Reading Your Genre

What are the current bestselling novels in your genre? What are some of the all-time bestsellers in your genre? If you don't know the answers to these questions then chances are you're doing yourself a disservice by not reading your genre thoroughly enough. In this ever tightening market where publisher's lists are shrinking and competition is becoming fiercer, you need every advantage you can get. You don't have to write what sells, you can still write what's in your heart, but you must know what is selling. Knowledge is power.

When an agent or editor asks for comparables, you need to be able to give them accurate comps and the only way to do that is to be well read in your genre. If your answer is "it's completely original, there's nothing out there like it," chances are you may not be as well read as you should be. That answer is a red flag to agents and editors. Agent Ginger Clark recently tweeted something very similar to that statement. If your story is completely original (and it may be) that's great, but there are still comps out there. 

Maybe another author has a writing style that is reminiscent of yours, chances are it's someone you admire. I love lyrical novels with rich description and characters that I can clearly visualize, this is reflected in my own writing. Therefore my comps are novels that have a style which reflects those things. If you write in first person chances are your comps would be novels written in first person (though not always). If you write novels in multiple POV's, chances are your comps are novels that are written in multiple POV's. You can see where I'm going with this. There are always exceptions of course, but the idea is to know what's out there, know what you write, and support the industry you want to work in by reading.

On a personal side note, today is the last day to enter the Tour Of Secrets contest so if YA is your genre, stop by my blog to enter to win some great YA books or a gift certificate!

~Heather

Winner of Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes

The time to announce the winner of Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank has arrived! First I want to say thank you to everyone who read about her novel, entered, and supported her. I'm thrilled to report that reviews are rolling in and they are absolutely glowing! 

But I won't keep you waiting any longer. The winner of a paperback copy of this fabulous book is: 

Ansley!

Congratulations to Ansley, an email has been sent. If you didn't win don't worry, next month the Critique Sisters Corner is taking part in my Tour Of Secrets and you'll have a chance to win one of three fantastic prizes, including my debut novel, The Secret Of Spruce Knoll. Until then, feel free to order yourself a copy of Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes, you won't be disappointed. To check out the Tour Of Secrets or even get in on it, click here. 

~Heather