Looking Ahead to 2011 (And an Announcement!)
Two quick commercials before the good news. First, please take a look at my homepage and consider giving one of my books as a Christmas present to someone on your list this year. Promises to Keep: Daily Devotions for Men Seeking Integrity is great for any son, father, husband, brother, uncle or any other male on your list. My other books are also likely appropriate for someone you know. You can order from me, from Amazon, or from the publisher.
The second commercial is primarily for fiction writers. Please read Brandilyn Collins’ excellent article here. Very, very useful information.
Now, let’s talk about 2011. The present year is history. For both fiction and non-fiction writers, it’s time to look to the next twelve months—and PLAN!
Here’s what I want you to do. Print out the list below and use it (with any necessary adaptations and additions) and post it somewhere near your writing place. Every so often, take a look at it and see if you’re on track. When necessary, recast the list to match your progress.
Okay, here we go…
1. I want you to commit to finishing one book next year if you’re writing fiction. If you’re writing non-fiction, I want you to have three complete proposals with three sample chapters each. It might be helpful for you to do a short one-paragraph summary of those books and keep it with this list.
2. By January 31, prepare three one-sheets for other possible books you want to write.
3. Identify three specific things you will do in 2011 to build your platform for promoting your book. Begin implementing them.
4. If you do not yet have an agent, make it your goal to secure an agent in 2011. Research the agents’ websites and try to find an agent who is selling what you write.
5. Identify at least one writer’s conference you will attend next year.
6. Purpose to read at least three (hopefully more) books on writing in 2011.
7. By April 30, have at least one solid book proposal (with three sample chapters) ready to submit to an appropriate publisher (either by your agent or through your chosen publisher’s guidelines–usually posted on their website).
8. Follow through. Submit the proposal! (And then begin your next project while waiting for an answer).
9. Pray daily for your writing. Seek God’s direction and His open (and closed doors).
10. Start a fresh writer’s notebook on January 1. In this notebook, you’ll jot down notes, ideas, and surprising insights that you cannot trust to your memory. (Take this notebook to church with you. You’ll be surprised how often you’ll hear something said in church that will be useful in your writing life).
To recap, by December 31, 2011, I want you to have:
* an agent
* attended a writer’s conference
* one complete book manuscript (if you’re writing fiction) or three complete proposals (if you’re writing non-fiction).
* three one-sheets for additional books
* several rejections (it’s part of what we do as writers—collect rejections)
* read three books on writing.
* clarity from God on what to do in 2012.
Now, here is the good news. I’m going to open one door for you. Look at number two above. During the month of January, I’m going to invite you to submit up to three of your one-sheets to me for consideration at Harvest House. If I like one or more of your ideas, I’ll invite you to send a full proposal. If I like the proposal, I’ll take it to the committee. (Although we won’t accept a novel for publication until we’ve seen the entire manuscript, if I like your one-sheet, I’ll then invite you to send three sample chapters and I’ll either encourage you to finish it and submit it to me, or I’ll reject it if I don’t think it’s a good fit for Harvest House).
Two stipulations: BE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR. Visit our website if you’re unfamiliar with our books. Get to know ANY publisher for whom you wish to write. It really annoys me when I meet a “writer” at a conference and they start the conversation with, “So tell me, what kinds of books does Harvest House publish?” The other stipulation is that you understand that if I say no, I won’t be able to offer a critique of why I’m saying no. I won’t have time in most cases. If I do see something promising, but not a good fit for Harvest House, I may offer some advice, but please don’t feel bad if I simply say no.
During the month of January only, you can send these one-sheets to me at [email protected]
Okay, here’s even MORE help. I’ll even give you some ideas of what I’m looking for. For fiction, I’d REALLY love to find someone who can write fiction with quilting as a backdrop. Amish quilting is good, but not mandatory. Historical is probably better than contemporary, but I’m not opposed to a contemporary quilting novel. Our fiction really must have a warm and fuzzy angle to it. Romance too. If you can come up with a warm and fuzzy fiction concept, I’m open.
