Blogs

"We keep hearing this phrase, 'What's the platform?' . . . Well, what it is is this: What does the author bring to the table? Talent is not enough. The number of slots open to fiction on a publisher's list is being reduced all the time." -- Literary agent Nat Sobel, quoted in Poets and Writers Magazine

Three years ago, when then-editor Marcela Landres visited the Backspace discussion forums for an online Q&A, she emphasized the fiction author's platform as being absolutely imperative. At the time, a number of our published authors objected, saying they didn't have one, and they still got published. Their thinking is understandable - an author wants to believe their novel sold because it was good.

Once, over a decade ago, I was at an international convention. At an author's reception, I found myself in line with a bestselling writer of suspense/thriller fiction. This author's books took place in far flung locations, exotic and historical. I mentioned to him how much I enjoyed his works and asked him, quite innocently, if research didn't occupy a great deal of his time. He told me with a chuckle that he never actually went to the locations he wrote about until after the book was done, relying instead on travel brochures. I'm sorry, but I can't do that.

I have left my Jeep under the house (I live in a stilt house, I didn’t bury it) and bought a 2001 Miata. The Jeep got 15 mpg, on a good day, and the Miata gets 30 mpg most any day. I have gone from almost $100 a week in gas to about $30. That’s a pretty good savings. I am also a lot more aware of my running around in the evenings and on the weekends and schedule things now, like dinner, movies, a trip to the Hog’s Breath.

Join me for a five day Mystery Writing Workshop in five acts & lots of intensive writing:

ACT I: The Gun: Shooting words onto the page.
ACT II: The Magnifying Glass: Taking a critical look at your work.
ACT III: The Knife: Cutting and dicing the manuscript.
ACT IV: The Corpse: How does the whole body of work fit together?
ACT V: The Gavel: Judgement day.

Full details at www.manhattanville.edu/wr...

Or shoot me an e-mail mysteryea@aol.com or phone call (914) 347-2774

It’s a shame that some 4 million fiction manuscripts a year are rejected before the first few pages are even read.

I’ve been a book editor working in publishing 44 years, and now that I’m retiring and have the time and means to travel the country, I'm sharing insider information about the manuscript submission process--including ways to improve your own odds of surviving the 90 percent rate of quick rejection.

So what if you’re not a scientist? you may be thinking. Hundreds of thousands of people could make the same claim: lawyers, social workers, pastry chefs; stockbrokers, carpenters, newspaper reporters; race car drivers, kindergarten teachers, and on and on.

Back when I was still a graduate student in Classics, and the concept of Roman Noir first struck, I knew I liked the idea -- it brought together two loves of my life -- but I'd sometimes get one of those "Huh?" reactions, or worse yet, somebody would greet it with disapproval because the concept is so outside the box.

Welcome to my MWA page.
To contact me or to find out my latest news, please visit my web site, JULIEGARWOOD.COM.

As I endure the long wait until THE KILLING WAY is released, I have been humbled by some of the quotes provided by other authors after reading advance copies. To a person, they have lauded my historical accuracy. Now, understand that I strive for accuracy as much or more than any other author, but to have these noted authors and historians say such things nearly sent me scurrying for cover.

A once monthly blog filled with news, a few rants now and then - a special 'Spotlight' section that features great people who through no fault of their own - are also terrific writers. An on-going caper using book titles - and most fun of all - some terrific interviews. Each month - my band of interrogators grill a special Person of Interest.