What's New in YA? Mashups!

This is a great article for writers and readers alike on what new trends are hitting in YA.

Ironically, I wrote NAUSAARI a light sci-fi/fantasy with historical elements about 2 years ago and was told it had two many genres to be sellable and that it needs to fit into just one. After reading this, I clearly need to pull that puppy from the shelf and make it purrtty, so I can show it to my agent.

I have to say one of the things I love best about being a YA writer and reader is that like young adults/teens, it is ever changing and often surprising. GO YA!!!!!

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/54166-what-s-new-in-ya-mashups.html#path/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/54166-what-s-new-in-ya-mashups.html

I WANT TO BE LIKE A CHARACTER I JUST READ OR WATCHED GAME!

Has a character ever inspired you to be better or do more? 

If the answer is yes, please take the time to share which character inspires you and why. It can be any character—one you wrote or read about, or watched in a movie.

My favorite part about connecting with a character is when I find myself wanting to be more like them. That doesn't necessarily mean I want to look or act like them, or live how they live. It's more like I might want to be stronger in ways they are. Or I might want to have more patience like the character, or be quieter, or louder, or bolder, or braver. 

Today I challenge you to name a character you admire and why!

I'll start it!

At this time, I'd have to say the character I'm most inspired by is Hazel from The Fault in Our Stars. She's brave, kind, and courageous in ways that make me want to be a better person.   

Now you go!!!!!!

EDIT TECHNIQUES AND ADVICE FROM PUBLISHED YA AUTHORS

Writers (aspiring and established) you don't want to miss this!

After days of blood, sweat, tears, tracking, hunting, searching, lurking, running, chasing, possibly some skipping, and definitely some minor stalking, I've rounded up edit advice from the best (IMO) writers in YA.

Amy Christine Parker, ya thriller author of GATED.

http://amychristineparker.blogspot.com/

Christina Farley, ya paranormal/fantasy author of GILDED.

http://christinafarley.com/books/

J. A. Souders, ya sci-fi author of the Elysium Trilogy, RENEGADE and REVELATIONS.

http://jasouders.com/

Larissa Hardesty, writer of ya paranormal and thriller

http://lchardesty.blogspot.com/

 These awesomely talented authors also happen to be my friends, so they didn't mind me peeking in their windows and jumping out from behind their cars. LOL J/K

I compiled a list of four questions for each of them based on their editing experience, skills, and favored techniques, which I will now share with you wonderfully talented peeps!  I know!  Get your pens ready or your copy and paste fingers. You don't want to miss this advice!

Here are the questions.

They'll also be listed below along with the authors feedback.

1. What edit technique/s work best for you?
2. Did you always use the same edit technique/s or have they evolved over the years?
3. How many different strategies did you try before finding one or two that fit your writing style best?
4. What editing advice to you have for new and established writers?

Amy Christine Parker, author of Gated

1. What edit technique/s work best for you? 

My editing process is slow and happens almost the moment I start a draft. I write long hand in composition notebooks and then type in what I’ve written, revising that first time as I type. Once I’m done drafting I need to print out the entire draft so I can see it and physically manipulate it: spread it out by chapter across my floor, possibly rearrange the chapter order. I make notecards that summarize each chapter, tell how the character or plot is supposed to change and what I will have to do to make sure those changes occur which I clip to the top page of each chapter. I am so old school and find it incredibly difficult for some reason to do this on a computer even though Scrivener can basically perform all of what I do digitally. There is something about seeing the words on paper, of seeing the book spread out before me that helps me get in the right frame of mind to do what I need to to fix it. I also don’t put the chapters into one document until I’ve gotten one round of edits out of the way at least and I’m sure of the chapter order, that I don’t need to rewrite a whole part.

2. Did you always use the same edit technique/s or have they evolved over the years? 

I have basically used the same technique all along. I’ve refined a few things, but if anything instead of getting less old school I seem to be getting more—even doing all my story plotting and planning on several cork boards—my office is going to look like a police investigation room pretty soon with pictures/profiles of characters, setting, etc lined up along the wall next to my story board. I seem utterly organized, but the truth is the writing is always a bit of a pantsing process even with all that I’ve done to work through the plot ahead of time. The editing stage is where I feel like the true story emerges for me. I do think that I have maybe refined the process so it’s as quick as it’s going to get....which isn’t quick at all!

