Innehållsförteckning för October 2015 från Writer's Digest

1 The Best of Online Agent Advice Still looking for more info on submitting to literary agents after reading this issue’s “Start Your Agent Search Here” (Page 23) and Submission Materials Workbook (Page 54)? Don’t miss these highlights from the Guide to Literary Agents Blog, featuring more insider advice, tips and tricks. 2 Straight Talk With Dennis Lehane The Mystic River novelist’s latest trilogy—which begins in early 20th-century Boston—concluded this year with World Gone By (WD Interview, Page 46). In our online-exclusive outtakes, he discusses writing truthful fiction about real-life historical figures, racism and other issues of the times. 3 8 Science Lessons for Writers Cancer researcher Michael Ransom had plenty of real-life inspiration for his fictional debut, The Ripper Gene (Breaking In, Page 20). Could his lessons learned from…

Vulnerability I just wanted to thank Grant Faulkner for his article [“Naked and Afraid”] in the July/August Writer’s Digest. It has been a generous source of encouragement while I have been scribbling out a personal story that even I find, at times, hard to digest or believe. When I find myself growing scared as I write certain passages, I minimize my word processor to again review what he wrote that has most helped and impacted me: “Why write a sanitized version of life?” Thank you, Grant, for your inspiring encouragement in the face of uncertainty. Brin Dailey Lansing, Mich. Potential WD Editor Jessica Strawser and the rest of your staff continue to put out a great publication that is always inspiring and informative. I assume that can be a tricky…

It was 1970 and my boyfriend and I had just arrived in New York from Florida with a car, a puppy, $400 and an invitation from a college friend to stay with her until we got settled. I answered an ad in The New York Times, along with 100 other people, for a job that turned out to be for True Story magazine. With a circulation of close to 2 million, it was the largest “confession magazine” in the country. As an English lit teacher, my head was filled with Shakespeare, Hemingway, Faulkner and Fitzgerald, as well as the notion that I could live, if not write, the Great American Novel. But I was 24 and needed a job, and this one looked like fun. I was hired at $135…

Fredrica S. Friedman FREDRICA S. FRIEDMAN & CO. INC. LITERARY MANAGEMENT The first woman to hold the positions of editorial director, associate publisher and vice president of Little, Brown and Co.—for whom she acquired James Patterson’s first Alex Cross novels—Fredrica S. Friedman went on to form her own literary agency in 2000. She sees her approach to her work as a modification of Sheryl Sandberg’s pithy “Lean In”: “I always thought ‘Hang In’ and ‘Hang On’ were more apt phrases,” Friedman says. Most recently, she co-founded the Agents Round Table, a consortium of agency presidents. “Together, we have the outreach and power of the biggest agencies to deal on behalf of our clients, and to monitor closely the changing facets of the book publishing industry and media of all types.”…

LGBTQ: Books of special interest to a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer readership. MANUSCRIPT (MS): Your completed book (mss is the plural, manuscripts). MIDDLE-GRADE (MG): Books for ages 9–12. Examples include Wonder by R.J. Palacio and The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. NARRATIVE NONFICTION: True stories written in a narrative that reads like a novel; also called creative nonfiction. Examples include Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt. NEW ADULT (NA): Books featuring protagonists ages 18–25, usually focusing on the first struggles of adulthood, such as finding love and getting a job. Examples include Reflected in You by Sylvia Day and the Brooklyn Girls series by Gemma Burgess. NO ATTACHMENTS: When an agent specifies that no email attachments…

Every writer’s job is to give the reader what she wants in a way she doesn’t expect. (And it’s wise to remember that every agent and editor is foremost a reader, too.) One of the first things to consider when setting out, therefore, is what kinds of expectations your story creates, so you can go about gratifying readers in surprising ways. This is particularly true of writing in a genre, where conventions can seem ironclad—or all too often degrade into formula. And formula, by definition, surprises no one. The suspense genres in particular have a number of seemingly hard and fast rules that a writer defies at his peril. And yet the most satisfying mysteries, thrillers and crime stories find a way to create a new take on those rules…

Dear FYSA, I would like to know how ghostwriters prove what they’ve worked on if they have signed confidentiality agreements. In your portfolio/resume, how would you prove that you in fact did ghostwrite that bestseller? Sincerely, Ghost(writer) Dear Ghostie With the Mostie, Hubba wha—? But … that’s not a thing. Is this a thing? Hang on. … [Flurry of confirmation calls to two agents, two editors and a ghost.] OK, phew. I do know what I’m talking about. The “author” can’t tell her ghostwriter, “You wrote this and now I have to kill you to silence you. And the editorial staff. And that guy in the weird pants who overheard me talking to you on my cell when I was in line at the bank that one time” It is…

