Comments on: Guest Posts, An Endorsement, A Major Announcement and a Little Kink… Not Necessarily in That Order

By: Larry

Larry — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:33:25 +0000

@Kelly — sorry to delay in responding to your question about the importance of building a “resume” of writing in order to catch the attention of agents and publishers. Holidays and all.

The answer is that it’s always good, and for fiction, not quite essential. If you’re seeking to publish non-fiction, it IS pretty much an essentail part of the strategy, including having your own website (it’s called an “author platform”). That was huge in getting my Core Competencies book sold to Writers Digest Books.

But with fiction, it can help, and it’s always good to have, especially is what you’re bringing to the table is also fiction (short stories, etc.). However, “self-published” fiction (POD) can backfire on you, as some agents and publishers regard it negatively.

Anything you can do you create a context of professionalism is a good thing that will support your solid story. But that story is very much the centerpiece and core element of the process with fiction.

Good luck with this, and don’t hesitate to ask for more specifics if I haven’t addressed your question.

By: Larry

Larry — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:27:21 +0000

@Wayne — great to hear from you, and thanks for commenting with those kind words. Storyfix has been a wonderful resurrection for me, not only with the Thunder book, but with the new writing project for Writers Digest Books.

Glad you’re here, keep in touch. And have a great holiday season!

By: Kelly Jarosz

Kelly Jarosz — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:59:14 +0000

Congratulations on landing publishers for your work.

I have been hoping to see your opinion on the following topic in the how-to-get-published series: In addition to having a killer story, how important is it to build up a resume of other publications, either non-fiction or short stories, to get agents’ and publishers’ attention?

Thanks for the consistent stream of invaluable writing advice and tools.

By: Debbie Cowens

Debbie Cowens — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:33:01 +0000

Congratulations on the upcoming books. I’m a huge fan of your six core competencies and I’m also finding the current getting published series of posts incredibly useful. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom with us aspiring writers.

As well as working on novels, I also enjoy writing short stories. Is there any chance that you might consider doing a post or series of posts on how to structure and craft a solid, effective short story?

By: Wayne C. Rogers

Wayne C. Rogers — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 01:42:41 +0000

Larry,
Congratulations on getting a publisher for Whisper of the Seventh Thunder. Damn, I’ve missed you. It’s been a long time since Bait & Switch. Let’s hope your new publisher will do Schmitt Happens next.

All the best,

Wayne

By: Samantha Clark

Samantha Clark — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:57:59 +0000

Awesome news about the Writers Digest book. Congrats!

By: Larry

Larry — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:55:46 +0000

@Bruce — gonna be a while, book have a long lead time, but I’ll keep writin’ about the six core competencies here in the meantime. Oh well, there’s goes that ebook idea…

@Dave — ancient yoga saying, sure you’ve heard it: when the student is ready the teacher will appear. Nice to meet you.

@Luisa — thanks for the comment, and the incredible blurb. Doesn’t get better than that.

By: Luisa Perkins

Luisa Perkins — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:37:47 +0000

Congrats on the Writers Digest deal! That’s fantastic news.

By: Dave Doolin

Dave Doolin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:24:48 +0000

Coming in from Kelly Diels. She’s a pistol, for sure.

I just bought Rubie & Provost… teaching myself how to write inciting incidents now.

It’s amazing how at the exact time I need to grow my skills, what I need to do suddenly appears. It’s probably always been there, just invisible to me until I had the need.

By: Bruce H. Johnson

Bruce H. Johnson — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:38:16 +0000

Did someone say book? Six Core Competencies? YES! Let us know IMMEDIATELY when it’s available. I’ve scrounged together what posts of yours I could find on the 6CC, but still want more.