Forget the money and keep your fame. This is what motivates me (Received via email):
I just wanted to say thanks for writing the best damn books ever. I had never read a book in my life until I read Hal Spacejock (and I'm 15 years old). We've only just got the second book in at the local library but I am eagerly awaiting your other books.
I replied with thanks and a short list of authors writing SF and Fantasy humour, because once someone's been sucked into reading ONE book they might try a few more.
Technorati Tags: spacejock Writing Science Fiction Humour
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Friday, July 07, 2006
How to get published and have a successful career
Here's the surefire path to a successful career in writing:
1) Churn out approximately one million words of fiction. This is your practice session. Can be short stories, stillborn novels, crappy stories you just can't finish, fan fiction, anything. Blog posts and email don't count towards the total, but they're all good practice for typing what you mean to say and learning to use the language professionally.
This is going to sound harsh, but if you don't care whether your emails and blog posts are grammatically correct and reasonably free of typos, then you may not care enough about the language to be a writer. Take a minute to think about the impression you're leaving with the people you write to. They will probably be the first you tell about your book, and if they're used to shoddy grammar and typos in your emails they might jump to the conclusion that your book is more of the same.
(I just know there's going to be a typo or a grammar issue in that paragraph, even though I've read it nine times. When a writer gets up and makes a point about the language, it's only natural that they screw up in the process and make themselves look like idiots. In my defence, I just spent 8 months editing and revising an 80,000 word manuscript and only got 5 hours sleep last night.)
2) Write a good strong book and polish it well. Sometimes it's hard to spot the flaws in your own work, so ask first readers to pick holes in it. Accept their comments gracefully, because if you argue they won't make any more. And if you're not going to listen to them, why ask them to read it in the first place?
Years ago I read something for a contact of mine, and I did a thorough job on it, too. I ended up with several pages of queries, but every point I raised was argued down to the wire, until eventually I gave up. That author wasn't after feedback, they just wanted kind words and a pat on the back. The experience wasn't a complete waste of time because it taught me how tough life is for editors, and it taught me to explain to readers what I needed from them.
3) Query agents (At least 100 before giving up on that novel) Boy, did I get this one wrong. I thought 'No unsolicited submissions' meant they didn't want to hear from people they hadn't asked to submit work to them. No wonder I gave up looking for an agent so quickly.
What it actually means is they don't want your manuscript or even the first three chapters. They just want a one page letter telling them about you and your book. They will get in touch if they want to see a partial (sample chapters)
(By the way, 'No unsolicited queries' means they don't want to hear from you at all.)
For fiction, you don't query agents until you have a finished manuscript.
And a timely reminder: Never pay an agent Agents take a cut from the publisher's payment to you. You don't pay them up front for anything.
The other reminder: If the agent suggests an editor who will help tidy up your manuscript for a modest fee, say no thanks and find another agent.
4) While doing 3), do 2) again
You're a writer, not an envelope stuffer. If you do get published, you'll discover that your editor is interested in your current book but everyone else wants to know what your next project is. So make sure you have one.
Now repeat 3-4 until you get an agent. If it takes you two years you might have 2 or 3 completed novels, and they get better the more you write.
Repeat 2 until the agent sells your book
If you DO get an agent your best bet is to write more books. If they discover they can't sell the work they signed you up for, they might have better luck with your next project. It might take them 12 months to give up on the first book, so wouldn't it be great to have another to offer them?
Repeat 2 until the agent and/or publisher ditches you.
If agent, find another one. If publisher, let your agent find another one. You should be writing.
Skipping any of these steps will reduce your chances considerably.
Glenda Larke suggested another step... READ READ and READ some more. How can you possibly hope to write a publishable manuscript if you're not absorbing others just as fast as you can?
So much for my ideas. What pointers can YOU share with people reading this blog? Comments below.
Technorati Tags: spacejock Writing Science Fiction Humour
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
1) Churn out approximately one million words of fiction. This is your practice session. Can be short stories, stillborn novels, crappy stories you just can't finish, fan fiction, anything. Blog posts and email don't count towards the total, but they're all good practice for typing what you mean to say and learning to use the language professionally.
This is going to sound harsh, but if you don't care whether your emails and blog posts are grammatically correct and reasonably free of typos, then you may not care enough about the language to be a writer. Take a minute to think about the impression you're leaving with the people you write to. They will probably be the first you tell about your book, and if they're used to shoddy grammar and typos in your emails they might jump to the conclusion that your book is more of the same.
(I just know there's going to be a typo or a grammar issue in that paragraph, even though I've read it nine times. When a writer gets up and makes a point about the language, it's only natural that they screw up in the process and make themselves look like idiots. In my defence, I just spent 8 months editing and revising an 80,000 word manuscript and only got 5 hours sleep last night.)
