Round Three from CCMWG: Linda Rodriguez on Writing and Publishing Novels with the Big Five

Linda Rodriguez at CCMWG

Attending Linda Rodriguez's session at the CCMWG conference was like taking a master class on how to survive and thrive with the Big Five. (Hey, did I just type a rhyme?)

Linda has an impressive list of credentials as a writer, poet, and university administrator. In 2012, her debut novel, Every Last Secret, was the winner in St. Martin's/Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition. Her third novel in the Skeet Bannion series, Every Hidden Fear, was published this year.

During her presentation, she explained that with recent changes in the publishing industry, what once was the Big Six publishing houses is now the Big Five. Where editors with a passion for books used to make final decisions, now MBAs and "bean counters" are in charge.

Linda got her first big break in the mainstream fiction market when she won the St. Martin's Press Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition in 2012. As the contest winner, she received a generous advance on publication of her book.

How did she do it?

* She wrote a novel (which she revised and rewrote and fine-tuned).

* She belonged to a critique group and got professional and honest feedback for her novel.

* She hired a professional freelance editor.  She emphasized that no matter how good a writer you are, you should hire a professional editor--and, she emphasized you should make sure the editor you hire is reputable. An editor can help with the last little bit to improve your novel. She also observed that as a result of downsizing and outsourcing by major publishers, there are some highly qualified and experienced freelance editors available for hire.

(Linda's advice on hiring a professional, reputable, and an experienced editor struck a chord with me. Before hiring an editor (or a proofreader, etc.), I believe it's a good idea to ask about their background, training, experience, and references. Just because someone has a blog or a website claiming they are an editor or has the word "editor" printed on their business cards doesn't automatically make them qualified, professional, or reputable. Ask for credentials and references.)

* She entered her novel in a contest.

* She won the contest.

**

Here are a few other notes I jotted down: 

Develop a platform while writing your first book.

Know that contracts are always weighted to give advantage to the publisher.

Find a good agent to help you get a contract favorable to you. 

Attending conferences, joining professional organizations, and networking can help land an agent--and get you and your book noticed.

In traditional publishing the first four-six weeks after a book is published are a measure of success.

Traditional publishers expect every book to do better than the previous one.

By the fourth book, publishers expect a breakout novel.

Writing a great book isn't enough.

Writing is a business. Writers need to become business oriented.

Make an annual marketing plan.

Learn to prioritize.

Balance time between promotion and writing.

Use social media, but don't hammer your book to people.

Get your followers to like you.

Don't spam everyone to buy your book.

Group blogs are a plus. She belongs to two.

Life happens, be flexible.

To learn more about Linda and her books, visit her blog.

Imo's, Good Pizza and Good Business

About a month ago I complained about getting "Ripped Off by J.C. Penney" after an incident at a local Penney's store. Since then I've received several coupons in the mail --- one if I spend $10 they will take $10 off my bill. Although that $10 coupon was very tempting, I haven't budged. Instead I've been shopping at Kohl's.

Today I want to share a story of a situation where Imo's, a local chain restaurant, took an opposite approach when one of its employees made a mistake.

A couple weeks ago, after one of my granddaughter's soccer games, my family stopped to grab lunch at a local pizzeria. Imo's pizza is a local brand known for its thin crust as a "square beyond compare."  For lunch, the grandkiddos (and granddaughter's boyfriend) ordered pizzas, 20 hot wings, and sodas. I opted for pasta and salad.  The tab came to $44 plus change.

I put the order on my credit card and we all headed for a table. While I ate my salad, the cashier came out and told me he had charged me for 30 wings rather than 20 and asked me to sign a new credit slip, which came to about $38. As I signed the second charge slip, he insured me the first charge would be voided.

A couple days later when my husband was checking my credit card charges on line he noticed both charges appeared on my card. My pizza/chicken wing/pasta/salad lunch bill was now over $80. Yikes!

"Get me that receipt," he said, "and I'll take care of it."

After I dug the receipt out of my cavernous purse, hubby called the restaurant and explained the situation. The manager apologized and promised to take care of it right away.

Two days later hubby checked again and both charges were still there. He called the restaurant again. By that time it was too late for the restaurant to adjust the charge and he suggested hubby call the main office, which he did. Because it was too late for even the main office to remove the charge, the supervisor there gave the option of getting a credit at the restaurant that made the mistake or receiving a check for the $44 plus change. Hubby opted for the check.

A few days later a check arrived in the mail, along with a written apology and a gift card for $20.

So, while the Imo's restaurant made a mistake, they corrected it right away. They not only refunded our overcharge, but also sent a gift card and an apology.

Now, that's the way to do business and keep customers coming back--and their pizza really is a "square beyond compare."

Spotlight On - Dianna Graveman and 2 Rivers Communications and Design

As a freelance writer, I'm happy when I am given assignments and get paid for what I love to do -- write. And I'm inspired when I hear about other freelancers who make the most of their writing gifts. 

Dianna Graveman is a dynamic writer and friend who has done just that. Her talent, enthusiasm, and energy are inspiring.

Dianna Graveman is a freelance writer, a teacher, a speaker, and an editor who recently established her own communications business: 2 Rivers Communications & Design. 

I've known Dianna for almost ten years through Saturday Writers, and for about eight years through the Missouri Writers' Guild. Over the past year we have become even better friends through In Vino Veritas (in wine there is truth), a small group of writing friends who get together each month. At IVV we exchange ideas, discuss writing, share stories, and talk about whatever else comes to mind --- oh, and we also toast our accomplishments with a glass of wine.

During a recent IVV dinner I was excited to learn about Dianna's latest venture: 2 Rivers Communications & Design. Her new enterprise specializes in offering business communications and editorial services for any size project. With Dianna's experience in writing, publishing, teaching, marketing, and corporate communications, she delivers high quality products and services.

What's so impressive to me is the wide-range of services Dianna provides from editing manuscripts, writing newsletters, producing brochures, speaking, even designing business cards and menus.

And I know from experience the quality of Dianna's services and her reliability to deliver more than what is expected.

Several years ago when I was President of the Missouri Writers' Guild and looking for a contest judge, I asked Dianna if she would help out. She did not hesitate and got her results to me earlier than the deadline. When I needed a speaker for Saturday Writers, Dianna and her husband Don talked to our group about the historic books they co-wrote. When I wanted to interview a published writer on my blog, she agreed and also has donated copies of her books as giveaways. I know for a fact that she has done the same to help other writers.

Dianna is the current editor for the Missouri Writers' Guild newsletter, and she has done a remarkable job with the design and content of the newsletter and has testimonials to prove it!

So, if you're looking for a talented writer to edit your manuscript, need a creative mind to design your blog or develop Power Point charts for a business presentation, or if you need help with any writing project, I highly recommend Dianna Graveman. She is a gifted writer with lots of creative ideas who delivers a quality product on time. If you'd like more info about Dianna or 2 Rivers Communications and Design, visit her website.