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I actually think it's interesting when an author is a surprise. I remember reading Brett Lott's "Jewel," specifically the part where the main character is describing first realizing she is pregnant. I remember being amazed -- even skeptical -- that a man had written it. I kept thinking, how did he know?!

I have to say that I look less at the name on a cover than I did even a few years ago. Being visual, the cover snatches my attention first.
I read then the back cover blurb, deciding from there whether to buy.
Few exceptions, unless I hear that everyone dislikes a book, then I'm likely to read it and see why.

There are so many authors, and even the seasoned authors who have written in a particular romance genre for a long time are-- due to various demands-- changing genres, or blending genres in their romance writing. Some keep their names, and others choose a pen name.
As more blending of genres occur, the line of gender writing is becoming less and less distinct,IMO.

Like someone said-a good book is a good book, after all. If I'm going to spend hours at a B& N, likely I'm looking for a good story.
Now I will admit, that if I read a story marketed as 'romance'(sub-genre/elements or gender-hopping names notwithstanding) and it turns out without the HEA,(historical romance fiction based on real life- exempt) I might be a bit miffed. No, make that, I throw it against the wall.

Which I suppose is another topic, for another time-has the requirement for the HEA Happily ever after) changed in the romance genre?

Amanda McIntyre

Anon 10:18 thanks for that laugh!

In the YA market it actually does matter. Female authors that write "boy books" often use their initials and last name as opposed to putting a feminine name on a book cover.

It would certainly give a special little fillip to signings and public appearances.

Not to mention the author photo at the end of the book...

Based only on the people I've met and spoken with, men seem to have more trouble with it than women. I've met men who won't read books written by women, no matter what genre. A few of them seem proud of this, which is interesting, seeing as that bullheadedness isn't usually considered an accomplishment.

And I could see some women shying away from romances written by men. It's less familiar. Still, I think you could miss out on a lot of good books with either attitude.

I suppose if the author was really worried about public image, he or she could simply use initials until the book is well established, then show up at the readings.

After all, Norah Roberts did just fine as J.D. Robb.

p.s. my husband said he'd go straight for the back cover to see what Candy Cane looks like.

I have been surprised--and shocked, I guess--at the number of times on listservs that I have heard--typically women--say, "I won't read a book written by a man." Or, "I won't read a book with a female main character if it's written by a man because men can't do it."

I haven't heard men say this, though I don't doubt it's true. So there probably are good reasons to put the gender-bending pseudonym on it, although it seems to me that the initials are a dead give-away.

J.K. Rowling
J.A. Jance
J.A. Konrath
J.A. Kerley (this one is new; Jack's early books have his name on them, but he notes that his British publisher is requesting the J.A.. Sure are a lot of J.A.'s there, which brings me to).

P.J. Parrish
P.J. Tracy
P.J. O'Rourke

To which I can only plead: if you're going to go this route, please, please avoid the initials PJ or JA.

Hmmm. J.K. Terry. Got a nice ring to it.

hey he/she could always show up at booksignings in drag!

It doesn't make any difference to me. When I'm reading something new the gender of the author doesn't really register with me until I come across a scene or piece of dialogue that makes me think, sounds like a woman/man wrote this book. Then I check the name of the author to see if I'm right. Pseudonyms really throw a monkey wrench into the works but it's all fun.

This reminds me of a story a friend who was a romance editor a long time ago told me. She had a male writer who wrote under a female pen name. He/she was invited to do an interview, but didn't want to reveal his identity--or maybe the publisher didn't want him, too,I don't remember--so my friend, the editor, had to pretend to be him. As I say, this was a long time ago--maybe the early 80s.

I don't know any gender hopping authors personally, but one of my friends who writes under a pen name mentioned one interesting pitfall of pen names in general. At first when people at conferences or large book signings would call her by her "first" name, she wouldn't respond--she didn't realize they were talking to her. So the next friend who took a pen name, keep her first name the same, to avoid that confusion.

If I ever gender hop, I think I'll stick to initials. Signing a man's name would be a little too schizoid (sp?) for me.

To pen name or not to pen name--I debated with that question on the eve of my first book hitting the e-shelves. My real name doesn't slip trippingly from the tongue, so I took the initials route with a combination of my first and middle names. It wasn't to conceal my gender, especially since my picture is on my website.

The gender of an author is immaterial to me when I read a book. I'll give any author a try.

A.L.Debran

When I think of amazing romance novels, I think of Nicholas sparks, so no, I wouldn't be opposed to a man's name being on a romance!

It wouldn't matter to me at all, but I do remember an interview with P.D. James where she said she went with the initials because she didn't think Patricia James would be taken seriously as a mystery writer when she started. I believe JK Rowling echoed the same sentiments.

I think some people have misunderstood what I meant by a man who understands women. I don't mean someone who can discuss fashion with me. I mean a man who can read women and knows what buttons to push to get the reaction he desires. The man who knows the hot spots. The man who can immediately sense or within a short time sense, what will drive a woman insane.

I once had a discussion with one of the three guys such as this I bounce ideas off. We were discussing a scene and I was floored by the emotional and even erotic aspects he tossed out. I think he probably understands what makes women tick better than women do. I told him he ought to be writing romance. He responded he has, he just really doesn't enjoy them. He'd rather practice than write about it.

When you find a talented, in more than one way, man like that who reads women and can go into a romantic scene with an understanding of what is going on with both partners, I would think that is magic.

I wish I understood men as well as these guys understand women. I would switch from fantasty with romantic undertones to romance with fantasy notes.

I don't know if I'd be disapointed or not, but I know that the book signing would be a bit akward...

Many years ago, my brother was horrified to learn Andre Norton was a woman. When she started writing, people believed no one would buy science fiction by a woman. Well, despite the revelation, my brother kept buying her books. The funny thing was, I'd been reading the books after him (I was maybe ten or eleven) and I assumed "Andre" was a female name because it seemed clear to me the author was female. In any case, an author's gender means nothing to me. I just want to read a good book.

It makes a huge difference. I've yet to see a thriller/action novel I like written by a woman.

My first point I'd like to bring up is it isn't necessary to utilize initials. There are also countless uni-sex names from which to choose, which again puts the reader into an "oops, my bad" scenario, and does offer more freedom to choose. Another option would be to make up a name. When I say my first and middle initial for instance, I hear an inventive opportunity in its sound, and have considered it as a possible flip.

