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: 4/4/2008 Subject: Me yet again
Question Hi, hope you don't mind another one! I'm just about to start querying literary agents, and I've hit a wall. My word count is 237,738, way longer than I expected. Do I have absolutely no chance of finding an agent now? I don't think I can cut it down, or at least not by much. Thanks.
Answer Hi, again, Amber!
Nah, ask as many questions as you like. 237K is pretty long, but a lot depends on the genre. SF/fantasy allows for longer word count than some of the others. But you're right that it's going to be tougher to find an agent for something that long. Not impossible, but harder. If it's an awesome book, length doesn't matter (think Dune or even the recent Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell.) But if it's just a good book that needs some work---not incredible as it stands---an agent could think twice about taking it on because it would be difficult to sell. I know we all BELIEVE our book is incredible (I certainly do! LOL) but it's only when we put it out in the light of day for total strangers to look at that we know for sure. I'd strongly suggest the following: 1) put it in a drawer for at least two months. Work on something else. Then, when you've just about completely forgotten entire chapters, go back to it to see if you really CAN cut things out. It might be that subplots went down "primrose paths" that don't blend back into the main plot, or perhaps an entire character doesn't help the book. 2) Join a critique group, either online or "land-based." Be prepared for harsh criticism. Know that the book NEEDS criticism at this stage. It needs to be the best it can be before you search for an agent. 3) Consider turning the book into TWO books, or even three. Think "Star Wars." The first book won a single battle, even though the bad guys remained alive at the end. The trilogy won the WAR.
