My BookCon Experience (Part 3)

Hey everyone! So today I'm going to be posting the last part of my BookCon series of blog posts!  The first panel I attended at BookCon was titled: My First Novel: Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Writing, Publishing and Promoting a Book featuring debut authors: Celeste Ng, Courtney Collins, Rachel Fershleiser, Yelena Akhtiorskaya.  Unfortunately, I simply don't have another 6 hours to spare transcribing the video--sorry!  Nevertheless, I have posted the vids below if you would like to watch them.  Also, I have included some Q and A's asked and answered at the end of the panel (see--I did my homework and took notes!)  Enjoy :)

Q and A

Question:Can you be a MG [middle grade] novelist looking for a book deal if you have some *ahem* raunchy photos online [connected to you]?

Answer: Things could get tricky--one way to solve this problem is to use a pen name. Make a clear segregation between your personal online profile and your professional profile.

Question: When did you know your manuscript was ready to be sent out?

Answer: When I was completely over it. When you've read it so much you become nauseated by it :-P When it feels it's as far as you can take it--then it's the time to hand it over to an agent who may help you make some changes as a third-person party with an impartial view.

Question: How much editing does an editor do?

Answer: There are different types of editors who do different types of editing. A structural report will give you feedback in the form of questions (ie. What motivated the character to do this? Why was this character here rather than there?)  Structural editors won't actually solve the problems for you.  Line editors are the grammar checkers. Sending your novel to an editor is a nice way to take a break and step back from your writing.  Many agents also play double duty and will edit.

Question: Pros and cons of Self Publishing vs. Traditional Route?

Answer: Cons of self publishing: You miss out on working with editors and agents (btw, agents may also handle the promotion of books, which is an extra job a self publisher would have to take on.) However, you do get more control when you self publish.

Question: What inspired the topics/themes of your novel?

Answer: Local stories and myths...my ideas start small and grow bigger.  Ideas that keep on haunting me are the ones that end up in my story.

Question:Do you have a say in publication planning if you publish via the traditional route?

Answer: It really depends on what you're up for.  If you want to kick back and not worry about promoting your book, hire a publicist. Or you could do it all yourself (lotta work!) Or you could work with your publicist for maximum exposure.

Question: When did you let friends/family read your manuscript?

Answer: As late as possible, lol! I tend to push family off as late as possible due to bias-ness. I would let friends read my manuscript only if I know they would be honest.

Question: Do you do outlines?

Answer: I make maps! I hate outlines in school...so now I make picture maps. Actually, what I find to be most helpful is outlining AFTER you finish your first draft, aka, reverse outlining.  It gives you a nice overview.

Question: Do you know how your book was going to end beforehand?

Answer: No. I had a vague idea, maybe, but I didn't know exactly how it was going to end.

Question: Do you ever write "back stories" to help organize the plot or develop characters/setting?

Answer: Often the back stories end up being the chapters that don't make it into the final draft--so I inadvertently write them.  Back stories are a good way to bust a writer's block!