Moved to wordpress

Prior to publishing I'm consolidating my online presence and moving this blog to http://jamescalbraith.wordpress.com/ - see you there!

Publishing plans

I have the full cover now, (can't link from mobile, will add later) so "The Shadow of Black Wings" is good to go. I hope to have it out in July if all goes well. That's exactly two years in the making! :)

Editorial review

I got my editorial review at last. All I can say is quote Gandalf: 'and I am already weary!'

I thought the end was near, but it's going to be a tough few weeks. Lots of rewrites, lots of rethinks. Getting to grips with structure and writing deficiencies. It's showing now that I don't really possess a native speaker's vocabulary - one more hurdle to jump over.

Can't overlook the positives, of course - getting my writing praised by a guy who worked with the likes of Moorcock and G.G.Kay must count for something.

But ugh, more work!

One tries one's best: ABNA semi-final review

ABNA Publishers Weekly Reviewer
The destinies of three youths are entwined in this enchanting tale set in a mythical Japan filled with dragons, magic, and ceremony. The Prydain boy Bran has just finished his secondary education and is unsure of his future. In the land of Yamato, Sato is a girl warrior prodigy hoping to inherit her father’s land rather than be married off. Sato’s friend Nagomi, training to be a priestess, is haunted by a disturbing vision of dragons and destruction that she must keep secret. With descriptions like a character who “sang a droning chant and clapped her hands in a slow deliberate rhythm, the tiny brass bells around her wrists ringing in unison,” this manuscript is full of highly crafted detail that will make readers shiver at times with fear and delight. The multiple points of view create a sense of vastness that is felt keenly in this story about characters from opposite hemispheres whose fates come together. However, a host of other points of view pop up throughout the novel, muddling the characters established in the beginning of the story. Yet with prophecy and destiny, young heroines and Japanese poetry, this novel is a familiar yet highly original fantasy that is a worthwhile read.


One thing I'm slightly disappointed with is the length. I was hoping the semi-final review would be a tad longer. But I can't complain about the rest. The multiple PoVs will be the make-or-break of this book and it's a gamble I'm prepared to make. If that works, everything else should as well.

Once more, unto the breach...

Into the valley of death, rode the five thousand.

Fifty remained. 'The Shadow of Black Wings', remarkably and quite surprisingly, among them.

The breakdown of the General Fiction semi-finalists proves that my choice of category (young adult) was the right one. As Fantasy, it would perish utterly. Only one novel got through, and it can hardly be described as fantasy (telepathy in rural environment is a domain of 1960's sci-fi). 5 science fictions and 2 historical fictions make General Fiction is a boring wasteland :)

Surprised at how many of the 'crowd favourites' have not gone through. It only goes to show... something. Not sure what.

First cover sketch

I got the first sketch for the cover of volume one. It's looking awesome, better than most commercial covers these days. Here's a sneak preview.

Agent's feedback

I've received feedback for the entire manuscript from one of the agents. Yay! She didn't think it right for her. Boo! But she loved the language and world-building - double yay, considering I'm writing in my second language.

The plot is too slow, not suspenseful enough, too many characters. These are all valid points, I guess. I'm still waiting for four more feedbacks - two beta readers, one paid editor and PW's review for ABNA. I expect them to be on similar topics, really. By the end of this month I should have a lot to think about for the next redraft.

 -*-

I'm slightly losing track of my rejections. One from Marsh Agency, one more from Marjacq.

70k

70,000 - nearing the end of the first draft. Finished all the main plots, just a few single POVs remaining.

This is hard work.

Got both maps made now and they look stunning. Waiting for the first of the covers now.

*

Standard rejection letters from Mic Cheetham, Wade & Doherty, Folio Lit and Ariella Feiner.

*

Did I mention my short story will be published in June's eFiction mag? Would be nice to make the first volume published by then, but I doubt it will be possible.

Also: changed the blog's name to reflect the new title for the saga.

ABNA Reviews

I like these reviews not only because they're so positive, but also because they were written by the exact kind of reader I was aiming for with my book. It's not an easy read, and it's not a simple world, so yeah, I want people to be overwhelmed.
I understand the confusion in the first chapters, I'm getting a similar vibe from my beta readers and will try to address it in my next rewrite.


ABNA Expert Reviewer


What is the strongest aspect of this excerpt?

Obviously intricately planned, this writing is very detailed and imaginative. Well written overall, the author has skillfully created a fantastical world for this work geared to young adults.

