Tag: author

The Joys of Querying Literary Agents for the First Time

Querying Literary Agents For the First Time

If you’re an author querying literary agents, let the joy begin. Writing a manuscript is daunting enough, but let’s talk about the joys of querying literary agents. I published my first memoir and book, Manifesting Me: A Story of Rebellion and Redemption with a hybrid press. It gave me the opportunity to learn about the business of being an author. With that said, I wanted to try publish my debut novel in the traditional way. That involves querying literary agents.

Where To Begin Querying

Where does one begin this process of querying agents? Me? If I don’t know how to do something, YouTube is my best friend and teacher. Book Ends Literary agency has a wonderful and informative channel on everything querying along with some other channels. https://www.youtube.com/c/BookEndsLiteraryAgency I find this one most helpful and honest.

First, you must have your manuscript complete to the best of your ability, have a one sentence hook, break down your manuscripts into first 10 pages, 30 pages, 50 pages, synopsis, your word count, know your genre, and most importantly your query letter. Fortunately, most literary agents tell you exactly what they want you to submit.

Research, Research, and More Research

Research, research, and more research on literary agents is vital and the most time consuming part, which you would think writing would be. Ok, the writing is more enjoyable, at least that’s my opinion.  And the odds are not really in your favor. I’ve listened to many agents’ interviews on the topic and what I gathered is it’s about 1 out of 100 queries that are accepted. Those are kind of frustrating odd. But you need to be smart and not waste your time on agents that would have absolutely no interest in your genre. If you could read one of their clients’ book to give you a sense of what they like, is a good option. Although, after researching as many literary agents as I have, I don’t read that quickly to read that many books.

The good news is there is most likely someone out there for you, which calls for some faith and stamina. You have to think of this as a search for a business partner. So, you wouldn’t want someone that doesn’t want you. I am in the process of querying at this very moment of writing this blog and have yet to get a request for my full manuscript.

Is There a Time to Give Up?

Giving up isn’t really my thing. I’ve worked too hard, like most writers, to only throw in the towel. I am hoping that whoever reads this, doesn’t give up, also. That doesn’t mean we may not have try something different, do a little tweaking to the query or even to your manuscript. Understanding that all topics won’t resonate with all agents. Everyone struggles at some point, and this process may not seem fair, but life isn’t fair, nor was it meant to be. We learn when we overcome our obstacles. These obstacles will only make us better writers. So embrace rejection and learn from it.

Wouldn’t it be sad if you gave up just before the next literary agent would’ve given you a contract? There doesn’t seem to be much joy in querying agents when you are only receiving rejections, but many of the greatest and most successful authors have experienced this too. Thank goodness, they didn’t give up. What would we do without Stephen King, J. K. Rowling, or Jack Canfield?

It’s been awhile since my last blog, because I’ve been working on the manuscript that I am actively querying. I’d love to hear where you are in your process and how you feel about it. Try to find joy in querying agents, because this is one part of the author’s journey. Happy querying.

“It’s part of life to have obstacles. It’s about overcoming obstacles; that’s the key to happiness.”

Herbie Hancock

 

Opportunity and Perception

Things Don’t Always Go As Planned

What happens when something you hoped for doesn’t quite go the way you’d thought it would? Do you get massively disappointed? Do you quit? Or are you able to find opportunity in disappointment?

As a new author, many people have big plans to help you. Everyone is going to get your book. All of your friends will buy it.  You’ll get invited to speak at everyone’s book club.  People will be interested in articles you have written and hope to find a spot for them in online magazines. And so forth.

Well, these are the promises one hears up to publication date and a bit after.  Then the excuses come.  We haven’t heard back about the placement of your article from so and so. Or you, actually, do speak at some book clubs, but not nearly as many as you hoped. The best one yet, is when people say they are not going to buy your book, but rather get it from a friend after that friend has read it. Anyone who has published a book, knows how expensive and how much work goes into it. I personally will always pay for someone’s work of art.

