AboutCathy Clamp Expertise I'm happy to answer questions about any aspect of getting published through commercial publishers, ebook publishers and self-publishing I can help with writing a query letter and synopsis to an agent or editor. I can explain publishing terminology, acronyms and manuscript formatting. I can also assist with questions about verifying the credentials of agents/publishers and how to proceed once you've been accepted for publication.
Experience I'm a USA Today bestselling author of romance fiction in the Tor/Forge Books paranormal romance line. Along with a co-author, I've published eight novels (combination of mass market and trade softcover) since 2003, and have contracts for six more books through 2009. I've also published short stories in regional and national magazines as well as freelance feature articles.
Organizations Romance Writers of America, Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Western Outdoor Writers, Horror Writers of America.
Publications Books: Tor/Forge Books, Western Reflections Publishing; Magazines: Rocky Mountain Game & Fish, Guns & Ammo, Fur-Fish-Game, many others.
Education/Credentials My educational background is limited to real life experience of publishing novels commercially for the past five years.
Awards and Honors USA Today bestseller, Waldenbooks Mass Market Paperback Top 20 bestseller, Nielsen BookScan Top 20 bestseller, Book Buyers Best Award for Paranormal, 2007, Romantic Times Best Werewolf Novel, 2006, Write Touch Readers Award, EVVY Best Historical Chronicle Award, The Lories Best Paranormal. Many others.
Expert: Cathy Clamp Date: 2/28/2008 Subject: Me again
Question I'm not sure if you would know this, but maybe you could give me your opinion. I'm thinking about the cover letters I'll be writing in my quest to be published, and worrying that I won't have much to say about myself. My life experience is extremely limited, because I've been suffering from quite severe agoraphobia since I was in my early teens and it keeps me mostly confined to my house. It did give me plenty of time to write my book, but that's really the only good thing I have to say about it. Anyway, my question is, should I mention it in cover letters? Is it safe to be that honest? I don't want publishers or agents thinking I'm a freak or anything.
Thank you.
Answer Hi again, Amber!
Don't worry at all that publishers will think you're a "freak." They won't. How you live your personal life or what your physical restrictions are, are only important when it comes time to market the book. If you're unable to attend book signings or conventions, that's fine. In the age of the internet, there are plenty of other things you can do to cover over these, including online chats with fans, website contests or even "cyber-signings" where people order books from a particular bookstore's website and then you either go to the store to personalize them, or have someone bring them to you at your house to sign. If you don't have professional credits, don't worry about it. All you have to put in the query letter is something like, "This is my first novel in what I hope will be a long career." (provided, of course, that you PLAN a career of writing. :) )
If you want to say that you're a wife and mother, or where you live, that's fine. But really, the agent isn't going to much care. Nobody cares that live in a tiny town in central Texas or that I raise goats for most of my income. Not important to them at all. The checks cash all the same. <g>