What aspect needs the most work?

As a reader, I felt like a non swimmer who had been pitched off of a dock and told to sink or swim. Though this excerpt contained only the prologue and first chapter, I felt bombarded with almost forty unfamiliar names, places, and terms, and felt like I was drowning. About half way through, I stopped and reread, listing the characters and places to keep things straight. By the end of chapter one I had identified at least six cultures or races and fifteen or more characters. One paragraph spoke of a girl, “She wore the robes of the Geomancers, although Bran knew her dream was to one day become a Derwydd at Mona. The brown-green, plaid cloak suited her auburn hair and green eyes, framed in a spiral woad tattoo.” With no further information, in such an intense chapter, and not knowing what a Derwydd was, or what a woad looked like, I could have waited on this unfamiliar stuff until she was mentioned again. It was a tad overloaded.

What is your overall opinion of this excerpt?

I liked it! Despite the complaint above, after rereading half of it, I realized I was making it harder than it was and I started to enjoy the action; to continue my own hackneyed analogy, I started swimming strongly through it. It’s hard not to mention the obvious comparison to the Harry Potter series, with the dragons and wizardry in an academy, but this was only the first chapter, and the pitch proposes action in other places. Besides, I loved Harry Potter! This book lends itself well to the intended audience, and I project a hit.


ABNA Expert Reviewer


What is the strongest aspect of this excerpt?

I think this excerpt was very well written and that it has an interesting idea behind it. Having such a short excerpt that doesn't get into the plot is a little frustrating but that isn't the fault of the author.

What aspect needs the most work?

The way it goes between several different scenes is a little confusing, not because I can't follow it, but because it doesn't really give any kind of info about where the scene takes place, who these people are, how they are connected, etc.

What is your overall opinion of this excerpt?

I think it is great but I don't feel like I fully understand it. I like that there is good character development and the writing itself is great.

ABNA

Got through to the quarter-finals. Yay!

Also, 65k on the third volume.

Another landmark

At the end of a long weekend I hit the 50k mark for volume 3, and the main plot line is almost finished.

Phew!

The map is here!

The first map by awesome Jared Blando is here!

Here's a sneak preview:

*

A letter of rejection from Watson, Little came on a narrow, receipt-like strip of paper. If they're so keen on saving the trees, why bother with paper submissions in the first place?

30k

Gone past the 30k words mark today, but that was still mostly editing of what was already written in the previous drafts.

Now comes the hard part.

Good to know

A 500-page manuscript fits the standard Ryman's A4 document box with room to spare.

Sending it out first class costs 20 quid.

Many trees died to give us this information.

*

Rejection from the Writers House. They like the idea but it's not for them.

An unexpected turn of events.

"I would like to read the rest of the novel."


 
WHAT IS GOING ON THIS WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN I AM NOT READY.

Costs, so far

It's a costly hobby!


Copy-editing and proofreading (G.J.Todd) - $1750
Professional editing (J.Jarrold) - $950
Cartographer (J.Blando) - $600
Two cover images (Sakimi-chan) - $2000


Upcoming costs:
Lettering & E-book creation - $200 ?
Marketing suite: $400-500


Phew.

*

Only twothree more rejections lately:


27.02 - Conville & Walsh (snail mail)


They say they 'read it with interest' and 'enjoyed it' but it's not for them.

27.02 - Toby Eades Associates (nicest letter so far)

Thank you for writing to us about your work and apologies for the delay in getting back to you.
Although it promises to make for an enjoyable read, unfortunately we do not feel that it is quite right for our agency, but we wish you every success in finding representation elsewhere.

(There's a blurb in there somewhere, if I were feeling naughty ;)

22.02 - Laura Dail Literary Agency

Please forgive this impersonal note but the high volume of correspondence makes it difficult for us to respond to you personally. Thank you for your query. Unfortunately it doesn’t match what we are looking for at this time. We hope other agents feel differently.

A little landmark

Passed 10k on the first draft of vol. 2 (or 3, depending on editorial decision)

That's cheating slightly, as most of it are just rewrites of whatever didn't fit vol. 1, but it's still a nice little thing to celebrate after a week's work.

And the reward for the rudest agency goes to...

Anubis LLA.

Just a scribbled 'Not for us' on the margin of the cover letter.

The hell...?

If you can't be bothered so much, why do you insist on snail-mail submissions? Those things cost money, you know.

