. Born of a tiny kernel of truth and fertilized with a healthy dose of imagination, Reunion blossomed into more than even Jenn thought was possible. She loved the little novel, nurturing it and showing it off proudly for all to see. People came from far and wide -- virtually of course -- to sing the praises of the book that had bestseller written all over it.With so much enthusiasm for her little book, Jenn decided to contact The Agent. Now The Agent was known throughout the land for casting off unknown authors and bestowing its praises on only a select few chosen manuscripts. Surely Jenn's little bestseller with all its accolades would be among them. But alas, she too was forsaken by The Agent.
Saddened by her rejection, Jenn wandered into the Forum Forest where she happened upon some Knowledge Fairies. The Knowledge Fairies gave Jenn a precious gift - the answer to why The Agent had so readily dispensed her hard work and passion. 'Twas the plight of those who chose to market their own books they said. For The Agent was only interested in virgin books that had not yet seen the light of day.
Although she was grateful for the gift handed down by the Knowledge Fairies, she found little comfort in their wisdom. Had her love of her work inadvertently sealed its fate? Would The Agent mend its evil ways and grant Reunion a coveted second chance?
Sadly, I do not know how this fairy tale ends. Only time will tell ...
Unfortunately, it's really really REALLY hard to land an agent. I've lost track of how many agent rejections I've gotten from agents along the way. Going for an agent is hard, hard work. And yes, it's probably best to approach them with a manuscript that's never been published anywhere. Even so, you can expect a load of rejections. I don't know if that's comforting or not:-).
ReplyDeleteThe good news is that success with a previous book can sometimes help you gain an agent's attention. I landed my former agent (whom I then lost due to other issues) due to a previously published novel-- I posted about it on my blog, she asked to read it, and thus I came to her attention. Around that time I was also approached by another very good agent (which rarely happens) who was interested in my e-published work. So even if an agent never wants to market REUNION, you never know... it might help you in some other way.
Thanks, Ellen! I remain the eternal optimist, but I'm still writing the new novel ... :)
ReplyDeleteHi JL,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the sales of your novel Reunion.
I also have ebooks available on Kindle and Smashwords that went live in the past few weeks. Sales have started and that's exciting, but I'm curious what kind of marketing you used to get the word out about your book. What do you consider good sales - hundreds of copies sold? thousands?
I write science fiction with a co-author and we have a blog and a website which is a start, but I'm sure there's more we can do.
Deb
Hi Deb,
ReplyDeleteFirst, thanks for visiting and congrats on your book! The measure of success is debatable. I once read that the average self-published book sells 14 copies in a year. I'm not sure that still holds true with the advent of the ebook. I've also read that few self-pub books sell 200 copies. But then, some authors like JA Konrath sell thousands a month (you should check out his blog). So ultimately, I think success is in the eye of the beholder.
I started out focusing on two things - getting my name out there and the soft cover sales. I now think that was probably a mistake. I should've paid more attention to ebook sales. I didn't actually get out and about online (forums, blogs, etc.) until March of this year, just before I released my novella. I also dropped my ebook list price from $7.99 to $3.99 and eventually as low as $1.99. I did some experimenting and now I'm set at $2.99. Well, let me tell you, my ebook sales increased 12-fold in March. This month, my sales are on course to triple last month's massive increase.
If I knew definitively what worked, you'd see my book on the NYT bestseller list right now. ;) But I will say that "meeting" the readers, participating in discussions, just basically letting people get to know you will help. Patience is also key (and I'm not so good at that). I have also done a very, very limited Facebook ad campaign (maybe $10/mth), but that is not where the big results are coming from. I've also contacted website and blog owners about reviewing my book. Stellar critical reviews have certainly helped Reunion.
That's what I've done so far. I'm planning to do a blog tour, some book signings, work on getting into libraries and local bookstores. It's a lot of work, but the results are definitely rewarding (not so much financially, but in other ways).