If we are going to be expressive as writers, we might as well keep up the good name...maybe one that is so unique it will cause the reader to remember!

zzCrapshooter, can you say without a trace of doubt the "male" writers you prefer are in fact male?

Years ago, there was an author by the name of VC Andrews. The majority of her audience was female. And there was no surprise to find out this initial-toting writer was female.

The interesting twist to this story is—no one knew she was DEAD.

After she passed away (1986), her family hired a ghostwriter to keep both her memory and her unique stories alive. (No unkindness intended, but I imagine the royalties didn’t hurt the cause either.) There were more VC Andrews books written after she died, than were written by her while alive. I’m not certain at what point it was announced she had passed away and a ghostwriter existed, but it was a solid stretch at any rate.

If our glorious industry can make millions of people believe someone is alive, rest assured they can make at least a hundred believe a woman is a man—or vice versa—and you might just be one of those hundred.

In addition, a man carried her legendary “female author” career forward through time. Kudos to her for bringing such fame to a name, and to him for having the capacity as a writer to keep her alive in the hearts of her fans.

As a guy, I don't have any trouble reading books by women, no matter what the genre. And if the techno/spy-thriller is strictly man territory, someone forgot to tell Gayle Lynds that before she took over the reins from Robert Ludlum and then started writing her own best-selling thrillers.

I couldn't care less about a writer's gender if I enjoy the book, but I always wonder about the practical aspects of assuming not only a different name but a different gender. How would Alfred promote his romance novel? Attend the RWA conference in a dress? Hire a beautiful, romantic-looking young actress to do signings for him? What if his book became a runaway success and everybody wanted interviews with "Cassandra"? What if that beautiful young actress decided she wanted to actually *be* Cassandra and old Alfred was in her way? Good plot for a mystery -- but I think somebody's already written that story.

Mmmm...interesting. I think names are important and do help sell a book. The gender wouldn't put me off: I would read romantic fiction penned by a man, or military fiction by a women. However, I do think the name itself is a trigger in the selling process. I am a female and write horror/fantasy. I have chosen the name Akasha Savage as my pen-name, I feel that my real name, Debi Sands, doesn't lend itself comfortably to that genre.

I would only assume a pen name if I decided to write a memoir and the chances of that happening are zilch.

I could care less about names on a cover unless they are so contrived it makes me wonder if the writing is so bad the author needed a gimmick.

The movie Don't Tell Her It's Me features a romance author with a poetic name. The no-nonsense reporter is positive the name is made up, but it really is her name.

I want people focusing on my writing, not wondering how long it took me to come up with the name I.C. Fingers for my zombie romantic mysteries.

As a man who has tried to find a home for several women's fiction novels I know more about this subject that I ever thought I would.

I will say querying with only initials as oppsoed to my full masculine name, raised my "Interested-send me more rate" from about thirty percent to just over fifty.

I'm sorry Travis...

But I can't help it, but I don't want to read romances or women's fiction written by a man. I don't feel that women are portrayed correctly by men, and sometimes I've even noticed books that felt off...I didn't bother to research them, but I suspected the use of a pseudonym. I've even been put off by some mainstream novels where women characters are written with far too much machismo.

So yeah, stick to the pseudonym and hope your readers can't tell!

I write romance but, not surprisingly, my husband does not. As I was kicking around ideas for a particular plot one day, my husband broke in. "I know!" he said. "You can make this romance really different! Have them *not* get together at the end. Or, even better, have one of them die. No one will predict that!" Needless to say I thanked him for his suggestions, and then proceeded to completely ignore them. He's welcome to write his own book in which such things happen, but it won't be a romance. Which is just fine with both of us.

When you write in genres where violence can and does happen, it's difficult to give a first hand account of how it feels to be shot or beat up or blown up if it never happened to you. But I think realism is key and getting that visceral response from readers brings it home. Which is why I interview victims of violence, but those aren't always easy to find, and those you do find may not be willing to discuss their experience with a stranger. So I bought this great little book from Paladin Press called "Lead Poisoning: 25 True Stories from the Wrong End of a Gun" by Chris Pfouts. Wow. It's fabulous for getting that nitty gritty edge into your characters' experience. The book is out of print and hard to find now, but you may find a copy on eBay. But I'll never give up mine. It's priceless. 8^)

Interesting post. I guess I'm a rebel and although I've heard 'write what you know' for years it simply doesn't work for me. I love to read murder/mysteries but couldn't write one if my life depended on it. I write historical fiction and so I don't write what I know, I write what I learn. I have an insatiable taste for historical nonfiction and that feeds my desire to create.

Great post, Jessica,

I think in many ways it's like being an actor. You bring a part of yourself to the character you're playing. You do research to create a believable character.

As a writer I bring a part of myself to each of my characters. The emotion in my books come from my experiences, the same way an actor's does when playing a role.

I create a believable story in the much same way. I do research to understand the period in which I'm writing and how my characters would act. Although a great deal of that research includes the time in which the characters lived, some of that research includes having read other books in the genre in which I write. It keeps me fresh and inspired.

But my creativity comes from dreams. Dreams I'm sure are influenced by what I have read and movies I've seen. But also being open to the universe. It's imperative that I am. I'm a historical, paranormal fantasy writer.

Thanks for this topic! When I took my first stab at my first manuscript, I tried to force it to be "literary." It was boring and ugly. I looked at those first 50 pages and thought, "I wouldn't read this. I hate this type of book! Why should I expect anyone else to read it?"

I reworked it into a romantic comedy and I'm MUCH happier with it.

I read and enjoy multiple genres. When I started writing a couple of years ago, I started with romance but who knows where I'll end up?

My life experience is varied, too. There's so much to draw from, the possibilities are endless.

This post reminds me of the line actors say during interviews: "Thanks for the Oscar, but what I really want to do is direct."

This post is spot-on. What so many writers fail to realize, however, is that anything you want to know, you can: RESEARCH.

A great place that is overlooked for research purposes are court rooms. Most are open to the public. If you have time to sit through a few days of a crminal trial, do it. It's fascinating. Even better, from my point of view, is misdemeanor court and drug court. It's a great way to people watch and get ideas for your characters....

