A Pivot on Pursuing a Traditional Publishing Deal with J. Thorn
Although just beginning the process, the guys introduce a pivot on pursuing a traditional publishing deal. J.D. looked through THE LAST TOWER and realized that the manuscript could be improved, but not without significant work to get it to the point where agents and editors would pay attention. Faced with a difficult decision, J. decides to table the manuscript for now and head in a different direction.
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- Why THE LAST TOWER wasn’t J.’s best option at the moment
- How passive voice and showing (vs. telling) can be problematic
- Why you must start your story with a great hook that gets a reader’s attention
- The ways in which J.D. has “broken the rules” in chapter 1
- How Hugh Howey’s WOOL is the gold standard for grabbing a reader from the start
- Why J. doesn’t fret over words
- The problem with chasing trends when pursuing a traditional publishing deal
- What New York editors are chasing at the moment
- Why so many thrillers now have the word “girl” in the title
- The importance of vetting book ideas with someone you trust
- What the latest K-lytics’ report says about the horror genre
- How J.D. keeps his story ideas organized
- Why combining two story ideas might create something unique
- Why J.D. starts a story with a plane crash (hypothetical, of course)
Links:
K-lytics – http://k-lytics.com/
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact us – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Pursuing a Traditional Publishing Deal with J. Thorn
J. Thorn has published more than two million words of fiction and is an official member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, the Horror Writers Association, and the Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers. Thorn is a full-time writer, part-time professor at John Carroll University, co-owner of Molten Universe Media, podcaster, FM radio DJ, musician, and a certified Story Grid nerd.
In episode 2 of Writers, Ink, the tables are turned as J.D. interviews J. about his desire to secure a traditional publishing deal for his manuscript, THE LAST TOWER. J.D. drops knowledge bombs in this conversation which is sure to enlighten authors at any stage of their journey.
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- The exciting, new, unplanned segment of Writers, Ink.
- How J. became the show’s guinea pig
- Why after 10 years as an indie, why J. wants to pursue a traditional deal
- What J. did when he stopped getting rejections from agents
- Why THE LAST TOWER is the manuscript J. wants to query
- J.D.’s position on indie vs. traditional
- How J.D. kept Barnes & Noble honest
- When J.D. reads paper and when he reads on his Kindle
- The leverage Hugh Howey used to get a traditional publishing deal
- What J. did to prepare for Pitchfest at Thrillerfest
- Things that turn agents off in the querying process
- What Stepen King taught J.D. about point of view
- Tools J.D. uses to improve his manuscripts
Links:
Manuscript formatting – https://www.scribophile.com/academy/how-to-format-a-novel-manuscript
Autocrit – http://autocrit.com
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact us – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
What it Takes to be an International Bestselling Author with J.D. Barker
J.D. Barker (Jonathan Dylan Barker) is an international bestselling American author whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural.
In episode 1 of Writers, Ink, J. interviews J.D. about what it takes to become an international bestselling author. The two writers discuss the pursuit of traditional publishing and how to become an independent author.
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How J.D. can write two different books at the same time
- When J.D. writes his 3,000 words a day
- Advice J.D. implemented from Dean Koontz and James Patterson
- How writing with James Patterson has changed J.D.’s mind on outlines
- What J.D. says to new writers he mentors
- The only two books on writing J.D. uses on a regular basis
- How J.D. helped Dacre Stoker turn the corner on Dracul
- Why J.D. hired professional cover designers, editors, and proofreaders for his self-published books
- Why J.D. talks to his agent, Kristin Nelson, as much as his wife
- What traditional publishers can do that independents can’t
- How J.D. approaches the business of writing
- What J.D. still does day-to-day
- What J.D. thinks is on the near horizon for the publishing industry
Links:
Nelson Literacy Agency – https://nelsonagency.com/
The Fourth Monkey – https://books2read.com/fourthmonkey
Dracul – https://books2read.com/draculnovel
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact us – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
A New Podcast for Writers
J.D. Barker and J. Thorn met at Thrillerfest in New York City and developed an instant connection around the love of dark fiction, podcasting, introversion, and helping other authors navigate the business of writing.
Both Barker and Thorn have an extensive background in author education and mentoring, therefore a new podcast seemed like the perfect venture in which to join forces and help struggling writers become career authors.
Welcome to the show!
Links:
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact us – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/