Expert: Cathy Clamp - 6/20/2007

Question
QUESTION: Dear Ms. Clamp,

Hello!  The craziest thing happened to me in class this afternoon.  My professor mentioned for the third time that his wife is "the author of a few books".

Being an aspiring novelist, I researched the prof's wife.  I hoped to find and read at least one of her books, in order to give the professor praise about his wife's glorious writing.

Well.

Turns out I got more than I'd bargained for--his wife is not just "the author of a few books".  She's a very popular and successful author; she even wrote one of my favorite books, as difficult as that may be to believe.  Small world.

This is my question:

My burning desires to succeed as a writer urge me to suck up to this professor for all I'm worth, and much more (but tactfully!).  I can tell you with unabashed honesty that I have absolutely no problem doing it, if by doing so I may receive some sort of aid, however small or large.  I--no--longer--have--pride...plus rejection letters REALLY get me down  ;)  How can I go about this without seeming too pushy, needy, or amateur?  Help me, because I AM AN AMATEUR!!  But I'm struggling to rise from the slush.  LoL  ;)

I don't expect miracles.  At most, I dream of the prof agreeing to review my query letter and provide a few tips (the letter is quite horrible now, I feel, and will most likely ruin my literary career before it even begins). While it's fun to imagine him pledging to show my manuscript to his wife (and actually making good on that promise), I harbor no sugary dreams about that occurring.

Opportunity knocks but once, isn't that right?  Could this be the chance I've been waiting for?  He makes no secret about either his wife's publishing record or his own; in fact, it seems as if he's advertising it, as if he WANTS students to approach him!  Not to speak badly about anyone...but the people in my class are a bit slow in the uptake, and are not the type to write fiction (I learned this by their own admittance).  This means I have a corner on the market for a very short time; it is a period during which the professor is not under assault from other fresh-faced aspiring novelists.

Am I wrong in thinking that tact and a few kind, well-placed remarks may produce results?  Would it kill me to try?  Is this horribly uncouth?  When is the best time to take my shot?  Is this the oldest trick in the book?  Do many writers receive special assistance from teachers before going on to become famous, or is special teacher assistance a rare occurrence?  

209 rejection letters later, and I'm still a Slush Pile Sammy.  I feel that professional aid and/or a professional reference (dare I dream!) are the best ways to get out my manuscripts out of the slush piles and onto agent/editors' desks.  

Please lay your opinion on me.  The whole weird situation has me aquiver with many emotions!  The furry-winged moths in my stomach haven't stopped fluttering since I learned this news.  

Please note that I am a good student with an impeccable attendance record and a 4.0 GPA.  Kindly do not think that my efforts will be directed toward getting better grades--I have little trouble in that department.  I believe that I must continue to receive high marks in my classes if the professor will even consider helping me.  Scoring high, many of we students know, is the best way to suck up to a teacher...nothing impresses them like obedience....


Thanks a mill!


Junior

ANSWER: Hi, Junior!

You raise an interesting situation--and one that shows up in the writing world quite a bit. First, let's analyze where you stand.

1.  Your professor is married to a famous writer.
2.  He's mentioned the fact more than once.
3.  You already like the author's books.
4.  You've written a book and are getting rejected.

So, then . . . let's consider your options. First, the professor probably mentions the books because he's PROUD of her. My husband is likewise proud of me. He mentions my books to people at work and people he knows. Yes, he'd like to encourage them to buy my books because he likes them and thinks the others will to.

You're right to question whether he's extended an invitation. At first blush, I'd say not, UNLESS the professor happens to be your *writing* professor, in which case he'd probably be a bit more bold, such as "You know, you're really close on this. My wife is an author, and maybe..." THAT'S an offer. Anything else is likely just praise and pride on his part.

However, that doesn't sink you out of the water yet, either. You need to ask yourself a couple of serious questions at this stage:

A. Do you write in the same GENRE as the author? If not, then it's likely that looking over your query, even if she agreed, wouldn't do much good. It's a VERY subjective business, I've found, and a query that would sell in, say, romance, might not interest a thriller editor/agent at all. However, if you DO write in the same genre, then you might have a shot.