2) Write a good strong book and polish it well. Sometimes it's hard to spot the flaws in your own work, so ask first readers to pick holes in it. Accept their comments gracefully, because if you argue they won't make any more. And if you're not going to listen to them, why ask them to read it in the first place?
Years ago I read something for a contact of mine, and I did a thorough job on it, too. I ended up with several pages of queries, but every point I raised was argued down to the wire, until eventually I gave up. That author wasn't after feedback, they just wanted kind words and a pat on the back. The experience wasn't a complete waste of time because it taught me how tough life is for editors, and it taught me to explain to readers what I needed from them.
3) Query agents (At least 100 before giving up on that novel) Boy, did I get this one wrong. I thought 'No unsolicited submissions' meant they didn't want to hear from people they hadn't asked to submit work to them. No wonder I gave up looking for an agent so quickly.
What it actually means is they don't want your manuscript or even the first three chapters. They just want a one page letter telling them about you and your book. They will get in touch if they want to see a partial (sample chapters)
(By the way, 'No unsolicited queries' means they don't want to hear from you at all.)
For fiction, you don't query agents until you have a finished manuscript.
And a timely reminder: Never pay an agent Agents take a cut from the publisher's payment to you. You don't pay them up front for anything.
The other reminder: If the agent suggests an editor who will help tidy up your manuscript for a modest fee, say no thanks and find another agent.
4) While doing 3), do 2) again
You're a writer, not an envelope stuffer. If you do get published, you'll discover that your editor is interested in your current book but everyone else wants to know what your next project is. So make sure you have one.
Now repeat 3-4 until you get an agent. If it takes you two years you might have 2 or 3 completed novels, and they get better the more you write.
Repeat 2 until the agent sells your book
If you DO get an agent your best bet is to write more books. If they discover they can't sell the work they signed you up for, they might have better luck with your next project. It might take them 12 months to give up on the first book, so wouldn't it be great to have another to offer them?
Repeat 2 until the agent and/or publisher ditches you.
If agent, find another one. If publisher, let your agent find another one. You should be writing.
Skipping any of these steps will reduce your chances considerably.
Glenda Larke suggested another step... READ READ and READ some more. How can you possibly hope to write a publishable manuscript if you're not absorbing others just as fast as you can?
So much for my ideas. What pointers can YOU share with people reading this blog? Comments below.
Technorati Tags: spacejock Writing Science Fiction Humour
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Monday, July 03, 2006
Just Desserts Just About
The final draft is DONE.
This is my THIRD go at Hal Spacejock Just Desserts, the third book in the Hal Spacejock series, which means I've put more work into this thing than most authors put into an entire fantasy trilogy. Each time I've torn the plot apart and started again, and this time I believe I've got it right.
Only 3 people have one of these...
The first version was a political satire. The second had less of the politics but not enough of anything else to replace it. This one has zero politics and a load of the Hal & Clunk goodness people have come to expect. It will undergo tweaks (particularly the very last chapter) but at least my publisher now has something to print. And only 7 days past my deadline.
In September 2005 this was a 'finished' book, and I've spent most of the past nine months rewriting it. Twice. Over the past three months I've done nothing but eat, sleep and write. After all that work, I sincerely hope it meets expectations.
Technorati Tags: spacejock Writing Science Fiction Humour
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
This is my THIRD go at Hal Spacejock Just Desserts, the third book in the Hal Spacejock series, which means I've put more work into this thing than most authors put into an entire fantasy trilogy. Each time I've torn the plot apart and started again, and this time I believe I've got it right.
Only 3 people have one of these...
The first version was a political satire. The second had less of the politics but not enough of anything else to replace it. This one has zero politics and a load of the Hal & Clunk goodness people have come to expect. It will undergo tweaks (particularly the very last chapter) but at least my publisher now has something to print. And only 7 days past my deadline.
In September 2005 this was a 'finished' book, and I've spent most of the past nine months rewriting it. Twice. Over the past three months I've done nothing but eat, sleep and write. After all that work, I sincerely hope it meets expectations.
Technorati Tags: spacejock Writing Science Fiction Humour
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Friday, June 30, 2006
Extendare
This is what you do when your latest draft is 98% complete and you 'just need a few more days'. Particularly when the deadline is already as late as it can possibly be without throwing the release date off. Do you dare ask the editor for an extension?
I realised just four days ago that I needed another week to finish Hal 3 off properly. Yes, I'm a perfectionist and yes, I'm a procrastinator (never a good combination) So, I called my editor and she offered me another seven days before I could even start begging. Phew.
Anyway, the bits and pieces are flowing together nicely and I'm so-so-close to finishing this one off. I'm really looking forward to working on Hal 4, which will be the first new Hal novel without a previous version to work from. Alas, only the first three books are under contract, but if everyone buys Hal 3 when it comes out that state of affairs should change rapidly.