If you’re writing a work of fiction or memoir, the first step is to finish the work. The entire book must be written and polished, because agents and editors will consider it for publication based primarily on how good the writing is. However, if you are working on a nonfiction project, you do not need to finish the book to sell it. All an editor needs to see are several sample chapters that adequately portray the rest of the book. You will use these chapters, coupled with your book proposal, to sell the book. A book proposal is a business plan that explains all the details of a nonfiction book. Because a nonfiction book project is not complete during the pitching stages, the proposal acts as a blueprint for the…

1 Elk River Writer’s Workshop A spectacular natural setting and a well-published, enthusiastic faculty make this workshop a favorite among serious writers. WHEN: Oct. 22–25, 2015. WHERE: Chico Hot Springs Resort, Paradise Valley, Mont. PRICE: Full conference (including lodging, breakfasts and lunches): $1,425. A $500 scholarship is available to Park County, Mont., residents. WHAT MAKES THE CONFERENCE UNIQUE: The skill level of the invited faculty, many of whom have decades of writing and teaching experience. “We’re pleased to offer students the opportunity to work interactively with faculty in a small-group environment,” conference coordinator Elise Atchison says. WHO IT’S PERFECT FOR: Authors committed to improving their skills (acceptance is required to attend—see application requirements at elkriverwriters.org/admissions), as well as those looking for inspiration, knowledge and camaraderie. HOW MANY ATTEND: 20–30. Individual…

This one-of-a-kind collection will give you the insider secrets only agents, editors and successful authors know—at one amazingly low price. With three books, three webinars and a full year of access to thousands of searchable agent and publisher listings on WritersMarket.com, you’ll find the answers to all your questions about successfully landing an agent and launching your writing career. The “How to Get an Agent Collection” bundle includes: HOW TO AVOID ROOKIE MISTAKES WHEN SUBMITTING TO AGENTS (WEBINAR) explains the multitude of mistakes that authors, especially newbies, commonly make in pitching agents and editors—and tells you how to stand out from the pack. HOW TO GET AN AGENT (WEBINAR) with literary agent Carly Watters gives new authors an insider’s perspective on what to expect from the submissions process and shares…

The Power of Positive Thinking By now, I’ve written an introduction to this annual agent-focused issue so many times, I couldn’t tell you the number offhand. And in them all, this editor’s letter has served as a place to acknowledge the daunting task that faces us all when it comes time to prepare submission materials that reflect the heart of our work. The anxiety that comes with pitching, whether via email or face to face. The air of mystery that surrounds the very idea of agents, in spite of the fact that deep down, we know they’re just book-loving people, like us. In the submission process as in the writing process (and as in life!), it helps to know we’re not alone in feeling daunted, anxious and mystified. But sometimes…

Perfectly timed again @WritersDigest!! I know what I’ll be reading on holiday! #creativity with @PatrickRothfuss @LaurelLeaves “… People who are creative for life make their creativity a priority …” @debcaletti @WritersDigest #MondayMotivation @RMFWriters Fabulous articles on #creativity in the new issue. Thanks, @WritersDigest!! @CaleighOShea Great X Factor piece by @jessicastrawser in the July/August @WritersDigest. Kids make you remember how much you’ve forgotten about play! @HillaryDePiano Opened my copy of @WritersDigest to find my favorite #humor writer @plaidearthworm Beth Bartlett’s article on rejection! Hilarious! @staceyigraham “Tend carefully ... then trust that the beautiful, imperfect garden is its own reward.” @debcaletti #choosethisday @kcraftwriter…

POETIC FORM: PARADELLE It’s not often that a joke turns into a poetic form, but such is the case with the paradelle. It all started when former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins published a poem titled “Paradelle for Susan” with a footnote claiming the paradelle was a demanding French form introduced in the 11th century. Later, he admitted it was a parody of strict forms, particularly the villanelle. The hoax fooled some and proved a fun and irresistible challenge for many others. Red Hen Press even published an anthology of paradelles in 2006—complete with an introduction by Billy Collins. Here is an example of a paradelle by a Poetic Asides reader. “9 to 5” by Margie Fuston Dream. Wake up. Pour cream in patterns in coffee.Dream. Wake up. Pour cream…

While fictional sniper characters are nothing new, the lack of access to real snipers and the shroud of mystery surrounding this elite profession make it difficult for writers (not to mention Hollywood) to depict them accurately and realistically. Do you have your own sniper story in your muse’s crosshairs? Here are a few details to help you get your facts straight. MYTH A sniper cannot take a shot unless he is given a green light to do so by a commanding officer. You might have seen this in movies, where the sniper is frantically requesting the green light just as the suspect is about to execute a hostage. Snipers often position themselves at the edges of rooftops with their rifles extending out over the sides of the building when deployed…

