Category Archives: Rejection

May 10 2012

Merging of Greatness…

In an effort to cut down on how much of a time suck cyberverse is, I wrangled my Knight in Slightly Muddy Armor and had his alternate persona, King of Tech, merge my www.jamigray.com address to this–my most awesomest blog site ever!  Now if you type in jamigray.com you’ll come here, and you can still peruse my holy list of links on my Links page, buy my world changing books on my Books page, stalk me through the electronic world on my Blog Tour page, all in one spot!  I kneel to the genius of my hubby in the weird ways of tech, because it’s all Greek to me (and I mean that seriously!).

On top of this nifty change, I also set up an Author Fan Page on Facebook.  You can see it here http://www.facebook.com/JamiGrayUFWriter .  Feel free to go over and share your love of moi and click the LIKE button.  It took time before I bowed to the requests for one of these as I was uncertain exactly how to use it.  Now that I know it’s where you post all your blog visits, book releases and general writing news, viola it is created!

So even though I finally got a tighter handle on book 3, I have yet to sit down and start again, but now that all the pressing cyber demands have been met, I’m ready to go! WOO HOO!

Now, I need your support because this upcoming week (May 14th-18th) will become a testing ground on just how thick I’ve managed to get my writing skin to as I embark on a five stop review tour of Shadow’s Edge.  Oh yes, I hear you.  Why would I subject myself to such a rack of torture? Because, I really would like people out there to give me their honest feeback–good or bad–because how else will I be able to stretch myself as a writer? And because I don’t want to inhibit any postings, I’ll be there to thank the reviewer, but I’ll lurk in the shadows to see what is said.  Fingers crossed that the reviewers find Shadow’s Edge exciting and thrilling!

If you’d like to swing over and see what’s up next week, feel free.  Here’s the schedule:

And lastly, I had to share a moment I had this weekend.  Life was getting stressful, you know how it is when everything around you seems to sit their big, heavy weight upon your shoulders and you just want to slither away into a small, hidden place?  Okay, so I had a few bad moments because, hey, we’re all human, right?  Just when the light of creativity was beginning to sputter, one of my favorite Twitter Peeps (@KindlesConsort) was chatting with another bud of mine and she gave strength to my flame through her excitement and anticipation of my writing and how much she enjoyed chatting with authors.  I couldn’t resist, I had to tell her how much her words meant and that it was because of readers like her that authors, especially me, continue to put pen to paper.  Then later that night through Facebook I received another message from another fan, Kim Hawk, who shared how much she enjoyed Shadow’s Edge and why.  Again, I was humbled by such words.  I may put my stories out there, but the reason I have the courage to continue onward is because of you, the readers, who so eagerly embrace these fantastical worlds and then share your excitement with the writers.

Long story short, authors write for you readers so take the time and drop a line to your favorite authors, big or small.  Who knows? Maybe you’ll be the one that strengths their flickering creative light on a dark day, giving them the strength to pick up the pen once more and forge forward!

–Wicked

Jun 16 2011

An Exciting new journey…

Hi All, the clan and I survived our trip to the Isle of Fire and a smokin’ good time was had by all!  Lots of memories were made, and the Duo learned all sorts of new skills–snorkeling, kayaking, and how to out run eels.  Did you know being hissed at underwater is just as intimidating as being hissed at on land? Yep, it surely is.

So let me explain the above picture. You’re about to embark upon a very exciting, nerve wracking journey with me.  I have received my very first contract offer! Let me take you through the roller coaster ride from day one.

Day 1

You open your email and have a response from a query you sent, and after all this time you’re getting use to the “we love your characters/world building/plot/ but….” The dreaded “but”, it’s a killer every time.  I’ve had “but there’s not enough sex”, “but there’s not enough romance”, “but it won’t make a good fit for us at this time”, the list goes on.  I don’t envy editors and agents swimming desperately through their oceans of submissions, because it takes a great deal of patience to make it to shore and find that lone perfect pearl that’s going to shine out in the world.  So I owe all those who’ve I queried who’ve been nice enough to say exactly why the book didn’t work, a huge “Thank you”, because without them, all those changes that made the book better wouldn’t have come about.  Between them and the Evil 7, they’re what keep pushing me to put words to paper regardless of how many “but”s come my way.

Back to our story, there’s an email from an e-publisher you queried and as I open it with another sigh preparing to read on why my book isn’t going to be a good fit, I start to read. “Thank you for submitting your manuscript, Shadow’s Edge, I enjoyed the manuscript and would like to offer you a contract to publish the book.”  It takes me five minutes of re-reading the first line before it sinks in.  OMG! They want me (insert Susan Lucci moment here!)!  I end up dragging my other half over to the computer to make sure I’m reading this correctly and not hallucinating.  Nope, he assures me, it’s real.

I immediately contact some important others…the Whipmistress, my mom, my sisters, my husband (who patiently just smiles as I tell him for the umpteenth time), my kids, my dog, the list goes on.

So for the remainder of the day I alternate between breaking into spontaneous song and dance moments, and smiling like a mad woman.  However, I heed the Whipmistress’s advice, wait a day before responding.

Day 2

I’m up early, I’ve already drafted the reply, but one snag before I can say “Oh hell yes!”, I need to touch base with an agent I had just submitted to, and who had requested materials.  Nerves are strung tight and the little voice in my head is muttering, “What if you ask for time and they say, nope don’t want you then? You’re going to blow your chance.” Word to the wise, pay someone to take out that annoying little voice, it can cause more trouble than it’s worth. Ignoring it, I send off my response of “I’m interested, but can you give me a couple of weeks to check in with other submissions”, sounding very calm and professional in the email, even though my nails are now just bloody stubbs on my fingers.  I hit send, then off to the next email, letting the other person know I’ve been offered a contract so….

