Irene's Children's Stories

Hello again,

I will post more on my journey to publication. I hope perhaps some hopeful author will find this helpful.

After the Agency had seen the critique report, I was told that I now needed to have a full edit carried out, and they gave me a name and site where I could get this done.

I got in touch, and was informed of their fee. When I had paid this, I was allocated to an editor.
I sent him my manuscript, and hoped there would not be too many 'corrections' to do.

He was helpful in some ways, but made suggestions I did not agree with. He wanted to change words, which in my opinion did not improve the flow of my story.

When I 'challenged' this, he came back to say he did in fact agree with me, and perhaps the changes were not after all, necessary. (I started to lose confidence in him)

We battled on to the end, and finally reached agreement, but on my next book, I will find a different editor.

When the Agency was happy my manuscript was ready to start submitting to publishers, I was asked to set up a website for my book, under their 'umbrella'.
Although this was quite expensive, I was pleased with the result.
However, with hindsight, I now wonder if any publisher actually saw my website.

Marketing began, but slowly and in a 'low key' manner.
The Agency did this without charge, so I felt obliged to accept that 'this was the way it was done'

Six months passed, but with no real activity, and it seems the Agency had just put a synopsis on a site they hoped publishers looking for new works, would go to.

I now believe they just do not go searching sites for works, they have enough sent to them directly.

The next step was much better - real marketing, and I will tell you about that on my next post.

As promised - here is another short excerpt from my book. I hope you are enjoying it.

The fairground was full of children today, so the merry-go-round would need to work very hard.

Megan the swan was very popular today, and was very proud so many children wanted to ride on her.

Jake the boat was giving his biggest smile and trying to help the children imagine they were sailing on the lake.

Joanne the pony was very elegant, and had lots of older children riding on her back. She was enjoying herself a lot.

One little boy named Steven, who was holding an ice cream, climbed onto Karl the tiger, and he dropped it on the tigers head.
Everyone laughed and Tom came to clean the sticky ice cream away before the ride could start.



I will be back soon.
I welcome your comments, but please keep them 'on subject'

Irene.

Now I have time to start work

Well, this has been quite a month. I set up this blog, full of enthusiasm, and then my computer decided it would not switch on. Engineer says 'the mother board has gone'. I ordered a new computer but lost all my info, except for the items on my external memory (thank heavens for that)
My publisher set me on a 'marketing mission', and so I have been to the Internet Cafe every day to keep up with the work.
I now have my lovely new computer, the work is 'up to date', so I now have time to start work on my blog. I do hope you will join me with comments. I need your input!.

Back to my 'journey to publication'

I started to write my series of stories about two years ago, without the least thought of getting them published.
My friends and family loved my stories and started to order copies for their children. They pushed me to offer them for publication, so I decided to try.

I did not know much about getting a book published (I am learning fast now!), but I did know that most publishers will not even look at the manuscript, unless you are signed up by a reputable agent.

I went 'online' and found a list of agents. I clicked on one of them, made contact via a 'submit' button (I did not know where they were).
They invited me to send details about myself and a synopsis for their consideration.
They came back telling me who they were and where they were, and asked me to send my manuscript online.

It took just a week, and they said they liked my work and offered to represent me.
I was so excited - I said 'yes please' and a contract was sent to me.
The contract was fair, so I signed it, and I was 'on my way'.

The Agency turned out to be a very well known one in the USA, and they worked hard to get my manuscript ready to offer to publishers.

There were a few costs on the way. First I needed a critique. The lady they suggested accepted the commission, but gave me warning comments like:
'If it looks like a lemon it is usually sour'
'If I don't like the opening paragraph I usually file it in 'the round bin'
'If the title is weak, I also expect the book to be weak'

Hey, was I scared!!!!. I waited in trepidation for her comments, but when they arrived I was reduced to tears (of happiness)

I will quote from her report:
1) The opening 3-5 sentences: 'These sentences are powerful. They introduce the character, a setting, and they set the tone. This is a nice beginning'

2) 'The dialogue is perfect for the target market'

3) Conclusion: This is a fun and entertaining manuscript. The characters are fabulous, as is the plot. The readers will enjoy this material tremendously. I am impressed with your imagination.
This will be a success.

As you can see, I thought this was going to easy - how wrong I was, but I will tell you more about my 'journey to publication' in my next blog.

In the meantime, here is another short extract from my book.

William and his seven carriage friends were looking forward to the new day.

Megan the swan was looking especially beautiful, and she hoped many children would want to ride on her today.

Connor the engine was looking very smart, and he really wanted to enjoy the fun with the children. He said he hoped the children would blow his whistle, and make as much noise as they could.

William noticed a new ride had been put up close to his merry-go-round, and it was a
helter-skelter slide. It was painted in lots of different colors, and stood very tall. It had a shiny winding path down the outside. He was not sure how the children would use it, but he was going to watch, as he really wanted to find out.



Suddenly I have a lot to do. Be back soon, please send your comments and questions.

Irene