Note from Angela: I met Australian writer Wendy Hird in our new freelance writers forum here at WMF. She was one of the lucky recipients of a free site review, and when I checked out her site, I was so impressed with her voice and intrigued by her concept that I asked her to write a guest post for us. Enjoy, and don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments! Without further ado, here’s Wendy.
Global Literary Domination
By Wendy Hird
My previous publishing experience is a few water efficiency articles in industry trade magazines and company publications. I have now written a manuscript (written and re-written over 3 years), but as I reviewed online ‘how to get published’ articles and listened at author workshops, I gradually came to realise that getting it published wasn’t going to be easy.
Particularly as there is a significant problem with my book: there are no vampires!
There are also no boy wizards, no forensic pathologists, no glamazon red- headed female private investigators and no serial killers. It’s an Australian murder mystery with a steadily rising body count, some romance, a lot of humour, and some major twists and turns. I think it’s quite good!
But probably because I don’t understand the publishing industry enough to read between the lines, or know the ‘unwritten rules,’ I have developed a very pessimistic view of the publishing world. Apparently trying to get someone to pull a manuscript out of the ‘slush’ pile to read it is more a case of good luck.
It seems most Australian publishers don’t take unsolicited manuscripts, so I can’t get my manuscript looked at by a publisher without an agent, and I can’t get an agent till I am published.
Problem number two is that I’m not famous. Or a gorgeous model. Or rich.
Problem number three is the persistent rumour that if a publisher has rejected you once, you never get another go—and Australia doesn’t have that many publishers. So you have to make a great first impression.
Problem number four is that the established etiquette is that you should apply to only one agent or publisher, wait three to six months for them to get back to you, and then try another one. This could take years!
Mind you, apparently one teenage author got picked up on her first try on the basis of her quirky intro letter. So go figure!
So what does an unconnected first-time author with some minor computer skills do? Build an over-the-top website to promote her unpublished novel, of course.
Over the top? Decide for yourself. The opening line on my homepage is ‘Welcome minions, you are part of my plan for global literary domination.’
The website has info about me, an excerpt from my first book, and a blog where I’ll post a semi-regular article which I’ll also submit to my favourite paper, the Sydney Morning Herald, which selectively publishes 450 words rants from the public. Hopefully I’ll build a fan base or, as I call them, my minions. You can even buy the ‘I’m one of Wendy’s minions’ T-shirt. Check it out at www.threedegreesofmurder.com.
There is some method to my madness. It’s part of a longer term plan.
1) When I next submit my unsolicited manuscript, my marketing brief will show my (hopefully) rapidly expanding online presence. Or a publisher might follow a link from some forum to my blog, like my writing style and ask me to send in the requisite three chapters. Or talk on forums like this might get some publishers to put me on their ‘watch’ list. Or banned list. As you no doubt realise, a big part of my plan is dependent on Australian publishers having a really, really good sense of humour.
2) Secondly, even if I get published, the stories are you need to do a lot of the promoting yourself. The size of your advance is an indication of how much a publisher will spend to promote your book. One author I met at a workshop was happy to get a $2000 advance for his first book. He spent his time going to bookshops and moving his book to the front of the shelf, and doing talks. Another children’s book author wrote online about how much time she spent talking to librarians and teacher groups. So if I do get published, I need my minions to buy my book.
3) If I end up self-publishing, hard copy or on Kindle, I have the same publishing issues. Some self-publishing articles and forum comments recommend up to three-years to get the marketing rolling for your self-published book. So this is the start of a long process to build a fan-base.
So how many rejections did it take for me to go down this path?
One. Sad, I know; how little it takes to drive one to megalomania. I asked an agent to represent me: they said I was well-written, very talented but the call for the local murder market was tight. So, due to all reasons I have written about above, I thought I’d forget about spending years sending in more unsolicited chapters and just go for making a big splash online and, hopefully, they’ll call me.
More About Wendy Hird
Australian, female, sceptical, cynical yet optimistic. I’m an over 40, single engineer, but I don’t own any cats and don’t intend to. I love sci-fi, bad movies, being an aunty (four nephews to date), and live in Wollongong, Australia. I hate government incompetence, movie roles where the women trip over, and bad science. The friends who’ve read my first book say it’s funny and are disappointed to find they aren’t in it, but now think I’m mildly psychotic.
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Well, Wendy, your Guest Post certainly held my attention.
I think that your approach is definitely worth a try.
What do you have to lose?
All the best with the minions!
P-A-McGoldrick recently posted..EARTH HOUR 2011–CELEBRATE!
“Get Published…Make Squillions”
Love it, and good for you!
Good luck Wendy.
I hope you do become famous and sell a shed load of books.
Nice work Wendy!
As one of Wendy’s friends who was there at the inception of said plot/book, I feel there are some things she left out of her bio…
She is well travelled and had some extraordinary life experiences.
She has a wonderful “gift of the gab” she can tell a great story around a campfire or a cup of tea, usually both. Has a wicked sense of humour and laugh. Most importantly, from all of the people who have said to me they “are going to write a book about it” she is the ONE person I know who has!!!