B. Does the professor know you're an aspiring novelist? It might well be that he doesn't and would make an offer to ask his wife if he knew (or not, but hey--it's possible.) To find out without seeming pushy, the next time you see the professor in a casual setting, like after class or in the library after hours, tell the professor that you looked up his wife based on his recommendation and realized that she wrote one of your favorite novels! Since it's true, he'll beam. Then you say something to the effect of: "Yeah, I finally finished my first novel. One of these days, maybe I'll figure out how to write a query, 'cause the one I have isn't working." You shake your head as though it's just another annoyance, like getting a C on an exam. The professor's response will be one of two things: a) He'll show surprise and ask you about your book; or b) He'll nod in comraderie, or wish you luck. If he does a), tell him about the book and allow him to make whatever offer he chooses. Keep in mind it might be days before you hear back with such an offer. He might talk it over with his wife at home and ask her advice privately. She'll either offer or not. But you can't push.  If he does b), then he knows you write but doesn't intend to do anything further.

Now, if you want to take him out of the loop entirely, look for the author's website. Find the "contact me" button and send HER an email. You just say that you didn't realize your professor was her husband and "Wow! What a small world!" Then you gush appropriately about her book. Mention that you've written a novel too (and if it's the same genre, more the better) and then say "Maybe I'll run into you at a writing conference sometime. Are you planning on attending any of the local ones? I'd love to meet you." She'll say yes or no and probably congratulate you on your novel (because we writers are just like that! <g> By the way, congratulations on finishing your novel! Heh...)

Mostly, you have to keep an open mind, and realize that authors work really hard and have little time to help with stuff. Still, since you've got that "in" you should at least find out if there's something there that can benefit you. It sounds like you're plenty bright enough to catch subtleties, so use your best judgment.

Good luck, and hope this helped!

Cathy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Cathy,

Thank you so much for your guidance!  To be quite honest, I'm VERY excited to find out what happens in the end.  

I kindly ask you to answer one more of my questions.

You mentioned writing to the author personally (via her site).  I thought of this, but fear she may mention it to the prof, and...insert situation.  I don't want anyone to think I'm a creep.  Directness, I've found, often works well.  It shows confidence!  Of course, tact must be used...but the end will probably be the same in any event.  Are you fairly sure that contacting the author directly is a sound plan?  

I made a small remark about my novel in class, and plan on making another one very soon (perhaps a bit more detailed this time).  I may be dreaming, but this may be the one small chance I've been waiting for.  Only time will tell!

I read that you are a brilliant writer of query letters, and that you have an extremely keen eye for spotting errors.  Do you provide critique for pitch letters?  If you do, I would love to allow your expert gaze to pass over my query.  I'm sure you will work wonders!!!


Thanks again!!

Junior

Answer
Hi, again!

Sorry to be so long in responding, I was out of town for a few days. I think your initial contact with the author needs to be telling her how much you enjoyed her novel. You can tell her you admire her writing skill and plot development or tell why you related to her characters. Authors like to hear these things. The first contact probably shouldn't mention your novel, unless you say that you hope to one day be able to write as well as her in the novel you're working on.

She'll answer or she won't. That totally depends on her mood of the day. But definitely mention her husband spoke well of her. That's always a happy thing to learn too.

As for my own critiquing, I'm afraid right now I'm swamped. I'm halfway through copy edits on one book, trying desperately to write the next one, and donated two full manuscript critiques to a charity auction (look it up next year if you haven't sold by then.) Suspense author Brenda Novak runs it, and it benefits Juvenile Diabetes research. A whole bunch of authors, agents and editors donate their time and skill to the highest bidder. Plus, there's lots of other things donated too--jewelry, trips, electronics, etc.  Here's a link to this year's auction, where you can look over the sort of things that sold (look for "items already closed" to see them, since the auction is over.) http://www.brendanovak.com/auction_index.php

Good luck, and hope it works out with your situation!

Cathy