's name in the subject field.
Within five minutes, the agent wrote back and asked to see the first 50
pages of my novel. I sent them, and she phoned me the following week. After
we chatted a bit, she said, "I'm ready to commit if you are." Those were the
sweetest words I had ever heard (Don't tell my husband). She sold my book as
a political thriller and got two back-to-back three-book deals for me.
Finally, I was a novelist.
Shortly after depositing my advance check in the bank, I received a note
from an agent I had met a couple of years before at a writing conference
where we were both presenting. It was a rejection letter, and let me tell
you, it's the only time I ever laughed when reading one of those babies. To date, the agent has sold nine novels for me, worked with me on several
other writing projects and provided career advice again and again. The day I
wrote to my publishing friend for a referral changed my life. Q: How should I respond if an agent wants to know who else I've queried?
Should I be sending to other agents?
BHH: I would ignore the question and continue sending to agents. It's none
of their business how you do business. They aren't telling you whose
manuscripts they are reviewing. An exception would be an agent you've met or
spoken with who has asked for 24 hours to a week to exclusively review your
work. If you agree to that time period, then I would not send out the work
while your manuscript is being reviewed. Also, when you do sign with an
agent, you should notify everyone else you've queried and state that you're
withdrawing your manuscript because you have obtained representation. Many
of them will not have read your partial, and they will appreciate your
professionalism.
Q: What's the best way to find an agent?
BHH: Well, I found mine through a referral. Do you know a published author
or anyone in the publishing business? You might consider attending a writing
conference where a lot of agents will be present. Two examples are the
Backspace conference in New York and the University of San Diego conference.
Some agents have blogs and newsletters that will give you an idea of their
personalities and preferences. You can also read about recent sales,
including names of the literary agents and acquiring editors, on
publisherslunch.com. Another way to get the attention of an agent is to
publish short fiction in well respected journals. I know several agents who
have found clients that way. Q: What's the biggest mistake writers make with agents?
BHH: Thinking they need one before they do. You need to write a high-concept
genre and be convinced that your work is as good as anything out there. If
you've written what could be a series, that's even better. Be your own worst
critic. Do you begin with a hook? Do you have well-crafted, focused scenes
with I-want-A/You-want B conflict? Do you show instead of tell? Have you
controlled your point of view? Is your book the right format and length for
the genre? If so, you may be ready to seek out an agent.
Q: Is it okay to phone an agent?
BHH: Only if a major house wants to buy your book. This actually happened to
a writer I mentor. The editor at the house made the offer, and my friend had
her choice of agents. Sure, she could have made the sale without one, but
the person she selected more than earned the 15 percent.
Q: You write a lot about astrology. Which signs make the best writers?
BHH: Each sign has its own strengths and challenges. The Fire signs (Aries,
Leo, Sagittarius) tend to want to blaze through the basics, which doesn't
always work. The Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) are the hard workers
and sometimes plodders. The Air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) are natural
communicators but need to focus. The Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces)
tend to be emotional and can sabotage themselves. The most important
qualities for a writer are honesty, high energy, motivation and hard-headed
determination. If you don't have them in your chart, you need to develop
them in your life. Thanks for letting me stop off at your blog during my 31 Days of Aries blog
tour and book giveaway. Be sure to enter the contest.
Comments
26 comments posted.
Re: Bonnie Hearn Hill | Breaking Into Fiction -- 4 Most Often Asked Questions Answered
It sounds so hard to get a book published, but thankfully, you kept at it and did. Keep going!
(Joanne Reynolds 6:22am March 26, 2010)
Wow, just another example of why we need to network. Was it difficult to go from nonfiction to fiction? Did people assume you'd just go along with the same type of books? Do you prefer fiction or nonfiction?
(Jodi Webb 7:07am March 26, 2010)
Aries certainly sounds up-to-date on todays society.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 8:55am March 26, 2010)
Aries certainly sounds up-to-date on today's society.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 8:57am March 26, 2010)
Sounds like a nice read.
(Sherry Russell 11:05am March 26, 2010)
I'm Sagittarian, though don't feel I breeze through anything. I work hard at everything I do. I am keen on reading the book. Sounds very interesting.
Best wishes and Happy "early" Easter!
