Industry News
I wasn't going to blog on this but . . .
This blog is really, for me, about craft. Not the blah-blah-blah of the ins and outs of my career or even any one particular bit of the industry. But I was asked in the comments of the previous entry . . . and so . . .
I write for MIRA, Red Dress Ink, Bombshell, and Penguin/NAL. I have two pen names, in addition to my name. And I loved, LOVED! writing for Bombshell. If you have never read a Bombshell, they were unusual in the field of romance publishing in that the heroine saves the day! She doesn't have to be "rescued"--she's a tough, smart, capable chick all her own. I got to write about a vampire, a boxing promoter, and Billie Quinn, my forensics genius and criminalist. The second Billie Quinn book is out in stores now.
Today, it was announced the Bombshell line is no more (as of January '07). Before the announcement came, I had already been offered a three-book deal (in addition to a stand-alone I have already turned in called BLOOD SON) to write for Nocturne, a new paranormal line. I love the miniseries proposal I turned in Thursday--and love that I had an offer in three days. (Because I HATE waiting to hear!!!!)
As much as I am delighted to land on my feet, I am really, really sad for my colleagues and writer pals who don't yet know what they are going to do. I am also sad for my friends that I was CERTAIN would get Bombshell deals someday--people like Karmela Johnson (blog link to the right) who was always a great cheerleader for the line.
I know Sara Hantz (blog link on the right) commented about the cautions against genre-hopping, and I know there are plenty of people who advise against it, and I know it's not usually a sensible route. BUT, I am really, really glad I can write across genres and can adapt. I am also really glad my brain works that way--I love comedy (my Red Dress Ink titles), but I also love dark thrillers.
So for anyone who lurks who wonders what I am going to do, what I am going to do was already well settled today. I'm fine.
And, getting back to the discussions about art and craft and life of a writer . . . today was a reminder that this industry isn't for the faint-hearted. It's a roller coaster ride sometimes, and art and craft are lovely, but if you intend to make a living at it, you have to be aware of what's going on sales wise and be ready to adapt.
Ciao,
E
This blog is really, for me, about craft. Not the blah-blah-blah of the ins and outs of my career or even any one particular bit of the industry. But I was asked in the comments of the previous entry . . . and so . . .
I write for MIRA, Red Dress Ink, Bombshell, and Penguin/NAL. I have two pen names, in addition to my name. And I loved, LOVED! writing for Bombshell. If you have never read a Bombshell, they were unusual in the field of romance publishing in that the heroine saves the day! She doesn't have to be "rescued"--she's a tough, smart, capable chick all her own. I got to write about a vampire, a boxing promoter, and Billie Quinn, my forensics genius and criminalist. The second Billie Quinn book is out in stores now.
Today, it was announced the Bombshell line is no more (as of January '07). Before the announcement came, I had already been offered a three-book deal (in addition to a stand-alone I have already turned in called BLOOD SON) to write for Nocturne, a new paranormal line. I love the miniseries proposal I turned in Thursday--and love that I had an offer in three days. (Because I HATE waiting to hear!!!!)
As much as I am delighted to land on my feet, I am really, really sad for my colleagues and writer pals who don't yet know what they are going to do. I am also sad for my friends that I was CERTAIN would get Bombshell deals someday--people like Karmela Johnson (blog link to the right) who was always a great cheerleader for the line.
I know Sara Hantz (blog link on the right) commented about the cautions against genre-hopping, and I know there are plenty of people who advise against it, and I know it's not usually a sensible route. BUT, I am really, really glad I can write across genres and can adapt. I am also really glad my brain works that way--I love comedy (my Red Dress Ink titles), but I also love dark thrillers.
So for anyone who lurks who wonders what I am going to do, what I am going to do was already well settled today. I'm fine.
And, getting back to the discussions about art and craft and life of a writer . . . today was a reminder that this industry isn't for the faint-hearted. It's a roller coaster ride sometimes, and art and craft are lovely, but if you intend to make a living at it, you have to be aware of what's going on sales wise and be ready to adapt.
Ciao,
E
posted by Erica Orloff at 4:52 PM
15 Comments:
Erica - I am glad to see that you have something else going. But a question for the uninformed. What would say an author that had sold to Bombshell, but it wasn't scheduled to be published until February or March do? Are they just - to put it mildly - screwed. I must say how much I hated to hear this news. I was so looking forward to reading more stories about Billie Quinn. After the last book, I really wanted to see her chance at finding happiness and feel a bit cheated with Harlequin that they dropped this line. I guess that is the way business works, but it does suck.
Cady
Crap! Blogger ate my response.
