And how I’m buzzing through the season.
*This post was originally published on December 13, 2023.
Podcast Episode #29
My name is Naomi Shibles and I’m here to tell you Why I Need This Author Gig.
With each episode, I’ll share a little bit about my writing journey, sprinkled with some anecdotes so that we can share a laugh.
In this episode, I cover:
The blessing of being a busy bee 🐝
Big emotions
A few parts of a book pitch
Leaving the ladder standing
I’m grateful to be busy! Although my tired body has some complaints with so much to do. There are holiday events, school concerts, shopping, wrapping, and that ever-present feeling that I’ve forgotten something important.
On top of it all, I’m SUPER grateful to be going over my book proof from my publisher. It’s exciting! I feel validated in a way that makes me realize how difficult it is to be compelled to write, work hard, and yet feel guilty for so many reasons about following my dreams.
So I’m feeling big emotions, I’m feeling the spirit of the winter holidays, and I’m remembering what it is that I forgot:
This podcast. 😬
So I’m going to pivot and tell you a little bit about the YA sci-fi caper I have coming out soon. It’s called Counterblow Clemency, and this is the pitch I sent to the publisher:
Logline: (A logline is a one-sentence summary of a book’s plot meant to hook a reader’s interest—think TV show descriptions when you’re looking for something to watch.)
Promo City is blazing with advertising pollution, but all sixteen-year-old Bjorn Bear cares about is having fun—until the city’s deadliest assassins attack and he must face the possibility that the only family he’s ever known isn’t real.
Next, I mentioned that the story explores the themes of dignity, entitlement versus social responsibility, teamwork, and the kinship of chosen family. Themes are important because they’re what makes a reader connect to the story.
Here’s the pitch:
Promo City is blazing with advertising pollution, but all sixteen-year-old Bjorn Bear cares about is having fun, until the city’s deadliest assassins attack him. With his motley gang of friends by his side, Bjorn must evade a crime boss with a vendetta, overcome genetically-engineered mini hippos, and race against time to discover and stop whoever is out to get him—all while facing the possibility that the only family he’s ever known isn’t real.
I think it sounds exciting! What do you think?
Notice how the pitch is just one paragraph? A common misconception about writing is that the shorter something is, the easier it is to write. Wrong! But as hard as it is to condense the whole of your energies into one paragraph, doing so makes it easier for agents and editors to decide if they want to know more.
It’s kind of like a resume, in a way. You just want to start a conversation about your qualifications. Here, you just want to get them to at least be interested in reading the first 10 pages. I practiced a lot by entering flash fiction contests, and even micro fictions contests. I have a forthcoming story in an anthology that is just 42 words long! (I’ll let you know when it comes out.)
If any of this info has been a mystery to you in the past, I hope you find it helpful. It can be hard to understand what the gatekeepers are looking for. But I believe in leaving ladders to success propped up for the next person to level up.
I also hope that you consider reading Counterblow Clemency when it comes out. 💛
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