Skip to main content

Good News

First and foremost, I'd like to thank everyone who offered words of support on my last post.   I tried to respond, but for some odd reason my remarks kept disappearing into cyber space.  Is anyone else experiencing similar problems?  If so, I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know how the issue was resolved.

Speaking of my last post, for those who are interested, I had an awesome experience at the JRW conference.  As many of you are aware, I was quite nervous about having to pitch my novel on Saturday.  Well, I'm pleased to report that my meeting went splendidly.  I met with Becca Stumpf, Literary agent with The  Prospect Agency.  She was very approachable, easy to talk to and positive.  Much to my surprise, she requested the first thirty pages of my story. 

Although this is the outcome I hoped for, I'm trying not to get too excited just yet.   I still have to polish my novel until it sparkles.  Then, the agent has to agree to take me on, etc.  Guess I'll take things one step at a time and see where I end up.

On a side note, I gathered interesting information about some major changes in the publishing industry.  I'll post about it in the next week or so, after I've had some time to sort through my notes.

If anyone can offer some words of wisdom about the next stages in the submission process, or any other advice about this,  I'm all ears.  Until next time, happy writing.  
 








Comments

  1. Karen Jones GowenOctober 10, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    Congratulations on your partial request! After reading this and your last (insecure) post I have a suggestion-- start a new novel. Leave this one to go out and do its thing. Go ahead and submit your complete ms it to several agents as well as a few small publishers, and see what kind of response you get. Meanwhile, you will be working on your next novel and giving yourself a chance to "let go." After you get word back from the experts, you will probably have a good idea of the next step. Good luck, Andrea! This is exciting!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rusty CarlOctober 10, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    My advice would be not to do what I do. Because whatever I do doesn't work. Sounds like you're on the right track.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Andrea Franco-CookOctober 10, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    Great advice, Karen G. Before sending my MS., out I'm going to have it professionally edited. Once that process is completed, then I'll move to the next novel. Yes, I know, Type A personality all the way.(:

    Hmmm, you piqued my interest, Rusty. What do you do?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Carol KilgoreOctober 11, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    I second Karen's advice.

    ReplyDelete
  5. andrea franco cookOctober 12, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    Thanks, Carol. I appreciate your words of wisdom.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

You Never Fail Until You Stop Trying

Back in December, I learned about an unpublished novel contest that assessed the following criteria: characterization, setting, plot, dialogue, voice and writing skill.  In addition to all this, the MS would receive feedback from the judges. Not a bad deal, right?  Although my draft was far from complete, I decided to enter it anyway, reasoning that the critique would identify areas of weakness in my writing.  Well, needless to say, I finally heard back last week.  The first forty pages of my draft were returned with the following letter attached:   The judges had mixed reactions to this particular manuscript, with some feeling it was well-    paced and  another saying there was not enough plot movement! One questioned whether the dialogue fit the time/  year/culture, while others felt it did. They all agreed on liking the expository details and descriptions, but   wondered where the story was going.  Consider beginning with a scene that hooks the reader with   compelling acti
44 comments
Read more

Logline #5...

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and commented on my submission yesterday.  As many of you may know by now, Steena Holmes over at Chocolate Reality  is holding a logline contest.  Young Adult author, Michelle McLean will either critique the winner's query, or the first five to ten pages of their manuscript. This is a great opportunity for one of us to get some professional feedback on our work. If you get a couple of minutes, please stop by Steena's blog and check out some of the other loglines.  I've got some stiff competition. (:  After mulling over last night's comments, I revised my logline to include some of the issues that were addressed.  The fifth submission is the latest version of my logline.  I think it is the best one so far, but hey what do I know? (don't answer that).  Anywho, it would be helpful if I could get your thoughts on the piece. Thanks for your time.  I look forward to your feedback. Final one sentence version . After her father's
35 comments
Read more

Anti-Procrastination Challenge/Giveaway

Hello Everyone and Welcome, Sorry for the delay in posting this thread, but I was busy grilling some shish kabobs for Karen G’s Labor Day barbeque at Coming Down the Mountain . Everyone’s invited so be sure and drop in for some mouth watering eats, and a friendly chat with your fellow bloggers. Hopefully interacting with other writer’s will motivate me to get cracking on my novel. I’ve been quite lax in my authorial duties lately. Yesterday, I headed to inspiration station to catch the Writing train. However, I got lost along the way and wound up at Procrastination place. I must have turned left when I should have gone right, because I wound up in a chat jam, and there was no end in sight. As I lumbered through the writing threads, I realized my plight, I lacked motivation and my mind was wound too tight. So I took another right and stopped for the night to think up a way to turn on my light. Okay, Okay, I’ll refrain from imposing anymore metaphors on you. I’m sure you get it. I’v
26 comments
Read more