Technorati Tags: spacejock Writing Science Fiction Humour
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
I realised just four days ago that I needed another week to finish Hal 3 off properly. Yes, I'm a perfectionist and yes, I'm a procrastinator (never a good combination) So, I called my editor and she offered me another seven days before I could even start begging. Phew.
Anyway, the bits and pieces are flowing together nicely and I'm so-so-close to finishing this one off. I'm really looking forward to working on Hal 4, which will be the first new Hal novel without a previous version to work from. Alas, only the first three books are under contract, but if everyone buys Hal 3 when it comes out that state of affairs should change rapidly.
Technorati Tags: spacejock Writing Science Fiction Humour
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Monday, June 12, 2006
Good luck, Socceroos
It's 32 years since our one and only appearance at the World Cup. 32 years ago I was a five-year-old cowering behind the sofa while Dr Who played out on our black and white telly. Tonight I'll be chewing my nails just as hard, but this time I'll be in front of the sofa.
So, lay on the munchies and the caffeine drip and fingers crossed for a good result!
Update:
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
So, lay on the munchies and the caffeine drip and fingers crossed for a good result!
Update:
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Monday, June 05, 2006
Hal three: wheee!
Some of you may be aware that an early version of Hal Spacejock Just Desserts (Hal 3) was released under the Bowman Publishing imprint in 2003, but you may not realise that only 100 copies sold before Fremantle Arts took on the series. (Incidentally, if you spot one of these, grab it.)
Well, I've been rewriting Hal 3 for FACP since September last year, and over the past few weeks all that hard work has started to pay off. Any of the 100 people who read the Bowman edition would hardly recognise this book, since half the plot has been dumped along with two major characters. (Not Hal and Clunk!) I've
The problem was that the original book was a political satire, but it wasn't particularly satirical. The first character I chose to dump was a political leader with all the personality of ... a political leader. The other was his advisor, who if anything was even more boring.
Another problem was that while Hal and Clunk faced numerous challenges, none of them rated much higher than getting a puncture on the way to your own wedding.
I thought the book hung together pretty well, but each time I had a discussion with my editor I came up with ideas further and further from the original. Hence the lengthy rewrite, which has lasted 7 months on and off.
So, is it better? In a word, yes. The new major character only appeared in two chapters of the original, and even then they only have the name in common. (And I'm about to change the surname, too...) At least fifty percent of the plot is completely different, and I doubt many scenes will survive in their original form.
That's the beauty of rewrites, which is what this somewhat rambling post is all about. Yes, it's hard to hack into your cherished paragraphs, scenes and chapters, and it's doubly hard to lose gags and jokes you once laughed over. But the finished product is all that counts, and if you bear in mind I spent eight months writing the original, followed by three months editing, and have now spent seven or eight months stripping it down and doing it all over again, that's one hell of a lot of work for a book you'll probably devour in two days.
Remember that next time you're moaning an author got it all wrong ;-)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Well, I've been rewriting Hal 3 for FACP since September last year, and over the past few weeks all that hard work has started to pay off. Any of the 100 people who read the Bowman edition would hardly recognise this book, since half the plot has been dumped along with two major characters. (Not Hal and Clunk!) I've
The problem was that the original book was a political satire, but it wasn't particularly satirical. The first character I chose to dump was a political leader with all the personality of ... a political leader. The other was his advisor, who if anything was even more boring.
Another problem was that while Hal and Clunk faced numerous challenges, none of them rated much higher than getting a puncture on the way to your own wedding.
I thought the book hung together pretty well, but each time I had a discussion with my editor I came up with ideas further and further from the original. Hence the lengthy rewrite, which has lasted 7 months on and off.
So, is it better? In a word, yes. The new major character only appeared in two chapters of the original, and even then they only have the name in common. (And I'm about to change the surname, too...) At least fifty percent of the plot is completely different, and I doubt many scenes will survive in their original form.
That's the beauty of rewrites, which is what this somewhat rambling post is all about. Yes, it's hard to hack into your cherished paragraphs, scenes and chapters, and it's doubly hard to lose gags and jokes you once laughed over. But the finished product is all that counts, and if you bear in mind I spent eight months writing the original, followed by three months editing, and have now spent seven or eight months stripping it down and doing it all over again, that's one hell of a lot of work for a book you'll probably devour in two days.
Remember that next time you're moaning an author got it all wrong ;-)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Monday, May 29, 2006
Major Hal Spacejock review
It's always nice (and usually quite a surprise!) to see genre books reviewed in mainstream newspapers. Today's edition of the West Australian (Monday 29th May 2006) has a nice big article on my struggle to get into print, along with a flattering and very positive review/spoiler-free synopsis of the book.
