Diane's interviews:

MEGAN SYBIL BAKER

Di: Tell us about the book you've just sold.

I'm totally jazzed that Bantam/Spectra offered me a THREE BOOK deal for my previously small press pubbed backlist of: FINDERS KEEPERS, GABRIEL'S GHOST and AN ACCIDENTAL GODDESS.

Initial info is they want to 'put at least two out quickly and back to back', probably before Romantic Times 2005. They'll also be looking at my Command series.

Di: When did you sell your first book, and who bought it?

A then-new small press publishing company in Canada, LTDBooks, bought my sword and sorcery fantasy, WINTERTIDE, back in 2000. WINTERTIDE was my first fiction sale, though as a former news reporter and magazine writer, I've sold articles for over 15 years.

Di: Was the publisher a NY publisher, an ebook publisher, or a small print-on-demand publisher?

LTDBooks started out in e-formats but quickly expanded to trade paperback, I think, in part, due to the high quality of their books (they call it Trade Paper In Short Run, which I naughtily 'acronymmed' to T-PISseR). Like the other small press publisher I've written for, NovelBooks, they have a high number of award winners in their booklist.

Di: Why did you go with this publisher?

Back in 1999, I didn't see a active market in NY for what WINTERTIDE was: a sword and sorcery fantasy with a strong romance subplot. Now, of course, NY has the Luna line, Tor's new line, Robin Owen's fabulous 'Celta' books at Berkley Sensation... but back then I found nothing to lead me to believe NY would be interested in my style and characters. I sent out WINTERTIDE on multiple submissions to a few small presses whose websites, professionalism and philosophies appealed to me. LTDBooks was the first to get back to me and I was very pleased with their offer, and with their subsequent handling of my books.
Medallion Press bought WINTERTIDE for re-release last year. It'll be out nationwide in mass market (not T-PISseR) paperback this month (June 2004). I look forward to reaching new readers who enjoy the wonderful plots now available in cross-genre books like WINTERTIDE.


Di: Would you recommend a writer to hold out for a NY publisher, or go ahead and sell to an ebook or small print-on-demand publisher?

That's a tough question and much depends on the genre, the market and how good the writer is at reading tea leaves or the swirls inside a crystal ball. A few years ago I'd have stated that the quirkier the book, the more the writer should consider small press. But now NY has embraced quirky--well, since Bantam/Spectra recently bought my FINDERS KEEPERS, GABRIEL'S GHOST and AN ACCIDENTAL GODDESS, it seems to me they're embracing quirky. So I think the market has opened up in NY, at least for SF Romance. I've heard talk though that other genres, such as some of the sub-genres of mystery, are glutted. That doesn't mean you can't make a sale. It just means there's a lot more competition and you're possibly going to have to be better than perfect to get read.

For new writers, I'd recommend they try to figure out where other books like theirs are published. It means, yes, they have to study the markets, study the book stacks, read the publishing house's guidelines. If the guidelines state 'absolutely no books with heroines wearing green socks' and your heroine wears green socks and that's an unchangeable part of the plot, then you might look at small press, where in many cases heroines can wear any color socks they like and even--gasp!--go barefoot.

Keep in mind that with small press, and more-so with e-book format, a book will have limited distribution (as compared to what NY publishers offer). It will also, whether in POD or Trade Paper In Short Run, have a much higher list price. Some professional writer organizations may also not consider the small press publisher as 'approved' and, even though you're published, you'll be barred from certain venues.

It will get an author 'out there', though, and will help build a fan base and possibly win a few awards. Those are all positives which--if and when NY decides that green socks are cool--will help you sell your next book to NY.


Di: Is there any advice you want to give to first-time authors?

For one, know your craft. Sloppy writing, poor grammar and weak pacing (among other sins) can kill even the most brilliant of plots.

If you're not sure how you measure up, or where you fit, consider entering your unpublished manuscript in some valid writing contests, such as those offered by the local chapters of Romance Writers of America, or other writer organizations (please avoid the ones that promise you publication of your entry but you must also buy a copy of the anthology for $99.95 plus shipping...). Keep in mind that contests can be very subjective; I've heard some horror stories of judges' mistakes. But overall it's a good way to get feedback--expert feedback if the judges are NY editors, and in many cases they are.

In the same vein, find and participate in a professional critique group that doesn't include your mother and grandfather. Unless of course, your mother is C.J. Cherryh and your grandfather is Tom Clancy.


Di: Is there anything you'd like to say?

Writing is easy. Writing a novel with a tight plot, fascinating characters, great pacing and a memorable theme is tough work. If you don't absolutely love it, if it's not a matter or 'write or die' to you, then do something else. Because it will make you crazy or, as in my case, crazier than you already are. Proof of the pudding is in my website: www.starfreighter.com . It contains a space station pub staffed by my characters. Furzels run rampant. There are Daily Wisdom Quotes, Faery Name Generator Games and monthly contests. No sane almost-fifty year old woman would do this.
I rest my case.

I have a contest running on my site this month for a WINTERTIDE tote - you can mention that, too. WINTERTIDE will be out in mass market for $6.99! in all chain stores by late June.

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First appeared July, 2004 in THE EDGE, the quarterly newletter of Reality's Edge Writers.

Copyright © 2004 Diane Dishman