*

Only one other rejection this week, from Kirsten Wolf of Wolf Literary Services. Standard rejection, but much nicer in tone than most.

Rejections summary 1

11.02 - London Independent Books (s-mail)

We regret, however, that they did not quite 'click' with us and it is for this reason that we are returning them to you as we do not like to take on material which we cannot sell with total enthusiasm.

11.02 - Felicity Blunt, Curtis Brown (s-mail)

Although the premise of the story is interesting, I unfortunately did not connect to writing itself the way I would need in order to take it on today's tough fiction marketplace.

09.02 - Nelson Agency

Thank you so much for sending the Nelson Literary Agency your query. We'd like to apologize for the impersonal nature of this standard rejection letter. On average, we receive about 100 email query letters a day and despite that, we do read each and every query letter carefully. Unfortunately, this project is not right for us. Because this business is so subjective and opinions vary widely, we recommend that you pursue other agents. After all, it just takes one "yes" to find the right match.

07.02 - Frances Collin

Thank you for your query. Unfortunately we do not think the project is right for us.

We receive so many queries that it is not possible to reply in detail on an individual basis. We appreciate your writing and wish you success in your publishing career.

06.02 - Barry Goldblatt

Thank you for your query. Unfortunately, your manuscript doesn't sound like something that’s right for us. We wish you the best of success in placing your work elsewhere

31.01 - Donald Maas

As to your material I'm afraid I will be passing -- I'm just not enthusiastic enough about the concept of your story to feel that I'd be the right agent for the project. I realize it is difficult to judge your potential from a query; nevertheless please know that I give serious attention to every letter, outline, and writing sample I
receive.

30.01 - Marjacq

Thank you for your submission to Marjacq Scripts.
Unfortunately, we did not feel that the agency could place this successfully on your behalf.
May we wish you the best of luck in your search for representation.

30.01 - Robert Kirby

Many thanks for your email. Robert is currently focussing on nonfiction projects so is not taking on any fiction.

Sending queries, day 3

I found a couple more US agents that accept e-mails and seem worthwhile, so here they go.
I don't hold much hope for any of these, as most of them require just a pitching letter, which I'm not that good at writing.

1. Scott Hofman at Folio Literary Agency

Commercial fiction offering. Query letter sent via form.

2. Frances Collin

Fantasy offering. Query letter.

3. Russel Galen at Scovil, Galen & Ghosh

Fantasy offering. Query letter.

4. Ethan Ellenberg Agency

Fantasy offering. Query letter, synopsis and first three chapters in the body of the mail.


5. Barry Goldblatt Literary

Fantasy offering. Query letter, synopsis and first five pages in the body of the mail.


6. Nelson Literary Agency

Fantasy offering. Query letter.

7. Nicole LaBombard at Rees Agency

Fantasy offering. Query letter and first ten pages in the body of the mail.


8. John Silbersack at Trident Media Group

Fantasy offering. Query letter and a brief synopsis.

Sending queries, day 2

Summary of the snail-mail queries sent:

1. Anubis Literary Agency

Fantasy offering. Query letter, brief synopsis and three chapters, sent to submissions department.

2. Artellus Literary Agency

Fantasy offering. Query letter, synopsis and three chapters, sent to submissions department.

3. London Independent Books

Commercial fiction offering. Query letter, brief synopsis and two chapters, sent to Ms Carolyn Whitaker.

4. Conville & Walsh

Commercial fiction offering. Query letter, synopsis and three chapters, sent to submissions department.

5. David Higham

Commercial fiction offering. Query letter, synopsis and three chapters, sent to submissions department.

6. Dorian Literary Agency

Fantasy offering. Query letter, brief synopsis and three chapters, sent to submissions department.

7. Ms Felicity Brown, Curtis Brown

Young adult offering. Query letter, synopsis and three chapters.

8. Mic Cheetham

Fantasy offering. Query letter, synopsis and three chapters, sent to submissions department.

9. Watson Little

Commercial fiction offering. Query letter, synopsis and three chapters, sent to Ms. Sallyanne Sweeney.

10. Writers House (USA)

Young adult offering. Query letter and brief synopsis.

***

Got one more rejection e-mail - from Donald Maas Agency. Too bad, I was hoping they'd show some interest given their usual offering.

First rejections

Well, that was fast! Why can't all agencies switch to e-mail submissions, again?

Robert Kirby's assistant said he doesn't do fiction anymore. Too bad, I liked Kirby's set of clients.

