Thursday, November 6, 2014

Ta Da! Plus Three Critique Prizes!

 I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm trying to look a little more businesslike.  There's a reason for that...

If you'll recall, I spent a lot of time this year critiquing/editing/and coaching writers. I seriously considered working for a literary agency, but one of the things I learned is that literary agents never have an ending point. Yes, when they sell a book and it gets through the publishing stage they only have to worry about marketing that book, right? Well, not exactly. They do an amazing amount of work.

Here are just a few of the things I observed:

  • Reading submissions (invited submissions and slush)
  • Evaluating submissions
  • Connecting with writers
  • Recruiting submissions via social media
  • Critiquing
  • Editing
  • Coaching authors on social media, marketing, book tours
  • Networking with other agents
  • Networking with editors
  • Trying to find the right editors for the right manuscripts
  • Negotiating contracts
  • Marketing books and authors
  • Speaking at Conferences
  • Marketing themselves
  • Keeping current with the market 
  • Advising and communicating with current authors
I'm sure there are lots of other things that I wasn't privy to. It was an overwhelming amount of work. So, if you have an agent be grateful for all of their hard work and if you are looking for an agent, be patient and understand the amount of work they are doing. It is NOT a 9-5 job!

I did gain some perspective, along with a lot of new writing friends. I LOVE LOVE LOVE editing and critiquing. It's a great feeling to help someone move their manuscript forward or to help them write a query that catches someone's attention. I love having a beginning and ending point with each project I undertake. Not that I don't continue thinking about people's manuscripts. I don't know how many times I've sent someone an email starting with: I was just thinking about your manuscript....

This experience led me to where I am today. I'm launching my own website offering my services for manuscript critiques, line edits, query critiques, and general coaching. I hope you will pop over and check out The Manuscript Maven. If you have any feedback or suggestions to improve my site, please leave them in the comments.

To celebrate, I'm offering one free picture book critique or line edits and critique for one chapter of your novel or one query critique. The winners will be picked by random.org on December 19th. Please leave what genres you write in the comments.

Thanks for stopping in and I hope you are having a lovely Fall!

(If you are inclined, I'd appreciate it if you would share my good news...)


42 comments:

  1. Hi Sharon .. that's great that you're offering these services for authors ... I'm sure you'll soon have lots of writers on your books ... and I love the name "The Manuscript Maven" ..

    I just suspect you might have the date wrong - it probably didn't update to 2nd December ... unless your first book to critique is back to the dark ages ...

    Good luck and with all the things you've got going on in your life - cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Sharon - the new website looks very fresh and inviting .. and seems to cover all we might need ... Good Luck .. Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds like an exciting new path for you. Such a great help for writiers. Wonderful giveaway as well! I write PB, MG and adlut novellas.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Sharon,

    It's great to see your new world taking shape. I know lots of PB writers like me are going to jump at the chance to benefit from your talent, insight, and perspective. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your business page looks very professional.

    If I ever get brave enough, I may be using some of your services.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm so happy for you, Sharon. I know I've benefited greatly from your insight. Can't wait to put up my own post to promote your new project.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congrats, Sharon! Very excited for you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great business like photo. It says to me you're serious about your work. Congrats on the new site and look! I write PBs, MGs and YA.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sharon, CONGRATS on your new venture! Your website looks good. I've added your website to the links page on my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  10. YaY you. WAHOO!!!!!!! *whistles* WIshing you lots of customers, my friend. SO EXCITED! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  11. Congratulations on the new venture! I hope you'll be very successful with it. :)

    I write fantasy and poetry.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Good Luck with your new venture!
    New site looks great!
    I write women's fiction. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hello Sharon! I'm popping over from Robyn Campbell's blog - I commented there to be in the running for your free critique and saw that we can enter here too. However, I did not see a place to leave a comment, so I'm using this option. :-) I also had a question - my nonfiction book is about a Christmas project for families - has tons of pictures, so technically, it's a "picture" book, but adults would need to be involved too. Does that fit into a category of something you would look at ?
    So nice to "meet" you!
    Marianne Ball

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi, Very exciting news! I'm a YA writer. One chapter critique would be fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Well you look very businesslike and very pretty in that photo - love that blue with your hair!!
    Wishing you a most wonderful November Sharon!
    xo Catherine

    ReplyDelete
  16. How cool, Sharon! That's all so exciting! I'll check out your new website!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congratulations on your new venture!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love the look of your new website--best of luck with your venture. I write PB. Ann Magee

    ReplyDelete
  19. Good luck with your new career path. I write mostly picture books.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Your new site looks great, Sharon. Congrats on the new venture. I write picture books.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Sharon: All the best to you with your new chapter of your life. I am a writer under construction who enjoys writing picture books both fiction and non fiction. Thank you for the opportunity to win a critique. ~Suzy Leopold

    ReplyDelete
  22. Congrats on the new chapter. I write picture books and am trying my hand at middle grade. Good luck with this new venture.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Congratulations on your new endeavors! I write picture books.Deirdre Englehart

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow, great news for you and for us! I write nonfiction picture books. Fingers crossed, hoping I win!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Your website is impressive! And I especially love the agent page! I write for children of all ages: picture books, chapter books and middle grade novels. Very best of luck with your new projects!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Good luck with your new venture. I write and illustrate picture books.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Congrats and good luck on your new venture. I write PB. :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. The new site looks great! I hope you do well.

    I like having a job with a lot of different duties. I guess that's what I liked about the management jobs I've held in the past. I don't have the credentials to be a literary agent, but on the other hand I'm capable of learning pretty quickly.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh, and I write just about anything. Not published yet, but I'm always experimenting with styles and genres.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
  30. What an exciting venture, Sharon! i first learned of your news on Robyn's blog. I write PBs.

    ReplyDelete
  31. What a terrific name, and services at a very reasonable rate! I write PB, MG, and YA, mostly nonfiction.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi Sharon!
    It's been a very LONG time! I see you've revamped your blog :)
    It's looking good...and so are you ;)
    Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Sharon I can't believe you're able to do all this in the midst if moving. I didn't know you wear a Wonder Woman cape!
    I'd love your thoughts on my PB!
    Kimberly Cowger

    ReplyDelete
  34. Very nice new site. And I really like the name. :) Good luck on this new road you're taking!

    I write contemporary romance.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Best of luck on the new endeavour, Sharon! :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Congratulations Sharon. I hope to be talking to you about services soon. I write picture books, fiction and nonfiction. Angela Turner

    ReplyDelete
  37. Yay! I'm so excited for you and wishing you epic business, Sharon. You deserve it, and those who come to you are in good hands.

    Unleashing the Dreamworld

    ReplyDelete
  38. I'm blogging about your career move on 11/26! Wishing you the best of the best my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Congratulations and good luck!
    I write MG.

    ReplyDelete