September 23rd, 2009
If you’re interested in writing paranormal fiction, check out the interview with Chloe Neill at Amber Katze’s blog.
Chloe is the author of a YA (Young Adult) Chicagoland Vampire series. The latest edition of the series–Friday Night Bites–is scheduled to come out in early October.
Some non-fiction paranormal writers may not be interested in these fictional series, but there’s a few reasons they should pay attention to writers, like Chloe.
To begin with, paranormal fiction is a great and growing market.
Second, you can learn from writers no matter what type of books they produce.
For instance, here’s a great bit of advice on how Chloe comes up with the names of characters:
I keep a list of names that I like, but mostly I keep searching until the name “picks” the character. A baby name book or a web search for “Irish names” or “Italian names”, etc., really helps.
Not a bad way of going about it.
Tags: advice, authors, characters, paranormal, paranormal fiction, supernatural, vampire
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September 14th, 2009
A local author tapped into his past to create a new paranormal book that features details about a paranormal investigation.
According to the Nashville Examiner, Paul Browning, of Clarksville, Tenn., wrote Hauntings at the Octagon Hall, based on investigations at the reportedly-haunted building.
Browning told the Examiner that his interest in the paranormal began after his grandfather passed away, some unexplainable things began to happen in his South Dakota home. Furniture was moved. The television not only moved, but turned on and off–by itself. The set’s volume soared and dimmed automatically, too.
Browning’s book is a good example of how authors can tap into personal experience to create a book project.
Paranormal investigation teams and ghost hunters should keep detailed notes of their investigations. They can serve as the foundation of books, like Hauntings at the Octagon Hall.
It also shows how Print on Demand has opened up new doors for paranormal writers. Browning’s book can be found at Lulu.com.
Tags: authors, haunting, new books, personal experience
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September 9th, 2009
One common complaint that paranormal writers say they have is that they struggle with coming up with new book concepts. Others mistakenly believe all the good titles are taken.
Here’s one way to brainstorm book project ideas by taking a trip to the bookstore. Your book store is a veritable treasure chamber of marketing information.
Strategy One: check out the paranormal section–or whatever section you want to approach. Get a look at the titles in the current section and see if there are any obvious holes. Do you see any obvious holes–a title that just seems like it should belong there? Also, make note of the publishers. (You’ll want to pitch them later.)
Strategy Two: Swing around to the front of the store. Are there books in your category on tables in front of the store. Book stores position their best sellers up front. It could be a sign that those titles have a sizable market. Do you see any titles like yours in these premium positions? Or, do the titles inspire other book concepts?
One more strategy. Try combining titles from other categories. For instance, do books on trains seem popular? How about a book on railroad ghost stories? Haunted bridges? The list is infinite.
How To Make Money Writing About The Supernatural is your eGuide to brainstorming, writing, publishing, and selling your supernatural best seller. You can read more about the guide here. To order, just go here.
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September 5th, 2009
Most writers think that copy writing is for slick ad writers or marketing folks. As writers–artists, really–they’re above all this pandering.
And maybe they have a point. You shouldn’t write just to sell books.
But, if they ever want to sell their works to a publisher, they might want to lift at least a few tricks from their writing brothers and sisters in the marketing department.
A Query Letter is the best place to implement some copy writing techniques. The query is a brief overview that introduces your book idea to a publisher, acquisition editor, or literary agent.
Most writers just jot down a summary of their book. Not a great idea.
One of the key precepts of good copy writing is to include “benefits,” not just features.
Saying your book is packed with info that will appeal to the 2.5 million-strong paranormal investigators in the U.S. is much stronger than saying it covers EVPs.
If you have a query, look at how you can turn your features into benefits. If you haven’t written your letter yet, think about the benefits people will gain from reading your book.
Tags: editor, literary agent, marketing, pitch, pitch letter, publisher, query, query letter
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September 1st, 2009
Vampires continue to be hot in the publishing world.
Publishers Weekly reports that Heather Brewer has signed a five-book deal with Dutton Children’s Books for a new vampire series. No info on how big of a deal it is.
The new series is called the Slayer Journals. It’s a spinoff from her popular books, the Chronicles of Vladmir Tod series. The basic plot: a boy decides to become a vampire slayer after watching his sister get killed by vampires.