Research is key. I'm a surgeon in my other life which has given me ample opportunity to see blood, guts, violence, etc. There are plenty of mysteries and thrillers that are positively cringe-worthy precisely because the descriptions of violence to a body or its aftermath are incorrect. This doesn't mean you need to hang out in the ER, but for God's sake, don't take your medical cues from "House" or "Gray's Anatomy."

xyI agree with the post made by the surgeon. I have a masters degree in nursing. I cringe when I watch some of those medical shows. Do your own research, if you want to make your story believable.

I don't know how the xy got into my post. Maybe it's a paranormal thing. LOL!

Crack me up! My wife and I both used to work at a major metropolitan hospital and we both love "House" but it's got as much to do with real medicine as Star Trek has to do with NASA.

I just love patient rooms with glass walls! And physicians doing lab tests! Or any insurance-scared hospital keeping someone like Dr. House on staff!

And yet, patients ask if it's real...

I'd be interested in a list of "the masters" for each genre. I'm always worried that I've missed someone extraordinary.

When it comes to mystery/suspense,
I love some of the early ones, to see where the genre's been: Dashell Hammet, Raymond Chandler and John D MacDonald. And I've got a soft spot for George Higgins, mostly for his dialogue.
Speaking of (pardon the pun), the two others I like for using dialogue to show/don't tell a story are John O'hara and Ring Lardner.

It was kind of funny. I wrote, and submitted, and didn't know until it was accepted that I wrote Romantic Suspense. I've since learned how to break the genre nuances down for my voice, and I love writing what inspires me... which means almost everything! LOL

I recall the phrase in an article that caught my eye one long ago day: “Pathology is a truth seeking business.” The most prolific statement I had read in years. Mind racing, shy but determined to contact him, my voice quavered as I left my name and contact information; I was equally exhilarated and terrified. Not only did he prove to be the most intelligent, kind, and soft-spoken man I have ever met, he was also—as luck would have it—as fascinated by my writing career as I was of his medical career. When he opened his personal library to me, to a storage of medical study that I would not otherwise have had access to, I knew I was entering into an amazing new world. If I respected him on my way in, I viewed him as a god on my way home.

One particular book (from which the mass of my research was acquired) had me crying for weeks. (A newborn with multiple stab wounds was by far the hardest.) But I learned; oh, did I learn. Not only did I absorb the information presented, but also found another mandatory aspect: resolve. The mindset required to confront, to shut down the part of one’s psyche that could not bear to look deeper, in order to see beyond the horror, and find clues…the “truths” he had spoken of. I would study a photo for hours then close the book to make notes. When I had gone as far as I could, I would read on to find out whether I was accurate. This research taught me well beyond images and education; it put me in the heart of my characters. All of them.

When the book was finished, he graciously read every page to ensure I had not failed. (I’m proud to say he found no errors!) His wisdom, his kindness, and efforts…As a writer, I shall remain eternally indebted to this great man and the work to which he has devoted his life and heart.

To those who are both (doctor) and writer, yours will be the books I seek first from the shelves.

…with the exception of my favorite: Dean Koontz, whose amazing talent and personality could not be hidden in pseudonym. Right down to his book dedications, he shines. May he live forever.

LOL Diana. I know the feeling. I haven't been brave enough to attempt literary fiction, but I did try to write an overly serious book or two before I cut to the chase and let myself have fun with a light paranormal romance.

Write what I know is an interesting crux for me. I write Romances that are far flung dark space adventures.

I found early on, I have to "know" my alien planets and cultures in a very real and detailed way before I can plot action in those settings.

In a way it is like historical research, but I have to dig the information out of my imagination, but I can't just make it up.

If I've got a creature that looks like a mix between a llama and a draft horse with long hair, it has to have evolved in an environment where every feature of the animal is a genetic advantage. So the microclimes and the animals that inhabit them have to be meticulous drawing on my own biology experience, and my cultural anthropology experience for the planetary cultures. Everything has to make logical sense to me, or I don't believe it.

I can't pawn anything off as, "Well they're just alien."

It's tough, but it is a lot of fun.

Love this advice. I once wrote a story that really spoke to my heart, and I wasn't sure why, because on the surface it didn't seem to have much to do with me personally. When I finished the first draft and settled down to revise, I figured it out. The story was a rewriting, in metaphorical form, of a life-altering event from my own personal experience. And I didn't even realize it while I was writing.

Karen Duvall, thanks for the rec. I ordered a copy of that book.

I ran across a woman who was trying to get her romance published and not having any luck. While I'm not a romance reader, when she described the book, my first thought was that it sounded outdated. When I asked her further, it turned out that she had been having trouble getting published in another genre and figured romance would be a no-brainer. The last time she'd read a romance was in the 1980's. She had no idea how much it had changed since then.

It pays to read the latest releases.

Right on! This is great advice.

I'd been working on a self-help psychology book proposal for some time, getting stuck on the comp titles section. I had to keep trekking to the bookstore and checking Amazon.com to figure out what the comp titles were. I didn't own any of them and I wasn't reading those types of books. I'd even buy some to read for comparison, but had little enthusiasm for them.

Then, I had a breakthrough moment -- I decided to scratch the proposed traditional self-help book format and go with a different mind-body format. Lo and behold, I had every comp title on my bookshelves, well-read and much-loved. I'm sure this was the right decision.

BookLady wrote: "As I was kicking around ideas for a particular plot one day, my husband broke in. "I know!" he said. "You can make this romance really different! Have them *not* get together at the end."

You made me laugh out loud. My husband gives me the same kind of helpful advice and "surprise ending" ideas! :)

I run a website that helps people interested in starting to write their memoir. Please consider recommending my site if you find people interested in getting help.

http://handhewn.co.nr/

Hey whats up if your looking for a great, free online dating website i would highly suggest Flinghotties.com

Hello, I create custom memoir volumes and journals with thought provoking questions on each page to help those interested in writing a memoir get going. Take a look if you have time! Thanks
http://handhewn.co.nr

Thank god you want adult fantasy.

*keeps polishing manuscript and fretting over her query letter*

Thank you! It's fascinating to see what genres you took on this year. My book is literary fiction, so come January 2nd… ☺

great lineup! can't wait to see them.

*frantically tries to learn how to write a decent query letter*

My thoughts upon reading this post were similar to the first—anonymous—comment.

Though I also feel distinct stress that I need to get this draft of my adult fantasy done.

[Mutters about the pain of having a concise writing style so drafts always have to be expanded and gets back to work]

Gimmie a few months to polish this novel and I can send a fantasy romance your way.

