Comments on: Adjusting Courses

By: Adjusting Courses Part Two | Romance University

Adjusting Courses Part Two | Romance University — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:04:12 +0000

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By: ReikiTech

ReikiTech — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:56:37 +0000

Yes i found it was buggy as well, the pages here load really slowly. I suppose it happens sometimes with servers

By: Chiron O'Keefe

Chiron O'Keefe — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:09:45 +0000

What a wonderful article. Wow, Amy, you really offer a good perspective. Ironic and rather sad though that so much depends on marketing. There are some terrific stories out there that readers would fall in love with if not for this daunting restriction.

I know you will be published because you have the necessary ingredients: persistence, passion, patience, optimism and genuine talent.

Keeping my fingers crossed that the day will come soon.

Thanks again for this wonderful and uplifting post!

–Chiron O’Keefe
The Write Soul: http://www.chironokeefe.blogspot.com

By: Amy Atwell

Amy Atwell — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:46:01 +0000

Maggie, Thanks for your lovely comments. Oh yes, I’ve been around the RWA loops for *years.* LOL I feel a bit like an old war horse on the PRO loop. I’d be horribly jealous of all the wonderful writers who’ve sold except that I remind myself that the publishing world doesn’t have a finite number of book contracts. When the right book hits the right editor at the right time, BAM, it WILL sell. So happy to hear you hit the jackpot in both genres. You’re an inspiration.

By: Amy Atwell

Amy Atwell — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:43:53 +0000

Mary, Barbara & Edie, thanks for stopping by and offering the encouragement. I know many people share the ups and downs of this difficult journey to publication. It’s so important to remember we’re not completely alone in experiencing the disappointments of a story that didn’t quite sell. All we can do is keep analyzing, keep trying to work out what appeals to readers, what hooks editors, and what we love to write.

By: Amy Atwell

Amy Atwell — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:40:33 +0000

Jill, Isn’t it cool when you find that right story, that right voice, that right sub-genre that somehow frees you to tell the story you’ve been wanting to tell? Here’s to all us late bloomers making a successful go of our writing! It’s truly a roller coaster, complete with thrills and excitement.

By: Amy Atwell

Amy Atwell — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:39:12 +0000

Carol,

You’re so right. Editors want the familiar but with a new twist. They want fresh, but they want the traditional flavors readers have come to expect from a category line. The market does play into it. You’ve been an inspiration (I’ve been watching Carol learn the ropes through Harlequin Intrigue, and she’s now hitting the jackpot regularly!) Kudos to you!

By: Maggie Toussaint

Maggie Toussaint — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:33:53 +0000

HI Army,

I read your post with great interest. Your name is very familiar to me from the RWA loops through the years, and I know when you do sell, you will have beat the problem of name recognition. Many of us have benefited from your strong volunteerism ethic.Thanks for that.

Like you, I spent plenty of time in the arcade game of finding of publisher, flipping here and there with requests and rejections. Also like you, I sought to keep improving my style and grounding myself more fully in craft. I learned that while I enjoy a romance and look for it in any book I read, that the mystery/suspense element is what I really love. That realization changed my focus and defined my core story. My books have mystery and romance elements, but I vary the octane mix to fit in different genres. Once I hit on that, I sold in both mystery and romance.

I beleive you will find the success you seek because you are true to your core story. Many writer friends of mine sold like gangbusters once that first contract came through. I know you’ll do well.

Best wishes!!!

By: Edie

Edie — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:30:14 +0000

Awesome post! With my current book, I’m thinking of what is marketable and what I like to read. This time, I hope I have it right. I have a gut feeling that your historical is right for you.

By: Barbara White Daille

Barbara White Daille — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:07:57 +0000

Amy,

Great post! It’s always interesting to me to see how others analyze their work and the market. And the info about blending two genres was fascinating.

Chiming in as late as I am, I can only agree with what everyone else has said–you’re going to hit the jackpot. And it’s going to be a big one!

Best,

Barbara
http://www.barbarawhitedaille.com