Authors, Writers, Publishers, and Book Readers

Multiple Works in Progress

How many of you have multiple works in progress? Are they all the same genre? How do you divide your time between them?

Currently, I have 4 WIP's.... sounds like alot huh? Right now I am thinking that too! As my second book just went back to my publisher for the formatting (after 13 hours of editing, my eyes are still crossed) I find myself looking at all the projects I have in the works.

One project is about half way through - but I had come up with a snag in the plot and I got frustrated so I put it on the back burner. Recently, as I find myself mulling over the issue, I think I found the way to work through my snag... but.... There is a more recent project that I started that I was working hard on. As soon as I figured out how to work through the other issue, I lost my train of thought on the new one.

Then there is the other book that I am working on with another author. Now that one is a huge project that will be in the making for a long time, but we are throwing ideas back and forth and running plot ideas and twists back and forth.

Then there is book 3 of my series (the second book is about to be published). After reading book 2 - and coming back to those characters I find myself running that plot hard and heavy in my mind. Conversations and characters building....

I'm at a loss right now as to exactly what I should be working on. I think I have so many things in the works that I am befuddled as to which one to go to next.

Anyone else get themselves in this situations? How do you work through them?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Stacy Eaton on September 20, 2011 at 1:05pm

That is pretty cool. My book is listed on their website too - guess I should go talk to them. I have one local and several more in the area. The idea freaks me out a bit - but I need to do it. I think i will wait until both books are out - then try to get them both in for a signing. I also have a local store that features local authors, but I have yet to approach them.. I guess I need to get off my butt and do that.

Amy Manemann said:

I walked into the store and demanded to speak to the manager. lol Sort of. I actually approached them when I first got published about a signing and Paul the store manager couldn't find me in the system (duh, too new!). He explained the process of submitting to their buying center for approval and all the red tape involved with getting through the door. It sounded like such a headache but I was determined not to give up. And I didn't have to. As fate would have it SOMEHOW, (and I have absolutely NO clue how this happened), my paperback is now available for purchase online at Barnes & Noble which puts me into their system and allowed me in the door for signings. So many people have asked me how I did it but I honestly don't know other than a divine intervention ;0) Anyway they're going to order 5 copies (since I'm an unknown newbie) for the store to have available and I'm to bring any more that I want at the signing and then after the signing they'll keep one stocked on the shelf for customers.

I always dreamed of being a published author and having a book signing at a store like Barnes & Noble but never did I imagine that dream would come true!

Permalink Reply by Amy Manemann on September 20, 2011 at 1:20pm

Thanks Stacy, was thinking the same thing. The more info I have the better! *hugs* Sorry everyone, I'm in a huggie mood today lol

Permalink Reply by Steve Norris on September 20, 2011 at 1:30pm

Hi Amy

The bookmarks are a really cool idea. Might do that myself as well.

If you want some ideas for the leaflets, PM me and I will send you a copy of the ones I used. That might give you some ideas.

Good luck

Steve

p.s. the reason it may have taken time to get on the B&N list is that the listing process takes time and different companies have different routines. Sometimes it can take up to 6 months

Cheers

Amy Manemann said:

Thanks for the advice Steve! I'm working on having some bookmarks made up, do you think that'd work in leu of a leaflet or would having both available be more appropriate?

Steve Norris said:
Amy you will be fine. Enjoy the experience of people talking about your work. Take some promotional material with you such as leaflets to hand out. People will take a leaflet more easily than a book and they do read them and think about it.

I've got a few lined up with local waterstones in the UK now. I am targeting the Christmas market now as an opportunity to boost sales. A nice Christmas present for the avid reader ' A Very English Revolution' lol

Amy Manemann said:

Yep, I just want to walk into any bookstore anywhere in the world and see my books lining their shelves or make a best seller list.

With that in mind I have a book signing set up at Barnes & Noble in Davenport Iowa, October 29th at 1:00. *Happy Dance!* I'm so excited and nerve wracked at the same time as this will be my first signing. Any advice?

Permalink Reply by Stacy Eaton on September 20, 2011 at 6:12pm

lol.. hugs are always welcome!

Amy Manemann said:

Thanks Stacy, was thinking the same thing. The more info I have the better! *hugs* Sorry everyone, I'm in a huggie mood today lol

Permalink Reply by Catherine Green on September 20, 2011 at 10:56pm

Ooh wow, sounds great Amy! Well I advise you just go in with an open mind. We don't have B&N here in the UK but I imagine it's much the same as our Waterstones brand. I was nervous about mine, and that was just in a small-town store, but the staff were great and the customers were lovely, even those that didn't approach me. Smile at everyone, relax, and you'll have a great day!

Amy Manemann said:

Yep, I just want to walk into any bookstore anywhere in the world and see my books lining their shelves or make a best seller list.

With that in mind I have a book signing set up at Barnes & Noble in Davenport Iowa, October 29th at 1:00. *Happy Dance!* I'm so excited and nerve wracked at the same time as this will be my first signing. Any advice?

