Guestblogger Maria Geraci: How To Get Published - TKA Style
UPDATE: The winner of five signed books by TKA authors is Sherry Ficklin! Please email your physical address to contests @ knightagency.net (remove spaces). Congrats!!!
This past weekend 5 TKA authors, Jennifer St. Giles, Shannon K. Butcher, Debby Giutsi, Deidre Knightand myself, Maria Geraci, had the opportunity to go on a little road trip. We hit 4 different book stores in less than 3 days and met some of the nicest people in the Atlanta area! At three of the signings we did a Q & A session on how to get published.
Left to Right: Jennifer St. Giles, Deidre Knight, Debby Giusti, Shannon K. Butcher, Maria Geraci
Here’s a sample of our more frequently asked questions and how we answered them.
How did you get an agent? (this was asked a lot!) Of course, the answer to this question was different for everyone, but one common theme was that networking was very important. Organizations like Romance Writers of America and other writing organizations are good venues for meeting other writers and professionals in the business. Meeting agents at conferences and attending workshop panels featuring agents, is one way you can gauge if an agent might be the right one for you. Once you’ve established a list of agents that you’d like to work with, a killer query, and of course, a good book are essential elements. One point that Deidre made was that as a new writer, you should have a completed manuscript to query. As an agent, there’s nothing more frustrating than to get excited over a good query and a promising partial, only to request the full and find out that the book isn’t written yet. Also, be sure to check the submission guidelines for each agency and stick to the rules. For instance, if the guidelines for an agency say only email queries accepted, don’t send a copy of your manuscript via snail mail. A simple thing like following directions (or not following directions) can make a good (or not so good) first impression.
Where do you get your ideas from? Most everyone on the panel said that dreams, day dreams, and vivid imaginations all play major roles in formulating ideas. As writers, we tend to be big “what if?” people. We see a curious headline or hear about a new scientific discovery and immediately the “what if?” gene kicks in. People watching is a big idea stimulator too. Personally, I love to observe people when they think I’m not looking. So maybe a little voyeurism plays into it as well!
What’s your writing schedule like and how long does it take you write a book? Our answers to this varied from 6 weeks to almost a year (depending on the size of the book). Some of us (like Shannon ) can sit at the computer for hours ( 8-10 hours at a time!) and keep pounding at the keyboard, while Debby writes at intervals during the day, interspersing chores like cooking dinner, and promotion time with her writing. One thing we all agreed was that while writing a book, daily writing (if possible) is the key to to staying on schedule. The longer you’re away from a project, the longer it takes to catch up.
Is the current economic climate keeping publishers from buying? (this one was answered by Deidre, I’m paraphrasing here, but this is her basic response). A few months ago it seemed that Publishers Weekly was beginning each day with a similar headline, “Black Monday- Big layoff at xyz publishers!” For a while, publishing was in a tailspin and there’s no doubt that people were getting laid off and restructuring took place in a lot of publishing houses. However, as seen by recent news coverage, romance book sales are actually on the rise! In tough economic times, people are finding that escapism is a good way to deal with their stress, so right now, there’s a lot to be optimistic about and book deals are happening.
After all was said and done, a good time was had by all. Books were signed and sold, new friendships were made, and maybe we inspired a few writers out there!
I’m offering an autographed copy of each of our newest releases to one random lucky winner. Just leave a comment and you might find the following books in your beach bag this summer!
It’s a regular smorgasbord of reading! Leave a comment to enter Maria's AMAGING giveaway for ALL five of these signed books! The contest is open from Friday, June 12th to midnight Sunday, June 14th. The winner will be announced Monday morning. Good luck!
Atlanta Listen Up! The Knight Agency is on the road this weekend, and we're coming to a bookstore near you!!
If you are going to be in the Atlanta area THIS WEEKEND, you don't want to miss the fabulous signing events that we are planning beginning June 5th!! The tour line-up includes Deidre Knight, an award-winning paranormal romance author who is also president of The Knight Agency, along with USA Today bestselling author Jennifer St. Giles, Debby Giusti, Shannon K. Butcher and debut author Maria Geraci!