3. How many different strategies did you try before finding one or two that fit your writing style best? 

I tried them all! I am a huge researcher and adopter of any method I think will help me, but in the end I’m finding that I am meant to write/edit the way I write/edit and that any ideas/styles I pick up will need to be adapted into that framework to work.

4. What editing advice to you have for new and established writers? 

The editing stage is the time to become detached. I think your characters, world, and entire rough draft need to be created from both an emotional and intellectual space, but the editing process is about pinpointing weaknesses, highlighting strengths, and strategizing about how to make the book the best it can be. There is no room for emotional decision making. You need to come at it like a surgeon-- cool, calm, and utterly focused on fixing what’s broken, not rhapsodizing about a character, plot situation, or section of prose that makes you feel better about yourself as a writer--or worse--strokes your ego. This is the time to better the story plain and simple and in order to do that many times you have to cut out stuff you absolutely love because it isn’t crucial to the plot. I can almost feel the shift occur for me when it’s time to revise.

Christina Farley, author of Gilded

1.     What edit technique/s work best for you?

Write first, then edit.

For me I do best if I write the whole manuscript out and then afterwards go through and make my revisions. I like to focus on whole picture such as the plot and characterization. From there I go deeper by making sure the story is layered, loose ends are tied up and finally getting all of those grammar nuisances figured.

2. Did you always use the same edit technique/s or have they evolved over the years?

I used to write a couple of chapters at a time, perfect those and then send them to my critique partners. They would give me feedback on those chapters and then I’d move to the next round of chapters. This is how I learned to write, engage my readers, and make sure each chapter had its own arc within itself.  

But now I’m finding, not only do I not have time to do this because I have deadlines, but I like to write the whole story on the computer first. Even if half of it doesn’t make sense, it gives the story a fuller feel and the characters come to life for me because I’m not continually stopping and starting.

3. How many different strategies did you try before finding one or two that fit your writing style best?

When I first started writing GILDED, I wrote it in first person past tense. But I just didn’t feel like past tense was portraying Jae Hwa and her voice accurately. She’s an immediate, full-action kind of girl and I wanted that tone to be portrayed. So I wrote it in two different pov’s before I got it right. 

But I have written other books in different pov’s and tenses. For me it’s the character that drives my pov and sometimes I have to pay around with the story before I get it right.

4. What editing advice to you have for new and established writers?

My advice for new writers is to learn everything you can and focus on the joy of writing. Read stacks of books and don’t be afraid to try different pov’s, different voices and different genres. You’ll find what works best for you and your voice. 

For established authors: Write your story first. Then tackle big picture issues such as plot and characterization. From there, whittle down to focus on world building and voice. In the final drafts hone in on grammar, word structure and word choice.

Jessica Souders, author of RENEGADE AND REVELATIONS

1. What edit technique/s work best for you?

  Okay, so, I'm not sure if you wanted how I edit with my editor, or when I'm editing myself and/or with crit. partners, so I'll do both! :)   Honestly, I'm not sure I have a "technique" per se, but this is what works best for me.  When I've finished my first draft of a book, I generally try to let it sit for at least a week. (Ideally, I'd let it sit for a month, but let's face it I generally don't have time to let things sit for even that week. Sometimes I even have to send my work to my CPs as I finish the chapters to make deadlines in time). Then I read through it again on my computer, inputing my changes with track changes so I can see what I've changed. Then I let it sit for another week and do the same thing again. Then I send it to crit partners and let them do their thing and tear it apart. I input the changes I agree with. Then I make sure all the track changes are off and then I send the document to my kindle and read it through again, marking any changes on a notepad. Then I send it to my agent or editor depending on what series i'm working on and my timeframe. When my agent/editor gets me notes, I read them, then let them sit for a few days so I can think about them. Then I take a notebook and split the edit letter into three parts. Part 1 is things I agree with and will change. Part 2 is things I don't really feel positive or negative about, so I'll change it. And Part 3 is things I absolutely don't agree with. Then I edit my work with Part 1 and Part 2. Then I read Part 3 over again and see if I still don't agree with them. Then I talk them over with my crit partners for perspective. Usually half of the changes I didn't want to make, I figure out that they're actually good suggestions and I take them. The other half, I write down why I don't agree with them and send that list with the new version of the book and send it off to my editor/agent.