It's a nice feeling when you finally begin to see a pattern happening.

You're quite busy. Funny how life can take a turn in an unpredictable direction. Keeps life interesting.

I've got a historical novel with fantasy elements and a nice little romance. And a query letter...

Have a great holiday season and enjoy the well deserved break. I look forward to reading more of your client's work as I've loved them all so far.

Great, thanks for wanting to see more literary fiction like Jamie.

I'll query on the set date!

Heehee, Kristen, guess what you're getting at the end of January? *More young adult fantasy!!!!* Aren't you excited?

But no worries, you have a month to recover from all these new clients. Congratulations to all of them, by the way.

:) Gabrielle

Right. Come next year, 1 adult sci-fi coming right up :D

I hope you have a wonderful holiday break, enjoying what you like best. :)

Does anybody know what genre are the Harry Potter books belong to?

Thanks for the answer.

Never mind, I found the the answer. They belong in children fantasy.

Your comment about wanting "adult SF and fantasy" is being widely quoted out of context. Some writers are interpreting "adult" rather differently than I think you meant it. You may soon be seeing a deluge of very steamy queries.

I usually don't reach for a holiday book unless its one of my fav authors. Even then...not all the time. Usually they are too gushy. I like a book that takes me deeper into a story and has the power to take me into their world. Holiday books are usually too short and sweet. However, I do know people who like them and I've bought them as gifts if one of the authors was a fav of someone on my list.

Funny, but that's what I assumed. That's rare!

I've got a Christmas story in me, but it's waiting for those reasons. :o) Although, I hope it doesn't have to wait too long or the people who inspired and, hopefully, will enjoy it the most might grow old and pass away before it breaks into print! Maybe I better write it up and give them a copy now.
;)

Hmm...

I have picked up a Christmas story because I wanted to read something "in the season." But that only happened a couple of times. Most years, like everyone else, I'm too busy with other holiday events, to spend much time reading.

Which reminds me. Happy Holidays everyone.

Christie Craig

I wouldn't buy a holiday book even if it was written by my favorite authors. Buying automatically based on name isn't something I do, it's all about content for me.

Just a recommendation--This Year It Will Be Different by Maeve Binchy is a great collection of non-Christmas-y Christmas stories, eatable in a fast short gulp, that I read pretty much every December. Fun reads, and yes, I've given it as a gift. But I love Maeve Binchy anyway.

I rarely buy holiday-themed stories (though I've obviously written them for publishers who wanted them) as I see them merely as a marketing tool. Even stories by my favorite authors that are set around the holidays are rarely as good as their regular stuff. The few I've bought and read generally have come across as something thrown together to meet publisher/holiday criteria, not a true "story of the heart" from an author.

As a rule, I don't buy holiday themed books. However, I did buy one by Janet Evanovich once because I love her so much. And I've bought Christmas story anthologies for my Mom for Christmas.

As kind of a segue on this, regarding short story collections, holiday or not, I've been known to buy anthologies if one of the authors is a favorite of mine. This gives me a chance to sample other authors I haven't read yet, and I've found new favorites this way. I also love it when a story features a favorite series character. 8^) Rachel Caine is famous for posting short stories about her Weather Warden series character Joanne Baldwin on her website. It's great to get a Weather Warden fix between books.

If a big name that I haven't read yet writes a holiday story, I have been known to pick it up.

DH, on the other hand, will buy anything with red and green on the cover. For him, it's a genre. He'll read romance, mystery, whatever ... as long as it's Christmas-themed.

I'm not usually a holiday story reader. It would have to be an author who is an automatic buy for me to pick it up. My To Be Read stack is long enough of things I really want to read, the holiday story has to really catch my eye.

I don't necessarily buy them for myself, but I will buy them for gifts. If I'm spending money anyway during the holidays, I'd rather put it towards the book industry and support authors. Plus you can spend $15-25 on a book (relatively cheap gift), but it's always considered nice and thoughtful.

Fascinating, useful comments, alas I am working now and can't post anything for a day or so! Thanks for addressing this.

I bought two non-holiday books as a holiday treat for myself. One is Christie Craig's Divorced, Desperate and Delicious. The other is Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig. As a gift to a friend, I bought a non-fiction, One Ranger, A Memoir, by H. Joaquin Jackson and David M. Wilkinson.

I buy what appeals to me, no matter what the season. Usually there are enough Christmas stories on TV to satify my holiday spirit.

Happy Holidays to everyone....

Funny you should ask – I just bought two Christmas books on way out of the mall today. It was a mental health necessity. I’d taken my two small children for holiday photos, and it was coming down to book therapy or about a pound of chocolate truffles.

I bought On Strike for Christmas, about a group of women who get tired of working like crazy on holiday preparations that their husbands don't notice or appreciate. And then I bought The Morgue the Merrier, an anthology of Christmas tales set in a haunted morgue-turned-hotel.

But I’m a sucker for holiday books. Last week, I read Mrs. Jeffries and the Silent Knight, which is a continuation of a cozy mystery series that has about a dozen books out right now. I’d never read the series, but I thought it would be a fun way to see what it was about. And then A Catered Christmas, which is another fun cozy.

I belong to a few Yahoo readers loops and a lot of people are posting great recommendations. Based on those, I’ve ordered The Shepherd, The Angel and Walter the Miracle Christmas Dog, as well as Shirley, Goodness and Mercy (about three angels on earth for the holiday season).

Then I’ll probably read one of my favorite Christmas books of all time – The Body in the Transept, which doesn’t sound at all jolly, but it is the first in a wonderful cozy series and it just happens to be set in a little town in England during the holiday season.

Lee Harris’s book, The Christmas Night Murder is also an excellent, quick, holiday stress busting read. And then MaryJanice Davidson’s fourth Betsy Taylor book, Undead and Unreturnable, is set at Christmas time. All good reads and a great way to beat stress. At least until that next trip to the mall.

I've bought and wrapped Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig
for myself. And I'll get A Lick of Frost if Santa doesn't get it for me. I have a story out right now with the Holidays threaded throughout, but I didn't dwell on that fact while marketing, nor did my publisher mention it.

I was stunned by how many big-name authors put out holiday books this year. I work at a public library, and we had an entire cart of them. I broke down and read Heather Graham's Last Noel (which I liked) and Suzanne Brockmann's All Through the Night, which is the next book in her Troubleshooter's series (and enjoyed it).

