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: 5/4/2008 Subject: Good enough to publish?
Question im working on a book, not really expecting it to be published. my sister read it and said she thought it could be sold. How old do you have to be to publish a book?
Here is the first papagraph of the book: She came to his door, her face a mess of tears, har arms a mess of blood. Pounding on his door, she let out a heartbroken wail. Springing from where he slept on the couch, he threw back the door to see his best friend crying, bloody and weak. Silently, she fell into his arms and sobbed into his shoulder.
Do you think any companies would take it?
Answer Hi, Kitty!
There's really no age requirement to publish a book. I've heard of authors as young as 12 and 13 who have published (Amelia Atwater-Rhodes springs to mind, who published at 13.)
As a first paragraph, this needs a little work on what's called "point of view." You have two points of view here, the woman who is bloody and the man who answers the door. It's difficult to get invested in HER story when you immediately jump into his head (which is why they call the issue "head-hopping" in the writing business.) Pick ONE person to follow for the whole scene. It's a little tricky to learn at first, but it gets easier as you go. For example, instead of the reader KNOWING he was sleeping on the couch (which is HIS point of view, since she can't see it) you could stay in her point of view and have her HEAR movement as he springs up. Maybe a couch cushion squeaks that she recognizes---she's his best friend, after all. Surely she's been to his house before.
Pretend that YOU'RE the woman outside, but you can only see what she does. Try it with your sister. Go outside the house and knock and really LISTEN for what makes you know someone is coming to the door. Coughing that gets closer, footsteps that are quick or slow. That sort of thing. And until that door opens, you can't see anything inside. You don't know whether the house is messy or if the carpet is soaked with water because the sink overflowed while he was sleeping.
If you stay in her point of view, you have those few moments as the door opens to SEE his reaction to her blood, to see the shock on his face, and then the compassion. You, as the reader, get to hear him gasp and feel his touch as he pulls her close. Is his shirt silky or rough against her cheek?
Does that make sense?
Keep on working on this. It has promise, but could be so much better with some additional senses thrown in. Always remember with each scene to include all five senses: sight, hearing, touch, scent and taste (yes, even TASTE. If she's bloody, is her lip cut? Can she taste metal and have to keep spitting it out?) Don't make it really obvious. You don't want the reader ticking off the senses on their fingers as they read.
Somtimes it's easier to understand if you pick a favorite book and go through it again, LOOKING for what makes it your favorite. Often it's that you really get involved in the character through their senses to the situation.
Good luck, and feel free to ask any more questions you have! :)