It’s not just fiction writers who can benefit from this trend.
Popularity in the fiction world often translates to increased interest in the non-fiction world.
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August 27th, 2009
If you’re still wondering what type of paranormal book you can write, look out your window.
Jason Offutt, a paranormal writer, is completing a couple of new books on the paranormal, according to this article from the Richmond Daily News.
One is a look at the strange things that happened in a 100-mile radius of his front porch.
(In the eGuide How To Make Money Writing About The Supernatural, I talk about writing what you know. This a great example.)
Jason previously wrote Haunted Missouri. He has another book planned called, Paranormal Missouri, which will cover paranormal topics more generally.
You can read his blog, too, at Jason Offutt Blogspot (jasonoffutt.blogspot.com/).
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August 24th, 2009
One of the most important steps in writing about the paranormal is to find a unique niche. (It’s something I cover in the Guide, How To Make Money Writing About The Supernatural.)
A new book by Ingrid P. Dean does that beautifully. She wrote Spirit of the Badge, 60 True Police Stories of Divine Guidance, Miracles & Intuition.
The book was recently reviewed at the Salem News.
Dean is a detective sergeant for the Michigan State Police and has collected dozens of riveting tales of the paranormal and supernatural from fellow police officers and detectives. The stories include an intriguing case where an officer was protected during a gun battle by “golden glow” and a voice who reassured him of his safety.
The book is published through Topaz Heart Publishing LLC.
Tags: book review, ebook, new book, niche, police stories
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August 21st, 2009
Paranormal fiction continues to draw attention (and money) even in a tight publishing market.
Kim Harrison, who wrote Dead Witch Walking and White Witch, Black Curse, just closed a six-book deal in May, according to Publishers Weekly.
“Three of the books will be additions to Harrison’s Hollows series, and a fourth will be what a HarperCollins rep dubbed a “world guide/insider’s look” at the fictitious titular town where the novels are set. A novel and a short story collection round out the deal. ”
Hints are that it’s in the million-dollar range.
A three-book deal with Harrison was reportedly closed in 2005 for more than $500,000.
Tags: deal, deals, kim harrison, million dollar deals, money, paranormal fiction, piblishers weekly
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August 19th, 2009
I was going to name this Scary Query Letter Tactics, but I got that funny feeling in my stomach that I normally get when I know one of my corny jokes is about to bomb. I get that feeling a lot.
But, in any event, whether you’re going to find an agent, pitch an idea to a magazine editor, or try to match your writing project with a publisher, you’ll need to write a query letter.
In some cases, the query letter is the cover sheet that will pull the publisher or editor into the rest of your proposal, a package of materials that includes marketing material, biographical info, sample chapters, etc.
While there’s no one right way to create a query letter, it usually includes the following elements:
- A hook: An intro that attracts attention.
- A pitch: In a sentence or two, what is your project?
- Details: For instance: Who’s the market? Why will your project be better than another title on the market?
- Credentials: Why are you the person to write this book or article?
- And Close: Find a tight way to tie up your letter and offer contact info.
One final tip. You shouldn’t be too cute–or cocky–with the letter. Query letters that get the best response are professional, but aren’t devoid of your personality
Tags: editor, publish, query, query letter, writing
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August 17th, 2009
Ernest Hemingway was once asked the secret to writing. His insight: all good writing is re-writing.
There are a few reasons why Hemingway–and a bunch of other concurring writers–are right bout how important self-editing can be.
First, going back over your copy again and again is the best way to polish your material. You can cut needless words. Review the copy for grammatical mistakes. You might want to change perspective, or rearrange the sentence. With each pass, your words shine a little more.
Another reason why re-writing is important: it’s good practice because you’re able to learn from your own mistakes. Proofing your own material is incredibly difficult, but, like all skills, the more you practice, the better you become.
Finally, the editing process lets you go a little wild in your first draft because you know you can come back and touch up the material. Most new writers are scared to put down their first sentence because they’re afraid to make a mistake.
And, the worst mistake you can make as a writer is to never start.
Tags: ernest hemingway, good writing, rewriting, secret, writing, writing tips
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