Wednesday, September 9, 2009

After the CALL

Do you know what to expect after you get the CALL and sign with an agent? A lot more work. Here are some things you can complete either before you query or while you’re waiting to hear back from agents you’ve already queried.

-website
-author bio
-synopsis for your next TWO novels

Don’t forget to begin your next book. Agents and publishers want to see you’re not a one-book-wonder.

For those of you who have received the CALL or know someone who has, is there anything else we can do to prepare ahead of time?

14 comments:

  1. I think what I'd like to do is take the money from my advance and hire someone to do a really sharp website for me, as well as pay a professional photographer to take pics for it.

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  2. Stephanie: What if you don't get an advance or not much of one? I've heard of that happening lately.

    Lynnette Labelle

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  3. Great reminder to keep on working. I want to make an author site for myself, but I need to complete a Bio first. Thanks for the little nudge.

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  4. Reading your post put sent horror racing through me and caused me to wonder if I should just quit.
    I am in the process of querying agents now.
    However, I work in all genres. So what happens if I get a yes on this work? Will I be refused because I do not have two works in that genre? Or will I be given time to write something?

    M.C.

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  5. yeah...i'm holding off on the website until then. and i'm always working on the next thing. that's just the way this biz is. susan may warren had so many novels out in a short time b/c she had so many written before she agented!

    jeannie
    Where Romance Meets Therapy

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  6. Clear your clanedar for lots and lots of edits.

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  7. Anon: You have to chose one genre once you're published. Otherwise, you're not marketable. Sometimes, there's a little give like from romance to romantic suspense, but even that is pushing it.

    Don't give up. Keep querying and whatever the agent likes, stick with that. Chances are there will be one book and one genre (for you) that stands out more than the rest.

    Let us know how it goes.

    Lynnette Labelle

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  8. Hmm, guess I should start on that third novel. Great list.

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  9. One of my guests at Romance Writers on the Journey, Linore Rose Burkard, wrote a great post on this subject: "I've Submitted My Book--Now What?" She gives several ideas of things we can do to prepare for a career as a published author.

    http://wp.me/piVls-zR

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  10. Soakin' this up, making mental notes. Thanks for the post, Lynnette!

    Did you get The Call? Or are you expecting one?

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  11. Keli: I just found that article. Thanks.

    Janna: I wish. No, I haven't even submitted yet. Just getting ready. My goal is to start the all great agent search in January. I'm still working on the darn first draft of this book. My other stories aren't even close to being ready for publication.

    Lynnette Labelle

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  12. The only thing I would add is to start working on your marketing plan - publishers do want to know what you are going to do to help promote your book.

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