So come on publishing world, give a fair dinkum modern aussie chick a go.
Cheers Jo ( sadly I’m not in the book either )
I didn’t see a single thing I disagreed with. I wish you a lot of luck. I just always figure if you get an agent or publisher and they want you to do your own promotion, well, why the agent or publisher?
Like the t-shirt idea though and aren’t writers usually psychotic by nature?
Thanks for the support, and the article about the website has garnered a few more connections as well. The tshirts -I really don’t expect to sell any – are from cafepress.com where the whole thing was free to set up. They look good too
Wendy Hird
‘all ask is that my minions worship me like a goddess’
I’m so glad that I am not the only one heading in the same direction as Wendy. After reading all of the publishing guidelines and the stressed note of how long it will all take and all of the promoting the writer has to do by themselves I also figured it was wiser to go at it on my own.
I wrote three health related books for my previous company and I sold the books to my clients, at bookstores (you don’t make any money here but it’s good for promoting your name) and went to expos. I’ve now entered a completely different genre and my plan is still the same only now I am incorporating social media.
I used personalised badges but I think the T-shirts are a great idea! Wishing you all of the best Wendy!
Thanks for the support, and the article about the website has garnered a few more connections as well.
The tshirts -I really don’t expect to sell any – are from cafepress.com where the whole thing was free to set up.
Wendy Hird
‘all ask is that my minions worship me like a goddess’
I think your plan for world domination is fantastic. And if you hadn’t already made a minion out of me, your expressed intention not to own a cat sealed the deal. I’ve no need for vampires and a fierce cat allergy. Maybe I should go ahead and order the t-shirt!
Best to you,
Heidi
Heidi Smith Luedtke recently posted..Post-It Note Tuesday- 4 Thoughts about Change
Thanks Heidi, I have just been reposted to a small writers community somewhere called eagle rock, so it’s world domination – one writers forum at a time.
Wendy Hird
‘All I ask of my minions is that you worship me.’
Now I want some minions, too, Wendy! And I love your “about Wendy” paragraph.
Shakirah Dawud recently posted..Working Green Packaging With The Packaging Diva
We can always share minions…. thanks for the support, Wendy Hird
Dear Wendy,
I grew up reading P.D. James with Adam Dalgliesh and Scotland Yard. The series is thoroughly Scottish, but workable in the U.S.
I would be pleased to review your proposal and manuscript brief via email attachments.
Timothy Staveteig, Literary Agent
My Literary Coach
tstaveteig@myliterarycoach.com
Thanks, but I’ve just had an assessment done and am working on a major re-write currently.
Wendy Hird
As wendy’s mother it is great to see how many posts she is getting. Good luck to all the other inovative people out there trying do do something different.
I enjoyed her book and could quite easily visualise Wendy and some of her friends in a couple of the situations.
She has been published before, she forgot her Thesis from Uni has been printed and is in the Uni Library.
Wendy has had a lot of enjoyment doing this book and thinking up the next one. Her nephews helped to design the shirts.
This is not just from a loving mother but it is fun to see her get so animated when telling us about the changes.
Keep on going Wendy.
Great piece and website. I have become a minion, even though I live in UK. You never know, maybe someone over here will have an attack of good taste and publish you. Be aware, though, that should I ever get around to finishing my book I shall expect reciprocal support!
Best of luck, Wendy.
happy to be a minion too, Mike
Wendy
‘all I ask of my minions is that they worship me’
Good for you, Wendy!! Blogging opens up worlds of potential – for marketing, yes, but also for making connections, new friends, and building a global community. I’m really excited for you and can’t wait to see how this mystery turns out!
Patty Chang Anker recently posted..Spring Cleaning Work Weekend- Or What Doesnt Kill You Makes You Stronger
Wendy this is one way to publicize your work…
Flora Mae recently posted..What inspires you in life What makes you want to reach for the stars and do something truly extraordinary
Thanks for vote, Flora,
Wendy
Well done Wendy!
I used to work with Wendy and we spent many wonderful evenings discussing the genius sub plots in the book. The online approach is brilliant, you’re one smart chick who’s always one step ahead of the game. Love your work sista – your minion always here in the UK
Hi Wendy…
Best Wishes, thoroughly enjoyed the manuscript….
Don’t forget I want to be in the movie!
Marg xx
Hi Wendy
I see you have some more minions besides me. That’s because good things come to good people. You’ll make it I know it. While over the creek check out the possibilities for a “Lord of the Minions” Good $$$ there to keep you going. Maybe “Lady of the Minions” “Once Were Minions” “Minion Rider” or just “Minion” even better. Then again you could start a cult following for “Minionfly”. If you cast Nathan Fillion or Temuera Morrison you cant go wrong. Gee its quiet here at work!!!!
Good on you. Very best of luck. I feel sure it will work for you and I will keep a look out for news of your rising domination!
A brilliant woman with some brilliant ideas! Thoroughly genius and funny, I love the updates and posts i get from your website – People/minions – sign up for the funny anecdotes and news at http://www.threedegreesofmurder.com.