I'm not a holiday book buyer. I buy books around the holidays, but not because they're holiday-themed. I rarely read a book right after I buy it, unless it's a friend's release. I like to let them sit in the TBR pile for awhile, so whether it's holiday-themed or not makes no difference.

I actually have a holiday book out this year, and it's one of my funnier, lighter Harlequin Americans. The editors asked for a Christmas story for a December release). The Christmas Date is a fun tale of love and romance between the girl next door who's home and hearth and the boy who jetsets and doesn't want to slow down. Throw in some matchmakers from hell who actually try to break the couple up, and you have one of my favorites.

Michele
The Christmas Date, Harlequin American Romance, 12/07

LOL...okay, Michele! You may have just managed to put a large chink in my holiday cynicism! I'll have to get this one when I get to town.

Holiday books that I buy, and I have bought a few here and there, are generally ones that catch my eye... Of course, I have at least a dozen for the kids that we pull out every december and they constitute their nightly reading for most of the month... they're already so hyped up on Christmas coming that they seem more interested in holiday stories because it adds to their fun - and it's a sneaky way to keep them interested in reading when they're overexcited about their surroundings...

I've gotten a few for myself as gifts that I liked, a few years ago it was Skipping Christmas, which was a fun light read. My favorite by a well known author, other than Dickens, is Santa's Evil Twin by Dean Koontz - it's friggin' hysterical!!! All in rhyme, really kind of marketed for kids but older kids and the adults get a real kick out of it.

Re: "The Book Of Thanksgiving: Stories, Poems, and Recipes for Sharing One of America's Greatest Holidays"

Wow! So inspiring! I went and looked it up on Amazon.com, nice Thanksgiving cover. And yet - for Christmas this year, someone's giving me a Kinko's card with $60 on it, so I can get copies of my "Traveling Menstrual Show" printed up and bound...and start selling copies online! Oh, just the thing an agent would not want to hear...it's poetry...about the menstrual cycle...and you created a menstrual holiday, based on one of the poems? And you've been sending out Menstrual Monday Starter Kits, and people have been having parties? So now you're going to self-publish "Traveling Menstrual Show," i.e., "Stories, Poems and Recipes for Sharing One of America's...Most Unusual Holidays?" Oh geez...

Yep, certainly – instead of jumping on the Christmas bandwagon, I've jumped on the Mother's Day bandwagon, since Menstrual Monday "falls, er, spills the Monday before Mother's Day...because menstruation comes before motherhood, and usually long after it, too."

Well, we only go through life once...why not have a little fun? I suppose at some point I will be going to a writer's conference, and will need to say something about Menstrual Monday...an unusual example of what I call "holiday lit," I admit...but that's my "cred" for writing a holiday novel in the first place...

My holiday novel takes the Santa Claus narrative and...well, the intention is not to get anybody in the mood for "mistletoe, nog, and good cheer," but rather...put a spin on Santa, in the way that Gregory Maguire put a spin on the Wicked Witch of the West in "Wicked."

Although "Wicked" is about a witch, it's definitely not marketed as a Halloween book. Which is why I appreciated the observation that:

"...the rest of the year most of us, including bookstores, want to avoid something that so obviously screams Christmas."

My novel doesn't scream Christmas (I now realize). It's about an encounter with an ice-palace-inhabiting female character, who has her own holiday:

"Sprig of forsythia in her hair
Peach and lime on a silver tray
A wild right through the midnight air
Snowspell...in January"

And the novel, in a nutshell, answers the question: "What in god's name do global warming and inner cities have to do with each other?" My "female Santa Claus" is kind of the pivot between the two - the fulcrum, the connection - so when my characters encounter Sonya Chloe, they're encountering a magical being for whom...the solution (one of the solutions) to global warming lies in the inner cities.

Now, it may be the people who are interested in finding out what global warming and inner cities have to do with each other, in the guise of a reworked Santa Claus tale, may be limited...or not?...but I think it's a different set of readers than those who read "holiday lit" to get in the mood for Christmas. So I appreciate everybody's comments, it's helped a lot in figuring out what my novel is and isn't. (And I've been having a hard time figuring it out, and I wrote the thing!)

But then again...yeah, I couldn't help myself...there ARE all kinds of distinctive gifts, food, decorations, party ideas, etc, in the novel...that could be sold in a party kit type thing...that you could purchase right along with the novel!

So maybe I'm back to square one again...in terms of my pitch...

Thanks again for everybody's comments, anyway! I'm getting closer!

Re: "Screaming Christmas"

Just came across this in the news:

“The Arctic is screaming,” said Mark Serreze, senior scientist at the government’s snow and ice data center in Boulder, Colo.

Just last year, two top scientists surprised their colleagues by projecting that the Arctic sea ice was melting so rapidly that it could disappear entirely by the summer of 2040.

This week, after reviewing his own new data, NASA climate scientist Jay Zwally said: “At this rate, the Arctic Ocean could be nearly ice-free at the end of summer by 2012, much faster than previous predictions.”

Being a romance writer, I can't say I mind a fiction influence. ;)

I'd love to hear, from agent and writer both, about the "life" of a book. While I certainly know the basic steps to publication, I'd love an insider's unique view on the process from start to published book on the shelves.

I am curious about how one goes about writing a "Dummies" or "Everything" book. Are the publishers of these books looking for authors to write on topics they'd like to offer, or is it up to the author to propose a topic?

As someone who is just at the querying stage (finished MS, but not published), I'm curious about what happens to the MS between when my agent finds an editor who is interested and when the book gets published.

Jeannie Ruesch covered my question about getting it to the shelves. :)

I looooove the Idiots' Guide and For Dummies books! Keep 'em coming! I have a bunch of 'em.

Dear Poster,

I am one of Jessica's clients and I'm a mystery writer. I lurk on this blog almost daily, but rarely post. One of the reasons is I'm already writing every day and also because I post on my own blog and a blog of Midnight Ink writers.

I think blogs are similiar to cocktail parties. There are a lot of personalities in one room, but some folks just lift their voices louder than others. I believe all of the BookEnds clients feel representated by this blog, however.