I'm still working hard on Hal 3, and sometimes I really feel like I'm out of the loop when it comes to feedback. Once I hand in the final draft of a Hal Spacejock novel it's all in my publisher's hands, although I do attend any number of promotional and speaking events to help move things along.
However, actual info on number of books sold across Australia and New Zealand in the last day, week, or ten minutes (demanding, me?) isn't available. There's no real guide to how well it's doing, and so a writer's job is to bury themselves in the next book and forget all about the last.
But where's the fun in that? Where's the fame and fortune when you're always working on the next book and never stopping to enjoy the success of the last one? Hah - welcome to the real world of being a published author. Write, revise, submit. It doesn't stop just because someone selected one of your manuscripts, not if you want to make a career out of it.
I firmly believe you need four books in the market before anyone really notices you. Whether that's a trilogy plus the first book of the next series, or four singles, I think readers want to see how committed you are to providing them with ongoing material before they'll dive into your world.
Of course, once you've hooked them you're set, unless you get big-headed and start ignoring your editor. Trace any author's career and you'll often find later books getting bigger and bigger, looser and looser, as their editors cease to have the input they used to. To me, the worst career move for any author is to believe they're now good enough that no editor should touch their work. Well crap to that.
If you're wondering where to put your time - marketing or rewriting - my advice is to invest it in making the book better. Once it's out there you can't change it, and if you write good books word of mouth will generate more sales than any marketing by the author.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
I'm still working hard on Hal 3, and sometimes I really feel like I'm out of the loop when it comes to feedback. Once I hand in the final draft of a Hal Spacejock novel it's all in my publisher's hands, although I do attend any number of promotional and speaking events to help move things along.
However, actual info on number of books sold across Australia and New Zealand in the last day, week, or ten minutes (demanding, me?) isn't available. There's no real guide to how well it's doing, and so a writer's job is to bury themselves in the next book and forget all about the last.
But where's the fun in that? Where's the fame and fortune when you're always working on the next book and never stopping to enjoy the success of the last one? Hah - welcome to the real world of being a published author. Write, revise, submit. It doesn't stop just because someone selected one of your manuscripts, not if you want to make a career out of it.
I firmly believe you need four books in the market before anyone really notices you. Whether that's a trilogy plus the first book of the next series, or four singles, I think readers want to see how committed you are to providing them with ongoing material before they'll dive into your world.
Of course, once you've hooked them you're set, unless you get big-headed and start ignoring your editor. Trace any author's career and you'll often find later books getting bigger and bigger, looser and looser, as their editors cease to have the input they used to. To me, the worst career move for any author is to believe they're now good enough that no editor should touch their work. Well crap to that.
If you're wondering where to put your time - marketing or rewriting - my advice is to invest it in making the book better. Once it's out there you can't change it, and if you write good books word of mouth will generate more sales than any marketing by the author.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Andromeda Spaceways now also available as a PDF
Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine #22 is out now in an easy electronic version.
Containing all of the content of the issue except for two stories which are exclusive to the printed issue, the pdf of e-ASIM #22 is available for AUD$3 or US$2 (Paypal only) from our website
That's an awful lot of ASIM for a small amount of change, and it won't take up any room on your bookcase!
e-ASIM #22 is an e-xperiment to gauge the popularity of an electronic version of the magazine - if it proves popular we will do this with future issues, and may be able to offer an e-subscription option in addition to the print subscription.
This issue contains:
Fiction
"The Sun King," Adam Browne
"Blake the God," Lee Battersby
"Marco's Tooth," Trent Jamieson
"The Last Cyberpunk," Will McIntosh
"It's Only Rock and Roll," Hannah Strom-Martin
"Mail Chauvinism," G. Scott Huggins
"Tiny Sapphire and the Big Bad Virus," Josh Rountree
"The Once and Future Creepy," Andrew Hindle
"Love in the Land of the Dead," Shane Jiraiya Cummings
Non Fiction
Feature Article by Cory Daniells
Interview with Trent Jamieson
Reviews by Cherie Priest, Tansy Rayner Roberts and others.
Cover by Conny Valentina
(to read "Black Box," by Miles Deacon, "Western Front 1914," by Peter Friend or "MarsSickGirl" by Jennifer Pelland, you can still buy a print copy of ASIM 22 at www.andromedaspaceways.com)
Check out a review of this issue at Tangent Online
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Containing all of the content of the issue except for two stories which are exclusive to the printed issue, the pdf of e-ASIM #22 is available for AUD$3 or US$2 (Paypal only) from our website
That's an awful lot of ASIM for a small amount of change, and it won't take up any room on your bookcase!
e-ASIM #22 is an e-xperiment to gauge the popularity of an electronic version of the magazine - if it proves popular we will do this with future issues, and may be able to offer an e-subscription option in addition to the print subscription.
