Comments on authonomy Blog | authonomy writing community: My Road to Getting Published: James Guiney

Thanks...for the memories.... After I put more th...

2009-06-28T18:43:44.995+01:00

Thanks...for the memories....
After I put more than 5 years into researching and writing the first six drafts of my first novel, The Red Gate, I began sending out submissions to literary agents. My agent list came from mentions of agents handling similar subject work, in the press, and the AAR (Association of Artist's Representatives)website. Their code of ethics protected submitting

I have just finished my MFA that included turning ...

2009-05-01T18:20:00.000+01:00

I have just finished my MFA that included turning in my novel to receive my degree. Although I have gotten feedback from several people, it has all been very different advise. I have several characters speaking in my story along with my protagonist and I also use the omnicient voice. I don't want to change that, but I would if a publisher said it would get me published. Also, I sometimes use past

James, Best of luck to you. I know something of w...

2009-04-28T17:09:00.000+01:00

James,

Best of luck to you. I know something of what you are going through though I have not even got to the agent stage. It's not for lack of trying. I have stacks of rejections from agents and editors. And I appreciate what you said about making sure you are sending out your best effort. I've written five novels, genre fiction, the last two mysteries were my best and I'm working on

Hi James, Well done and thanks for being so hones...

2009-04-24T18:56:00.000+01:00

Hi James,

Well done and thanks for being so honest. I wish you the very best of luck. You obviously have talent so hang in there and stay positive. The best piece of writing advice I ever heard is "the harder I work the luckier I get". Deirdre

Hey James, terrific post. The waiting game. Many...

2009-04-23T00:15:00.000+01:00

Hey James, terrific post. The waiting game. Many industries - software for example - go through a transformation from endless waiting to a removal of gatekeepers (or rather transformation of gatekeepers into promoters...result, instead of talent chasing them, they chase talent as it gets above market radar) and high-speed.

I believe the publishing industry is going through this, as

James, thanks for feedback on the Faber workshop a...

2009-04-22T22:07:00.000+01:00

James, thanks for feedback on the Faber workshop and have noted your recommendation re Gerard Donovan's work. Do keep us posted re your progress on route to publication. Regards

The Faber workshop was excellent. I feel like I h...

2009-04-21T08:31:00.000+01:00

The Faber workshop was excellent. I feel like I have cranked into a new gear and will deeply mature as a writer because of it. If you can get a good workshop, it's worth its weight in gold.
Regards,
James
I also recommend anyone to read Gerard Donovan's work, it is fantastic stuff.

James, great to read of your experiences, it sure ...

2009-04-20T20:52:00.000+01:00

James, great to read of your experiences, it sure gives encouragement to continue the effort of getting work published. At times it almost seems as if the 'writing' is easier. Good luck with your own writing and do let us know how useful you found the Faber workshop

Thank you for briefing on the outlook of publishin...

2009-04-18T11:31:00.000+01:00

Thank you for briefing on the outlook of publishing, James. I wish fresh ideas and great writing obtain their deserving attention.

Yes my book is still on authonomy: http://www.auth...

2009-04-14T22:17:00.000+01:00

Yes my book is still on authonomy:
http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=4371

I really believe it is a case of finding the right editor - just because one editor doesn't think it suits the market, isn't the be all and end all.
Frustrating yes, but I'll keep writing and keep trying. This book is going to sell a million copies!!
Thanks for the support, JamesG

Hi James, I'm in a similar situation to you. I hav...

2009-04-14T21:47:00.000+01:00

Hi James,
I'm in a similar situation to you. I have an agent and he has my first trilogy but so far no nibbles. In frustration I got in touch with another agent who previously didn't want my books but gave me good advice at one time. He said it can take an enormously long time. For agents, he said it's more about strategy than anything else. He had at the time just heard from a publisher he

Hi James, Thank you for taking the time to share t...

2009-04-14T11:25:00.000+01:00

Hi James, Thank you for taking the time to share the details of your waiting game, the realism and honesty of your experience probably goes to prove that Edison was right, he of lightblubs - Genuis is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration...talent is as important as a little bit of good luck and sheer gutsy tenacity it seems...best of luck James, would love to read your book, is it still on

Just a question. Were any of the random excuses al...

2009-04-14T03:44:00.000+01:00

Just a question. Were any of the random excuses along the lines of "We just don't know how to market this"?

I too have been down the road of Try Prematurely; Pull Back and Polish, Polish, Polish; Get An Agent (and a good one, at that); and Get Very Nice Rejections. Main sticking point? Yep, Don't Know How to Market It.

Just wondered if you had run into that yourself.
<

Good luck, James; and I look forward to reading ab...

2009-04-13T02:04:00.000+01:00

Good luck, James; and I look forward to reading about your Faber experiences!

Well done James - this is an example of how persev...

2009-04-10T10:51:00.000+01:00

Well done James - this is an example of how perseverance pays in the end. Good luck for finding that editor.

James, your advice is right on target. Thanks, Au...

2009-04-10T01:29:00.000+01:00

James, your advice is right on target. Thanks, Authonomy, for highlighting advice worth its weight in gold.

Thanks, I enjoyed reading this.

J. S. Coll...

2009-04-09T22:14:00.000+01:00

Thanks, I enjoyed reading this.

J. S. Colley

James - thanks for sharing your story and advice. ...

2009-04-09T06:26:00.000+01:00

James - thanks for sharing your story and advice. It's great to hear from someone who's ALMOST there. Best of look to you.

I appreciate reading this. Thanks

2009-04-09T03:07:00.000+01:00

I appreciate reading this. Thanks

James, this is great. My thoughts and best wishes ...

2009-04-08T22:58:00.000+01:00

James, this is great. My thoughts and best wishes are with you all the way.

James, this is great stuff. And thank you to the p...

2009-04-08T15:56:00.000+01:00

James, this is great stuff. And thank you to the people at Authonomy for moving it over here where it deserves to be. It goes to show the good people over there really DO look at what the good people over here have to say.

Comments on authonomy Blog | authonomy writing community: My Road to Getting Published: James Guiney

Thanks...for the memories.... After I put more th...

I have just finished my MFA that included turning ...

James, Best of luck to you. I know something of w...

Hi James, Well done and thanks for being so hones...

Hey James, terrific post. The waiting game. Many...

James, thanks for feedback on the Faber workshop a...

The Faber workshop was excellent. I feel like I h...

James, great to read of your experiences, it sure ...

Thank you for briefing on the outlook of publishin...

Yes my book is still on authonomy: http://www.auth...

Hi James, I'm in a similar situation to you. I hav...

Hi James, Thank you for taking the time to share t...

Just a question. Were any of the random excuses al...

Good luck, James; and I look forward to reading ab...

Well done James - this is an example of how persev...

James, your advice is right on target. Thanks, Au...

Thanks, I enjoyed reading this. J. S. Coll...

James - thanks for sharing your story and advice. ...

I appreciate reading this. Thanks

James, this is great. My thoughts and best wishes ...

James, this is great stuff. And thank you to the p...

Thanks, I enjoyed reading this.

J. S. Coll...