Melissa Lenhardt 1 Stillwater (mystery, Skyhorse Publishing, October) “A city-boy outsider takes over as Stillwater Chief of Police from a long-tenured local and, through investigating two murders 50 years apart, uncovers corruption and long-buried secrets that rattle the small town to its core.” WRITES FROM: Texas. PRE-STILLWATER: In 2012, I queried agents with a historical novel set in Texas and didn’t make much progress. I decided a traditional mystery might be easier to pitch. I polished Stillwater and pitched it at the 2013 DFW Writers Conference. TIME FRAME: I wrote the first draft during NaNoWriMo one year, but I knew the story wasn’t completely working. It all came together when my mother told me about a recurring dream she had that my father had buried a body in our…

• Did you know that WD’s popular annual GLA book also hosts a blog? Visit often for regular new agent alerts, “How I Got My Agent” stories and more: writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/ guide-to-literary-agents. • For a collection of our most popular guest posts featuring querying advice, tips and tricks from agents, editors and authors, visit writersdigest.com/oct-15. • For dozens of real-world examples of query letters that worked, visit bit.ly/successfulqueries.…

Years ago, I didn’t know much about agents, but what I did know, I really liked. They represented the most talented writers. They got new writers’ work in front of the right editors at the top publishing houses. They negotiated strong book deals and took care of those complex publishing contracts. Hey, that’s all I really needed to know, right? Wrong. When I actually got “the call” it came from Jennifer De Chiara of The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, who encouraged me to ask her any questions I might have. That’s when it hit me: I hadn’t a clue of what to ask. I really didn’t know a thing about what to expect next. Ten years and several books later, I’m still represented by Jennifer—and I’m also working as…

Out of more than 300 entries, WD forum members and editors chose this winner, submitted by CINDY LAM of Ottowa, Ontario: Oh Christ, I breathe. I always envisioned us meeting again, but never like this—so close to the present. Id imagined our run-in countless times when my restless body would cramp against whoever I was holding that night. Id bury my face in the nape of their neck and inhale, the way you do when you split open a loaf of fresh bread—but they never smelled the way she did. They were the ordinary croissants and bagels available morning to night—she was the baker’s special you lined up for at the first sign of dawn, before they ran out. She stands by the counter, wiping excess foam off a mug,…

Like many independent literary agencies, mine is small, with no more than 50 active clients at any given time. Yet even we receive at least 50 query letters every week. Potentially, we could replace our entire client list—which has been nearly 20 years in the making—every week of the year. And by the end of every year, we’ve read, processed, answered, thrown away, cried over, winced at, yawned over or gotten excited about nearly 3,000 query letters. Out of those 3,000 pleas, nearly 75 percent are for novels. And out of those, at least 90 percent are for first novels. That brings the number of queries from debut authors to about 2,000 every year. Most years, I accept one new novelist as a client out of those 2,000. That’s not…

CONFERENCE GUIDE OCTOBER 2015 • Keep in mind that there may be more than one workshop in each listing. • These workshops are listed alphabetically by state, country or continent. • Unless otherwise indicated, rates include tuition (T) only. Sometimes the rates also include airfare (AF), some or all meals (M), accommodations (AC), ground transportation (GT), materials (MT) or fees (F). • When you find workshops that interest you, be sure to call, email or check the website of the instructor or organization for additional information. • All listings are paid advertisements. CALIFORNIA MEMOIR WRITERS CONFERENCE “MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS” GENRE-LA™ 2015 produced by West Coast Writers Conferences. October 23–25, 2015 in Los Angeles, CA. Learn how to author a memoir, autobiography, or biography that the widest audience…

STEVE BOISSON (“The WD Interview: Dennis Lehane” Page 46) has lived in and written about San Francisco, New Orleans, New York and Boston, where he freelanced for the Boston Phoenix and The Boston Globe. Now based in Los Angeles, Boisson contributes to Acoustic Guitar, American History and other publications. He’s currently researching a biography of guitar composer John Fahey. CHUCK SAMBUCHINO (“Start Your Agent Search Here” Page 23) is the editor of the annual Guide to Literary Agents (WD Books). His books include Create Your Writer Platform, How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack (optioned for film by Sony) and the parody When Clowns Attack: A Survival Guide, out this fall. He oversees the Guide to Literary Agents Blog, one of the biggest blogs in publishing, and can be found…

1 A Mug of One’s Own Tea and coffee go with writing like roses and chocolate go with Valentine’s Day. It’s only logical that your mug reflects your love for the written word. The Literary Gift Company features a wide array of book/writing-related mugs, with designs ranging from book covers to grammar clarifications to cats in literature. Some even come paired with chocolate! A match made in heaven. (starting at £8.95 [around $14; international shipping starts at £4.50]), theliterarygiftcompany.com/mugs-220-c.asp) 2 Wash It Off When all of your normal methods for beating writer’s block just aren’t working, you might as well step away from the desk and into the shower. And thanks to Whiskey River Soap Co., you don’t need to rely on steam alone to cleanse your brain. This handmade…

