Indie Authors Monthly Magazine For Authors and Readers discussion

Deidre's here until 3:30 - so you have another hour to get your questions in!

<@Deirdre Yup, that's what I wanted to know. Thank you for being honest. :)

I noticed that your series have Midnight in both. Are they in any way related to each other?
(Gods of Midnight and Midnight Warriors)

Thanks, Lynne and Tambra! And, yes, I love "next gen" type stories, too. Especially in a futuristic storyline like this one, where so much of the plot/thematic arc was about playing around with time, well, it feels natural to me. BUT...I should tease and say the series will still be time travel. :)

Mskchick, I can't go too much into where the story's world will be then because it leapfrogs off where Chris's story ends. :) But good question! Bwaahaaa

Mskchick, great question! I'm curious to know the answer too.

Tambra

G.G. wrote: "<@Deirdre Yup, that's what I wanted to know. Thank you for being honest. :)

I noticed that your series have Midnight in both. Are they in any way related to each other?
(Gods of Midnight and Midn..."

Totally unrelated. Was a branding "hiccup" in my opinion. In the reissue I've mostly dropped Midnight Warriors in favor of PARALLEL series. It does come up some in descriptions as we wanted original fans to easily find the new versions.

Mskchick, great question! I'm curious to know the answer too.

Tambra

So here's MY question: what do you guys (fans of the series and my Spartans, etc) most want to see me publish next?? The next Spartan book, another Parallel book....?

Deidre wrote: "So here's MY question: what do you guys (fans of the series and my Spartans, etc) most want to see me publish next?? The next Spartan book, another Parallel book....?"

Another Parallel book!

Okay! Good to know! (I don't think you're alone...)

That's a really hard question because I love both series.

I know you're time is extremely limited but my first answer was going to be switch off so I could have both.

Tambra

Since we seem to be out of questions, I'm going to take the liberty of posting clear links to each book in the PARALLEL series. :)

Another question I am sure people asked you many times already but... Do you always take the same cover artists for all your books or just for a series and you change or...

Tambra wrote: "That's a really hard question because I love both series.

I know you're time is extremely limited but my first answer was going to be switch off so I could have both.

Tambra"

In all likelihood, since I have about 125 pages done on the next Spartan book, that will arrive next.

Deidre, are you still accepting new clients at this time?

Tambra

Thanks for doing this chat, Deidre!

Yep Thank you!

It's great that we're getting new books from you. I've missed your wonderful storytelling.

Thank you for doing the chat!

Tambra wrote: "Deidre, are you still accepting new clients at this time?

Tambra"

On a very limited basis (me, personally, I mean. As an agency, we are all looking...) I definitely read *all the time*, looking, wanting to find someone new. But I have to be super selective because of how much of my work life goes into also running TKA. In other words, a lot of work and thought is going into the digital program we have going for clients, also working with foreign rights, interacting with our marketing and publicity team, etc. THAT SAID (major emphasis), I am always looking, and now more than I was for quite a while. It can be all about timing, as well. :)

Awww, you're so welcome, guys! You're the best. And, Tambra, thank you for the kind words. I've really missed writing those books.

I think Deidre's books would be a good Christmas present for the book lover in your life (that includes yourself).
Just a suggestion...*grin*

I have to buy my grandson's birthday gift and I'm done with my shopping.

Tambra wrote: "I think Deidre's books would be a good Christmas present for the book lover in your life (that includes yourself).
Just a suggestion...*grin*

I have to buy my grandson's birthday gift and I'm don..."
HA! You are GOOD, woman. I have so much shopping left. Well that's an over-statement. But I have to get my act together and finish on up, esp as I do most online! Okay, well looks like we are winding down here. Any last questions?

I heard paranormal romance is a hard sell but contemporary is selling well again. How about Scottish historical romance?

Tambra

I actually have still had some folks looking for Scottish historicals in past months. I wouldn't say it's *hot* as a genre, but it's one of the only historical genres that is working a bit still.

