2017 - What Will You Do Different?

[ShayB]

Update time! Can you believe it's APRIL already?! 

So here we go:

1. I will be looking at a P&L report each month. I need to keep better track of my business numbers.

I've done this, but still not nearly enough profits to my liking. 

2. I have been putting off switching my biz model to one I can be more passionate about. I will make this a reality in 2017. 

Still working on this one. 

I know what I would love to do: move more into a products-based biz instead of a service-based one, but nervous about doing it. Not sure why. I have a vision in my head of what my ideal biz model would be, but I keep hesitating putting it into place. I guess I'm weird. 

3. I will have at least one new experience once a month: visiting a new place, trying a new activity, etc. I have been in a rut for so long that I can't do it anymore.

Still very awesome.  

4. I will be focusing on building new friendships in my new city, and going to new in-person meetings for fun and friendship. 

Not networking much lately, but having dinner with about 12 other people at church once a month. It's really fun. (It's a Unitarian Church. There's wine involved.   )

5. I am going to be more involved with activism.

I have found a local charity to become involved in, and I am getting more involved with activism. Being near Boston helps with both of these.  

[Terra]

Update to my update:

My editor went through EVERYTHING I've written thus far today and only found two commas I should have used and didn't and one misspelled word. I had stock when it should have been stuck, LOL!

But the thing that really has encouraged me is what she said afterword. She said when I get everything published, she is going to buy a complete set for each of her children to read to their children and one for every classroom in her local elementary school for the teachers to read to their classes and one for the school's library as well!!

Oh my gosh!!

I wish I had her confidence, LOL!

Terra

[Guest]

I'm behind on two projects - my blog (haven't done anything) and a double-secret project that I can't talk about, LOL. I got sidetracked on other things, but the time hasn't been unproductive - the opposite in fact.

One of the best things I did this year was to fire my only client, who was becoming a royal pain in the ass on his project. That gave me the extra time to work on a school project and complete it, along with reconnecting with my old partner Diego to look into some new opportunities. 

In terms of giving back, I was able to successfully help a fellow member here take back control of her business, hopefully putting her on the path to success. 

Locally, I've met all of my business goals, which I expected to do, so no big deal. 

I'm in a good place right now and am looking forward to getting back on track

 

[Terra]

I just had a medical induced setback. My deformed back issues caused me to be immobile for 5 days. 

But happy to say, I'm much better and can walk as well as climb the stairs to my office now, so I'll delve into my writing some more. I jotted down another book's worth of childhood memories to work into my series during my down time. So all's well and I'm back on track, rip, roaring, and ready to go.

 

Terra

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, Terra said:

I just had a medical induced setback. My deformed back issues caused me to be immobile for 5 days. 

But happy to say, I'm much better and can walk as well as climb the stairs to my office now, so I'll delve into my writing some more. I jotted down another book's worth of childhood memories to work into my series during my down time. So all's well and I'm back on track, rip, roaring, and ready to go.

 

Terra

Me too...I ran out of Viagra

 

[Terra]

Just now, BIG Mike said:

Me too...I ran out of Viagra

 

I want to laugh, but am afraid to incase you are serious and typed that with a straight face.  

Okay, darn it!! I have to work on my poker face. I just failed and laughed. I'm sorry.

I hope you and your wife are feeling better soon! (Did you see what I did there?) 

Seriously Mike, I hope you are tip top and up to par very soon!

 

Terra

 

[Guest]

I was joking of course...as to up to par, you'll have to ask my wife  

[HeySal]

1 hour ago, BIG Mike said:

In terms of giving back, I was able to successfully help a fellow member here take back control of her business, hopefully putting her on the path to success. 

You sure did. I've never appreciated anyone so much in my life.  Unfortunately, over this last year or so I've started to lose a lot of my forum talkers and many of my other connections, but my first PR contact since the restructure was successful.  I'm not too worried about the forum pause because I've been around long enough to know that they pretty much change over the member base after a decade, so my next efforts will be monetizing and re-peopling the forum.  I finally had 2 key members post again after a really bad winter, so things are turning around.  

Now I'm on a little bit of a stall online. I am having to concentrate on moving. One huge headache, but I had planned to move even before the roomie decided it was time to sell and get out of here. Phase 2 of my "what will you do different", and my sanity, depends on that. It's eating a lot of my energy for anything else right now.  That and a few field trips with site members much younger than myself recently. Holy cow. PR in this "niche" is a little more strenuous than in most. LOL. 

And an aside -- Mike - that school project of yours was extremely impressive. I can see that being a commercial boom for you in the future even if it wasn't the intended purpose.  Had to add that because I know you're too modest to do any bragging, so decided to do that for you. 

[Terra]

Update: I just finished writing the hook portion of my query letter. I actually am doing this earlier than I thought I would, but I have just received a notification in one of my writer's newsletters that there is a new agent seeking to represent writers and her description of what she is looking for is pretty much exactly what my series of books is. I'm working on my personalization beginning of the letter and the ending.

