Dee McKinney's Blog

Pretty much within 2 weeks of writing my New Year's post, 2018 went straight down to the 9th level of hell. It's been a year of unexpected health issues that put the brakes on writing. However, now that two surgeries and the worst of my treatments are over, I'm attempting to get back in the saddle. I got some sage advice from Kaye George, and I signed up for the NYC Flash Fiction challenge, for fun, with no expectations other than writing something. My first 1000 words-or-less entry is due tonight, and I also rewrote the first chapter of the Enid Seward novel. My *goal* is to finish The Tree with Two Sides by early 2019 and start the painful process of queries. Kaye's advice was then to start writing a new book while pitching, and she's a smart cookie, so that's my game plan. No idea what that may be, but I'm not short on ideas. If I really feel the mood, it may be time to get the dreadpunk historical going again. Hope your 2018 has been a good one thus far!

Hope everyone is having a great 2018 thus far! I took January as a mental rest break, but I'm now getting back to queries and also writing The Tree with Two Sides, which got some pleas for "more, more!" at a reading of the first couple chapters. (Dr. Enid Seward rolled her eyes and said, "You're a real piece of work, writer, choosing that 1980s homage Appalachian stuff over me and Vancouver!" Enid, go chase a werewolf or something, okay?) Hmm. Do your characters ever talk to you like she does to me?

I just got the new Phillip Pullman book, La Belle Sauvage, and it's been a keeper thus far.

Have you read anything new and great lately?

I have to admit, I've been in the writing doldrums in November and December. Part of it is the busy season, both holiday and academic, but I've lost my momentum, too. I realized too late that I was pretty naive about the professional writing world, and that's left me with a lot of questions and doubts. As always, I have many encouraging friends who are also writers and understand the changing industry.

While I love the characters I created in Vancouver and do not intend to leave them alone, I may go to the fresh pages of the Appalachian paranormal mystery, set in the late 1980s, which is when I sort of came of age in that same place. Dr. Enid Seward hounds me constantly for attention, but maybe she needs to take stock of how she's going to fight that next monster (hint: a psychopomp).

If anyone has words of encouragement, I could definitely use them now.

Hope you've enjoyed a happy holiday and have a great New Year ahead!

I want to give a shout out to some nice people who have encouraged me and even shared an exciting cab ride adventure. Mary Feliz is the ultimate nice author. Not only is she a great writer, she's classy and kind. Leslie Budewitz was one of several people who set up the wonderful writing class with Alex Sokoloff I attended, where I also got to meet the delightful Debra Goldstein. It was like a newbie author's dream evening! So, thanks, y'all, for being such creative and gracious people as well as awesome writers.

Well, the acceptance of my novel didn't work out. I'm trying to view this as a learning experience, but it's naturally disappointing when something seems so hopeful (words like "we have a publisher in mind" and "one more set of changes should make this what it needs to be"). Given this, let me offer some questions you may want to ask if you do get a call from an agent about a revise and resubmit (R&R). There are many blogs out there from agents saying they don't consider this a "long no," so definitely read up on your agent if you can, and their general R&R process.

1. Did you read the complete manuscript? How do the protagonists and antagonists (hero/villain, whatever) work for you? What things do you like? What things would you like to see improved?

2. Who at your agency also read the manuscript? What advice did they have?

3. During the revise and resubmit, who will be working with me? (If it's not the actual agent, confirm how the agent stays in the loop).

4. Can you give me a specific list of items you'd like revised?

5. What's the timeline on the R&R? I agree that taking the time to revise is important, but I'd like to know your expectations. Do you want this back in one month or three months? (I wouldn't advise tackling an R&R in less than a month).

Now, let's discuss the real tricky part--you turn in the R&R, and the agency comes back again--no contract, but they want another R&R. At this point--STOP. You need to talk this over via phone, not just via email.

1. If you have not gotten clear answers to questions 1 & 2, insist politely on them now. Make certain the agent himself/herself has actually read the manuscript at this point, rather than waiting for the final R&R. It's essential he/she is on board with your main characters, good and bad. If the agent doesn't like the characters or the setup, that's going to stop the whole process.

2. Make this point, again with politesse: "I've completed the requested changes, and I'd like to know if you intend to offer a contract or not before I go through another complete R&R." If the answer is something like "yes, that's our intention," or "we're pleased with your work thus far," I'd say proceed. If the answer is "we're just not sure," I'd be wary. On the plus side, you're going to get a better book, regardless, if the advice is sound. On the other hand, if the book is going in a strange direction just because of one agency's advice, the R&R may not be helpful.