MUSIC: Listen to music from the time period you’re writing about. If you’re trying to recall memories from 1958, research what songs were popular that year, choose several that are familiar to you, relax in a comfortable chair, and listen. Where were you the first time you heard the song? Who was with you? What past events surface as you drift away with the melody? PHOTOS: Browse through old yearbooks. Study the photos, and recall the who, what, where, when and why of each image. Do you remember the names of your long-ago friends? Do you recognize yourself? Class photos are another trigger source. Each face is a memory, and each person has a history—part of which you shared. FOODS: Think of long-ago family dinners. What constituted a typical evening…

While trusted resources such as our bestselling annual Guide to Literary Agents offer comprehensive lists of reputable agents and their specialties, we at WD often hear from writers who are still hunting for hints to help them find not a long list, but a short one—of those reps who are also, at this very moment, most actively looking for them. That’s why we’re so committed to putting together this annual roundup of literary agents who are seeking new clients now. And this year, with 38 agents updating and personalizing their guidelines here exclusively for WD, it’s bigger and better than ever. Your agent search is an important gateway between your work as an aspiring writer and your future as a published author. As you prepare to enter this phase, you’ve…

Once you query an agent, there’s no mulligan. Back when I started querying my first novel, I received targeted feedback from an agent who rejected the manuscript. She said the beginning chapters were too hard to follow—too many people, too much going on. That was something no one else had ever said to me. Then I realized that while this agent didn’t give me the option to resubmit, she did give me something: a brand-new point of view on what I’d assumed were perfect-as-I-could-make-them pages. I changed the beginning, killing off darlings and reimagining a well-loved scene. With that opening I eventually found an agent who went on to sell the book. So wouldn’t it have been great if someone had given me that feedback before I had queried at…

Like many writers, Dennis Lehane started with short stories. He wanted to create the kind of beveled truth nuggets crafted by Raymond Carver, but he didn’t feel his efforts met that mark, so he didn’t submit a one. In 1990, two years out of college, 25-year-old Lehane decided to try his hand at a crime novel instead. The first draft came pouring out in three weeks. Many rewrites and a Master of Fine Arts later, A Drink Before the War was published in 1994, earning a Shamus Award for Best First PI Novel. Lehane’s star investigators are Patrick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro from Dorchester, the tough, working-class Boston neighborhood where Lehane grew up. In that first book, they’re childhood friends turned professional associates, but they soon develop a relationship that…

A query letter is a one-page document that serves as your first contact with agents (or, less commonly, with editors who accept unagented submissions). It spells out what your novel, memoir or children’s book is about and who you are. On the strength of this letter and its effectiveness, agents will decide if they want to learn more about your book and read its first few chapters. You may be asking, “But why send agents a short letter about my work? Why not just send them the manuscript so they can judge the content by its true merit?” The simple answer is that literary agents are so in-demand that they couldn’t possibly find enough hours in the day to read full submissions from every interested author. The query letter is…

FOR YOUR SHORT STORIES, POETRY & NONFICTION: Cicada THE INSIDE STORY FROM: Anna Neher, associate editor MISSION: “Cicada’s that brainy, artsy friend every creative teen deserves. It’s a space for teens to speak their truths (we publish teens’ work regularly) and encounter the wealth of creative work happening in fiction, poetry, comics and zines. And our essays and interviews offer straight talk from artists and writers on writing, the freelance life, self-publishing and more.” FOUNDED: 1998. PUBLISHES: Six times a year. FOCUS: Cicada is a YA literary/comics magazine fascinated with the lyric and strange and committed to work that speaks to teens’ truths. CIRCULATION: 6,300. PAYMENT: $.10–.25 per word for fiction and nonfiction; up to $3 per line for poetry. KEY TO BREAKING IN: “Trebuchet. Polyjuice potion. Robot army”…

July 5, 1313 Dear Mr. Alighieri, I finished reading “Inferno” and I must ask: What the Hades were you thinking? When your query letter said that your book was about “a man who goes through hell” I naturally assumed he was g oing through a divorce or being audited by the IRS. Or at the very worst, running for a political office. But no, you actually meant Hell with the capital letter. Thus, the reader is subjected to scenes in which people are mauled by dogs, dropped into burning rivers, whipped by demons, beheaded by swords, bitten by snakes and lizards, frozen in ice, and so on. Only a twisted mind could think of such tortures. It is plain you need psychiatric help. I am grateful that you live where…