This issue contains:
Fiction
"The Sun King," Adam Browne
"Blake the God," Lee Battersby
"Marco's Tooth," Trent Jamieson
"The Last Cyberpunk," Will McIntosh
"It's Only Rock and Roll," Hannah Strom-Martin
"Mail Chauvinism," G. Scott Huggins
"Tiny Sapphire and the Big Bad Virus," Josh Rountree
"The Once and Future Creepy," Andrew Hindle
"Love in the Land of the Dead," Shane Jiraiya Cummings
Non Fiction
Feature Article by Cory Daniells
Interview with Trent Jamieson
Reviews by Cherie Priest, Tansy Rayner Roberts and others.
Cover by Conny Valentina
(to read "Black Box," by Miles Deacon, "Western Front 1914," by Peter Friend or "MarsSickGirl" by Jennifer Pelland, you can still buy a print copy of ASIM 22 at www.andromedaspaceways.com)
Check out a review of this issue at Tangent Online
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Upcoming author event
I'll be attending Subiaco Library (Perth, Western Australia) at 6pm on Friday the 26th May for a live interview with Grant Stone of Faster-than-Light and Perth fandom fame. Afterwards you'll be able to buy both of my books and I'll even sign them if you insist. More details and a copy of the flyer on the Appearances page at the Hal Spacejock web site - all Spacejockers welcome! (Bookings are essential since they only have limited space)
There's also a PDF version of the flyer suitable for printing - family, friends, workmates, door-to-door salesmen and anyone else who might be interested. (2mb file).
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
There's also a PDF version of the flyer suitable for printing - family, friends, workmates, door-to-door salesmen and anyone else who might be interested. (2mb file).
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Friday, April 14, 2006
All Saints' Kids' Lit 2006
The festival* has come and gone for another year, and I've put a light-hearted report of my activities here. Kid's Lit is all about promoting and supporting the reading, studying, and use of children's literature - sounds a bit dry but it practice it meant telling anecdotes to groups of kids ranging from 20-200.
* From the official site: "For its fifth year, the All Saints’ College Festival of Children’s Literature welcomes a major line-up of local and national writers, authors, illustrators, journalists and storytellers to the Festival stage. With its most exciting programme yet, Kids’ Lit will communicate the wonderful world of literature to students from around Western Australia."
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
* From the official site: "For its fifth year, the All Saints’ College Festival of Children’s Literature welcomes a major line-up of local and national writers, authors, illustrators, journalists and storytellers to the Festival stage. With its most exciting programme yet, Kids’ Lit will communicate the wonderful world of literature to students from around Western Australia."
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Monday, April 03, 2006
Inside joke
They're talking about Conjure* on the Purple Zone** at the moment and the current plan is for people who frequent the con to wear a small purple dot on their id badge to show they're also part of the Voyager forum.
Alas, not all can go (me for one) so an enterprising PZ'er put together a badge for the rest of us:
I'll have to stick mine on the computer desk, if I can find room.
* This year's Australian National SF convention
** The HarperCollins Voyager Australia website/forum
.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Alas, not all can go (me for one) so an enterprising PZ'er put together a badge for the rest of us:
I'll have to stick mine on the computer desk, if I can find room.
* This year's Australian National SF convention
** The HarperCollins Voyager Australia website/forum
.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Friday, March 24, 2006
Review of Hal Spacejock Second Course
Nice to see an SF review in the mainstream press - actually, it's more than nice ... it's highly unusual.
Update (4th Aug 2006): The review mentioned above was published in the Adelaide Advertiser and also appeared on their website. Since then, the website has been rejigged and the reviews have gone in the reshuffle.
However, you can still see links to other HS2 reviews here
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Update (4th Aug 2006): The review mentioned above was published in the Adelaide Advertiser and also appeared on their website. Since then, the website has been rejigged and the reviews have gone in the reshuffle.
However, you can still see links to other HS2 reviews here
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Publicity pile-on
Author visits are one of the most rewarding things about getting a book or two into the shops. I wrote the Hal Spacejock series for adults, but it's also suitable for kids 12+ so I'm lucky enough to be invited to schools as well as other events.
My publisher has two publicity demons fielding requests for author visits, one for young adult (schools, kids lit events, etc) and the other for adult-oriented visits like gatherings of librarians and book buyers. That's on top of media interviews, which tend to be close to launch date.
Nyanda and Rachel do an excellent job, and I make a point of saying yes to every event they offer me no matter where, when or what it is. In fact, they've now taken to accepting on my behalf and letting me know afterwards. (Easy? Me? Hell, I'd go to the opening of a coke can.)