2. Did you always use the same edit technique/s or have they evolved over the years?

   My editing techniques have definitely changed over the years. When I first started, I'd edit the MS almost immediately after I'd finished it. I had NO idea what a Crit. Partner was and never used them. Of course, as I delved deeper into publishing, I realized that I needed other people to help me and found crit. partners. Then they evolved even more once I got my agent. I realized that as much as I loved the positive feedback I got from my crit partners, I NEEDED to hear what was wrong with my MS more than I needed the praise, so I had to figure out what advice was best for my book and what wasn't. Then I had to come up with a faster way to edit when I got my editor, because there was times where in order to make deadline, I didn't have the luxury of waiting a week between drafts. So, for me, it was more of an evolution and trial and error to figure out what works best. I'm sure if you ask me this question 10 years from now, my answer would be the same, but my editing style will be completely different.

3. How many different strategies did you try before finding one or two that fit your writing style best?

See answer above? LOL. I'm not sure it's a matter of times so much as it's a matter of time. And now you're asking what in the world does THAT mean? The evolution of my editing style was slow and took many years to get where I am now and I'm still adjusting it to fit what I need, which is also always evolving. The more I grow as a writer(and I'm certain we never stop growing) and the more I learn, the more I change how I edit. And since I don't really subscribe to a particular strategy in general, and I write in more than one genre, how I edit is completely fluid.

4. What editing advice to you have for new and established writers?

My first piece of advice would be to invest in a copy of Self-Editing for Fiction Writers. It's an excellent book that really delves into how to self-edit, which you absolutely need to know how to do. It really helped me grow as a writer and I still refer back to it at times. I'd also suggest getting a copy of the Emotion Thesaurus and keep it next to you when editing. You'd be amazed at how many times you use the same word or phrase to describe an emotion and I've found this book to be invaluable when I wasn't quite sure how to convey a feeling the way I wanted to.  Also, have people who you can trust to tell you the absolute truth about your book read through it and make suggestions and then learn how to take criticism and be objective when you read through them. Don't just take everything they suggest, but don't ignore it out of hand either. Having Golden word syndrome doesn't help anybody, least of all you. No matter how awesome you are, there is always something someone will see that they think could make it better, so you have to learn how to decide when and how to take the advice. And that advice may not be what your book needs, but it triggers something that does. And know when enough is enough. No book will EVER be perfect. And there comes a point when a writer just needs to say "enough" and send it to an agent or an editor. And no matter what, NEVER give up. Writing and editing is hard work, but it's so worth it in the end.

Larissa Hardesty, ya paranormal and thriller writer

1. What edit technique/s work best for you?

I like to have my critique partners read through my manuscript a chapter or two at a time once I have the first draft written (or sometimes even while I'm drafting). Then I go through my manuscript and incorporate their suggestions while fixing the things that came up in my own mind as I drafted. Then I send the full manuscript to two or three beta readers for their thoughts. Once I get the beta readers' thoughts back, I usually print the manuscript and read through it with those critiques in mind, handwriting nay changes or comments of my own as I go. When I type those changes in, I do more fine-tuning. Depending on my level of confidence in the manuscript, I may send it to two more betas, or I may start sending it out. 

2. Did you always use the same edit technique/s or have they evolved over the years?

This is pretty similar to how I started, but I've definitely deepened my ability to revise though the years. 

3. How many different strategies did you try before finding one or two that fit your writing style best?

I don't recall actively trying different strategies. I really go with my gut and what feels like it's working for me. I've seen posts and vlogs on revision and thought, "Oh, that is definitely not for me."

4. What editing advice to you have for new and established writers?

Find what works for you. Just because someone is a NYT Bestselling author doesn't mean they know everything, or that the way they write or revise is going to work for you. And your way, if it works for you, isn't wrong (unless you ignore all critique and think your work is perfect--in that case, you're wrong). But don't be afraid to try a new way if it sounds interesting to you. Inflexibility is your enemy. ;)

I got an agent--yay--giveaway!!!!

Hey all! I hope your New Year has been fantabulous so far! I have a good feeling about 2014, especially since I landed an agent. Finally!!! Cue the choir, "Halleluiah, Halleluiah!"

 Thank you Michelle Johnson for loving Club Neverland and believing in my writing ability!

 In honor of this holy-bleep-I-still-can't-believe-it-happened event, I'm going to do an awesome giveaway! Three signed novels from three incredibly talented young adult authors and a $25.00 VISA gift card, so you can buy more books, or a book light, or new glasses, or whatever it is you need to keep reading.

