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About Cathy 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.
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You are here: Experts > Arts/Humanities > Writing > Getting Published or E-published > Me yet again
Expert: Cathy Clamp
Date: 9/19/2008
Subject: Me yet again
Question
I've been giving some thought to dividing my too-long novel into two or three parts, even though I'm not sure each section would make an interesting enough book. If I decide to do this, can I query agents that I've queried before? And if yes, should I mention in the letter that I've changed the length of the book? Thank you (again).
Answer
Hi, Amber!
Hmm... that's a tough question to answer. If you'd queried agents and they read the entire book and told you it was too long or too wordy, then you could send a letter mentioning the earlier query and their response and tell them you decided to split the novel into parts. That might make a difference to them. But if they only read the first chapter or rejected the query without ever seeing a partial or full, then probably not. You'll have to move on to other agents. Sorry.
But regardless of the agent situation, at least the first book will HAVE to stand alone. It's not always possible for even the best agent to sell a sequel or trilogy---and even if they do, if sales of the first book don't justify a sequel, it will be a problem. So if the first book doesn't tell an entire story, they'll struggle to sell it at all.
Think of it sort of like the first three Star Wars movies (novels). "Star Wars" held up as a single story. You knew lots of stuff happened before, and the destruction of the Death Star wouldn't be the end of the Empire. But it told ONE story well, so that if the next story hadn't happened, it would be okay. The reader/viewer would still be happy and could let it go. Does that make sense?
Hope that helps a little and good luck!
Cathy
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