REVIEW: Suicidal Tendencies, Patrick M. Garry

"There was a story to this trial... Not the one about someone's death or someone else's guilt, but one about uncertainty: about not knowing what little steps would later have such monumental consequences."

In anticipation of the verdict, Luke Sellmer sits alone listening to the sounds filtering through the closed door and waits. And while he waits, the events leading up to this very moment come forth to weave a tale of how one man on the brink of finding ultimate happiness quickly discovers all is not as it seems. Of how simple actions can doom a person and innocent favors aren't always justified. And of how the rejection of one's past could be a most perilous thing.

A quick read, "Suicidal Tendencies" by Patrick M Garry, flows smoothly between the past and the present, walking the reader through the myriad of events leading up to what caused Luke's ultimate fall. With imagery which aptly sets the scene along with engaging dialogue to give the characters depth, the work paces along well, giving the reader plenty of moments of where they might think they have it figured out only to be surprised when they find they don't.

Good job, Patrick!

(c)2008 Reviewed by Dehanna Bailee

Book Info:
Suicidal Tendencies
Patrick M. Garry
ISBN 1424159865 $19.95

A Year of Traditional Gameplaying

As many regular visitors know, I've spent this past year or so querying and trying to improve my query/synopsis/marketing plan writing talents all while dipping my toes into the "traditional publication arena" just to see what would happen.

I guess you can call this whole experience as my "taking a bit of my own advice" for most know I recommend everyone who has written a book, regardless of the market, to take a year off once it's finished to edit, shop, and create a plan before they put it into print. (For me the progression took longer for I edited for about six months then started the latter process.)

Anyway, I had three finished works to play with and after making sure I knew what my criteria was (as in: what I wanted in a publisher), I checked the Writer's Market books as well as AgentQuery, Preditors&Editors, AbsoluteWrite, Duotrope, Ralan, and some other sites to find what companies fit my ideal.

Now I found more agents and publishers than noted below but some weren't open to queries, many didn't take unagented subs, quite a few I found I just didn't want to work with, and a handful had closed so they were scratched from my list of potentials leaving me only approaching those agents or companies who I felt comfortable in building a professional relationship with. Those who had good track records. And those which had been around long enough to prove they weren't going to drop off the earth anytime soon.

But more than anything, when I was looking at my options, the publishers and agents I contacted had to have the potential to provide me with a bit more than can I give myself publishing-wise and with that in mind, here are my results:

Manuscripts Shopped: 3

• Manuscript #1: Novel, 98,000 wds, Futuristic with Romantic Elements
• Market: Traditional Print, Hardcover or Mass-Market (No e-Pubs or Trad PODs)
• Potential Publishers &/or Agents: Roughly 12
• Actually Considered: 9
• Queries Sent: 9
• Partials Sent: 3
• Fulls Sent: 2
• Rejections: 5 (2 pub, 3 agents)
• No Response: 4 (1 pub, 3 agents)
• Invites for Next Work: 3
• Contracts Offered: 0

Result: First, it has to be noted that this is a very difficult work to present for it's a cross-genred not-HEA SFFUT with Romantic elements (not your typical romance) that does not have a clearly defined market. Anyway, of the 9 agents or publishers queried, five either looked at a partial or wanted the whole thing. Not a bad response.

• Manuscript #2: Novella, 20000 wds, Contemporary Paranormal Romance
• Market: Electronic Book only
• Potential Publishers: Waaay too many lol
• Actually Considered: 4
• Queries Sent: 4
• Partials Sent: 1
• Fulls Sent: 3
• Rejections: 1
• Contracts Offered: 1
• Still Waiting: 1
• No Response: 1

Result: Although I was offered one contract, I couldn't get certain terms specified in the contract (like a publication date) so turned down the offer (as good as it was). I'm still waiting to hear from the last publisher but if they don't want it, it'll probably be available as an ebook sometime this winter since I do have an alternative for this work already lined up.

• Manuscript #3: Short Story, 7500 wds., Post-apocalyptic Sci-Fi Western
• Market: Magazine
• Queries sent: 1
• Fulls req.: 1
• Contracts offered: 1

Result: The contract for this one was accepted but magazine folded prior to publication. Will probably tweak the manuscript then put it out as an ebook sometime in the next year.

Overall, I think the whole thing has been a very educational experience even if it slowed progress a bit. It's given me that all important necessity of time to polish these works without the pressure of 'getting them into print' and has helped me strengthen my editing and querying abilities as well as be able to create a half-way decent fiction marketing plan outline that doesn't break the bank.

In the end, even with the heartbreak of the rejections I did receive, it's been kinda entertaining for I've always wanted to see how it was on the 'other side of the fence' - fi for no other reason than just to say I did it and that my writing was strong enough to at least get my foot in the door.

So, there you have it - where it goes from here we'll just have to see but oh, BTW, make sure you stay on the lookout for the upcoming announcements letting you know when these three works will be available - FINALLY!!

New Release: "Wai-nani: High Chiefess of Hawai'i - Her Epic Journey"

Linda Ballou, well known for her adventurous travel articles and breathtaking photography, will soon release her first novel--an event which marks the beginning of her career as an author of books (as she currently has another in progress).

Through the eyes of "High Chiefess, Wai-nani," the reader will experience the Hawai'ian society as it existed when Captain Cook arrived at Kealakekua Bayin 1779; ride the billowing seas with Eku, the wild dolphin she befriends; learn why she loved the savage, conflicted ruler, Makaha; walk with her as she defies ancient laws and harsh taboos of the Island people; share the love she received from all who knew her; and learn how she rose to become the most powerful woman in old Hawai'i.