3. I think it's also okay at this point to say, "What publishers do you anticipate might want this book?" That lets you know the agent is invested and, more importantly, understands your manuscript. If you wrote a gritty 1938 Chicago police procedural, you don't want it sent to a publisher specializing in fantasy or sci fi, for example. You want to ascertain "Does this agent understand me and my work?" and asking about potential publishers is one way to do that.

My bottom line: I think an R&R is definitely worth it, even if the answer ends up being no from the agent. It's like getting free editing advice from a pro. On the other hand, I am now a bit leery of a 2nd R&R--it could be LOT of buildup with a rejection at the end. Don't get me wrong--in my case, it is a better book, no question about it. But it did keep me from querying for 3 months, and now, I'm having to start from scratch with my spreadsheet. I will add the agent was polite and professional (as was I), and I'd like to stress the "keep it nice" part of this painful process. Agents talk--and being a jerk (even if you're upset) doesn't help your cause.

Good luck, and I hope these words help someone out there!

I received my copies of "Day of the Dark: Stories of Eclipse," and they look wonderful! I'm speaking briefly on Monday at a local college and giving away a free copy. They're also available in in paperback at Wildside Press or for Kindle at Amazon.

Thanks again to Kaye George, our wonderful editor, and to the many libraries and planetariums and other educational organizations supporting eclipse events on Monday.

Just another reminder--be safe when you view the eclipse, with approved safety glasses or through a pinhole viewer. Dr. Enid Seward does not want to treat anyone for burned-out retinas in her ER on Monday....

Great news! We have pre-order information for the "Day of the Dark" anthology edited by Kaye George. I had the privilege to read several stories in the collection, and they are wonderful!! The range of settings and characters means there's something for any mystery fan. No ISBN yet, nor info on electronic versions, but you're getting a big book for $14.99. Thank you for all your support, and a HUGE thanks to Kaye, who was a delightful collaborator and organizer. http://wildsidepress.com/day-of-the-dark-stories-of-eclipse-edited-by-kaye-george-paperback-pre-order/

PS: My story is "An Eclipse of Hearts" and features Dr. Enid Seward, the protagonist from my (as yet) unpublished series set in modern-day Vancouver, with a paranormal twist.

Revising, revising, revising, revising. I'm taking a MWA/Sisters in Crime class with author Dee Lloyd (who is a superb teacher), working my day job, and rewriting. I stagger home after 9 hours of ego-snuffing work, and I write. I'm really looking forward to the debut of "Day of the Dark" in July or August. Not much else to say, but I'm pushing the envelope, that's for sure!

To be honest, I was browsing my email for a LuLaRoe receipt at 10 PM...and lo and behold, another full manuscript request was in my inbox from an agent (this one based on a 50-page submission). I squealed. The whole house, including the dog, looked at me as if I'd found a big, juicy tick embedded in my, uh, thigh.

Again, this isn't a deal, nor is it a sale. I'm trying to see it as, "Something IS right here. Maybe my writing IS entertaining." I still wish I was Daniel Woodrell (“Fading light buttered the ridges until shadows licked them clean and they were lost to nightfall" or "They came in the dark and knocked with three fists." DANG!! That man can write). I'll keep working on it.

I've decided to take a short break from queries and edits to go back to novel #1. I have an idea about redoing the whole thing...and making the former secondary protagonist the main character. She's witty and complicated and funny...and also struggling with identity being half-Chinese and half-English in 1913, a time offering kindness to no one. I'll start that tomorrow, I'm thinking. :)

So, while nail biting for the read on the full manuscript, I got rejection letter #10 (and many agencies had already said that no letter = rejection, so it was more like letter 40). I thought this one was quite polite and courteous. Here's the gist, without revealing names:

"Thank you so much for submitting your query and pages to me here at (agency).

Please know that I read all queries myself and consider each and every submission carefully. Unfortunately, I am going to pass on asking to read the full manuscript of your book - I’m sorry. I wish you the very best in your agent hunt!"

Now, while this may have been a form letter, it was a nice one. The agent said thank you, gave the book a pass, and wished me luck. Compare that to:

"I'm sorry. This is not for me."

I get it. Agents are super busy, and their slush piles are huge. HUGE. But if it's a form letter...make it a professional one. It does lessen the sting. Really.

When I started this whole process, I read some of the ones J.K. Rowling received. A few were atrocious. I guess I fall back on my hero Buckaroo Banzai: "Don’t be mean; we don’t have to be mean. 'Cause, remember, no matter where you go, there you are."

It behooves us writers to remember this, too. Don't be mean if you get a rejection. Stay professional. Be classy. You never know if a later book sent to that agent you snarked may hook you a deal...until they recall your reaction to that previous rejection.

PS: I got another rejection today, from a rather 'big name.' However, it was among the most courteous I've received. Thanks to those agents who stay professional, even when the answer is "no."