And now that I'm working full time from home I can go out on a whim ;-)
Over the next few months I've pencilled in half a dozen appearances of one kind or another, and it's really getting to the stage where I have to double check before I say 'yes yes, put me down' However, one word of advice: If you find yourself in this situation remember to keep writing, because that's where NEXT year's appearances will come from.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
My publisher has two publicity demons fielding requests for author visits, one for young adult (schools, kids lit events, etc) and the other for adult-oriented visits like gatherings of librarians and book buyers. That's on top of media interviews, which tend to be close to launch date.
Nyanda and Rachel do an excellent job, and I make a point of saying yes to every event they offer me no matter where, when or what it is. In fact, they've now taken to accepting on my behalf and letting me know afterwards. (Easy? Me? Hell, I'd go to the opening of a coke can.)
And now that I'm working full time from home I can go out on a whim ;-)
Over the next few months I've pencilled in half a dozen appearances of one kind or another, and it's really getting to the stage where I have to double check before I say 'yes yes, put me down' However, one word of advice: If you find yourself in this situation remember to keep writing, because that's where NEXT year's appearances will come from.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Writer meme from PBW
This was taken from a post on PBW's blog. The idea is for published writers to share their thoughts on a set of comments, thus helping those hoping to get published, or those who have been published and are wondering what happens next. I've posted the questions in bold, my answers in plain. If you're published or have any insights on the questions, please replicate them on your own blog and post a comment on PBW's blog so others can find your take on them.
1. How to Go Pro: What happens after you get The Call? What are the stages the book in process goes through? What you can do as an author to help it happen and be as painless as possible, etc.?
The most important thing, in my view, is to listen to your editor. You will need this person's help, and they will need yours. There's no room for precious author syndrome - save that for when you're rich and famous (and then watch people moan that your books aren't as good as they used to be.)
Your editor will tell you where your book is lacking. Do not ignore these comments. Your editor may make suggestions on how to fix these problems. Feel free to ignore these suggestions and come up with your own. Work as a team and remind yourself your editor is working with you to make your book stronger.
2. Staying Pro: I'd like to see more on how to KEEP selling, or how to organize my time (and) Once you start selling the plan is to keep selling and have a nice long career. Pointers?
Forget everything else and write more books. That's your job. If the first don't do so well, you can submit new and better books under a pseudonym.
3. Budget Marketing: What can be done about marketing for writers with a $2k advance?
Talk to the publicist at your publisher. Decide whether the money is better spent on behind-the-scenes stuff like entries in bookstore catalogues or front counter stuff like bookmarks. Ask them what they would do with $500, $1000 dollars to promote the book. A decent author website is a good start.
4. Trouble-Free Marketing: Can the writer do anything to avoid looking like a newbie dork (about marketing)? How does the little guy get some attention without attracting trouble?
Talk to your publicist. Don't duplicate their efforts.
Every time they set you up some publicity, go along and give it all you've got. Say yes to everything, and do it. If you hold out for major media events and let them down over smaller, more personal items like school and library visits, you're sending the publicist a message. How do you know who's going to be in the audience, anyway?
5. Real Sales Numbers: How many books really did sell last week? How many copies of each book on the best sellers lists (and the midlist as well)? Which venues are selling (online vs main stores vs independents).
Your publisher will know.
6. What's Selling, and What's Not: I'd like to know what novels publishers are wanting now and the best way to keep up with the markets. How can someone check their idea with what is coming out on PW or the other publishing trades? What is the science behind it?
Forget it and write what you love.
7. Author Abuse: What exactly constitutes Bad/Poor treatment from a publisher (excluding poor sales, thin to no marketing, or normal business-related problems)?
If your editor leaves and the book is orphaned, you're probably in for a rough time. Getting angry because your publisher won't take out full page ads for your book only demonstrates a lack of knowledge about the publishing industry.
8. Ambient Wisdom or Myth: I wish if I knew if I were doing the right thing, rewriting my 300K novel into a trilogy, because the ambient wisdom is a first-timer can't sell a 300K book.
Agreed.
9. Real Deal and Not Blowing It: What do you do when you actually hear from an agent/editor who wants to represent/publish you? What kinds of documents are you going to be required to complete, what knowledge do you need, is it inappropriate to fly out just to hug the person, what are pitfalls that will make sure your book never sees daylight...what happens when you get past the hard part?
Order a couple books on contracts (Kirsch, for example) and read them cover to cover. Listen to the editor/agent, and don't feel you have to reply to every question immediately.
10. Any Age Discrimination: Are agents and publishers scared of first time authors over the age of 50?
No. You could write a book a year until you turn seventy or eighty.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
1. How to Go Pro: What happens after you get The Call? What are the stages the book in process goes through? What you can do as an author to help it happen and be as painless as possible, etc.?
The most important thing, in my view, is to listen to your editor. You will need this person's help, and they will need yours. There's no room for precious author syndrome - save that for when you're rich and famous (and then watch people moan that your books aren't as good as they used to be.)