That's good to hear. I love them and have wanted to write at least one.
I tried to get David to wear a kilt for our wedding. I got a quick refusal. He's 6'2" and has the legs for it. *sigh* I tried.

Thank you!

Tambra wrote: "That's good to hear. I love them and have wanted to write at least one.
I tried to get David to wear a kilt for our wedding. I got a quick refusal. He's 6'2" and has the legs for it. *sigh* I trie..."
That's hysterical! Way to try, right?!

Okay, gang, I have to jet! Thanks so much for showing up! I'll check back over the weekend and see if any stragglers posted! Thanks so much to this awesome group for inviting me, to J.J. for coordinating this! It's been super wonderful! THANK YOU!!

Deidre, thanks so much for joining us today!

J.J. wrote: "Deidre, thanks so much for joining us today!"
Thanks for having me!!

Sorry I missed this, I had hoped to be back in time to join but will read and get caught up.

Rose wrote: "Sorry I missed this, I had hoped to be back in time to join but will read and get caught up."

Rose, going to keep eye on thread over the weekend, much as I can. So you can still post and will reply later this weekend. Thanks!

Thanks Deidre. Your books look exciting and I can't recall very many Sci-Fi books with romance as a main theme with the exception of the ones involving time travel. A few questions if you check back in. What is the value in having an agent and how do authors find the right one and get them interested in their work? I noticed you had a lot of ratings and reviews and was wondering how hard it is to ignore the bad ones (yours are mostly great). Last a question related to my first book which contains a Lesbian relationship. Is there a market for this with mainstream readers? I did not market my book as LGBT but I am wondering if maybe I should do so with the second in the series?

Rose wrote: "Thanks Deidre. Your books look exciting and I can't recall very many Sci-Fi books with romance as a main theme with the exception of the ones involving time travel. A few questions if you check b..."

Hi, Rose!
Missed this one till now, sorry. Lots of good questions, several of which require a more thoughtful reply. I'm going to wait and swing by later today or tomorrow as I'm in the midst of Monday crazies! :) The one quick answer I CAN give pertains to bad reviews. I won't say they're not painful, especially when someone uses a cutesy type title for it, like, oh, "Blah, blah, blah..." You have to wonder if folks like that have even an inkling of how much blood, sweat and tears go into writing ANY book, no matter how good or bad. But I digress.

I think being an agent gives me a unique awareness that what one person really can't stand is, quite simply, another reader's crack. If you're writing something that challenges readers or takes chances, you're going to generate varied and sometimes polarizing reactions. As an agent, I can make a submission to ten people and of those, 8 editors may pass with lukewarm or even negative reactions. The other two, however, may go wild for the book or series and get in a bidding war.

As another example, my most successful book as an agent, 90 Minutes in Heaven, was passed on by all publishers who looked at it, except the one that bought it. It went on to spend almost 5 years on the NYT.

So, I try and just tell myself, "Not everyone will like or get my books or what I want to say. But that doesn't make my work inherently wrong or flawed." But I also try to be continually growing. I improved a lot as a writer since the Parallel books were originally issued. I would like to think new reviews will be higher than the original ones. So I do my best to leave my ego out of it and work on getting better. Not always easy, b/c as authors our books come from our hearts. But the more we can remember that we're artists, and that involves making ourselves vulnerable, the less we will suffer, I think. :)

I'm sorry I missed this, but as I'm seeing activity today and as Deidre mentioned she would be back tomorrow I'll throw out a question in hopes of an answer.

Deidre, I've heard agents actually accept more or reject more queries depending on the time of the year. For example, Spring has more rejects since everyone wants to be outside so the slush pile is scanned faster, and Winter has more accepts since people don't mind being inside so the slush pile is scanned in more detail.

Have you seen this in your career? Does this apply to you? Is there a time of year you tend to accept or reject more queries?