Cady . . . it really depends. They will, in general, try to find a spot for it if it can go somewhere else with some revisions--more romance, beef up this or that, does it have a paranormal element, etc. But that's speaking generally. Some of it, like in any business, would I presume depend on the relationship with the editor, the agent, how much they love the book, how much revisions would be needed to get it somewhere else, etc.
As for Billie, I am turning in the third book this week--and will get paid per my contract. But whether Billie and the gang land in another line, I don't know. There's a lot more romance in this one, but it's the THIRD book in the series, not the origin. I did, you'll be happy to know, give her a beautiful HEA.
E
Erica, I'm sorry to hear. But I'm glad you have so much going.
la:
Thanks. I know I am very fortunate to land on my feet. The book biz isn't for the faint of heart and lines and things can turn on a dime. Or you can have the most fabulous idea and the timing is wrong, that sort of thing.
E
"...if you intend to make a living at it, you have to be aware of what's going on sales wise and be ready to adapt."
Very well said, Erica. That's my argument to Sean in a nutshell.
Jude:
I agree. I think it's the difference between wanting to do it for an art form and wanting to make a living at it. I have to be honest in that I never had this dream of making a living at it. For years, I thought I would be happy in literary or poetry magazines. Then, when I had a novel I thought I might--maybe--be able to sell, I still don't know if I thought I could support a family on my earnings as a writer (and beack then I had one child, not four). So why did I write for 15 years+ without ever selling anything? I don't know. I just did because I loved doing it. I liked expressing myself.
E
P.S. And that said, even in my work there are the more literary novels--The Roofer and Invisible Girl--and the ones I think are very good but are definitely more commercial in nature.
Well, I'm not quite ready to skip to the Konrath school of thought, which basically states, "Our best art is that which sells the most"; but, I think you can remain true to your vision/voice and still sell a ton of books. If you have some talent and are willing to sweat a bit, why not share your work with the world? Why not exploit it?
I enjoy expressing myself through words, too, and I'll keep doing it even if I never earn a dime. My goal, though, is to earn lots of dimes. If an editor asks me to change some things to make a book more marketable, what am I going to say? "I'm an *artiste*, sir. Take your six-figure advance and shove it." Nope. I'll make the changes and take the money. Every time.
Jude:
Agreed. One or two times, I have really balked at changes but I was left alone about them.
You make a choice. And if you have an editor, then by CHOICE of agreeing to sell your work, that person impacts your work. It has elements of collaboration. You can opt the POD or self-publish route, but . . . not for me.
If you have an AGENT, then by nature that has collaborative elements. My agent critiques every single proposal I write. Sometimes he drive me nuts! But I welcome it each and every time because he makes me a better writer. HE got me the deal today, and HE got me my TV deal, and by CHOICE I have an agent. I could chuck the whole thing, again, and be alone, as artist. But I don't.
That said, I do also write things--about my children, say, or letters, or things, that are NOT to share with the public.
But yes, Jude, I agree with you. I am not ready to jump to Konrath's ship, though I admire his determination a LOT. There is something to creating art but being flexible enough to accept change and critique for the sake of a sale and earning neough money to KEEP pursuing your art.
E
Amen.
I'd heard Bombshell was on its way out. Congrats on getting the Nocturne deal! And genre-hopping was definitely the best for your career, especially as you're so prolific.
Btw, whens the next YA coming out?
Hi Sara:
High School Bites is still out there. In January, THE POKER DIARIES comes out with NAL. I am wrapping up my next proposal . . .
E
Erica - I am glad to hear that you are going to get paid for your work that was contracted. It seemed like it would bite totally to be contracted and for them to find a way out of paying you. I do hope they find a home for Billie, I really would like to see her find a little happiness. I will be looking for your Nocturne books.
Cady
Erica,
I'm reading Detour, a current Bombshell by Sylivie Kurtz. I very much enjoy the Bombshells with paranormal elements. I'm disappointed to see them go. I wonder if the Nocturne line replacing the Bombshell line or is another similar line in the offing.
Kate
kate:
Nocturnes aren't replacing them . . . Nocturnes are paranormals, but they are more focused on the couple/hero than the Bombshells in which it was the kick-a** heroine. Nocturnes are sexier (mine has some very erotic elements), darker in many ways, and have a traditional HEA. No other line that I know of will be taking the place of Bombshell. :-(
E
Hey Erica. I heard about the Bombshell line getting canceled. Some of the LUNA authors got axed too. I hate it that "publishing is a business." Seems to sometimes cross over the line, but hey! I'm an anarchist at heart.
FF
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