Marjacq managed to assess my query in half a day and deem it unsuitable. Fair enough, they only had one young adult fantasy book on the clients list, and it doesn't seem to sell well.

Sending queries, day 1

Today I'm starting sending out the queries. First on the list are the e-mail ones, starting with the UK-based agents.

1. AP Watt agency
 A commercial fiction offering. Query letter and synopsis sent to Mr Jon Elek

2. Ariella Feiner of United Agents

A young adult offering. Query letter, synopsis and 10,000 words excerpt.


3. Darley Anderson

A young adult offering. Query letter, brief synopsis and three chapters, sent to Ms Madeleine Buston

4. Greene & Heaton

A young adult offering. Query letter, synopsis and three chapters, sent to submissions department

5. Anthony Harwood

A commercial fiction offering. Query letter mentioning Alison Goodman, sent to submissions department

6. John Jarrold

A fantasy offering. Query letter mentioning Temeraire and Havemercy and 6 chapters.

7. Marjacq agency

A commercial fiction offering. Query letter, synopsis and three chapters, sent to Mr Philip Patterson

8. Marsh agency

A commercial fiction offering. Query letter, synopsis and three chapters, sent to Ms Hannah Ferguson via online form.

9. MBA agency

A fantasy offering. Query letter, synopsis and three chapters, sent to submissions department

10. Robert Kirby of United Agents

A commercial fiction offering. Query letter, synopsis and three chapters. Note: Kirby is Rob Brydon's agent. Use it somehow? ;)

11. Rogers, Coleridge & White

A young adult offering. Query letter, synopsis and three chapters, sent to Claire Wilson

12. Toby Eady Associates

A commercial fiction offering. Query letter, synopsis and three chapters, sent to submissions department

13. Wade & Doherty

A fantasy offering. Query letter mentioning David Gemmell, synopsis and 10,000 words excerpt sent to Ms Broo Doherty

Next are US-based agencies accepting e-mail:

1. Inkwell Management

A commercial fiction offering. Query letter and two chapters in the body of e-mail sent to submissions department

2. Jill Grinberg

A young adult offering. Query letter mentioning Westerfeld and Goodman, and 50 pages excerpt

3. Laura Dail agency

A young adult offering. Query letter, brief synopsis and 5 page excerpt sent to submissions department

4. Maas Agency

A fantasy offering. Query letter, brief synopsis and 5 page excerpt in the body of e-mail sent to Ms Jennifer Jackson

5. Matt Bialer

A fantasy offering. Query letter, bio, synopsis and three chapters.

6. Kristen Wolf agency

A commercial fiction offering. Query letter and three chapters sent to Kristen Wolf

Phew. That's a lot of work. Over the week I'll be sending out the snail-mails - 10 agents altogether.

Edit: 7. Scott Hoffman of Folio Lit

A fantasy offering. Query letter sent via website form.

The Sample Curse

You pick up a book from the shelf. Or download a sample from the Amazon. It starts great. There's break-neck action from the start, the characters are sketched roughly but believable, the setting is hinted at but not disappointing. You're convinced. You pay for the book and start reading.

And then, after the first few chapters, it stalls. The plot sags, the characters wander about aimlessly, the scenery overburdens you with too much piled-on detail. You have fallen the victim of the Sample Curse. A book written with the sole purpose of enticing an agent.

In this competitive market, it seems, a Sample is everything. The first few chapters, the first few thousand words. It's the ultimate lure, a honey trap set for the reader. The publisher - whether a corporate giant or a small indie - is only interested in you until the moment you part with your money. It doesn't matter what happens next. You've been trapped.

Not every agent, editor or publisher is blind-folded like that, but many are, or at least they like to make themselves out to be. And they like to claim this is what the market demands. Perhaps they're right - for now.

In evolutionary terms, this is equivalent to what fish, amphibians and reptiles do with their young: put all your effort into spawning a lot of eggs, and not worry about the outcome. Perhaps even perish in the process. Some of the eggs will hatch, some of the young will survive - a certain amount of the books will sell and maybe even grow up into bestsellers.

But the amphibians and reptiles do not rule the world. Mammals and birds do, because they take care for their young, nurture them, allow them to develop at their own pace. The really popular books, the 'cult classics' are like that: they start off slowly and then grow in a peaceful, nutritious environment into a beautiful rare rhinoceros.

I'd like to hope that the rhinoceroses of the book world will one day prevail over the frogs and that at some point we will be rid of the Sample Curse.