Don’t be discouraged.  This is all part of being in the writing business. In fact, it is pretty much any business. Your friends and acquaintances are almost always going to be excited for you and your book. They usually are following the energy of author. I have to say it’s hard to keep the momentum going for long periods of time.

Sometimes There’s An Opportunity Better Than The Original Plan

I recently had some news about a person ordering a set of books for her class, but ended up not being able to get them at this time, due to a drastic budget cut.  I was bummed sort of, but something told me not to worry. Because something very interesting took place.

My friend works at the particular store where the order was placed, then put on hold. I contacted her to see if this teacher had indeed purchased the books.  I felt in my gut that the order might not have gone through.  Funny how things work out. She gave me the news, but followed up with; there’s a field trip with this particular class to visit the bookstore and would I like to be a guest author? And by the way, Guy Johnson, Maya Angelou’s son, would be there.

I have been on cloud nine since this news.  Trust your gut. And follow up with people. I was a little nervous asking if the order had been placed, in fear of the answer. Had I not asked my friend, I might’ve missed an amazing opportunity. It would’ve been nice to sell thirty books to a class, but I know I could sell thirty books at some point on my own.

Overnight Success Is Extremely Rare

Opportunity is all around.  You might have to look hard for it, but it is there. Remember there is no such thing as overnight success. There are stories in which it sounds like overnight success. It’s rare. Ask any famous or successful person.  I heard Amy Schumer in an interview with Oprah and how she was described as overnight success. And her reply to that was something like, “Overnight? Yeah, like after ten years of hard work.” Must’ve been one really long night.

We only hear the quick version of success stories. Because if we heard what really took place, it might seem boring or too hard.  Take a stake out for example.  The real ones almost never amount to anything.  But watch a movie and things are happening left and right.  Folks, it’s television.  People want to be entertained and wowed, and do not have much patience for boring.  Let’s face it, everyone loves one-day or two-day shipping.

Do Not Dismiss The Power Of Positive Thinking

You’re probably thinking I’m writing this because, I’m not making it right this second.  The truth is, I am in the process of making it. Although, I have no idea what to expect. Therefor, I don’t have any expectations.  That maybe a better attitude to have.

Again, I bring up the power of positive thinking. It goes without saying how I feel about the Law of Attraction. It works.  Keeping yourself in a positive and happy space, tells the Universe, Divine, God, etc., (whatever you choose to call it) to give you more of what matches that energy.  I’ve mentioned before in other blogs, the Universe is working for you, even when it feels like everything is against you. Your thoughts and energy are part of the success process. The physical is the only the macro part of life and the thinking is the micro part of life.  Everything starts with a thought or idea.

What I can say and know for sure, is my attitude has everything to do with my success and what types of opportunities and people I attract into my life. I have an unusually sharp memory and can see my own patterns. If you really were honest with yourself, you’d see the patterns in your own life that was created with your energy. Knowing this valuable information automatically gives you power.    Your energy is a valuable resource and it’s free.

Does It Matter How You See The Glass?

Seeing the glass half full is always a better outlook, than half empty. But realize if the glass is empty, you can always refill it.  Writing is my new passion, and I will keep on, keeping on.  It’s fascinating how this journey is unfolding.  Remember, It’s the journey, not the destination.

When there is an occurrence that is perceived as less than desirable, don’t be too upset. Go with the flow. There’s usually a reason when something doesn’t work out. It usually means there’s a better way or an opportunity coming.  I could’ve sulked about the teacher not getting my books, but now I have speaking event. I could get upset by people telling me they aren’t going to pay for my book.  But people are reading my book, anyway they can. The interested parties not committing to running my article, never said no. Which means, maybe they haven’t ran the article, yet. Patience is a virtue.