Thanks Diedre, having worked in a bookstore for the last eight years I can say that book was a hugely popular one. Nice. I also appreciate the answer on the reviews. I am interested in your thoughts on the rest if you get a chance to stop back in.

Rose I'm definitely going to come back by later! And also saw I had another question and will also reply to that as well!

Rose wrote: "Thanks Deidre. Your books look exciting and I can't recall very many Sci-Fi books with romance as a main theme with the exception of the ones involving time travel. A few questions if you check b..."

Okay, to answer your question about the value of an agent. I could basically do a whole seminar series on that one. :) Hence why I had to wait and come back when I had a moment to reply. First, an agent's whole job is to manage your career, help develop ideas with you, help you publicize your work (not as a publicist, which is a full-time job, but in terms of social media and newsletters, etc.) We are out in trenches full-time, privy to conversations about market trends, opportunities, and so forth. Can't tell you how many times I've placed even a debut author based on learning that a publisher was looking for a particular type of project or author.

A writer's main job, even in this current climate, is to write the best books possible. Without an agent, they're forced to spend a lot more time thinking about the market, exploring opportunities, yet their ear isn't to the ground in the same way an agent's is when it comes to those avenues. Beyond that, writing can be so very solitary, but with an agent (and a full agency team) behind the author, they can get vital feedback on ideas and material, helping them to be the best writer possible.

And of course there's the negotiating of contracts and deal. Even with smaller digital publishers, an agent can get modifications or small advances, and they know from experience what sort of in-roads are possible with a house. The landscape is changing so rapidly right now, having a knowledgeable advocate is more important than ever. Hope this helps.

Helps a lot, Deidre. Thank you! I am the kind of person that focuses on one thing at a time and right now I am so focused on the marketing part I find it hard to get back to writing.

Jevon wrote: "I'm sorry I missed this, but as I'm seeing activity today and as Deidre mentioned she would be back tomorrow I'll throw out a question in hopes of an answer.

Deidre, I've heard agents actually acc..."

Hi, Jevon!
Sorry to be slow in replying. That time of year! LOL! As for when we are more receptive, it doesn't have anything to do with the time of year. In fact, over the summer I may actually be inclined to do MORE reading as things are slower. But the industry involves so much ebb/flow. For instance, Dec is historically slow with deals, but we've had a HUGE month, placing authors with new publishers, etc. It might be our biggest Dec to date. Same for summer. Historically slow, but I've done some of my biggest deals ever.

It's probably my sales background talking, but I tend to scoff at ideas of "best times" to sell, submit, etc, because I think there's always magic to be made. The only time I think is BAD to query would be actually over the holiday, and folks do that a lot. But the net result is we all come back in January to a deluge of queries (and I usually feel a little like, "Do they not think I deserve a holiday, too?" esp when a query arrives in my personal email on Christmas DAy! LOL! (It's happened.)

Anyway, the biggest factor is also the least predictable one: when are agents really looking to add clients to their roster, and that is often impacted by their list. In other words, if someone has just left my stable, I may feel particularly inspired to find a new voice. If I've recently placed a lot of people, and my writers are all busy working and fulfilling contracts, I become extra eager to find new people.

I know this is all very vague and probably not what you wanted, so let me add this final wisdom. A great book will always find a home or agent, and you DO make your own magic. That's not dependent on time of year, but the quality of your work and the force of your determination. :)
Happy holidays!

Rose wrote: "Helps a lot, Deidre. Thank you! I am the kind of person that focuses on one thing at a time and right now I am so focused on the marketing part I find it hard to get back to writing."

I'm glad, Rose! I think the most important thing writers should be doing, esp in this market, is writing the best books possible. If self-publishing, frequency is important too. But I think that the market is becoming harder to follow, as it's ever-changing and shifting, so having an advocate who can really help guide you is more important than EVER. Especially so a writer can take advantage of additional opportunities.

Hope everyone is having a great holiday season!