This is not your ordinary book signing. Three of the events will feature a "How To Get Published Q&A," followed by a one-on-one meet and greet with the authors during the signing portion. See details below!
1--Borders at Stonecrest Mall in Lithonia – June 5th, 5pm ET 8000 Mall Parkway, Lithonia, GA 30038
2--Books For Less in Buford – June 6th, 1pm ET* 2815 Buford Dr, Buford, GA 30519
3--Dog Ear Bookstore in Madison – June 6th, 5pm ET** 142 Academy Street; Madison, GA 30650
4--Borders in Athens – June 7th, 2pm ET 196 Alps Road, Athens, GA 30606
If you have any questions, please direct them to info @ knightagency.net (remove spaces).
*Debby Giusti will not appear at the Books For Less event. **The Madison signing will not include a Q&A session.
Guest Blogger Debby Giusti: How Authors Translate Fact To Fiction
UPDATE: The contest is closed. The winner of a copy of PROTECTING HER CHILD is Sharon A. Lavy. Please email you physical address to contests@knightagency.net.
“WHAT HAPPENED TO MY BABY?” Wealthy heiress Eve Townsend is close to death. But before she dies, she has to know: what happened to the daughter she gave up for adoption twenty-four years before? Did she inherit her mother’s life-threatening disease? Medical researcher Pete Worth is ready to find answers by tracking her down. And when he finally locates Meredith Lassiter, he finds her widowed, pregnant and on the run. The loan sharks who killed her husband want her dead…and Pete is the only one standing in their way.
Fact or fiction? Authors put themselves into their books.
Okay, I’ll admit it. In my case, it’s fact. Not that the story is always about my life, mind you, but my experiences, relationships and core values are often woven into the tales I tell.
No, I’ve never been widowed, pregnant and on the run like Meredith Lassiter, the heroine in my latest book, PROTECTING HER CHILD. Nor did I fall in love with a hunky medical researcher who would sacrifice his own life to save mine, but the story came to light because of a dear friend named Pat Rosenbach.
Years ago, Pat told me about her friend Eva who had Von Hippel-Lindau disease. (In the photo above, Pat Rosenbach (L) stands next to Debby (R) and holds a photo of Eva.) I’m a medical technologist so diseases fascinate me. Strange, I know, but it’s the way I’m wired. I did my homework and soon learned about tumors—actually clusters of capillaries—that appear sporadically in VHL patients. Initially, they attack various organs such as the retina or spinal cord or adrenal gland. The tumors must be surgical removed and sometimes result in debilitation, such as blindness or paralyses. While benign at the onset, once they attack the kidneys, the tumors turn malignant and can lead to death.
Throughout her lifetime, Eva had seven surgeries to remove growths in her body. Physicians at The National Institute of Health followed her and eight other members of her family who had the genetically acquired condition. Medical researchers believe that by studying VHL they will someday learn better ways to treat other cancers as well.
My friend Pat hosted a birthday party--a celebration of life party--for Eva shortly before her death. I met Eva that night and was struck by her courage and optimism in the face of such adversity. Eva’s heroic determination inspired me to write PROTECTING HER CHILD. I hope my fictional tale will increase awareness about the disease as well as honor Eva and all of those who struggle with cancer.
On a lighter note, I set part of the story in Savannah’s beautiful historic district as well as the rural Georgia coast south of the city. Whenever in the area, my family and I always stop at the Sunbury Crab Company, a rustic waterfront restaurant in Sunbury, GA, which was the Dock House Restaurant in my book. While feasting on buckets of steamed blue crabs pulled fresh from the ocean, we watch the sun set over the low country and reflect on how good life is in Georgia. Next time you visit that neck of the woods, head to Sunbury (http://www.sunburycrabco.com/) for the best seafood in the South. It’s a treat you won’t forget.
