How Ripe are You?

Not in the sense of ever being over-
ripe. Forget that! We writers can go on forever can't we?

When I first began writing a novel - after writing lyrics for songs and scripts for five-minute Christian radio programs- I was bright green.

I had no idea so much help was out there. I just wrote my story. THEN, and only then, I discovered I needed a lot more "how-to's" just to hone the craft. And online courses with ACFW was an eye-opener.

I began to color up to a nice pinkish shade. Then came the advice on how to write a book proposal, plus more guidance on the dreaded marketing side of things. Well, I suppose after I'd worked on these necessary skills I'd ripened to a decent light red.

Now on to cutting scenes not needed and editing unnecessary verbiage.  By now hopefully I'm a nice ripe story-teller of a luscious purple hue. But what's that? I need a big dish called Platform to be acceptable to US publishers? Huh? Doesn't matter how well I sell my books here Down Under, I can't do book signing or take speaking engagements in the US.

Never mind. I gather my ripe berries and cook up a nice pie called INDY PUBLISHING! Sure, it costs at first, but it's working. I choose my covers, my titles, my formatting and my paper.  All my profits go to Christian work in various countries of S.E. Asia to smaller organizations needing help. So I see the Lord's Hand in all this and I am blessed.

These are books I and II of the Victoriana trilogy. As they're identical twins separated at birth from their mother and each other, I needed the same model. Although a stand-alone novel, A Parcel of Promises ties up any loose ends. Roseanna M White designed both covers  and I am delighted with the feedback.

PayPal is a great help and early next year my print books will also be available as e-books.

To find out if they appeal to you, early next year, check   www.ritastellapress.com/read-more

Are there some ripe berries out there wondering how to take the next step toward publishing?

DELIVERING My BABY

I'm a bit past that now, but that's what my

agent said she'd do for me. And believe me, I'm

the one who has experienced all those labor

pains.

I have had a few miscarriages with my manuscripts. I

have come close, but failed at the committee level.

Unlike a baby coming whether ready or not, our little

novel babies require a great deal of perseverance and hard work to actually bring the delivery to pass.

 

The following is not really for published authors, but for those who feel their precious manuscripts are ready to be sent out into the world of traditional publishers.
 

 First that well written query, then if accepted comes the BOOK PROPOSAL which causes most authors to shudder. It's very demanding. In it you must persuade an agent, then a publisher why they should read a

chapter or two of your book.

Here's what I wrote for my novel and maybe you can use it as a guide:
Title:              The Testing of Taylor Jones   Historical Romance with Quest subplot 

Hook:             A venture into the unknown. A step of faith or an incalculable blunder?

Late 1890s: As members of a covert expedition in search of a creature thought extinct, Dr. Garrett Steele, veterinary professor of the New England Museum of Natural History and reporter, Miss Taylor Jones, are thrust to the limits of their courage and endurance in the rugged outback of Australia. He wants to make the find of the century and she wants to write an account that will make her a household name. When betrayed by a rogue team member, danger escalates their passionate clash of personalities into a relationship neither had bargained for. Will each find what they crave, or will they fail the final gut-wrenching challenge?

Then follows a one or two page SYNOPSIS, PROMOTION,  MARKETING and COMPETITION

 

Uniqueness:

v  The fascinating subject of cryptozoology: the study and search for animals thought to be extinct. Many naturalists were involved in this well over a century ago.

v  The huge but elusive Burrunjor has been depicted in cave paintings, rock carvings, and in reports by early Australian colonists. And bones of large carnivores have been located in remote Outback caves. Also the fascinating, mysterious Aboriginal culture.

v  Along with her speleologist brother, Rita has been on a few caving jaunts and these experiences gave her real insight into the feeling of aloneness in the cave depths. 

This is followed by ENDORSEMENTS, CHRISTIAN THEME, INTENDED READERS, and the MANUSCRIPT STATUS - length and whether completed. 

A full AUTHOR BIO, PUBLISHING CREDITS and FUTURE PROJECTS.

I was also urged to get a TWITTER a/c. Would you also like to follow me? @RitaSGalieh

Even at this stage where my agent has given it to her editor contacts, I can only continue praying my novel will eventually find the right publishing home. 

 

    So, as soon as you can, begin working on your Hook and Synopsis for your Book Proposal. It helps by planning ahead.   

 

  *Rita Stella Galieh is a scriptwriter and co-presenter on Vantage Point, a 5 minute program broadcast throughout Australia. She has contributed to several US Anthologies by Adams Media and has two Historical Romances published by Ark House Press. Each year she and her husband minister in Buddhist Government schools, prisons, hospitals & churches in Thailand