tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post4976614723227774827..comments2023-10-31T10:59:03.023-04:00Comments on INKSPOT Crime Fiction Blog | A Place for Mystery, Mayhem, Writing and Life: Just say noLinda O. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512430135042480450noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-23058495792199142152008-11-15T12:28:00.000-05:002008-11-15T12:28:00.000-05:00I would advise them to go to law school instead, b...I would advise them to go to law school instead, but I know the real writers won't listen.G.M. Malliethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13805971625496094303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-64774414852370623952008-11-13T17:07:00.000-05:002008-11-13T17:07:00.000-05:00My advice?You have to believe in yourself and your...My advice?<BR/><BR/>You have to believe in yourself and your project for a long, long time until it becomes real to anyone else. So you need to hang on, and hang tough, or you won't make it.Joanna Campbell Slanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01951637123269159053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-66853054508311724202008-11-12T20:33:00.000-05:002008-11-12T20:33:00.000-05:00Best advice? 1. Believe in your project and be wil...Best advice? <BR/>1. Believe in your project and be willing to let it go.<BR/>2. Keep writing.<BR/>3. Understand that publishing is first, and foremost, a business.<BR/>4. Keep writing.Felicia Donovanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03556232226152556397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-62783074521518769412008-11-12T15:14:00.000-05:002008-11-12T15:14:00.000-05:00Good response, Mark. I think, however, as only pub...Good response, Mark. I think, however, as only published authors have so far responded, that the responses may be a little disingenuous. We have the luxury of telling new writers not to be desperate, but I was that desperate new writer not long ago (May Day got rejected by over 400 agents before I found one who signed me on, didn't work, and we parted ways after six months, and then I found another one who worked for two books, and then we parted ways), and I think I'll always remember what that was like.<BR/><BR/>So, the other side of the coin--as long as the agent is legit, as long as the publisher is legit (and you can tell because they won't ask for any money from you and they'll show you who else they've published) and you've tried many other routes already, take what you can get. Stick your foot in the door and work up from there.Jessica Loureyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11157662092822156124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-34849826748083085312008-11-12T13:10:00.000-05:002008-11-12T13:10:00.000-05:00Love your response Mark T. "And often are." Perf...Love your response Mark T. "And often are." Perfect.Lynn Sholeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00141342621011649885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-14621640527860141342008-11-12T10:47:00.000-05:002008-11-12T10:47:00.000-05:00Mark, truer words were never spoken.Sue Ann, I thi...Mark, truer words were never spoken.<BR/><BR/>Sue Ann, I think it's even more critical with choosing an agent. Agents are the closest business partner a writer can have. As the Templar knight said in the Indiana Jones movie, "Choose wisely."Joe Moorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00028401465567502250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-80912991552146595392008-11-12T10:46:00.000-05:002008-11-12T10:46:00.000-05:00To continue your analogy Joe, you might kiss the f...To continue your analogy Joe, you might kiss the first girl you go out with in high school, but that doesn't mean you should marry her. Know when the relationship has run it's course and move on. This might be better advice for published authors than first time authors but I think you and Mark #1 have it spot on. A bad publisher can do you more harm than not being published at all. Seems hard to believe when you've shopped that manuscript for months - nay years - but if you get with a publisher that doesn't get you out there and your numbers stink, you've created a barrier that will be very difficult to overcome. Not impossible, but a barrier nonetheless....Take it from a guy who knows....Mark Combeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01270361794228887282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-82654418506957948602008-11-12T10:24:00.000-05:002008-11-12T10:24:00.000-05:00Excellent advice, Joe. And it goes for agents, too...Excellent advice, Joe. And it goes for agents, too, not just publishers. I spent 3 years with the wrong agent because I was so enamored of her NY status I didn't question whether or not she was right for me and my work.<BR/><BR/>When asked the advice question, my usual answer is develop patience, because you're going to need a lot of it.Sue Ann Jaffarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09984054116933714621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-42150290123331623862008-11-12T07:57:00.000-05:002008-11-12T07:57:00.000-05:00New writers want to be published in the worst way....New writers want to be published in the worst way.<BR/><BR/>And often are.Mark Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09410424046477699059noreply@blogger.com