Blogger: Rachel Zurakowski
Location: Books & Such main office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
This week I’m going to talk about something we all hate: rejection. Unfortunately rejection is a big part of a writer’s life, and it’s also a big part …
FAQ: How much will an agent do to help with producing a book?
Blogger: Rachel Zurakowski
Location: Books & Such Main Office; Santa Rosa, Calif.
An author emailed us a couple of questions, which I’m going to spend today answering.
Here are the questions:
“How willing is an agent to help an author …
FAQ: How much will an agent do to help with producing a book?Read More
The Importance of Page One
Blogger: Rachel Zurakowski
Location: Books & Such main office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
The first page of your manuscript is more important than you might imagine. You want the opening paragraphs to shine because, it turns out, if they don’t stand …
Are you really writing a unique project?
Blogger: Rachel Zurakowski
Location: Books & Such Main Office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Because we receive so many proposals at our office, I see a number of projects that look pretty much the same–and I don’t mean style-wise. As I read …
Writing for poodle owners with ’67 Mustangs?
Blogger: Rachel Zurakowski
Location: Books & Such Main Office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
As I’m reading proposals, so often I see really great writing, but the project has little hope of publication because the audience is so small. Here are some …
Is your “style” taking away from your writing?
Blogger: Rachel Zurakowski
Location: Books & Such Main Office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
I read at least three proposals from potential clients every week, sometimes more. In many of these proposals, I notice common writing errors, and I’d like to point …
Why Are We Drawn to Certain Books?
Blogger: Rachel Zurakowski
Location: Books & Such main office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Last week one of my clients pointed out that I’d been reading a lot of Jane Austen-related books. He saw on the “What We’re Reading” box on the …
Attractive Author Qualities: Discernment
Blogger: Rachel Zurakowski
Location: Books & Such Main Office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
The final author quality I’m going to cover this week is discernment. Discernment is, essentially, the ability to make wise choices. It’s being able to weigh multiple …
Attractive Author Qualities: Professionalism
Blogger: Rachel Zurakowski
Location: Books & Such Main Office; Santa Rosa, Calif.
The third quality I admire in authors is professionalism. I’m not saying that you need to wear a suit and tie or a dress and nylons whenever …
Attractive Author Qualities: Perseverance
Blogger: Rachel Zurakowski
Location: Books & Such Main Office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Last week, Wendy Lawton blogged about authors who persist to the point of pestering or harassing an agent or editor. Persistence without first acquiring a teachable spirit (see …