The first two novels are by debut authors Vivi Barnes and Christy Farley.

 OLIVIA TWISTED by Vivi Barnes!

 Olivia 

He tilts my chin up so my eyes meet his, his thumb brushing lightly across my lips. I close my eyes. I know Z is trouble. I know that being with him is going to get me into trouble. I don’t care. At least at this moment, I don’t care. 

Tossed from foster home to foster home, Olivia’s seen a lot in her sixteen years. She’s hardened, sure, though mostly just wants to fly under the radar until graduation. But her natural ability with computers catches the eye of Z, a mysterious guy at her new school. Soon, Z has brought Liv into his team of hacker elite—break into a few bank accounts, and voila, he drives a motorcycle. Follow his lead, and Olivia might even be able to escape from her oppressive foster parents. As Olivia and Z grow closer, though, so does the watchful eye of Bill Sykes, Z’s boss. And he’s got bigger plans for Liv… 

Z 

I can picture Liv’s face: wide-eyed, trusting. Her smooth lips that taste like strawberry Fanta. It was just a kiss. That’s all. She’s just like any other girl. Except that she’s not. Thanks to Z, Olivia’s about to get twisted. 

 GILDED By Christina Farley! 

 Sixteen-year-old Jae Hwa Lee is a Korean-American girl with a black belt, a deadly proclivity with steel-tipped arrows, and a chip on her shoulder the size of Korea itself. When her widowed dad uproots her to Seoul from her home in L.A., Jae thinks her biggest challenges will be fitting into a new school and dealing with her dismissive Korean grandfather. Then she discovers that a Korean demi-god, Haemosu, has been stealing the soul of the oldest daughter of each generation in her family for centuries. And she's next. But that’s not Jae’s only problem. There's also Marc. Irresistible and charming, Marc threatens to break the barriers around Jae's heart. As the two grow closer, Jae must decide if she can trust him. But Marc has a secret of his own—one that could help Jae overturn the curse on her family for good. It turns out that Jae's been wrong about a lot of things: her grandfather is her greatest ally, even the tough girl can fall in love, and Korea might just be the home she's always been looking for. 

 Last but definitely not least, I'm giving away J. A. Souders sequel to her debut novel Renegade (Elysium Chronicles) 

REVELATIONS by J.A. Souders!

 The Elysium Chronicles, J.A. Souders’ riveting SF series for teens which began with the psychological thriller Renegade, continues in Revelations. Six weeks after her arrival on the Surface, Evelyn Winters is no closer to unlocking the memories lost in her subconscious than she was when she first came. Isolated in a strange new society, Evie has only Gavin Hunter to remind her of who she once was. But even with a clean slate, it’s easy to see that Evie doesn’t fit in on the Surface. And as her differences make her feel more and more alone, she can’t help but yearn for that place she doesn’t remember: the isolated city hidden in the depths of the ocean. Elysium. Home. But she can’t exactly tell Gavin what she’s feeling. Not when he’s the one who helped her escape Elysium in the first place, and has the scars to prove it. Though the doctors say otherwise, Gavin believes that Evie just needs time. And if her memories don’t come back, well, maybe she’s better off not remembering her past. But the decision may be out of their hands when Evie’s ever-elusive memories begin to collide with reality. People and images from her past appear in the most unlikely places, haunting her, provoking her…and making her seem not only strange but dangerous. Evie and Gavin can’t wait around for her memories to return. They’ll have to journey across the Outlands of the Surface to find help, and in the end, their search may just lead them back to the place it all started… 

 Isn't that a beautiful cover!?! The first novel cover for Renegade was amazing too. 

 The contest will start on March 11th and go for one week ending on March 19th at midnight! Good luck and thanks for entering!!!!! a Rafflecopter giveaway

LOVE AND OTHER GAMES

Love and Other Games is now here! Today you can get your own copy of this great collection of four romances taking place at the Winter Olympics. 

Title: Love and Other Games (Collection)

Author: Melinda Dozier, Ana Blaze, Aria Kane, Kara Leigh Miller

Publisher: Swoon Romance

Publication Date: October 1, 2013

Format: eBook

Love and Other Games Book Blurbs: 

LOVE AND OTHER GAMES is a collection of four sexy new adult stories centered around athletes competing in the Winter Games by Ana Blaze, Melinda Dozier, Aria Kane, and  Kara Leigh Miller. 

