KindleScout Update

Since my novel, Finding Charlie, won the crowd-sourcing competition back in December, I've written a lot about the publishing process. What I just realized, though, is that I've done most of that writing as a guest for other blogs.

For instance, if you're a writer thinking about entering KindleScout, read this piece that I wrote for Rowena Wise.

My publishing journey started years ago with the success of my first novel, Monsoon Season. If you're interested in the story of that somewhat unconventional path and what it means to be a hybrid author, you can read more here, on BooksbyWomen.

I'm about nine months into the process with KindleScout and I've been really happy. When I signed the contract, I didn't know what to expect in terms of their support - and because of previous experiences with other publishers - I kept those expectations low. But I've been pleasantly surprised.

I was assigned an editor who worked with me to get the book professionally polished. The KindleScout team has always been quick to respond to my emails. In terms of sales, I earned back my advance within the first month and get monthly sales reports so I feel very involved in the process. Last month's promotion had Finding Charlie on the first page of Amazon's best-selling women's fiction, at #19:

Exciting stuff!

World Building - On writing fiction

"World building" is term I've heard used mostly in the context of science fiction or fantasy writing. It refers to the way these writers create an imaginary place and all the elements within that place conform to a certain set of rules: the character's histories, the basic physics of the environment, what's at stake in the storyline.

In a way, all writers of fiction are world builders. The imaginary world that I constructed for my first novel, Monsoon Season, is the same world that exists in A Long Thaw and Finding Charlie. Characters overlap because they're inhabiting the same space.

The forest fire that was central to Riley and Ben in 2003 is remembered by Charlie in 2016. This same event had different meanings to the different cast of characters, as is true in real life. What was symbolic of the end of a relationship in one book is a reminder of maternal abandonment in the other.  In the parallel universe I created, these stories were going on simultaneously, unbeknownst to the characters involved.

Practically speaking, this can be a lot of work. I don't just need to maintain a timeline for each book; I need to be sure each one works in relation to all the

others. I've started keeping spreadsheets.

The stories in these books exist on their own and can be read in any order, independently from each other. I don't write sequels, but because all of my characters live in the same world, there's an opportunity to revisit the past. Readers of Monsoon Season will find a familiar face in Finding Charlie, a partial answer to the "where are they now?" question I've gotten since the first book came out.

I was right

Not long ago, I had a three book deal with a traditional publisher. Even though sales for the first book were great, they didn't do anything to promote my second book and I decided to get out of my contract with them.

In the months since I launched A Long Thaw on my own, I've wondered whether that was the smartest way to go. I wanted control over how my work was marketed but I didn't really know if I could do it by myself. Here's what I said back in March: 

"Getting that agent to help negotiate the contract may have been the best $100 I ever spent. Instead of allowing my publisher to hold the rights for my book for ten years, I get them back in two. This means I can rerelease A Long Thaw, the book my publisher didn't promote, and see if I can do a better job."

Well the reports are in: I've already sold more books in the past four months than the publisher managed to sell in an entire year. I guess I'm done wondering if I made the right decision.

If you'd like to take a look at my debut, Monsoon Season, it's being sold by Hachette. My next book, Finding Charlie, will be out in the coming months.

The truth about agent queries

When I got my first book, Monsoon Season, published in 2012, I thought I'd made it. Really, it was just the beginning. After a lackluster release of my second novel, I got out of that contract and rereleased A Long Thaw on my own. Both books have kick ass reviews on Amazon, by the way. Meanwhile, I've been sending agent queries for Finding Charlie and getting the nicest rejections ever.

In fact, I've sent more than fifty queries for this book and I've gotten a really promising response. I've had requests for full reads from about a third of those, many from top agencies, like Writer's House, Trident, ICM, Levine Greenburg, etc. One of those agents called me on the phone to discuss my book.

I keep getting the same response. Here's the remix:

"We’ve determined that this particular project isn’t the right fit for our agency at this time.  As I’m sure you know, the publishing industry changes swiftly now, as do readers’ tastes and trends."

"Given how competitive the market is, I worry I'd have difficulty placing it. I'm going to step aside so you can work with an agent who will give your work the full enthusiasm it deserves."

"Do query others; you deserve an agent who will really fall in love with this, and who has the vision for your work that will help you achieve the career you want."

"We would like to encourage you to consider querying us with future projects as you may deem appropriate."

My debut novel sold over 10,000 copies. Finding Charlie is ranked #12 on Authonomy and is top rated on Book Country. I'm running out of ideas. The other great writers I know, even those with publishing history, are hitting a similar wall. So I think I'll reply to the latest agency rejection. What do I have to lose? Something like this:

"I appreciate your getting back to me. Your response echos the one I've gotten from more than a dozen agents who asked to read the full and then passed. I'm at the end of my list of agents to submit to.

 I have a super thick skin and would love an honest answer to this question: Do you think Finding Charlie is not ready for publication or is it just not right for your list? I'm sorry to put you on the spot but would really be grateful for your insight.

How's that? If I get some clarity, I'll pass it on. 

A Long Thaw: Published!

My second book came out today. It's available on amazon. It's been a bit more low-key than when the first book came out, but I'm still pretty psyched. The sales for Monsoon Season were way beyond my expectations, so I'm feeling a lot less pressure this time.

I'll be sending signed printed copies out next week, at which point I will post a link for those who still haven't gotten the hang of this e-book thing.

Here's the synopsis from my publisher:


Following on from the bestselling ebook MONSOON SEASON comes O’Rourke’s second novel, which explores the power of secrets and the unbreakable bonds of family.

Cousins Abby and Juliet were born into one big, close family. But when Juliet’s parents divorce, it tears the family apart and sends the girls in very different directions.

Juliet grows up too quickly, forced to be responsible for her younger sisters as well as an alcoholic, single mother. Abby grows up a pampered, sheltered only child.

As women, they try to mend the rift and come to terms with the way their shared history connects them, in spite of the years apart.

Told in alternating narrative, A Long Thaw explores how the two women are shaped by the traumas and triumphs of childhood. It’s a story about the power of secrets and the unbreakable bonds of family.

Monsoon Season: Interview

I only just found this interview that I gave to Cass McMain at the beginning of the summer. She asked some great questions and I got to talk about many of my favorite writing topics: genre debates, sexism, how to create characters, blogging, etc.

Cass claims to have a hard time coming up with blog ideas, but her response to Cosmo's "How to Drive Your Man Wild" was absolute genius:

"I should email him. At work. With messages about how I just got finished “touching myself” and thinking about how I can’t wait for him to ____ his ____ for me. Blank his blank? Oh, I get it: that’s code for I can’t wait for him to lose his job. (Maybe I can leave group messages for everyone at his office. I want your ___ in my ____. Then his boss can send it back filled in: I want your resignation letter in my in basket right now.)"

I am currently rereading Cass's debut novel, Sunflower, and thoroughly enjoying it. The review will be my next blog post.

A few months ago, I interviewed Cass about publication of her first book.

Monsoon Season: Some links

With publication of Monsoon Season days away, there have already been a few advance reviews.

Here's the review by Qualities of Wood author Mary Vensel White.

Here are reviews by book bloggers:
Lookatmybooks
Mamajheart 
Lucybirdbooks 
Literaryinklings

Here's a guest blog about my inspiration for Monsoon Season.

A guest blog about my journey to publication.

Order your copy here:
http://www.amazon.com/Monsoon-Season-ebook/dp/B0070TREUS