Good luck!
-Jenn
Hi, Jenn,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about The Agent's decision. Rejection is so hard when you KNOW your baby is beautiful, and your sales and reviews are proof positive that you've got a gorgeous baby.
I've missed you at the Amazon Forums and at KBs. The authors were wondering if you were okay, so I thought I'd look you up, check on you, and then report back to them. You started that wonderful Kindle Authors page. We're all very grateful.
~Donna~
Dear Jenn - oh so many authors, so many queries! And, I remember feeling as you did - as if I wouldn’t make it past the gatekeeper of an agent or publishing house… and I haven’t… yet…
ReplyDeleteI found your book by accident, and downloaded it into my Kindle, and read and enjoyed and laughed, all the while questioning why I've never heard of you. Who is this talented J.L. Penn? I wondered.
After writing five books myself, and now editing (again), and having a manuscript requested then, rejected, I feel like I can understand what it's like to have a baby - to have a dream and yet have it elude you by a seemingly insurmountable obstacle.
My tale (not that you asked, but here it is anyway) is this: I didn't know what the heck I was doing when I wrote my book(s) last year. Now, editing my most beloved (and rejected) baby, I wonder if I too should have self-published. My family & friends assured me was *brilliant!*
Imagine my surprise when I go to edit it (after having written three other books since) and finding that *gulp* it's not as brilliant as I once thought. The good news is I am going through the novel and am noticing all the reasons why harlequin took a pass…
I’m simultaneously petrified and excited to resubmit. After all, I once thought it was good, and now I see it wasn’t as good as it could have been… and agents? EEK! I’m submitting to Harlequin because of their no-agent caveat. And, because of the cyber-friendships I’ve made with a few brilliant and wonderful and giving and fantastic Harlequin writers.
This year, I pursue my goal of publication. Not so I can check it off of a resolution list. Not so I can finally feel accepted by the “in crowd” (though it may have started that way) but to take advantage of a league of editors who have the combined years of experience that so trumps my own.
I'm sure I had a point, but now I'm rambling... oh! I remember. I wanted to offer compliments and encouragement!
Jenn, Reunion is a fun read and you have a great voice. Your talent leaps off the page in an undeniable way! I hope you will ignore the haters on Amazon. A few gave reviews too harsh and definitely undeserved. Every book has its faults, but yours is full enough of entertaining banter, and with fun characters to overlook any. It has a redeeming message at the end, too, which as a married-for-twelve-years-childless-thirty-five-year-old, well, you can say I related to the main character - named Jessica, no less. And, she did just what I would have done at the end. ;)
Keep writing! Keep submitting! Keep pressing forward! Your work worthy of an agent and a publishing house, if that is so what you desire. The most helpful thing I’ve ever heard is this: there's a difference between telling a story and best-selling a story.
You have me as a fan and a supporter. I will recommend your book to my friends. You have a strong voice, a positive message and a gleaming sense of humor. Here's wishing you many great successes in the new year, Jenn!
Hi Donna,
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking in on me! Life has been so very busy that I guess I've just sort of stepped back for a bit. Too many time demands and not enough time. On the bright side, it hasn't impacted my sales as I've posted my biggest numbers ever these last few months (in the THOUSANDS for January!!). It's nice to have some success, and I can honestly say I'm pretty comfortable in my self-published skin now. Hope you're doing well. Will have to pop over to KB to say hi and see what's up with everyone.
Jessica,
Wow, thank you so much! Such wonderfully kind and encouraging words! Can't thank you enough for your post and for spreading the word. And good luck to you with Harlequin! Let me know how it goes. Incidentally, I think every writer goes back to their early work after a period of time and doesn't find it as amazing as they once did. Such is life I guess. Just completing a novel, no matter what does or doesn't happen to it, is a huge accomplishment and one to be proud of ... and you've done it more than once! Kudos! :)
-Jenn
i love your books
ReplyDelete