Worth More Than Gold by Ana Blaze  

Amy Pierce, the klutzy sister and manager of America’s Skating Sweetheart, is used to being invisible. But when a friend drags her to a party near the Olympic Village, Amy catches the eye of a sexy Norwegian ski jumper. It’s a magical night, but an awkward next morning has her running. Everyone knows Erik Andresen’s best shot at an individual medal was back in 2010, before an injury pulled him from the competition. He’s there for his team, but a hot night and a remarkable final training session have him wondering if a gorgeous good-luck charm could give him another chance at the podium. With a little bit of luck, these two might have a shot at something worth more than gold.  

Trouble With Gold by Melinda Dozier

US snowboarder and notorious prankster, Ty (Trouble) Madsen is only getting a taste of his own medicine when his Olympic teammates shackle him to a fence wearing nothing but his boxers.  Reception and protocol volunteer, Nadia Hoffman, gets up close and personal with the sexy snowboarder to rescue him, but she's not the kind of girl who lets her hormones get in her way.  A professional performance could help her land her dream job at Olympics Committee Headquarters, but her new assignment supervising the rambunctious US Snowboarding Team is making that difficult.  Can she see behind the snowman in the community center bathroom and into the warm heart of the man everyone calls Trouble?

The Girl Behind the Gold by Aria Kane

Greek aerial skier Lia Milonas’s parents are about to lose the family farm. Saving it means medaling and landing a huge sponsor. While her no-nonsense attitude has her well on her way to a medal, it hasn’t won her a place in fans' hearts. “Come back with a story that will make readers cry, or don’t come back.” This is what Brandon James’ boss told him before he left New York to cover the Winter Games for Moment Magazine. With a wink and a smile, he can charm his way into any invite-only party, but that career-making story is nowhere to be found – until he meets Lia. The two strike a deal that should get them both what they want - but neither would have guessed they’d also find what they need.

Ice Gold by Kara Leigh Miller 

Colton Campbell thrives on the fast paced, adrenaline rushed lifestyle of being an Olympic hockey player. Despite Brenna Jessup's abhorrence for the games and the athletes, she's hand-picked as the official photographer for the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team. When a faux pas by Brenna almost costs Colton his career, she owes him. Too bad for her, Colton doesn't want apologies -- he wants retribution! And he knows just how to get it -- and her -- in the process. 

Love and Other Games on Goodreads :http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18365891-love-and-other-games 

Melinda Dozer on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelindaDozier

Ana Blaze on Twitter: https://twitter.com/search?q=ana%20blaze&src=typd

Aria Kane on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Aria_Kane

Kara Leigh Miller on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KaraLeighMille1

Swoon Romance (publisher) site: http://www.myswoonromance.com/

FALL GIVEAWAY! (Autographed copy of Gated by Amy Christine Parker and $25.00 Visa gift card)

Last weekend, my friends and fellow authors (Larissa Hardesty, Christy Farley, Jessica Souders, and Sarah Nicolas) took a road trip to Tampa. Our destination was Inkwood Books for our friend's debut novel launch party—GATED by Amy Christine Parker.

The place was packed with friends, family, and fans. There were lots of goodies and giveaways. Amy proudly but humbly talked about her journey to publication then did a short reading. Her story gives her version of what life is like growing up in an apocalyptic cult. She did extensive research before taking on this story, studying the interaction between teens and families within these kinds of societies. 

(Joe and Lisa Iriarte, Larissa Hardesty, Amy Christine Parker, Jessica Souders, Christine Farely, Tara Gallina-me, Krystalyn Fowler, Vivi Barnes, Lucienne Diver)

(Tara Gallina-me, Larissa Hardesty, Jessica Souders)

(Amy Christine Parker)

The concept behind Gated is a unique one, with interesting yet scary information about the warped thinking of people in cults. It's a fast-paced read that follows a girl (Lyla) and her struggle to break free of the cult life.

Book flap cover:

Do the gates keep the unchosen out or the chosen in?

In the Community, life seems perfect. Lyla Hamilton believes she is one of the chosen. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Pioneer invited her family to join the Community and escape the evil in the world. They've thrived under his strict, charismatic leadership. Now seventeen, Lyla knows certain facts are not to be questioned:

Pioneer is her leader.
Will is her Intended.
The end of the world is near.

Pioneer has visions of the imminent destruction of humanity. He says his chosen must prepare to fight off the unchosen people, who will surely seek refuge in the Silo, the underground shelter where the Community will wait out the apocalypse.