Your editor will tell you where your book is lacking. Do not ignore these comments. Your editor may make suggestions on how to fix these problems. Feel free to ignore these suggestions and come up with your own. Work as a team and remind yourself your editor is working with you to make your book stronger.
2. Staying Pro: I'd like to see more on how to KEEP selling, or how to organize my time (and) Once you start selling the plan is to keep selling and have a nice long career. Pointers?
Forget everything else and write more books. That's your job. If the first don't do so well, you can submit new and better books under a pseudonym.
3. Budget Marketing: What can be done about marketing for writers with a $2k advance?
Talk to the publicist at your publisher. Decide whether the money is better spent on behind-the-scenes stuff like entries in bookstore catalogues or front counter stuff like bookmarks. Ask them what they would do with $500, $1000 dollars to promote the book. A decent author website is a good start.
4. Trouble-Free Marketing: Can the writer do anything to avoid looking like a newbie dork (about marketing)? How does the little guy get some attention without attracting trouble?
Talk to your publicist. Don't duplicate their efforts.
Every time they set you up some publicity, go along and give it all you've got. Say yes to everything, and do it. If you hold out for major media events and let them down over smaller, more personal items like school and library visits, you're sending the publicist a message. How do you know who's going to be in the audience, anyway?
5. Real Sales Numbers: How many books really did sell last week? How many copies of each book on the best sellers lists (and the midlist as well)? Which venues are selling (online vs main stores vs independents).
Your publisher will know.
6. What's Selling, and What's Not: I'd like to know what novels publishers are wanting now and the best way to keep up with the markets. How can someone check their idea with what is coming out on PW or the other publishing trades? What is the science behind it?
Forget it and write what you love.
7. Author Abuse: What exactly constitutes Bad/Poor treatment from a publisher (excluding poor sales, thin to no marketing, or normal business-related problems)?
If your editor leaves and the book is orphaned, you're probably in for a rough time. Getting angry because your publisher won't take out full page ads for your book only demonstrates a lack of knowledge about the publishing industry.
8. Ambient Wisdom or Myth: I wish if I knew if I were doing the right thing, rewriting my 300K novel into a trilogy, because the ambient wisdom is a first-timer can't sell a 300K book.
Agreed.
9. Real Deal and Not Blowing It: What do you do when you actually hear from an agent/editor who wants to represent/publish you? What kinds of documents are you going to be required to complete, what knowledge do you need, is it inappropriate to fly out just to hug the person, what are pitfalls that will make sure your book never sees daylight...what happens when you get past the hard part?
Order a couple books on contracts (Kirsch, for example) and read them cover to cover. Listen to the editor/agent, and don't feel you have to reply to every question immediately.
10. Any Age Discrimination: Are agents and publishers scared of first time authors over the age of 50?
No. You could write a book a year until you turn seventy or eighty.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
First review of Hal 2
Satima Flavell just posted a review of Hal Spacejock Second Course on the Specusphere website. Did she like it? Hate it?
See for yourself
The book is gradually appearing in stores and libraries across Australia. Enjoy!
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
See for yourself
The book is gradually appearing in stores and libraries across Australia. Enjoy!
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Announcement lists - ego trip or useful tool?
About a year ago I set up an announcements list for the Hal Spacejock series. Every now and then I post a news update, which might contain links to new reviews, details of overseas releases and so on.
After seeing so many people miss out in the latest Hal draw (306 entrants, 10 winners) I've decided to run some kind of contest through the announcement list from time to time, which will allow me to give away more copies of my books.
If you'd like to be in on it, just visit the mailing list signup page The list runs on my own server, which means nobody else will get hold of your details, so feel free to sign up. The link above will also give you access to the mailing list archive, so you can see the kind of thing I send out.
The single biggest reason for the mailing list is to let people in the UK or US know when Hal Spacejock is available in their market, and believe me as soon as I have news it'll be broadcast on every channel I have at my disposal ;-)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
After seeing so many people miss out in the latest Hal draw (306 entrants, 10 winners) I've decided to run some kind of contest through the announcement list from time to time, which will allow me to give away more copies of my books.
If you'd like to be in on it, just visit the mailing list signup page The list runs on my own server, which means nobody else will get hold of your details, so feel free to sign up. The link above will also give you access to the mailing list archive, so you can see the kind of thing I send out.
The single biggest reason for the mailing list is to let people in the UK or US know when Hal Spacejock is available in their market, and believe me as soon as I have news it'll be broadcast on every channel I have at my disposal ;-)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Match the first line to the author and win ... Baby clothes! (Other lesser prizes available)
Roll up, roll up and enter the exciting Andromeda Spaceways #22 contest. This post contains a list of all the original fiction that will be published in the upcoming ASIM #22, edited by Tansy Rayner Roberts.