Jeannie, I would love to answer any questions you have about the life of a book (at least, from my p.o.v.). It takes me about six months to write and revise each of my mysteries. I then email it to whichever editor is awaiting the manuscript and within a month, they usually provide feedback on the book. Sometimes I do some quick revisions following that editorial letter, but mostly, the book gets circulated among the copy editing team. A few months later, the first round of editing begins. This process lasts for two-three months and the book is edited by many eyes three times. About 10-12 months after I originally turned the book in is when it hits the shelves.

Afterwards: The life of one's published book is amazingly varied. My first mystery, A Killer Collection, debuted Jan. 6,2006. It is already out of print. In other words, the print run sold out and it didn't do well enough to merit another printing. So far, my supper club series, which debuted with Carbs & Cadavers, is still alive, but only the sales numbers can determine how long each book will stay in print.

Does that help with your "life of a book" question? If there's anything else I can answer for you, or for the poster, I will lurk again here later on today.

Cheers,
J.B. Stanley
www.jbstanley.com

JB Stanley's post reminds me of how little I knew about the "post sale" period of a book's life. The author's job doesn't end when the manuscript is accepted by an editor--in fact, a lot of the work is just starting. There can be requests for revision and there will definitely be copy edits to review and page proofs to read--I've discovered those surprise packages generally arrive on a Friday afternoon with instructions to return them "ASAP." I actually had to go over page proofs on the way to my mother in law's funeral, and then find a place where I could FedEx them after we arrived. Jessica has already covered the author's responsibility for post-publication publicity, though the amount of advertising an author does is up to them. I did a lot for my debut book with Kensington, but have backed off on the later releases and concentrated on things that take less time. One thing I can assure you is that life WILL change after your book comes out, especially if you intend to make a career out of your writing. I do four titles a year (two novels and two novellas) and writing is very much a full time occupation. I can honestly say I wouldn't change this life for anything--if you love to write, there is no finer occupation than that of an author.

Diana, I would be curious, too, about the Idiots books. I recently saw the movie "Evan Almighty" and had to laugh at the use of the Idiot's Guide to Building An Arc, by God. LOL Way too funny.

And J.B., thank you. You answered some of my basic questions. I know they would be completely varied by author, which is part of what fascinates me: that the experiences can be basically the same (getting published) and yet so unique to each person. I love seeing how it differs.

I have some other questions, if you don't mind my picking your brain.

How are your deadlines set? How do you propose new books?

And once the book is written and in the editing process, how are titles and book covers decided on? Do you, as the author (or your agent), have any say? Do you get to see the cover before it's finalized?

I was reading another agent's blog about title issues - the publisher came up with one that the writer absolutely hated, so the agent was desperately trying to come up with a new title to appease everyone. When people disagree, who gets the deciding vote?

And I probably should stop because I could keep you here all day. :)

Jeannie

Kate, I assume all of that proofing, editing and such happens alongside writing a new book? Or do you focus (if you have the luxury, I imagine, and time to do so) on getting that one out the door before moving forward?

I am trying to establish a work ethic now - timeframe to write, edit and move on, etc- that will work when (being positive!) I get published. So it helps to know what the other side of the business looks like. :)

And publicity is another beast, I imagine. I have a background in marketing and communications, so I know the sheer effort it can take to publicize anything or anyone. How much of your time, would you say, you devote to publicity?

And thank you as well, for indulging my questions!

Jeannie

Jeannie,

I'm not Kate or JB, but I've stumbled over here today, so I'll give my two cents.

The thing to remember is often the process, while somewhat standard--at least at NY publishers--does vary from book to book and from house to house. I usually get only get copy edits and page proofs--and yes, they do come while you are working on the next book, and usually when you are just getting up steam and into that new project! I can't proof and write at the same time, so I have to put aside the new book to work on the book in production--and then get back into it once I send the production book back to my editor.

I actually came up with my book titles--well, I came up with The Naked Duke and everything has followed--Nakedly--from there. But I would say most times the house comes up with the title, though usually there is some back and forthing. I had no say on my covers--I think only the very big names do--but I was very happy, so no problems. I guess if there was something I really didn't like, I'd see what Jessica could do. But it is usually better to keep in mind that the house's sales/marketing team just might have a better idea of what will get people to pick up a book than the author--there are unfortunate mistakes, of course, but that is their area of expertise. They want the book to sell, too.

I pick my deadlines when I sign a new contract, but--and I'm in that position now--when the date approaches, if I'm running late, I contact my editor. If the book is on a tight production schedule, the author had better turn it in on time. But if the deadline really has no direct bearing on the production/scheduling of the book, then there's more wiggle room.

The house will schedule books way in advance--I think 2008 is probably already pretty full at my house, but 2009 isn't on the boards yet, though they have already got books coming in for that year--I'm contracted for a novel and novella for 2009. The actual scheduling--slots and what not--is another whole topic.

As to how I propose new books, I've been lucky--I just say, well, I'll do something Naked. (Though I'm running out of Naked guys and will have to come up with a new idea soon.) The contract is usually for a book or two with an option on the next work. So, for the option book, most folks do a synopsis and three chapters--but again, that can vary.

Hope that helps.

FWIW, I read this blog because I'm interested in learning about what BookEnds is looking for, how they select the writers they represent, and what they think about the industry.

I can read interviews with authors elsewhere.

I'm one of those who reads agent blogs primarily to learn more about the agent/agency/industry. I tend to skip over the author blogs posted to agency blogs UNLESS that author publishes in a sub-genre in which I write. Then I tend to get more interested, because learning about the author is another way to learn about the BookEnds agency.

If I want to read author's postings, I go to author blogs. Primarily.

I am also very curious about the Idiot's Guides. These are very well read, usually of very high quality, and quite useful.

I've long wanted to write the Idiot's Guide to Community Organizing and/or Nonprofit Management, but I have no idea how they select the titles and authors, either. I do not think either of these topics exists as in a concise, easily read guide yet.

I read this blog primarily for advice . . . no matter the genre being discussed, I've learned a lot.

Jeannie R: Sally gave you an excellent answer to your question and I agree with her--I can't work on more than one project at a time, so when copy edits or page proofs show up, I get them done and back to my publisher asap. As far as work ethic--panic is a great motivator. I work seven days a week, but because of that, if I have to take a day off for something else I can do it without guilt. The thing is, when you love what you do, it really isn't work.

My contracts have all been for three novels and three novellas each, so I know well in advance when the work will be due. I make a point of meeting my deadlines whenever I can, but if I know I will be late, I always let my editor know as soon as I recognize the problem, and then I try and get the work done ahead of the extended deadline. That's only happened a couple of times--it's an envelope I don't ever want to push.