Lyla loves her family and friends, but a chance encounter with an unchosen boy has her questioning Pioneer, the Community--everything. She needs time to figure out the truth. But with Pioneer's deadline for the end of days fast approaching, time is the one thing she doesn't have.

Enter below to win an autographed copy of Gated and a $25.00 Visa gift card to purchase more books of your chose!

GIVEAWAY STARTS ON 9/17/2013 @ MIDNIGHT AND ENDS 9/24/2013 @MIDNIGHT

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How Productive Was Your Summer? Mine kinda sucked.

School started this week and I feel like my free time has been given back to me.  As far as writing goes, my summer was less productive than previous summers. Of course, we vacationed multiple times this year, so much so, on our last trip the boys said, “We vacation too much.”  Lol. 

I also have been indecisive over what to do with Club Neverland after learning that a scarily similar novel sold in January. That novel frightened off potential agents who had Club Neverland’s full and really like it but—with the similar book having just sold—didn't think they could sell another. 

The good news is each of them asked for other work of mine. Unfortunately, at the time I only had two other completed novels ready for submission. One is a paranormal, which we all know is a flooded genre. The other is a sci-fi/fantasy that because of the mix seems to be a tough sell.  I pitched to the agents a YA contemporary romance I’d just completed but hadn’t begun editing.  Even though I wrote a spur of the moment query for each agent, they happened to like it and asked that I submit the novel to them once it’s ready. 

Shortly after, I received four R&R’s for CN, which seriously threw me. But my confidence for Club Neverland selling had been shot to the toilet. I thought, Those agents just haven’t heard of the other book yet.  I couldn’t decide what to do—move on with my YA Contemp or rewrite Club Neverland.  My heart was still in Club Neverland, so after a period of “Why me? Why did this happen?” I decided to do the revision’s for Club Neverland.  They took much longer than anticipated and the middle to end of the book changed completely. I did, however, feel it was much stronger than before.  My critique partner agreed and said she “Felt it” when reading it.  That helped my confidence toward the rewrite.

But then summer came, the boys were home with me, we vacationed and my final read through dragged on and on. Here and there, I started editing my YA contemporary and my adult romance, which I wrote last year and never finished edits because it’s something I never planned to write. It just came to me on a whim and what a naughty whim it was.  LOL  Again, I was deciding which book to pursue next, especially since an adult romance agent, who by chance read Club Neverland and really enjoyed it, was interested in any adult novels I had.

I pondered—procrastinate—that for a while, then learned I had to have gum surgery. Since I can’t take pain meds and am extremely sensitive to anesthesia—both make me vomit for days—I was terrified to go through with it.  I did, however, and thanks to a nasal mist pain medication and lots of Phenergan mixed with my anesthesia, I didn’t vomit at all. It was the first time EVER!  I couldn’t believe it. Still can’t. 

But since I’m allergic to the world and all that it produces, my immune system took a beating and I got sick with the flu. So after two weeks of healing, I was down again.  But I’m feeling much better finally, as I said, the boys are back in school. I’ve decided to push myself to finish the edits on my contemporary romance and work on editing my adult romance, hoping to reclaim the intense and productive writing groove of my past. 

I’ve also decided to submit Club Neverland to Entangled in the hopes that it will still get published. When I discussed my frustrations over the novel with friends, writers Joe and Lisa Iriarte, and Vive Barnes, explaining that I sent out close to 90 queries for Club Neverland but only received 40 responses, 22 of which were full requests, they felt I didn’t query enough and that I needed at least 100 rejections before I stopped submitting a novel.  But those who know me well know this is my typical behavior. I shop a book minimally, receive a high request rate, and then after a few rejections I quit. LOL  I know. I know. I know.  I seriously need to stop doing that. 

I plan to. Well, I’m going to try. In today's crazy, flooded YA market it's all we can do. So much has changed in the industry over the years because of the economy, the popularity of e-books, and the success of small press and indie authors. The are many opportunities for writers to get their story out there, depending on what they want or need, their finances, and their goal for their novel. It can become confusing, especially when the rejections start rolling in. Perhaps, I should change the name of this blog to, To publish traditionally, or not to . . .   LOL

Now that I’ve vented about my life, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the writing industry, your struggles and fears, and your motivation.  Thanks for stopping by and happy Tuesday!