Head on over there and give it a shot. Baby clothes are not to be sniffed at ... really, they're not. You could also win a subscription to Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine, a publication I happen to have a hand in. (Unlike the baby clothes)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Head on over there and give it a shot. Baby clothes are not to be sniffed at ... really, they're not. You could also win a subscription to Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine, a publication I happen to have a hand in. (Unlike the baby clothes)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Three Hal 2 Things
Hal 2 is officially out, although it'll probably take a couple of weeks for copies to trickle into stores. It's an Australia/NZ release only at this stage.
I've announced the winners of the Hal Second Course draw (via email), but if you forgot to enter you can always put your name in for the next draw.
Bookstores North of Perth now have their Hal Spacejock bookmarks, so if you happen to live in Belmont or Joondalup, or anywhere in between, you can go in and ask for a set. South of Perth will be covered later this week. On my travels I saw 1 - 3 copies of the first Hal Spacejock book in every store, which is pretty good going six months after it came out. (Good going in that they haven't sent them all back yet, and that seeing none at all on the shelves would have been very bad.) When they add all the Hal 2 books to them it'll take up a nice little spot, unless they do the bookshop thing and ship back all the first Hal books when the second ones arrive ;-)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
I've announced the winners of the Hal Second Course draw (via email), but if you forgot to enter you can always put your name in for the next draw.
Bookstores North of Perth now have their Hal Spacejock bookmarks, so if you happen to live in Belmont or Joondalup, or anywhere in between, you can go in and ask for a set. South of Perth will be covered later this week. On my travels I saw 1 - 3 copies of the first Hal Spacejock book in every store, which is pretty good going six months after it came out. (Good going in that they haven't sent them all back yet, and that seeing none at all on the shelves would have been very bad.) When they add all the Hal 2 books to them it'll take up a nice little spot, unless they do the bookshop thing and ship back all the first Hal books when the second ones arrive ;-)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Aftermath
Great fun last night - 50-60 people rocked up to Dymocks Carousel for the Hal Spacejock Second Course launch. I started signing books, and eventually the line had to be halted for a while so we could get a couple of speeches in. Then it was back to signing.
Dymocks did a great job, with trays of sandwiches, drinks and nibblies all round. It was great to see people from the first Hal Spacejock launch, as well as readers who'd picked the first book up since September. The store tells me they sold 65 of my books on the night, and the encouraging news is that 1/3 of those were copies of the first title.
Fremantle Arts were represented by the hard-working duo of Leone Dyer and Ray Coffey, both of them excited by the sight of so many people and the great reception the books seem to be getting. Back at head office, Nyanda has already sent out review copies and is ensuring the media get to hear about Hal Spacejock.
Remember, Hal 2 will be in stores across Australia on the first of March. Even if you couldn't make it to the launch, you'll be able to pick up your own copy of the book very, very soon.
No word yet on US or UK publishers, I'm afraid. If you live outside Australia or NZ the only option is to order from somewhere like the Australian Online Bookshop. I'm running a mailing list to keep people informed of any progress in this direction: just visit the mailing list home page to sign up.
Finally, the draw for a signed copy of Hal 2 closes in less than a week. Visit this page to enter. It's free, your email won't be used for any other purpose and it's open to all, whichever country you happen to live in.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Dymocks did a great job, with trays of sandwiches, drinks and nibblies all round. It was great to see people from the first Hal Spacejock launch, as well as readers who'd picked the first book up since September. The store tells me they sold 65 of my books on the night, and the encouraging news is that 1/3 of those were copies of the first title.
Fremantle Arts were represented by the hard-working duo of Leone Dyer and Ray Coffey, both of them excited by the sight of so many people and the great reception the books seem to be getting. Back at head office, Nyanda has already sent out review copies and is ensuring the media get to hear about Hal Spacejock.
Remember, Hal 2 will be in stores across Australia on the first of March. Even if you couldn't make it to the launch, you'll be able to pick up your own copy of the book very, very soon.
No word yet on US or UK publishers, I'm afraid. If you live outside Australia or NZ the only option is to order from somewhere like the Australian Online Bookshop. I'm running a mailing list to keep people informed of any progress in this direction: just visit the mailing list home page to sign up.
Finally, the draw for a signed copy of Hal 2 closes in less than a week. Visit this page to enter. It's free, your email won't be used for any other purpose and it's open to all, whichever country you happen to live in.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Bookmarks take flight
Over the next 7-10 days almost 18,000 Hal Spacejock bookmarks will be hitting bookstores across Australia. I have another 6,000 for distribution to SF conventions and to hand out anywhere and everywhere.
So, if you live in Australia and happen to see one of my bookmarks in your local - please let me know. I'd like to know they're not just piled up in a warehouse somewhere...
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
So, if you live in Australia and happen to see one of my bookmarks in your local - please let me know. I'd like to know they're not just piled up in a warehouse somewhere...
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
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