Posted by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen on Jun 27, 2009 in
Archived Book Ideas,
Query Letters What makes me “The Adventurous Writer”? I keep submitting my ideas to my agent, possible publishers, and potential editors — no matter how many rejections and “that wouldn’t sell in a million years” ’s I get! Rejection isn’t fatal, but giving up is, my friends.
“No rejection is fatal until the writer walks away from the battle leaving dreams and goals behind,” says Jeff Herman (literary agent of Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield, who created the Chicken Soup for the Soul series).
Traveling Teens, Rocky Roads was my second non-fiction book idea. Here’s the query letter I sent:
Dear Esteemed Editor,
He was 16 years old when he was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. When asked about his part in the murder of a 14 year old girl, Warren Glowatski said he needed release. From what? Read more…
Tags: emails to publishers, letters to editors, past book ideas, pitching your book idea, rejection, The Adventurous Writer, Traveling Teens Rocky Roads
Posted by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen on Jun 20, 2009 in
Article Ideas & Assignments My latest freelance assignment is for a writing magazine in the U.S. – and I need experienced freelance writers to share their email blunders. This article will help both new and experienced writers navigate the ups and downs of a writing career!
By the way, as I write this I keep wondering if writers should talk about their article or book ideas…
But I’m taking the plunge! Here’s the scoop for this project (aka the email I’m sending to freelance writers who might be interested): I’m a full-time freelance writer and blogger, working on an article for Writer’s Digest. Publication date TBA.
This article – “Recovering From Email Blunders” - is about Read more…
Tags: emailing sources, freelance writing mistakes, magazine assignments, Writer's Digest, writing articles
Posted by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen on Jun 15, 2009 in
Current Book Ideas,
Pitch Letters,
Query Letter If you want an agent, editor, or publisher to request your book proposal or manuscript, you have to write a compelling query letter! Here’s a query letter for my latest book idea, See Jane Soar: 200 Women Who Weren’t Well-Behaved. This query letter led to contract offers from two different agents (I happily signed with the Irene Goodman Literary Agency; for more info, read 12 Steps to Finding a Literary Agent on Quips & Tips for Successful Writers).
My query letter for See Jane Soar:
“Well-behaved women rarely make history,” said Laurel Thatcher Ulrich.
That’s because well-behaved women don’t rescue men in the Wild West, discover Radium, or achieve Hollywood stardom after being fired from countless chorus-line jobs. Well-behaved women don’t speed 300 miles/hour around a race track, trek in the Egyptian desert in full Victorian garb – and they certainly don’t soar into the mysterious unknown. Read more…
Tags: book ideas, emails to agents, emails to editors, emails to publishers, pitching your book idea, See Jane Soar
Posted by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen on Jun 13, 2009 in
Archived Book Ideas,
Query Letters A strong query letter must introduce a book proposal, manuscript, or article pitch. This query letter for my first book idea, Unveiling Vancouver, may not be the best pitch ever – but several publishers asked to see the full book proposal. Nobody actually bought it…but…ahem…”No guts, no glory!” says this adventurous writer!
Here’s my first query letter:
Dear (Esteemed Publisher, Editor, or Agent),
“Come Play With Us!” invites the Vancouver Olympic Committee; “Can we come early?” is the reply. Almost 9 million tourists visited Vancouver in 2004, and every year an average of 15,000 people relocate to the Lower Mainland. From now until 2010 our city will be even more saturated with newcomers, and their needs include information and insider tidbits. According to an article in the September 2005 edition of Publisher’s Weekly (”Keeping Pace” by Suzanne Mantell), tourists are demanding more than the standard travel guide and want “sophisticated insider information.” The book I offer you fits and seals the gap left by Read more…
Tags: approaching agents, book proposals, emails to publishers, letters to editors, nonfiction writing, past book ideas, Query Letters, Unveiling Vancouver
Posted by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen on Jun 13, 2009 in
Archived Book Ideas,
Publishers An important part of any successful writer’s life is her past book ideas – whether or not they were published (or even written!). I’ve decided to share my book ideas, query letters and progress here, on The Adventurous Writer. Lotsa failures, my friends! And lotsa learning about writing and publishing.
I created Unveiling Vancouver while living in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1997. This book was supposed to help newcomers adjust to living in the Lower Mainland, and included everything from doggie daycares (which were new back then) to where to reclaim your car after it’s been towed.
A BC-based publisher offered me a contract (yay!); I instructed him to send it to Edmonton – I was moving there to go back to the University of Alberta, to get my Education degree. The publisher hesitated…but agreed.
Six weeks later, I received The Letter. “We regret to inform you that the nature of this book requires the writer to live in Vancouver for research and marketing purposes blah blah blah blah blah BLAH.”
How I burned the bridge to that publisher: Instead of being a wise young writer, I Read more…
Tags: book proposals, manuscripts, past book ideas, rejection, The Adventurous Writer, Unveiling Vancouver, writing failures
Posted by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen on Jun 12, 2009 in
Archived Book Ideas My newest book idea – which I’m totally in love with! – is tentatively titled 25 Published Authors Reveal Their Biggest Blunders — and What They Learned. I’m gathering true stories from well-known writers about their failures and fixes, so other writers, fans, and readers in general can see resilience in action!
Participating in this project gives published authors the chance to help other writers, make themselves more real (and therefore liked!) to your fans, and take a break from their own projects.
This book idea springs from my own blunder. Read more…
Tags: author mistakes, book ideas, Irene Goodman Literary Agency, published authors, successful writers, works in progress
