IRE has a new title: Rise of the Mages. It also has a new form: Ahhh! It's real! Fifteen year old me would have been blown away to see my name (pseudonym, at least) on a Tor book, even an advance copy. Hell, 31 year old me is pretty blown away. My editor, Jen Gunnels, … Continue reading Rise of the Mages
Writing Process
How to Write a Publishable Book
It has been proven to me time and again that very smart, amazing people have very different tastes than I do. And that's okay. They might disagree with many of the things below, but this is my take on how to approach writing a book that is worth publishing. Appeal/Setup: The story needs a strong … Continue reading How to Write a Publishable Book
The Write Life
I'm not entirely comfortable writing about my own life, my own family, but I write this for a few reasons: The life of an author is often romanticized, and I think people should understand what it's really like (at least for me). I'm in a pretty awesome situation in life, and still the creative struggle … Continue reading The Write Life
Editing Is Writing
I am willing to bet that editing is what stands between most writers and their dreams. The act of writing is romanticized at length in writerly circles, while talk of editing is typically met with derision, or at best, patience. Editing is where the magic happens, people. Not all great writers follow this rule, but most … Continue reading Editing Is Writing
The Second Book
I've heard people say that the "sophomore novel", particularly the second in a series, can be the most difficult book an author will ever write. Until I started writing mine, I thought that those claims were exaggerated. To some extent, I still do, but the second book does present some unique challenges. The writing itself isn't … Continue reading The Second Book
Agent Success – Matt Bialer
Mr. Matt Bialer from SJGA will be representing my first novel, IRE. I am elated to be working with him, as he's the agent I've targeted from the very beginning. An awkward 2 minute conversation back in 2013 was the turning point that led me here. The story begins way back in 2012 when I got … Continue reading Agent Success – Matt Bialer
Literary Agents and Why I Want One
At a very basic level, literary agents take a 15% cut of the amount their authors make in exchange for selling your book to a publisher. They should have the contacts to make that happen. Essentially, they are gate keepers for the publishers. But that’s not all! They’ll typically handle the funds coming from a publisher, negotiate contracts, … Continue reading Literary Agents and Why I Want One
Book Progress…10 months Later. Revising/editing process, and so on.
Well. For the 20 or so of you who have read my previous posts and are reading this, I regret to inform you that didn't meet my goal of having a manuscript sent to agents by the end of 2013.I have a bunch of awesome excuses as to why, but the most relevant reason I use … Continue reading Book Progress…10 months Later. Revising/editing process, and so on.
100,000 Words
This is a personal victory post, plain and simple. I’m patting my own back, and it feels great. This past week, I reached the 100,000 word (400 page) mark on my manuscript. In the grand scheme of the publishing game, it’s a small victory, but perhaps the most important one to me as a writer. … Continue reading 100,000 Words
Scott Drakeford 