tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319453613836766610.post6911099782734111735..comments2023-10-23T23:35:22.776+02:00Comments on Cross Words: Breaking Into Epic Fantasy As An Unknown WriterTed Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022309459554237650noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319453613836766610.post-17667208679299557322010-12-18T13:27:47.943+01:002010-12-18T13:27:47.943+01:00Exactly, Will! People can pick up any of our books...Exactly, Will! People can pick up any of our books and be just fine.Ted Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022309459554237650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319453613836766610.post-804128405126443902010-12-18T13:21:13.710+01:002010-12-18T13:21:13.710+01:00I have a similar ambition, more serial than series...I have a similar ambition, more serial than series, like Indiana Jones or Dresdon Files, because I hate waiting for the next installment, and it's irritating to find something interesting in the used book store or bargain bin by an unknown, only to find that it's a Book III in a series. With this plan, people won't be so discouraged by the scope of the work if they don't need to find two more books to enjoy the one they just found!Will Burkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10158149526658590324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319453613836766610.post-53007783286425123142010-12-17T20:52:20.704+01:002010-12-17T20:52:20.704+01:00Hey, Ted. I came across a new publisher on Twitter...Hey, Ted. I came across a new publisher on Twitter today that's looking for fantasy novels and thought of you: http://www.candlemarkandgleam.com/<br /><br />CyndiAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01332426347997158850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319453613836766610.post-24636176661071193362010-12-17T16:31:27.832+01:002010-12-17T16:31:27.832+01:00Cool. I've been thinking about doing this, a s...Cool. I've been thinking about doing this, a separate story for another novel in the same world, but not connected directly. What a timely post for me, thanks!Lydia Kanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00484415427764822386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319453613836766610.post-75511465536864706542010-12-17T14:18:28.428+01:002010-12-17T14:18:28.428+01:00That's awesome Ted. If you can just keep at it...That's awesome Ted. If you can just keep at it and get one of them sold, the rest should fall into place very nicely.Matthew MacNishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319453613836766610.post-41830908234434741452010-12-17T06:24:47.156+01:002010-12-17T06:24:47.156+01:00It does seem like a no-brainer. It even gives me t...It does seem like a no-brainer. It even gives me the option of several different historical points in time from which I could do a trilogy if a publisher later wanted to.Ted Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022309459554237650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319453613836766610.post-5761994938274098722010-12-16T22:23:54.549+01:002010-12-16T22:23:54.549+01:00That's an excellent idea. I've had similar...That's an excellent idea. I've had similar thoughts in the world I created; rather than follow 'the hero' for 3 or 4 novels, find out what's going on to others (it's a big world, after all). It's a damn good idea, and I fully support it :)Jamie Gibbshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15168603412367448706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319453613836766610.post-67218935296663322002010-12-16T21:40:14.312+01:002010-12-16T21:40:14.312+01:00I think stand-alones are better to start with, may...I think stand-alones are better to start with, maybe with the option of going duo/trilogy. If one book doesn't sell, why do they want to publish up two more, and most times the author is selling one book and the promise of two more.<br /><br /> - EricEric W. Tranthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13842968931062056407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319453613836766610.post-24229342002425441982010-12-16T19:49:06.837+01:002010-12-16T19:49:06.837+01:00I think that's a smart way to go, Ted--that wa...I think that's a smart way to go, Ted--that way the order people read them doesn't matter--they can pick up any one in the collection and then follow up with your others.<br /><br />I hadn't heard numbers like 1600 a day--holy CRAP! Suppose I should keep nurturing the relationship with an agent I HAVE--figure out what she'd like me to clean up instead of stubbornly sticking with my personal favorites...Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319453613836766610.post-15564945654859769932010-12-16T16:39:43.940+01:002010-12-16T16:39:43.940+01:00Victoria, I love people writing within the same fa...Victoria, I love people writing within the same fantasy world. One of my favorite series was Thieves' World, which used a lot of famous fantasy writers to all do short stories set within the same fantasy city. It would be great to do that someday.Ted Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022309459554237650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319453613836766610.post-11996714535538167372010-12-16T16:12:33.178+01:002010-12-16T16:12:33.178+01:00i like your idea of stand-alone books in the same ...i like your idea of stand-alone books in the same world... and i wonder if the nature of high fantasy lends itself to this??<br />for fun, my hubs and i work off and on on this high fantasy book together. nine years of world-building togetherness fun has left us with a massive amount of unconnected bits of history leading up to the time of the story. but it's funny because i think there may be more actual writing in the unconnected bits than in the actual story... actually i'm certain of that. <br />but i wonder if that comes with the history needed for high fantasy... does that make sense? i'm feeling convoluted this morning... need caffiene! :)vic caswell https://www.blogger.com/profile/01218698236837610704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319453613836766610.post-84191252049149613192010-12-16T15:44:52.854+01:002010-12-16T15:44:52.854+01:00Even in romance it's the same way Ted. I have...Even in romance it's the same way Ted. I have 4 books in a series, but can only query one at a time. Hopefully, I'll get an agent on one, but will be able to sell all 4 to a publisher at the same time. If they were all written, that would be sweet too. (But I don't want to wait that long for an agent.)<br /><br />Just keep swimming, you'll get there, I have no doubt.Anne Gallagherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05816355522284492131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319453613836766610.post-26757421370066685632010-12-16T14:05:14.035+01:002010-12-16T14:05:14.035+01:00There's an agent's blog I follow and she s...There's an agent's blog I follow and she said recently that she's been getting 1600 emails a DAY.<br /><br />I can see why some agents close submissions every so often. There may be a lot of good books out there, but with so many other writers competing for agent time, it's not surprising that potentially good premises are missed.<br /><br />If the query didn't pique the agent's interest in the first few sentences, she doesn't have time to read further. There are too many other writers who might hit the mark faster and more succinctly.<br /><br />Manuscripts can be edited. But queries have to be near perfect. <br /><br />To me, it's like trying to get a job. You might be a great employee, but if you can't present yourself well during that ten minute interview, the job will go to the guy who can--even if he turns out to be inept.Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319453613836766610.post-32213738190638208562010-12-16T13:23:57.565+01:002010-12-16T13:23:57.565+01:00I can think of a couple science fiction series tha...I can think of a couple science fiction series that skipped around in the same world.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.com