This agent only accepts email submissions within the body. No attachments so I also need to remove formatting of my manuscript for this and send the first 20 pages of the first book. I'm hoping to have all of this done and sent tomorrow.

In the meantime, I feel on the verge of a panic attack, lol! After my first submission, I'm also sending out another two queries to two other agents seeking my genre of child lit. After that, it's weeks of waiting, up to 8 weeks. Whew!! I look forward to my first rejection letters with hopefully a little direction on how I could improve.

Yes, There is a teeny tiny speck of hoping I get signed but even though I am an optimist, I am a realist as well so I figure it's even higher odds than winning the lotto, LOL!

I will update again once I receive something back from an agent or two or three. 

 

Terra

[Terra]

Wow! I sent out my query and instantaneously received a message back.  Obviously email submissions are much different than physical manuscript submissions mailed through the post office. 

This is the reply I received:

Quote

Thank you for querying. This message acknowledges that your query was received. I will contact you within 8 weeks if I am interested in requesting more material. If you receive an offer of representation, please let me know.  If I don't respond within the initial 8 weeks, I did not think the project would be a good fit for my list, and I wish you all the best in your publishing endeavors.

There goes my plan of rejection letters with a little note of what I could do to improve. 

I'm going to wait until later today or even tomorrow before I query the other two agents I'm sending to. I have a ton of stuff I must get done today. I've fallen behind getting the query letter written and preparing the manuscript for email submission.

 

Terra

[Guest]

2 hours ago, Terra said:

Wow! I sent out my query and instantaneously received a message back.  Obviously email submissions are much different than physical manuscript submissions mailed through the post office. 

This is the reply I received:

There goes my plan of rejection letters with a little note of what I could do to improve. 

I'm going to wait until later today or even tomorrow before I query the other two agents I'm sending to. I have a ton of stuff I must get done today. I've fallen behind getting the query letter written and preparing the manuscript for email submission.

 

Terra

Interesting response - I'm curious about how the others respond to you. 

Basically, this one is blowing you off and letting other agents do the work, i.e.;  but leaving the door open in case you do get an offer. 

Not sure that's the kind of person I'd want to work with...

[Terra]

2 minutes ago, BIG Mike said:

Interesting response - I'm curious about how the others respond to you. 

Basically, this one is blowing you off and letting other agents do the work, i.e.;  but leaving the door open in case you do get an offer. 

Not sure that's the kind of person I'd want to work with...

Oh! That would hurt! LOL!

In reading back over her submission guidelines, I did find this...

 

Quote

How to Submit: Please email a one-page query letter to xxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Please include “Query” and your title in the subject line of the email, your contact information, and the first 20 pages pasted into the body of the email below the letter. No attachments will be opened. You will receive an automatic message once you submit. I only accept email queries, and any queries sent by regular mail will not be considered.

 

That made me feel better because I know that everyone receives one. Yes, it is automated and is a confirmation that your email has been received.I very well may not hear from her again, but I also may. 

If I get my other stuff done in time, I'm going to email the other two agents who are now accepting query submissions in my genre and category of child lit. I'm wondering if the response I got from the first agent is now business standard with email submissions. Way back when I was published before, email submissions were not an option so this is all very new to me.

 

Terra

[Terra]

Mike,

I'm thinking the automated email reply is indeed an industry standard. I did get another query out and received this email back within one minute...

Quote

 

Thank you for your query. 

I personally read—and thoughtfully consider—each query and writing/art sample sent to me. However, due to the high volume of submissions received, I regret that I am unable to respond to every writer individually. If I am interested in seeing further material, I will reach out to you directly within the next 8 weeks. If that window has passed and you have not heard from me (except for this auto-response), I apologize, but I have concluded that I am not the right agent to represent your project. 

While I wish I could offer a more personalized response to your work, please do know that I hold you and your creative efforts in highest regard, and wish you every success in your publishing endeavors. 

 

 

Terra

[Dewlance]

In our country, We celebrate new year in this month (April)

 

I want to do something new and want to grow my company more. Learn programming and various thing.

[Terra]

 

On 4/18/2017 at 0:09 PM, BIG Mike said:

Interesting response - I'm curious about how the others respond to you.

 

Okay, this is very interesting. I sent out my third query today to a different agent and publisher obviously, but did not get an auto responder reply at all. However, it did say this right on the agency's site under submissions guidelines.

 

Quote

We accept queries only via email. Please include a brief letter and the first few chapters in the body of your email, and if we are interested in reading further, we will be in touch within 4-6 weeks. We regret that we cannot guarantee a response to every submission; if you have not heard back from us within 6 weeks, we are declining the opportunity to pursue your work.

 

And on this agent's page it says this:

 

Quote

 XXXXXXXX is not considering submissions via paper mail. Due to the volume of submissions, XXXXXXXX is unable to respond personally to each individual query. If you do not hear back within eight weeks of your initial query, it means that he is declining the opportunity to represent your work.

 

I'm really hopeful with this one because their specialty is working with new authors to make their manuscripts the best they can be and to help them with their branding.

