Is There Room for Originality?
One of the comments on a recent blog post suggested that publishers are only looking for “formula” books, and that it’s not possible in traditional publishing to be creative and innovative. This has been a common criticism for years—the old, “I’m so unique and amazing the no one will publish me.” Today I want to answer that criticism.
From where I sit, this isn’t true at all. Books are constantly being published that break molds and startle us with their creativity and vision. If you’re not seeing them out there, then I wonder how hard you’re really looking.
It’s all a matter of perspective. I believe that if you continue to believe this way about publishing, and believe that there’s no place for you because you’re extra creative and innovative and tend to write outside expected genre lines, then it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
But instead, you could choose to write such a good book that agents, editors and readers say “Genre be damned – this is a stunning book!”
That’s how the amazingly original books get published. They’re so good that people can’t put them down, regardless of genre. Those are the books you read, and then you go to tell your friends about them but find yourself saying, “Well, it’s hard to explain, but it’s SO good, you just have to read it!”
If you want an agent and a traditional publisher, don’t give up just because your work falls outside “expected” lines of genre or style. Be persistent. If your writing is good enough, you just may find that perfect editor to champion it. Don’t give up with the excuse that the whole publishing industry sucks. You won’t get anywhere that way. Press on.
What’s the most unique or original book you’ve read lately?
7 Bad Habits of Successful Authors
One of my favorite blogs is Copyblogger. I’ve recommended it before and once again I’m suggesting you take a look if you enjoy reading about ways to have a successful website. Recently I read an article there called The 7 Bad Habits of Insanely Productive People, and it was so good, I got permission to steal [...]
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Keep Money in Its Place
Today I’m going to tell you the quickest way to drive yourself crazy and lose the joy in your writing journey. You thought I was going to say “Reading agent blogs,” right? Good guess, but no, that’s not it. The quickest way to lose the joy is to expect that your first book contract is [...]
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May 2012 Releases
Books my clients are releasing in May. The Get Yourself Organized Project by Kathi Lipp Harvest House Finally, an organizational book for women who have given up trying to be Martha Stewart but still desire some semblance of order in their lives. Most organizational books are written by and for people who are naturally structured [...]
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Guest Bloggers Apply Here
Do you have something to say? Something inspiring… insightful… helpful… brilliant? Want to be a guest blogger? I am taking auditions for guest posts from YOU, my faithful blog readers. I need a handful of guest posts that I’ll use throughout the summer. My blog is getting over 60,000 visitors per month (100,000 page views) [...]
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There’s Nothing New Under The Sun
…Or is There? Guest Blogger: Karen Witemeyer Publishers say they want fresh voices and original plots. Yet they also want stories that fit into saleable categories with mass appeal. So how do we come up with plots that feel fresh while still maintaining the core elements that readers want? Thousands of years ago Solomon observed [...]
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9 Ways to Outwit Writer’s Block
*Or get out of a rut 1. Read a chapter of your WIP aloud to someone other than your cat. Invite feedback, if you’re brave. But mostly, just listen as you read. Do the words flow easily, roll nicely off the tongue? Do you stumble anywhere? Anything sound awkward? How’s the dialogue? Option: Record yourself [...]
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Quality Books Take Time
Back in the early ’80s there was an ad campaign for Paul Masson wine where Orson Welles famously uttered, “We will sell no wine before its time.” The message was powerful; it conveyed, “We care so much about producing the highest quality wine that we refuse to rush the process. We won’t try to bring [...]
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What If My Agent Doesn’t Like My Next Book?
As if it’s not stressful enough getting an agent based on that first book, it seems everyone wonders the same thing. What if they love my first book but hate my second one? I’ve had quite a few authors ask this about agents and publishers. So first I’m going to ease your mind; then we’ll [...]
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Don’t Miss the Good Stuff
“This is as good as this job gets. Savor it.” (Peggy Olson to Megan Draper on Mad Men) That line stopped me in my tracks. I had to rewind and listen to it a couple more times. “This is as good as this job gets. Savor it.” Megan had come up with a great idea that had [...]
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Rooted Marketing: Building Marketing Tools into Your Story
Guest blogger: Dineen A. Miller Nothing like a book contract to make you suddenly aware of the need to think about marketing. Before the release of my first novel, The Soul Saver, I started questioning if current marketing trends in the Christian publishing industry were working. The big picture out there can be quite overwhelming, like [...]
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Are Agents Running Scared?
I’ve been answering questions from readers, and today I’m responding to Mark, who (along with plenty of others) asked if I’m afraid of the future in which agents will be extinct. He suggested we are all terrified of losing our jobs, and when we write about traditional publishing, and even (gasp) defend it, it shows [...]
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Life as a Published Author
This week I’m answering questions from readers, and today I’m responding to Megan, who was curious about why published authors always talk about being so busy. What’s taking up so much of their time? Megan’s trying to decide if she’s really ready to take on everything publication would entail, since her life is pretty full [...]
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This Post is For the Ones You Love
I’ll be answering some letters from readers this week. Today I’m responding to Ruth, who wrote to say her husband has a hard time taking her writing seriously and refuses to think of it as a career or lifelong vocation, since she’s not making any money at it yet. Ruth wants to know how to [...]
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If you're new to publishing, please start here: How To Get Published.
You may also want to watch this 14-minute video: Advice for New Authors.
My Twitter name is @RachelleGardner.
My passion is partnering with authors to bring worthwhile books to publication. I started this blog as a way to create a community of writers, both published and seeking publication. I write about a wide variety of topics of interest to writers, and I consider the reader comments even more important than my own posts.
Click photo for my full bio.