If you’re a writer, post a comment and share how much of you own life experiences are reflected in your books. As a reader, do you try to separate fact from fiction in the stories you read? If you leave a comment, you will to be placed in the drawing for a copy of my current release, PROTECTING HER CHILD. The winner will be announced in this post tomorrow afternoon by 12pm ET. Happy writing! Happy reading! Wishing you abundant blessings,
Winner of the 2008 Daphne du Maurier Award for Inspirational Suspense, medical technologist Debby Giusti writes spine-chilling Christian fiction for Steeple Hill. PROTECTING HER CHILD, her fifth book and the second story in her Magnolia Medical series, was released in May. CHRISTMAS PERIL will feature her novella YULE DIE in December, and KILLER HEADLINE will follow in February 2010. Her first three books, NOWHERE TO HIDE, SCARED TO DEATH and MIA: MISSING IN ATLANTA are available in hardcover by Thorndike. In addition to full-length fiction, Debby has written articles for numerous magazines, including Southern Lady, Woman’s World, Our Sunday Visitor, Army and Family. For over twelve years, she served on the editorial advisory board of ADVANCE for Administrators of the Laboratory and wrote extensively on emerging infectious diseases for that magazine. For more information about Debby and her books, visit her web site at: http://www.debbygiusti.com/.
Knight Agency Book Signing Summer Tour Extravaganza!!
If you are going to be in the Atlanta area in early June, you don't want to miss the fabulous signing events that we are planning beginning June 5th!! The tour line-up includes Deidre Knight, an award-winning paranormal romance author who is also president of The Knight Agency, along with USA Today bestselling author Jennifer St. Giles, Debby Giusti, Shannon K. Butcher and debut author Maria Geraci!
This is not your ordinary book signing. Three of the events will feature a "How To Get Published Q&A," followed by a one-on-one meet and greet with the authors during the signing portion. See details below!
The Knight Agency Presents: How To Get Published Q&A and Book Signing Instead of lounging during the lazy days of summer, now is the time to reach for that dusty manuscript or half-written chapter and get to work!
The journey from manuscript to published novel can be difficult to navigate, and we know you must wonder what it's like when you finally land that elusive contract. Why don't you give yourself an edge? Ask national bestselling authors represented by one of the region's top literary agencies about their adventures in the publishing business. Our experienced panel has been there and can answer all your burning questions about making waves in the often times intimidating publishing pond. The panelists will include award-winning paranormal romance author, Deidre Knight, who has sold numerous titles to top-tier publishing houses as president of the agency, along with an all star line-up including USA Today bestselling author Jennifer St. Giles, Maria Geraci, Debby Giusti and Shannon K. Butcher. These authors have released titles through major houses such as Simon & Schuster, Penguin and Harlequin.
Meet the authors in person at the book signing following the Q&A portion.
1--Borders at Stonecrest Mall in Lithonia – June 5th, 5pm ET 8000 Mall Parkway, Lithonia, GA 30038
2--Books For Less in Buford – June 6th, 1pm ET* 2815 Buford Dr, Buford, GA 30519
3--Dog Ear Bookstore in Madison – June 6th, 5pm ET** 142 Academy Street; Madison, GA 30650
4--Borders in Athens – June 7th, 2pm ET 196 Alps Road, Athens, GA 30606
If you have any questions, please direct them to info @ knightagency.net (remove spaces). *Debby Giusti will not appear at the Books For Less event. *The Madison signing will not include a Q&A session.
UPDATE: The winner of PROTECTING HER CHILD by Debby Giusti is Steena Holmes! Congrats! Please email your physical address to Contests @ Knightagency.net (remove the spaces). Thanks to everyone who participated. Also, remember we have a special treat coming up on May 28th -- Debby will be guest blogging with TKA!
Leave your name in the comments below to enter the book giveaway for PROTECTING HER CHILD by Debby Giusti (Steeple Hill, May 2009). The winner will be announced tomorrow morning.
Here's the 411: Wealthy heiress Eve Townsend is close to death. But before she dies, she has to know: what happened to the daughter she gave up for adoption twenty-four years before? Did she inherit her mother's life-threatening disease? Medical researcher Pete Worth is ready to find answers by tracking her down. And when he finally locates Meredith Lassiter, he finds her widowed, pregnant and on the run. The smugglers who killed her husband want her dead…and Pete is the only one standing in their way.
After all was said and done, a good time was had by all. Books were signed and sold, new friendships were made, and maybe we inspired a few writers out there! 
