The Making of a Book, Part 7
Are you a writer? Follow “The Making of a Book” posts to see how it’s done. Well, how I do it. Hey, my latest book could be a best-seller! Or not. Dare to join me on a wild ride.
Close to three million people listened to me on KFAX 1100 AM in the San Francisco Bay area during drive time this week. The radio host mentioned my website several times. My heart cartwheeled down a hill, giggling.
The thought, “Will I get my book deal now?” zipped through my mind.
You see, a few things have happened since I wrote part 6 of The Making of a Book, a series on this blog. (If you’re a writer looking for a break in this tough economy, search this phrase on this blog. You’ll read my ups and downs and if you need help getting your writing career off the ground, contact me.)
These latest happenings sound like a chapter from a How to Get Published handbook.
Attend another writers’ conference. CHECK.
Walk up to an agent, give a 30-second “elevator speech,” and ask to meet with him or her. CHECK.
Meet with the agent at the writers’ conference. CHECK.
Upon his/her request, email the book proposal to the agency. CHECK TIMES 100.
So I emailed it and waited, waited some more, he wrote back, and still likes it. He asked me to tweak it and pump up the “platform” portion. Publishers like ocean-sized platforms. The bigger the size, the greater the likelihood the author will land a contract and the book will sell well.
My platform size? Maybe a lake. It’s hard to measure these things.
Then along came a Twitter butterfly, who flitted onto my path and landed on my orange daisies. (Orange daisies grow all over my websites, blogs, desk, tee shirts. Orange says “bold.” The petals are tender. Butterflies love em.)
This particular butterfly produces radio and has booked me on three shows so far, with more in the works. Millions of listeners. A much bigger lake, maybe even a Great Lake.
This week I’m pumping up my book proposal with this new platform info and sending it back to the agency for another look.
God willing, this is the day the Lord used a Twitter butterfly to “bring it.”
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
How awesome Lucy! That is so exciting! I hope it all goes well and the publisher will give it a go!
Take care,
Karen
How stinkin awesome is that…I love when God shows us other doors to go through to get to the same spot…you go girl!