2011 is here! Though because we schedule more than a year ahead, I feel like it’s been here for a while now. I actually accidentally wrote the date as 2012 the other day. Not my best day, mentally speaking. Anywho, the starter question today is:
Do spelling and grammar really matter? Can’t we just take care of that in copyedits?
Don’t kid yourself. OF COURSE THEY MATTER. One, it shows knowledge of and respect for your craft. Two, excessively bad spelling and grammar are distracting, and can overpower the actual story.
I like to compare it to an job interview. If you show up with a scuffed shoe (i.e. a typo) or chipped nail polish (grammatical error) , it will probably be okay. It’s not going to take away from you or your skills (read: the plot). But if you show up in torn jeans and a t-shirt with massive sweat stains, plus you haven’t showered in 3 days, no one is going to take you seriously. In fact, they’d probably be running in the opposite direction.
So don’t make editors run away. Make a good faith effort to correct grammatical and typographical errors.
And now, your questions!
Thanks for answering questions! I was wondering if there are any themes or plots you are tired of seeing or any you’d like to see more?
I never comment on stuff I’d like to see more of, simply because I usually don’t know until I see it! But there was a great post on the Carina Press blog the other day about tired openings: http://bit.ly/dPVozl Good rule of thumb: if you have any doubt that it might be cliched, take it out!
Megan – Thanks so much for the opportunity.
My question regards new writers just hitting the publishing world. To agent or not to agent? What do you prefer?
Thanks!
I don’t have a preference. At Kensington, you don’t need an agent. However, a large majority of our authors do have one.
I will say, having a bad agent is MUCH WORSE than having no agent. So if you are thinking of signing with one, do your research! Make sure they’ve had good sales in your genre recently. Talk to current clients to get a sense of how they work (Are they hands on in the editorial process? etc). If the agent communicates almost solely via email and you just aren’t comfortable with that, you aren’t going to be comfortable with the agent. I know it’s thrilling when you get an offer, and tempting to just take it, especially if you’ve been trying for a long time, but it is vital that you have the right agent for you.
Good Morning,
I’d like to ask two things if possible. First, a finished manuscript should be within the 80 to 90k range, is that correct? And secondly, are their any big trends you foresee in the coming year? I’m sort of hoping westerns make a comeback in the historical romance area.
Thanks,
Nan
Word count really depends on what genre you are writing. Cozy mysteries can go as low as 60k, and historical fiction can be 120k or higher. For romance, I generally look for 80-100k. I can go higher than that, but generally, lower than 80k is just too short.
I’m horrible at predicting trends. I just say: write something awesome.
Thank you ma’am, I certainly will try to.
Nan
Great post. Thanks, Megan. Love this part, “… scuffed shoe (i.e. a typo) or chipped nail polish (grammatical error) …” Very nice.
I was actually going to ask what Nan asked (word count), so I’ll come back and see what the answer is later.
Have a great day.
Hi Megan,
How do you decide whether to release a debut as an ebook or a tree-book? How often is a book published in both formats? Which format is more profitable for the publisher? For the author?
OK. Sorry. That’s like about 10 questions!
Currently, all our books are release in print and e, but releasing books as ebook only in the future certainly isn’t out of the question. We are a print publisher, and focus on that. Ebooks are becoming a larger share of our business and marketing efforts. As to profitability, that has so many factors, from what cover elements are chosen (embossed? foil? matte?) to number of copies and marketing budget. I couldn’t really make a generalization as to which format is more profitable for authors and publishers, because I really think it varies case by case.
Hi Megan
Grammar is not my strong point but I took a course when I startd to write so I could improve, and it helped. I also get about 4 people to go through my manuscript for spelling and grammar before I send it to you – but even then it is never perfect. Our eyes read what we think should be there. I do not envy copy editors jobs!
Hi Megan,
Happy New Year~
Here is my question(s)….How do you determine whether a debut will come out as an ebook or a traditional book? How often do you publish both? Which format is more profitable for the publisher? For the author?
Thanks!
Hi Megan –
When you read a manuscript, what is the first thing you notice, either good or bad? Is the opening as all-important as writing classes claim? When you receive a manuscript, how much time do you give the story to get interesting? Hmm, these seem to be questions from a slow starter.
Thanks,
Meredith
My rule is: do I want to keep reading? Simple as that. If after 10-15 pages I can’t say yes to that question, I stop and pass on the manuscript.
You may say, “10-15 pages? That’s crazy! What if it gets so much better?” When I was a baby editor, I read much further. I learned pretty quickly that it almost NEVER gets better. And you have to look at it from the perspective of a customer in the store. If they pick up the book and try the first few pages (or a sample on Amazon), that’s all you have to hook the reader and get them to buy your book.
I’m not saying the opening has to be an “OMG! If I don’t read the rest RIGHT NOW I’ll DIE!” situation, but the characters and set-up have to be interesting enough that I want to keep reading.
Thanks. 10-15 pages is more than I thought I had to “grab” a reader. That’s encouraging.
Hi Megan,
I always figured part of my job was making my editor’s job easier. Trying to avoid niggling little mistakes is part of why I rely on spellcheck, my crit partner and my beta reader.
I know you’re already deep into 2012. Are there certain times of the year that tend to be better in terms of sales?
Not that I’ve seen. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could pinpoint sales that way? :]
Hi Megan –
Happy New Year!!
For a new series, do you think Kensington will start offering free ebook Novellas to “launch” the new author or series?
Does it help readers find new authors?
Thanks!
Lisa
I don’t know about free, but we do have some stand alone novellas (e-book only) in the works for next year. I think anything that gets books into readers’ hands is a good thing.