July 4, 2010

Stuck With This Writing Thing

Great news! The first TWO books of the Finding Home trilogy, THE ORCHARD and THE INN, have been accepted by Covenant!

The sad news? The third book, THE LAKE, has been put on hold. Actually, I now have my first "temporary rejection", which I didn't know existed. It means they see potential and will get back to it after we see how the first 2 books do. Or not.

I started to get down about this until I focused on the fact that the first two books ARE GOING TO BE PUBLISHED. And that they've accepted the second book before the first one is even out!
I shouldn't start second guessing myself, worrying that everything else I've written since the second book must be drivel, or patting myself on the back saying, "Well, it was a good run, but now it's time to take up something that doesn't acquire so much attention, like dental assisting or librarian. Nobody critiques a librarian. Unless she laughs too loudly. I'd have to go with the dental thing.

But I'm not going to. Because the writing thing has attached itself to me like so much Krazy Glue.

I just need to figure out how to make THE LAKE stick. But later.
For now I'll focus on what is working. Thankfully, I have some of that to keep me from poking sharp objects into people's mouths.

Thoughts?

12 comments:

Lyn said...

Keep your sunny side up. Got my fingers crossed for your books. For almost all books--the country needs to read more--to sell and bring insight and entertainment to readers.

LynReader (saw you on Twitter)

Annette Lyon said...

You're definitely in an enviable position--it's pretty rare for a publisher to take on TWO books w/out any sales figures whatsoever. Three would be way too risky.

Your job to get #3 out? Do everything in your power to get good sales on #1 and #2 so they can justify a #3! Series are tough that way--they tend to sell fewer and fewer, with the first book always being the peak (which make sense--people never want to start mid-stream, so they go back to book 1 and may not ever finish the series, so book 1 has the most sales, always).

Good luck! I'm not worried for you--and don't let this get you down.

Krista said...

Lyn- Thank you for visiting and leaving such a bright comment!

Annette- Thanks for the encouragement and insight. I'm thinking positively!

Karen Jones Gowen said...

Wow your first two commenters left such good comments I'm not sure I can add anything more except to second what they both said! The writer life is sure a roller coaster ride isn't it?!

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

It really is all about sales, but wowza you must have wowed them to get that second book accepted before the first is even out! That's fabulous - congratulations!

Don said...

Woo! This is way, WAY awesome news. And I'm sure book three is practically a given.

Ditto what Annette said - Get good sales on 1 and 2. 3 will happen.

That's not a temporary rejection as much as it is a defacto conditional acceptance. And it's HUGE!

Krista said...

Karen, right about the roller coaster thing! Who knew?

Don, thanks! I need to figure out the sales thing!

Being an author is WORK. I don't think anybody who isn't one knows that. Maybe the publishers and agents.
Wait, is that a double negative? "I don't think anybody who isn't one knows that." Hm. *shrugs* I'm sticking with it.

Krista said...

Kim, your "wowza" is making me feel much better!

Lori said...

Krista, you are awesome. Two books is wonderful! Keep at it, you'll get that third accepted.

Krista said...

Thanks, Lori!

Julie Wright said...

It is incredibly awesome that you got two accepted at once. Don't worry about three. It'll come. Annette is spot on with her tidbits as to how things work. It has nothing to do with the manuscript at this point and everything to do with their publishing schedule and them staying open. I am excited for you! Congratulations!

Krista said...

Have I ever mentioned how amazingly supportive authors can be to one another? Do I even need to after reading these comments? You all ROCK.

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