HOW I SOLD MY BOOKS....AND OTHER WRITING ADVICE

Someone recently asked me how I broke into publishing -- and this was my answer.
Keep in mind that most of the publishers I sold to early on are either part of larger companies now or gone.  Unfortunately, things don't get easier...but books still get published, so there's always hope.

I sold my first book in 1988...I had a habit back them of writing three chapters and
a synopsis, then mailing them off and starting something new.  There were plenty
of paperback original houses, and fast-paced, light kids books were easier to sell.
Also, I knew if a publisher requested one of my books, I could finish it in a few months.

I had been submitting for about 2 years when I had a NICE personal rejection from
Willowisp Press.  The editor encouraged me to send something else.  Being young
and enthusiastic, I sent about 4 proposals (3 chapters/synopsis) at once to Willowisp.
I knew about this publisher through one of their authors.  Their books sold VERY well through school book fairs.  Then a few months later, I had THE CALL...sort of.  My first question
was "Which book?"  Then I found out they wanted ALMOST TWINS, only they
wanted me to lower the ages, drop the romance, focus on friendship more.  Lots of
editing, disappointments, postponements, etc....but basically the book came out
within 3 years.

After that I targeted packagers (companies hired by publishers to put together groups of books like series). I loved series books and wrote quickly.  It was a dream of mine to have my own  series, like a favorite childhood series, Judy Bolton mysteries.  Through networking and many submissions, I sold 5 Sweet Dreams romance, 1 Sweet Valley Twin ghost-written, and 2 Choose-Your-Own books.  All during this I continued to query editors for single-title books as well as agents. 

Then I got an agent in 1993 who liked my MY SISTER THE GHOST series.  I had finished the first book in this series because an editor came close to buying it.  So my agent submitted that book, which ultimately sold as a 4-book series to Avon (not part of Harper).  That connection let
to an editor inviting me to write CHEER SQUAD series.  Then I had 3 1/2 years of no sales,
nothing worked even though my agent was submitting -- until she "did lunch" with a Berkley editor which led to the sale of my cloning series, REGENERATION. 

As you can see, it's no easy process, but one step can lead to another.  Now I'm back
to a dry spell which might last for many years or end tomorrow -- I have no clue.  I'm no
longer writing series books, instead I want a hardback original book, which means sitting down
and completing books instead of writing up proposals.  I've completed a mg and a YA within
1 1/2 years and have recently lost my agent, so am A) submitting on my own  B) trying to get
another agent.  Also, I've sold some e-books and enjoy this pioneer area of publishing.

If you're going for a hardback original, you need to finish it first and make sure it offers something special to readers and editors.  Publishers like to brag about the books on their list, pointing out how teachers, librarians and readers will love this book.  Editors don't have much time for editing anymore and expect the book to be near perfect to offer a contract.

If you haven't been to www.verlakay.com go right away.  It's a fantastic website devoted to juvenile writing.  Check out the transcripts from workshops with editors, agent and published authors to gain more insight into how to break through into publishing.  Of course, even I keep changing my ideas for what works.  But some things I KNOW are true are: the book has to be wonderful, connections help, agents can help but they can hurt if you get a wrong one.

Some basic tips:

* Study books that have sold from first-time authors, see what snagged an editor's interest
* Look for new editors and new publishing lines which might be more open to submissions
* Network with other authors, online and/or in person when possible.
* Read, read, read -- so basic, and yet so essential.

Good luck!  Linda Joy Singleton
Linda Joy Singleton/ website: http://www.ljsingleton.com
Five teens discover they are cloned with unusual powers.
#1. REGENERATION/REGENERATION (#0-425-17302-X)
#2. REGENERATION/THE SEARCH (#0-425-17368-2)
#3. REGENERATION/THE TRUTH (#0-425-17415-8)
#4. REGENERATION/THE IMPOSTER (#0-425-17635-5)
#5. REGENERATION/THE KILLER (#0-425-17864-1)
E-BOOKS: http://www.newconceptspublishing.com
MAIL-ORDER MONSTER (#1-58608-217-5) NEW RELEASE!
MELISSA'S MISSION IMPOSSIBLE (#1-58608-215-5) NEW!!

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