Something better could be lurking around the corner.   Nothing is a failure, until you deem it so. Manifesting Me shows how the law of attraction works, when it was on purpose and when it was not. You can’t control everything that happens to you, but you can control your thought process around it. It’s all perception.  Never give up. You never know what opportunities will show up.

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” ~ Lao Tzu

 

 

Thoughts and Energy Are the Key Ingredients in Attraction

Thoughts, Energy, and Attraction

Thoughts have assisted me well, in manifesting and being resourceful. I mentioned this in my previous blog. What does this mean? It’s quite simple. It’s an energies game. Some of you may be rolling your eyes about now, and that’s okay. It tells me, you may not have a clear idea of how the Law of Attraction works. You might not be aware that your thoughts are energy. Science is catching up with the mystics. Look up quantum physics. Thoughts eventually turn into things.

Things don’t usually fall out of the sky and land on your doorstep, although sometimes, they do. Generally, no one sends you a book deal out of the blue, because you were thinking of writing a book. What you might get is an idea that can lead to making money through action of some sort; writing a story, starting a business, an invention, etc., which could lead to an opportunity that snowballs into something amazing.

“If I didn’t have Bad Luck, I’d have no Luck at All”

Law of Attraction is like energy that attracts like energy. Everything has a vibration, like a radio frequency, including thoughts. It’s about tuning into the frequency of the thing that you want. I’m sure you’ve heard someone in your life say, “If I didn’t have bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.” And bad things actually happen to them. It’s not because they’re bad people, but rather where their energy and thoughts are.

Then there are those which seem to be blessed by the heavens above. Everything comes to them easily. The “knowing that they are lucky,” is the energy put into the “luck” vibration, which attracts more luck.

I’ve learned from dirt bike riding where your focus should be. It shouldn’t be on the rock or tree that you don’t want to hit. Focus your attention on where you want to go. If you focus on the tree, 9 out 10 times, you will hit the tree. Don’t focus on the things that will ultimately hurt you. Focus on the destination and the prize.

What are you focusing your attention on?

What are you focusing your attention on? Things you attract aren’t always as blatant; like a person calling or texting a few minutes after they popped into your brain. Many people have had that experience.

 The beginning of last week, my client had come back from Africa talking about her trip, giving me information for my latest working manuscript.  I’ve been obsessed with Africa since last December.

My son is in a rock band. He’s in the process of finding a drummer. Lots of drummers have been over to audition.  Drummers are a constant topic in our household. My focus is on Africa and drums.

By the end of my workweek, a client of mine, which is an artist, mentioned news of getting his artwork into a place where African drumming is taught. He had this beautiful painting of an African woman playing on a Congo Drum. Did you get it? Do you recognize the obvious signs and connections, when they happen to you? I love the validation!

 Energy and Thought Patterns

Learning about energy has guided me to examine my thought patterns and how they affected my life events. This led me to writing my memoir. I wanted share how this worked in my life through example. Manifesting Me, gives samples of outcomes, while living in a state of worry and fear. I new I needed to break the patterns of unhealthy thinking. Eventually I learned the benefits of living in a state of happiness and love. The outcome speaks for itself.

With an enthusiastic and confident vibe, anything is possible. Somethings have a longer gestational period. Patience is truly a virtue. I own a salon, I read Angel cards, and I am author. I’m in control of my schedule and make time for recreation and relationships. None of this happened overnight and without completing the steps to make them happen; salons don’t build themselves, books don’t write themselve. There is another law; Action.

Where are your thoughts and energy ? It takes about 28 days to create a habit. Not everyone is happy-go-lucky naturally. Even the most positive people have off days sometimes. Some people have experienced great loss. By no means am I negating anyone’s tragedies or suggesting you have control over every event in your life. I am merely suggesting to focus to the best of your ability on something that brings you joy. Try it out for a month. Live life on purpose with calculated thoughts and see what happens. You might surprise yourself!

What Is The Law Of Attraction? Open Your Eyes To A World Of Endless Possibilities