I got two emails back that day, one from the second query saying, could you send me your entire book and give me a couple of weeks to read it?  The second from the publisher saying “no problem, by the way do you have a second book in this series planned? If so, we’d like to offer you a two book contract.”

As soon as my heart re-started there ensued more song and dance routines.  Yet once the exuberance passed, the doubts started creeping in.  For all new writers out there, take heed.  This part of things will drive you nuts. My advice, talk to those who know what you’re doing–critique group partners, significant others, family, the guy down the street who thinks the aliens are coming, whoever, but talk to those you trust.  Go through all the pros and cons you have concerning accepting a contract and all that it entails.

Day 3

More discussion of pros/cons and what ifs.  The biggest question, am I really ready for this?  Up to this point, I go out, I write my stories, I share them with my critique group, who then sends me back arms loaded with suggestions, and I continue on.  Now there’s going to be more, I can see it coming my way.

Day 4-15

I flip back and forth between what-if scenarios as I wait to hear back from the second query.  Finally the d-day arrives and I haven’t heard anything, so I send off a polite email asking if she’s had time to look it over.  She very promptly responses, “Yes, I love your world building, characters and plot, however (another word for but) I’m not in love with it enough to represent at this time.”  I’m a little heartbroken, because when ever you hear “I’m not in love with” whether there’s a “you” or an “it” attached, it’s hard.  For me, though it caused a sting, it also helped settle the what-if questions I had running through my head.  One door closes, another opens, so off went my email to the e-publisher of “Sign me up!”

Day 17

I start emailing with my prospective editor and now I have to think about promotion, websites, domain names, cover art, and oh yes, don’t forget about finishing book 2. And that’s just for the writing side of my life, never mind the family side and the work-that-pays-the-bills side.  Starting to see the huge boulder rolling down the hill toward you? I am and I’ve never been a good runner in my life.  For writers who find themselves in this same spot, I know it’s overwhelming at first, but just breathe, because you’ll get through it.

Day 18

I get a copy of the contract and thank goodness CampChef has connections, because I’m not a lawyer.  It gets review, revisions are suggested, I draft an email and off it goes to the lawyer.  Now I wait….and while I’m waiting, I start looking at cover art, domain names, websites and I want to pull my hair out.  Here’s the thing,writers write because they love to tell stories. However, if you haven’t noticed, most writers like being solitary, so this whole go out and promote your book idea, terrifying.  Yet it’s a truth of the industry, if you want your stories read, you have to go tell people about it.

Day 19

So here I am, playing catch up on my blog, brain fried from all the “practical” aspects of becoming a published author swirling around in my head.  I’ve put all aside for today because right now, I need to get back to book 2 and get it finished.  Stay tune, because I promise to drag you along this road with me.

Wicked

Oct 7 2010

Plot vs. Characters

Like many writers I’ve received a great many rejection letters and emails. Most are the normal “thanks for submitting, but your project/story doesn’t fit our list/isn’t right for me at this time.” The one I found most intriguing was the one that said, “the idea of secret warriors keeping the world safe from paranormal entities isn’t as original as it used to be, unfortunately.”

I’m just a bit puzzled by this comment. I write Urban Fantasy, and I read a great deal of the books out there in the same genre. Now, I agree with this editor that this basic concept is not an original concept. Nope, from what I can tell, it’s the basic framework of about 70% (could be higher, but I estimate on the low side to be safe) of the Urban Fantasy books sitting out on the shelves.

So I went out on the mecca of all disinformation or information (depending on the sites you visit and/or believe) on the Internet. I asked for a definition of Urban Fantasy. Here’s what I got.

Wikipedia called it “a subset of fantasy defined by place; the fantastic narrative has an urban setting. Many urban fantasies are set in contemporary times or contain supernatural elements. However, this is not the primary definition of urban fantasy.[1] Urban fantasy can be set in historical times, modern times, or futuristic times. The prerequisite is that it must be primarily set in a city, rather than in a suburban or country setting, which have their own genre subsets.[2]“

Wiki then went on with, “Many urban fantasy novels geared toward adults are told via a first-person narrative, and often feature mythological beings, paranormal romance, and various female protagonists who are involved in law enforcement or vigilantism.”  Then proceeded to list several examples, of which I own each of those cited series, and enjoy them a great deal.

Word IQ.com defined Urban Fantasy as “a subgenre of fantasy, also known as contemporary urban fantasy, modern-day fantasy, or indigenous fantasy. These terms are used to describe stories set in the putative real world (often referred to as consensus reality) in contemporary times, in which, it is revealed, magic and magical creatures exist, either living in the interstices of our world or leaking over from alternate worlds. It thus has much in common with, and sometimes overlaps with secret histories.”

If I wanted to go on until the dead horse was glue, I could. There are tons of discussions and definitions of Urban Fantasy out there. Everyone has an opinion; readers, writers, editors, agents. It’s almost intimidating.

So if my story revolves around a paranormal female protagonist who is involved in vigilantism over paranormal entities that threaten both mundane and non-mundane beings set in modern time, I guess I’m not that original, just another wanna-be Urban Fantasy writer.

Then again, based on that saying, “Every story that’s ever been or ever will be told, has already been done.” I’m guessing what sets apart a published and unpublished writer, is the strength and individuality of their characters and the challenges they face, and the author’s ability to find that elusive editor/agent who likes them.

Wicked