 

Terra

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, Terra said:

Okay, this is very interesting. I sent out my third query today to a different agent and publisher obviously, but did not get an auto responder reply at all. However, it did say this right on the agency's site under submissions guidelines.

And on this agent's page it says this:

I'm really hopeful with this one because their specialty is working with new authors to make their manuscripts the best they can be and to help them with their branding.

Terra

Well, at least they're consistent - the first one still turns me off though, just because of the bit about contacting them if you get representation. 

[Terra]

19 minutes ago, BIG Mike said:

Well, at least they're consistent - the first one still turns me off though, just because of the bit about contacting them if you get representation. 

I'm sure that bit is so they will get to your submission quicker and if they like it will counter with a  bigger/better representation package. I've seen a lot of agents say that on their personal pages within their agency site.

All in all, I figure it could be financially beneficial if two different agents from different agencies got into a bidding war over my manuscript/s. 

 

Terra

[Terra]

Well, I am two for two now.

Two automated messages immediately sent upon submitting and two without autoresponders.

However, I am finding all of the agents say pretty much the same thing on their individual sites and their agency's sights that was said in the automated emails.

Back to proofreading my second book and then finishing writing the third.

 

Terra

[Terra]

Update: Whoo, Hoo!

An agent called me regarding my manuscript! 

I got vetted and after discussing the manuscript and that it's a series, and the direction of the storyline, and that I've already finished the second and am currently writing the third, she said was interested. She is sending me an author's packet in the mail for my review and will give me a follow-up call in a week.

I have been sitting on this for a few days thinking I'd see if it went anywhere before I shared anything but then thought, well, if it ends up going nowhere, it's part of the process and might not be the first time it goes nowhere, lol!

But again, Whoo Hoo!!

Can you tell I'm excited?

 

Terra

[Terra]

I just got off the phone with the agent again. She told me they are very interested in my series after receiving my query letter and first 10 pages of my manuscript.

I received my author's packet which explains how they work like the percentage of royalties I'd receive, that I'll retain 100 % of the rights to my work, how they distribute, etc. I'm currently awaiting an email with a confidentiality agreement and as soon as I sign that, they've requested my full manuscript which will be sent along with the agreement.

She told me once they receive my signed agreement and full manuscript, their whole evaluation team will review it and they'll let me know the final decision within 3 to 5 business days. So more waiting...

I'm not very good with patience. 

 

On another front, I also received my first rejection letter from a different agency today. It was personalized at least, mentioning the name of the first book and my character's name and also stated it was a cute concept, whatever that means, LOL!

I'm much better with rejection than patience. 

 

Terra

 

[perryny]

Congrats, Terra! On both the reply and the rejection... progress is progress and it's great to see you continue to move forward.

Good luck with Agent #1.

[Terra]

11 hours ago, perryny said:

Congrats, Terra! On both the reply and the rejection... progress is progress and it's great to see you continue to move forward.

Good luck with Agent #1.

Thanks!

I can honestly say the waiting is the hardest part.

As for the rejection letter, I kind of liked it, lol! I mean it's better than not hearing anything at all. A lot of the agencies sites say that if you don't hear back from them in 6 to 8 weeks, it means they weren't interested. 

I prefer interaction. As a matter of fact, if the agency that asked for the full manuscript accepts it and wants to publish, they will work with me every step of the way, Every illustration and the book cover itself will have to have my personal okay before it's done and I'll even discuss what I want my characters to look like before they get started illustrating.

The down side to them is that they are a new agency and just started September of last year so aren't a heavy hitting agency. I figure why not get going together, right?

 

Terra

[Guest]

May is actually a bad month for me because our students are taking the University of Michigan ECCE and ECPE exams (Competency and Proficiency). It's a really big deal and a lot of extra work, but it will be starting Saturday for the written parts and next weak for the speaking exam. 

Despite that, it's actually been a very productive month so far - I'm working on four different web projects and giving them each at least one hour per day. 

Tomorrow night is our pre-exam party and if it goes as planned, I'll post a video related to (it's part of a marketing plan my wife pulled together). 

[Guest]

May turned into kind of a crappy month - picked up a bug from my youngest a week ago and have been coughing my head off ever since. On Monday I lost my voice and still can't talk much (throat's killing me and I sound ridiculous, LOL). Congested, can't breath, recurring fever and haven't done anything more since my last post. My wife and 2 of my daughters have it now too

Hopefully I'm on the mend and plan to start doing something productive today, even if it kills me!

[Terra]

3 hours ago, BIG Mike said:

May turned into kind of a crappy month - picked up a bug from my youngest a week ago and have been coughing my head off ever since. On Monday I lost my voice and still can't talk much (throat's killing me and I sound ridiculous, LOL). Congested, can't breath, recurring fever and haven't done anything more since my last post. My wife and 2 of my daughters have it now too

Hopefully I'm on the mend and plan to start doing something productive today, even if it kills me!

Aww! So sorry you are under the weather! Get better soon!

Don't over do it. The world is not ready to be BIG Mikeless yet! 

 

Terra