RW Makeover #2: By the sea, by the sea…
It’s been a bit since I posted here about my more-than-fabulous RW makeover, and (I think) for good reason: instead of just reviewing books, I’m writing one.
Okay, so I’m not penning the great American novel or even a fun pop-culture non-fiction title. I’m writing a travel guide book (about a place by the sea, hence the melodic title to this post). I submitted the proposal before I was given the RW makeover (swear!), and I didn’t put it in my “please accept me” essay because I’ve had too many proposals given the big red “no” stamp to get too excited about it. Lo and behold, the editors liked it, and my manuscript is due September 4.
A lot of writers think that guide books aren’t worth the money, and I could see why. My advance isn’t going to buy me an island, and it’s a lot of work. But I’ve been pitching articles based on research for the book to magazines, and hopefully (if this latest assignment goes through), I’ll have earned half of my advance in magazines articles that sprouted from book research. Make sense?
Anyway, during this time, my book reviewing and “hey, hire me as a book reviewer” work has been pushed to the side. That September 4 deadline scares me. But I know that I’m probably not going to be a travel writer for life, so today I woke my butt up early — yes, on a Saturday — and got myself over to my local neighborhood office supply big box store and photocopied clips. Then I put together introduction packages to book editors, went back through book catalogues to see what would be coming out in the near future, and put in requests to book publicists to get the galleys.
Phew. That’s getting a lot done for a Saturday. I rarely work on Saturdays, but I’m taking Monday off to go to the Philadelphia Phillies home opener. GO PHILS! [Jen Miller]
If you liked that post, you might also like:
Mar 31, 2007 RW Makeover
Jen, that’s awesome — congratulations!!!!! September 4 isn’t *that* close — plenty of time.
And that sounds like a smart move to pitch stories with the book research. Were I as buttoned up.
Funny, I was listening to Kevin Spacey singing Beyond the Sea this afternoon ….
Want to share with whom you have the guidebook contract with?
Kara
(aspiring guidebook writer!)
Okay, that should be “with whom you have the contract.” (Some writer!)
Congrats on the book contract, Jen! I’m leaving for a 10-day tour of Peru on Tuesday and have yet to land an assignment. Time for me to start packing instead of querying!
I’m planning to update my blog from the Andes. Wish me luck in finding fast Internet connections and signal for my Blackberry!
Kara – It’s with Countryman Press (my editor is one of the folks doing Personal Pitch meetings at ASJA in case anyone is curious…)
Lanora – GOOD LUCK!
Also, since this makeover is about book reviews, you can read my latest here: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/magazine/20070328_Book_Review____A_Net_novel_suffers_in_translation_to_paper_form.html
And here: http://www.sptimes.com/2007/04/01/Features/We_are_a_nation_obses.shtml#
Ladies (and, okay, gents), you might find the second review most interesting.
Jen, congratulations on the book deal! You are starting a colorful journey. My book came out in 2005, and I’m happy to share experiences if it helps. (I flew blind, and it sure would have helped me.) As someone who lives by the sea, on the East Coast, I’m curious to know the locale of your guidebook. How wild would it be if you were writing about my lovely beach town? I’m planning a move as soon as I sell my condo — maybe it was meant for you?…