(Freda Mans-Labianca 12:45pm March 26, 2010)
I used to dream that I had married a true cowboy and was living out West where I'd work outside - writing. Then one day I woke up and told myself, "You can't write." I've always wished I could, but... So breaking into fiction and finding an agent aren't my biggest concerns - learning to write - well, one of these days! ;)
(Kelli Jo Calvert 12:57pm March 26, 2010)
Your theory on astrology and who would make the best writers was kind of interesting. May not agree but definitely interesting.
(Vicki Hancock 1:03pm March 26, 2010)
It's amazing how someone we look at as having an insider's eye had such a time getting published. Your advice was so honest and to the point and I enjoyed it.
Thanks
(Leni Kaye 1:52pm March 26, 2010)
Thanks for the informative posting. I am looking forward to reading your book.
(Robin McKay 2:31pm March 26, 2010)
I found your experience very interesting and hope for the best on the book, as well as all that follows.
(Cynthia Plaza-Harney 2:53pm March 26, 2010)
I'd love to read your book - please enter me in the contest. Thanks!
(Cheryl Snyder 3:28pm March 26, 2010)
Thank you for your insight into agents and how to deal with one. Very informative.
(Cherie Japp 3:41pm March 26, 2010)
Interesting post, thanks for sharing it with us!
(Colleen Conklin 4:25pm March 26, 2010)
Fascinating insight thank you. I love to know about the process.
(Mary Preston 5:51pm March 26, 2010)
Your blog was very informative. I never realized how hard you need to work to work to get a novel published. Good luck with your new release,'Aries Rising'.
(Rosemary Krejsa 6:34pm March 26, 2010)
It's good to get some insight as to how hard or easy it is to get published, great blog.
(Diane Sadler 8:01pm March 26, 2010)
Thanks, Diane. It is difficult but totally worth it.
Rosemary: I'm having fun writing for young adults.
Leni--Maybe it's different for writers today. Remember that when I started, there was no internet. That greatly limited my options, especially since I had a day job. I certainly don't want to discourage anyone.
Vicki--It was down and dirty. The location of your Mercury (not just your Sun sign) has a lot to do with that. My source and best friend is Hazel Dixon-Cooper who taught me the astrology my character (and I) learned in the book. She's a "real" astrologer and a fabulous writer. You might want to check out her Web site to learn more.
Kelli--That's most important. Perfecting the craft. I think there are more informed critique groups now than when I started, and a good group can help you get there sooner.
Sherry: All of my Sadge writer friends work hard, but they do it with "fire," and most of them laugh and smile a lot and are the kind of people you want to be around. That's different from Aries, who tends to just go after what s/he wants.
Jodi: Hi, Libra! It was difficult because I had to teach myself to write fiction. I already knew how to write nonfiction, so for me, fiction was more difficult. I love writing both, but right now, I'm having a wonderful time pretending to be 16 and writing these novels.
Thanks, everyone, for the great comments. You are all entered to win the free book. Check out the contest to win an iPod on the Star Crossed Facebook fan badge. You
are a great group.
(Bonnie Hh 8:54pm March 26, 2010)
P.S.
Here are the links to my Web site and Facebook fan page, where there are iPod contest details.
www.bonniehearnhill.com
facebook.com/StarCrossedseries
(Bonnie Hh 8:55pm March 26, 2010)
Thanks for the information on how to find an editor. I didn't know that book convention existed and that editors go to them.
(Kai Wong 11:01pm March 26, 2010)
I never gave writing much thought, but
my 2 daughters have both mentioned
that they'd like to be novelists when
they grow up. How'd I end up in this
situation? They love to read! Thanks
for the insights!!
(MaryAnne Banks 11:22pm March 26, 2010)
Congrats on realizing your dream! And
for being generous enough to share your
experience and advice to others with the
same dream.
(Jung Ja Ahn 11:25pm March 26, 2010)
I enjoyed the "inside look" at how to select and contact an agent. There is so much to getting started as a published writer. It is all interesting to learn about. Thanks for your facts.
(Gladys Paradowski 12:07pm March 27, 2010)
Congratualtions for breaking into Fiction. This was helpful information for anyone thinking about following their dream. Thank you
(Barbara Ryan 9:27am March 27, 2010)
Thanks for your great comments.
Good luck, Molly, with two writers in the family!
Kai: If you go to Shaw Guides, you can check out writing contests all over the country.
(Bonnie Hh 9:39pm March 27, 2010)
Thank you for the interview! I'm Scorpio and I agree when you say *tend to be emotional and can sabotage themselves*. It happened to me many times.
(Giada Mariani 9:05am March 28, 2010)
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