As far as publicity...that's a whole other blog! Feel free to write me off line at [email protected]

Thank you, JB, Kate and Sally. I fear I have hijacked this blog post with my questions, but I appreciate your time in answering them for me!

Jeannie

Jeannie,

You ask all you want, darling. We writers have to help one another. In truth, the writing community is quite small and I have found that the majority of published writers are more than willing to speak openly and often about the process. I wish you great success in your endeavors and if you ever want to ask more questions, pop over to my site. My email is there and I'd be glad to be of service. Have a lovely week. :) JB

Okay, this really long...

I like reading the author blogs. I like to see what else BookEnds has out. As for blogs, I have one coming out next week, on Dec. 14. I'll talk a little about the story behind my Harlequin NASCAR release.

It's the first book Jessica sold for me. She fought to keep the title, Hart's Victory.

To me, the author blogs show the author and his/her personality. This is the person the agent said "yes" to working with. Hart's Victory is the total opposite of the erotic romance Jessica also handles. Yet the book is extremely emotional and every reviewer has said you need tissues while reading it.

The author blog tells you a little bit about what makes that person so special, and why that agent and author might have connected in the way that they did. I love reading posts by Kate Douglas and Christie Craig. I got to meet them March 06 and because we are all so different, there wasn't any "I feel less of a client." That's the thing about agencies--you can feel a little like the least favored wife in a polygamous marriage. I feel no such lack of love at BookEnds. In fact, I know a few big name authors who have left big name agencies because they got lost in the shuffle of too many big names.

For BookEnds to highlight an author and BookEnds client is good business for everyone. After all, BookEnds is also here to sell its clients books. Putting the books out shows the diversity the agency has, which helps attract other talent to query the agency. Read what BookEnds sold. It might not be in a genre you write, but that might be a good thing. When I write, I read mystery and suspense. Reading other romance works when I read mine makes me think mine sucks. I get lost in comparison.

The author blogs also allow the opportunity to ask questions. Your time is always better spent writing the best book possible, which is really what sells the next one, not my blog.

And as for publication time, I have a book due 1/5. I have one page of 320 written. The deadline cannot be extended. I work full time but can easily do 5-10 pages a day, up to 40 when I have 12 hours straight. I don't have a set writing time. I write in big spurts.

As for my book, it will be done for it must be done--the book is out in September with a title given to it by the publisher and a cover I won't see until the send it to me.

Michele Dunaway
Hart's Victory, Harlequin NASCAR, 12/07
The Christmas Date, Harlequin American Romance, 12/07
The Marriage Recipe, Harlequin American Romance, 4/08
Out of Line, Harlequin NASCAR, 6/08
Tailspin, Harlequin NASCAR, 9/08

Thanks to the authors who wrote about what happens after your book is sold. I knew the basics, but didn't know how long the various stages might take.

Jessica, I keep trying to send this blog question to the e-mail address listed on the blog, but it keeps getting bounced. Do agents submit a manuscript to the acquisitions editor at each imprint (meaning, if the house excepts unagented manuscripts, it goes through the same editor whether you have an agent or not) or do agents somehow bypass the acquisitions editor and send their queries directly to any editor working at the imprint that might be interested in the manuscript? I've read one agent blog that seems to say the first option and another agent blog that implies the second option.

Re: "..I keep trying to send this blog question to the e-mail address listed on the blog, but it keeps getting bounced."

Hi Deborah,

Just FYI, I did send an email to [email protected] 11/19/07 and it did go through (at least, it didn't bounce)...maybe you could try sending an email through a different email address, if you have another one? I find a yahoo email address seems to work, when my other, more "idiosyncratic" email addy's get bounced (not very often, but sometimes).

Wanda

Michele: great post and you're right about feeling special with this agency. I don't think any of the BookEnds clients are anything like one another, but when we get together we all click. Must be the common denominator of the agency, or maybe our agents know what kinds of people will get along. (Yep, that's it. We're not accepted because of our skill in telling a story but how well we'll get along at the annual bash at RWA...) And thank you for posting your deadline...mine's not until January 15 and I've got a little over 100 pages done. I don't feel NEARLY as panicky now!

I check out Jessica's blogs all of the time. (Personally, I think she should mine this material and compile an ebook or three) Her advice is great. Coming from the film industry, it is shocking to me to see that agents can actually be generous to non-clients. In the film and TV arena, the agents are surrounded by gatekeepers and threshold guardians to make sure everyone on the inside feels "special" and to make sure everyone on the outside feels, ah, "outside". If my poker book, Screw Your Neighbor, gets picked up, I would be proud to blog here. But 'til then I guess the film industry has beat me down: I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy.

Being new to this process...one thing that I have learned is that the actual book proposal process is fun but more importantly educational. Feedback and advice that I got along the way from Jessica and an editor at National Lampoon helped me understand how audiences and publishers think. In creating a 10-30 page argument for your book (in a proposal), you can start seeing whether there is a unique book there worth writing.

Jim, good luck and hang on. I felt the same way about the print industry for many years. When I finally struck gold, it took me a full year to believe I really was published and fulfilling a dream I'd had for so long it had become an "impossible fantasy." Now it's possible and I'm loving it, but you have to stick it out until the fantasy becomes reality, and that requires not quitting. Best of luck to you.

I love your advice for writers not to get ahead of themselves. You've got to be kidding? Everyone knows "obsessive writer" is about as redundant as you can get, assuming said writer is unpublished.

That being said, your post leads me to a burning question, specifically, about submitting to BookEnds.

Several years ago, Jacky requested/read/passed on a partial of my first novel. Recently, Kim requested a partial of the same novel (the novel has been extensively rewritten) and, realistically, I believe she'll pass too.

The question: I'm now close to finishing another project that is in an entirely different genre from the first novel, a genre that more closely matches Jacky's list than Kim's. How do I submit without offending anyone at the agency?

(PS Never submitted to Jessica because she didn't appear to be a match for my first novel.)

For the poster I'd say first beware of the "gentleman" who has a platform in the first place. Often people think they are more important than they are and when push comes to shove have no more clout than any unpublished writer in gaining representation. Do not do ONE OUNCE of work on these nonfiction books until you have a contract from a publisher.