It’s harder for me to identify the kind of non-fiction I’m looking for. Especially if you don’t already have a platform from which to promote your book. Just keep in mind that our books sell really well in the rack market. Books that address felt needs in large number of readers work best for us.
I’ll look forward to your one-sheets….in January.
May 2011 bring more momentum to your writing career than you dared hope for!
Wow. This is the best news Ive had in a long time. What an encouragement for us. Thanks Nick and you will be hearing from me (again) and I hope you are ready to be very busy in January! Nothing like a challenge to get the creative juices flowing. Im curious though, what prompted the quilting premise?
Jan, my wife reads quilting fiction and I know of only a few in CBA. I think there’s an appeal there that has yet to be tapped. Try to think of “warm and fuzzies” that seem to appeal to people. Another possible “warm and fuzzy” is fiction centered on various lighthouses. Cats are somewhat warm and fuzzy (as fiction goes). Can you think of others? If so, better not post it here, just WRITE that novel!
Thanks for the opportunity, Nick.
Hey, I’m already half way through this list! Makes me feel like I haven’t been thrashing around in the dark. Any specific recommendations for books on writing – I mean other than the obvious Bird by Bird?
Nick, Very generous offer, and one I know many authors seeking publication wish other editors would make as well.
As for quilting, does closing a long laceration with a mattress stitch count? Maybe I can have my surgeon-heroine start wearing a bonnet to the operating room.
Seriously, thanks for making this offer. It demonstrates yet again the kind of person you are.
Ryan, there are lots of possibilites. I like Betsy Lerner’s The Forest for the Trees, The Courage to
Write by Ralph Keyes, and a book by the late Gary Provost that I’m not remembering right now. Just go to Amazon and I’m sure it’ll come up under his name. I’ll check my shelves at home tonight and see what other ones I recommend. I do like the compilations that are in The Writer’s Handbook that’s published every so often. It’s basically articles from The Writer magazine. Speaking of magazines, both The Writer and Writer’s Digest are great tools.
Hi Nick,
Thanks for this offer -I may have a project that will be of interest to you – I’ll send a one-sheet in January.
Patrick
I’m so excited and will be polishing my one sheet for January! I have my quilt top posted on my author website that ties in with my historical fiction novel, Journey of Promise. I feel like you were talking directly to me. Grin.
Thanks again for this opportunity!
Wow, Dad! I don’t even have time for any of this but you’re even starting to motivate me. I hope this helps your readers and it won’t result in too much more work for you.
Ryan, another must-read is Stephen King’s “On Writing.” The Provost book is “Make Your Words Work.” There are many fine books on writing. Many are in the local library.
Rachel, I know now is not the time for you to be motivated to write. You need all your time for study! THEN write.
Bookie, I’m in the same boat as Rachel. I think God has me in the “doing” phase and later I can write about what I’ve done, I guess. 🙂
This is a really neat thing to do and I bet you’ll get a lot of new, creative people coming your way.
This is a kind and generous offer. Not to mention motivating. Thank you.
Nick, I appreciate a “warm & fuzzy” now and again as a reader, but not as a writer–so your workload is safe from me!
Love the list…It’s a sound, structured plan. But just curious why you omitted reading fiction as a “challenge goal”?
On a slow year, I’ll enjoy 30 to 35 novels & short story collections. In 2010 I’m on pace to top 45, and I have a personal goal to match that in 2011. Not only is it my favorite form of entertainment (I may watch 2-3 movies a year), but I can’t imagine growing as a writer without devouring the great work that has come before us.
Can I throw in a plug for favorite book on writing? “Revision” by David Michael Kaplan.
Thanks, Alan.
I certainly agree that reading should be part of “The Plan” for a writer’s success. So everyone, amend your planning sheets to include a healthy dose of reading–both fiction and non-fiction.
Nick,
Great list of challenges! May I have your permission to reprint the 10 challenges on my blog (www.bloggingbistro.com) and I’ll then route people to your blog to learn about the one-sheet submissions? Many of my clients and blog readers are authors; they’d be interested in this.
Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
Laura Christianson
Yes, Laura, you can use it.