"Wai-nani: High Chiefess of Hawai'i - Her Epic Journey," an historical novel, will be released in May of 2008 through Star Publish, LLC.

A love triangle of extremes has proven to be a solid base for Ballou's writing. From her roots in Alaska she received strength, solitude, centeredness and respect for the awful power of nature. Her short story "Raindrop People" and numerous adventure articles including "Raven Brings the Sun," about a float down the Tatshenshini River, take place in her homeland. In Hawaii she found nurturing, a spiritual awakening, sensuality, peace anther heroine for her historical novel, "Wai-nani: High Chiefess of Hawai'i -Her Epic Journey."

In California, she obtained a degree in English Literature from Northridge University and a doctorate in urban savvy. She continues to enjoy opportunities there for intellectual stimulation, exciting contacts and friends. It makes a great base for exploits that she will share in her upcoming travel collection, "Lost Angel Walkabout."

Visit her website http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/ to read an excerpt of "Wai-nani" and/or to purchase the book. You can view numerous travel articles and photos published in a variety of venues over the last ten years there as well.

Quotable Wisdom

I was in an online discussion recently and one of the members there posted this little bit of valuable wisdom -- the moment I read it, I just knew I had to pass it along:

"Make sure your goals truly are your own, and not a shadowy inheritance from someone else's expectations..."

Nina M. Osier is the author of 23 books, including 2005 EPPIE science ficton award winner REGS and the Fictionwise.com best selling FARTHINGHOME trilogy.

LINK: http://www.geocities.com/nina_osier

Winners Announced for 2008 Out of the Box Promotion Idea Contest

TRI Studio LLC in cooperation with the Authors’ Coalition announce the winners of The 2008 Out of the Box Promotion Contest for Writers.

The top winners include promotional experts Janet Elaine Smith, Allyn Evans, Phil Harris and Billie Williams. Honorable Mention awardees include authors Mindy P. Lawrence, Dorothea Buckingham, Nikki Leigh, Margot Finke, Karina Fabian and Jessica Kennedy.

Ideas range from a Book-of-the-Week Club partnering the publisher and author with an internet radio program, to an Amazon Tour Group, a Video Tour Group, and an idea of letting readers watch the progress as an author writes a book.

The contest was sponsored by TRI Studio LLC, producer of The Fiction Flyer, a free e-zine for writers of fiction. Entries were judged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of The Frugal Book Promoter and The Frugal Editor using the following criteria: 1) the originality of the idea, 2) The breadth of applicability, and 3) the ease of use. The contest showcases new and interesting promotion ideas by authors and for authors. As Kathe Gogolewski, author and President of TRI Studio LLC said, “We wanted to create a tool to help writers in their craft."

There is now a free e-book full of the winning ideas is available from TRI Studio and Authors’ Coalition. It is also available for free distribution for those interested.

LINK: http://www.tri-studio.com/outofthebox.html

Amazon Seizes the Reins

It's verified. Amazon will be requiring POD authors and publishers to print through their services. For all the info, here's the links:

Writer's Weekly

Amazon Media Room

CreateSpace Pro - Running Some Numbers

As I'm checking the options to see what would have to be done to keep a title for sale on Amazon should the "Buy Buttons" disappear, I've started "running the numbers" and thought I'd pass along what I've learned so far:

First, let it be said that for (most) traditional self-publishers and small presses, there is a strong possibility that Amazon/BookSurge may not want to work directly with them as a "formal publishing entity" as do other printers so most likely, if they're not a already and established Big Guy, they'll be shuffled off to CreateSpace (of which has recently added their Pro Option just for "professionals" like us).

But let's just get to the numbers:

To a have a POD book produced through the very popular "Option A Printer," it costs about $4.80 for a 300 page B&W book plus a $75 set-up fee. Books thru this company are currently sold through all online retailers.

To have the same POD book produced through the "A-Pro Service" will run $8.75 per book plus a $50.00 set-up fee. These books will be sold through the Amazon.com website only.

So now we have a basis of what it costs, let's consider the potential profit with our 300 pg. B&W, 6x9 trade paperback set at a conservative, and hopefully competitive, $9.99 cover price.

Through our "Option A Printer," there will be approximately $2.69 leftover per book with offering a 25% trade discount to retailers ($2.50).

THE MATH: $9.99 - $2.50 - $4.80 = $2.69

With "A-Pro Service," there's about $1.24 left per copy (with no discount) with it sold only through Amazon. (Yes, I know it can be sold thru e-Stores for a larger profit but let's stay comparable for now.)

THE MATH: $9.99 - $8.75 = $1.24

Now let's estimate our book publisher can at least sell a meager 100 copies and see what the difference might potentially be in costs recouped (whilst also allotting for the title set-up fees):

With Option A Printer: 100 X $2.69 - $75 = $194 potential profit

With A-Pro Service: 100 X $1.24 - $50 = $74 potential profit

Now, keep in mind this doesn't include all those other costs involved in publishing like cover design, ISBNs, editing, man hours used, and the other incidentals but it is interesting.

And to put it into another perspective, consider this:

If the same book is printed through the Option A Printer and given the standard 55% industry discount, the minimum cover price of $12.99 would be necessary to pull a meager $1.04 a copy in profit (which'll leave about $24 in profit after selling 100 books and paying the set-up).

THE MATH: $12.99 - $7.15 (55%) - $4.80 (print cost) = $1.04

Anyway, there's something to think about.