And if this guy is so "connected" as to warrant interest in a book by him (ghostwritten by you), then he should be able to land an agent for this and not put that off on you. Also, and not to knock you in any way, but if he's legit, why would he want an unpublished author (with a yet unproven sales record)to handle something that he's got such a great platform for?

I was approached by someone (through a third party) to write their biography once. But gee, they weren't famous -- at least not famous enought that I knew off the bat who they were. Oh, and also, they claimed to "know" publishers and people in the industry. Um, yeah, then why were they asking a CHILDREN'S fiction writer to write a non-fiction biography?

Be careful. You could be opening a can of worms you don't want to open.

Re the ghostwriting job.

If someone really has a strong platform, publishers often assign their own ghostwriters to work with them. In fact, MOST of the nonfiction you read that is supposedly written by famous doctors, etc, is actually ghostwritten, though no writer credit may appear anywhere in the book.

When I sold my first nonfiction book I was told by the editor that it was unusual for them to be able to skip the professional rewrite stage, as they did with my book, because most professionals wrote so poorly!

So I agree that you shouldn't do any work for this supposed expert on spec. If your person with the "platform" can't write a decent nonfiction proposal that generates interest, there's no point in going forward. Especially since the publisher may assign a writer.

BTW, I have learned from friends that the same is true with illustrating children's books. The publisher may assign an illustrator, and more than one artist has wasted a lot of time doing illustrations for an author who ended up selling the book to a publisher who replaced the illustrator with their own choice.

Thanks, Jessica. I had a potential ghostwriting client who wanted an unpublished author in part to avoid these problems. I am glad it fell through now after reading this, as I really don't understand the industry to start with, let alone getting embroiled in a conflict like this.

(I thought at first it would be easy, y'see)

Thanks again for your help.

Great post.
So what is hot NOW.
And I'm not asking because I want to write about that subject. I'm just curious.
What subjects are on editors list that are not being filled. And if you get a submission you know it'll sell easier.

Do you think the paranormal/urban fantasy trend will "die" soon? As one of the readers who never liked this trend, I am eagerly waiting for other sub-genres to get an upswing. Fantasy-romance (i.e. fantasy in a non-contemporary setting with strong romance elements) would be my dream...

Selene

I think another lesson to be learn is once we do published to work our butts off building our own readership that will carry us beyond the trends!

Count me as a reader who if she sees one more vampire on the cover of a book she might just... well, I don't know what I'm going to do I just know I'm so sick of vampires!!!

Funny vampires, sad vampires, sexy vampire, erotic vampires, moody vampires.

How about some regular men. How about that?

As for what's next... we'll see, but I bet there's a shift away from the dark. It's time to pull back the curtains and let some light in.

That should take care of those vampires.

reality,

With the time necessary to get a book from first draft to a finished book on the bookseller's bookshelf, you should be asking what's hot in a year or two. Because what's how NOW will be flooded by then.

Selene, you should check out C.L. Wilson. She's got a big high fantasy-romance series coming out this fall called TAIREN SOUL. Sold at auction and everything.

The lesson here is to write what you love, and not what's trendy.

That's why I wrote a novel about an orphaned teenager being raised in a school for wizards who falls in love with a vampire, then travels through time while giving out diet advice.

I also manage to work a cat and a number into the title of each installment, if you're interested.

<peeve>

Reality:
When you want to ask a question, it's conventional to use question marks.

</peeve>

reid- if you ever write/publish the books you mention in comments, I'm so getting in the front of the line. Or begging review copies.

bryan,
Thanks for the response. As I said I am just curious to find out. I do not intend to change my writing style or subject because of what's hot today. You are right; trends die.

Diana,

Thanks! I'm always on the lookout for good novels. I will definitely check them out.

Selene

I had this hit home when I was talking to a very successful writer of what I guess you would call horror or dark suspense. He'd changed agents lately and he'd commented that one of the things his agent had been interested in was his current shift from supernatural to paranormal. I have to admit, particularly as a writer of so-called "realistic" action-thrillers (or political thrillers or action-adventure or...) that I'm hard-pressed to figure out what the difference is. But in somebody's mind there is one.

Even the publishers don't know what to call the various genres. My first contract for my Wolf Tales series was for "erotica." The second contract was for "erotic romance." Sub-genres are an ever-evolving part of this business. It all goes back to that old line all of us have heard from an editor at one time or another: Write your own book. Of course, when writers DO write their own books and catch an editor or agent's attention, it's probably because they've done something unique, which often requires blending genres...and once again confusing everyone! I DO love this business!

I should have mentioned in my comment that, while my contracts are for two totally different sub-genres, the stories are still the same!

Thank you so much!

Some of my stories' sub-genres are clear from the moment they pop into my head, but some remain difficult to define until the end. This is another aspect of the business I'll be more than happy to hand over to an agent and/or editor.

And then there are the times you plan to write one kind of story, and the characters keep insisting on another...

Even the way the publisher markets the book doesn't affect where the book might land in the bookstore or the library. In my Borders, all thrillers end up in the mystery section, regardless of whether it's a crime novel or an adventure novel. But in my B&N, the non-crime thrillers end up in general fiction. At the library, I've seen several series authors wind up with books in the general fiction and detective fiction--and all the same thriller series.

It was greatly confusing to me when I started writing my first book because I could never quite figure out where it fit. It had a crime in it, so it seemed like mystery, only when I read mystery books, it didn't feel like a mystery. I read books on how to write mysteries, and again, my story just didn't seem to fit. It was thriller, but it was so hard to tell where it might fit because similar books always seemed to be shelved in different places.

But if I were trying to figure out where I fit now, I think I would even be more confused. Reading lots and lots and lots of thrillers was the only way I was ever able to begin to sort it out. Otherwise, I'd probably be sending out my action-adventure as mystery or mainstream fiction because that's how it looks in my bookstore.

Oh, I hear ya, Laura. Characters can be so pushy sometimes!

This gets even trickier when you are doing something that is cross genres. How do you market something that has sci fi elements but is set primarily in medieval Wales? I'm still not sure what to classify my story as, but scifi-historical just sounds a little off.

jduncan, I'd think Paranormal Historical. I've got something similar set during the Battle of Britain (WWII.) Of course, I've been warned Historicals set after the turn of the 20th century don't usually get bought. But, the Muse can be tough to argue with, yanno. She's a stubborn old hag.