Permalink Reply by Catherine Green on September 20, 2011 at 11:01pm

Ah you guys are all so happy and supportive, it's lovely! Yes, when I said I want to be a household name I meant the good kind! *winks*

I was very excited the other day when my stepmother told me they were stocking my book in the local library where she works, which is in the city where I grew up. I have a friend on hand to take photos as soon as she sees it on the shelves!

Permalink Reply by Amy Manemann on September 20, 2011 at 11:49pm

Catherine that's great! And thanks for the support :0)

Permalink Reply by Robert L. Allen on September 21, 2011 at 7:37am

WHY NOT!!! What we think and dream and pray about HAPPENS!!! So stop telling yourself any different. You are on your way. And don't be disappointed if not a lot of people show up, remember you are not known YET. But you will be. And have your friends and family call Barnes & Noble to request your book, even if they don't but it. If the bookstores get requests, it will land on the shelves and others will see it and buy it. And just a little thought, don't forget to look up and say thank you...

I walked into the store and demanded to speak to the manager. lol Sort of. I actually approached them when I first got published about a signing and Paul the store manager couldn't find me in the system (duh, too new!). He explained the process of submitting to their buying center for approval and all the red tape involved with getting through the door. It sounded like such a headache but I was determined not to give up. And I didn't have to. As fate would have it SOMEHOW, (and I have absolutely NO clue how this happened), my paperback is now available for purchase online at Barnes & Noble which puts me into their system and allowed me in the door for signings. So many people have asked me how I did it but I honestly don't know other than a divine intervention ;0) Anyway they're going to order 5 copies (since I'm an unknown newbie) for the store to have available and I'm to bring any more that I want at the signing and then after the signing they'll keep one stocked on the shelf for customers.

I always dreamed of being a published author and having a book signing at a store like Barnes & Noble but never did I imagine that dream would come true!

Permalink Reply by Robert L. Allen on September 21, 2011 at 7:44am

I agree with Stacy and one more thing, put your next book on the marker. Maybe a couple sentence synopsis for the next book...I'm so excited for you...

Stacy Eaton said:

Amy - The book marks are a great idea - a think having a small leaflet would be good to - you could put your book information on it - plus you could add quotes from reviews that you have had on the book. List all the places your book is on sale, your website - your blog... The more the better!

Amy Manemann said:
Thanks for the advice Steve! I'm working on having some bookmarks made up, do you think that'd work in leu of a leaflet or would having both available be more appropriate?

Steve Norris said:
Amy you will be fine. Enjoy the experience of people talking about your work. Take some promotional material with you such as leaflets to hand out. People will take a leaflet more easily than a book and they do read them and think about it.

I've got a few lined up with local waterstones in the UK now. I am targeting the Christmas market now as an opportunity to boost sales. A nice Christmas present for the avid reader ' A Very English Revolution' lol

Amy Manemann said:

Yep, I just want to walk into any bookstore anywhere in the world and see my books lining their shelves or make a best seller list.

With that in mind I have a book signing set up at Barnes & Noble in Davenport Iowa, October 29th at 1:00. *Happy Dance!* I'm so excited and nerve wracked at the same time as this will be my first signing. Any advice?

Permalink Reply by Robert L. Allen on September 21, 2011 at 8:00am

I'm so happy for you and Amy, having a book in the library is so WOW, Wonderful. I sent out four queries to agent today and got back one rejection, which is fine. It was exciting just to sent them out. I don't know what I will do when I'm in your guy's situation. As far as writning, I think the only thing better than writing is talking to writers!!! This is so cool...

Catherine Green said:

Ah you guys are all so happy and supportive, it's lovely! Yes, when I said I want to be a household name I meant the good kind! *winks*

I was very excited the other day when my stepmother told me they were stocking my book in the local library where she works, which is in the city where I grew up. I have a friend on hand to take photos as soon as she sees it on the shelves!

Permalink Reply by Amy Manemann on September 21, 2011 at 12:34pm

Thanks for the inspiration Robert! *hugs* Living out a dream is definitely better than watching from the sidelines and wishing things would happen. You are your own fairy godmother; pick up that wand and get to work!

Robert L. Allen said:

WHY NOT!!! What we think and dream and pray about HAPPENS!!! So stop telling yourself any different. You are on your way. And don't be disappointed if not a lot of people show up, remember you are not known YET. But you will be. And have your friends and family call Barnes & Noble to request your book, even if they don't but it. If the bookstores get requests, it will land on the shelves and others will see it and buy it. And just a little thought, don't forget to look up and say thank you...

I walked into the store and demanded to speak to the manager. lol Sort of. I actually approached them when I first got published about a signing and Paul the store manager couldn't find me in the system (duh, too new!). He explained the process of submitting to their buying center for approval and all the red tape involved with getting through the door. It sounded like such a headache but I was determined not to give up. And I didn't have to. As fate would have it SOMEHOW, (and I have absolutely NO clue how this happened), my paperback is now available for purchase online at Barnes & Noble which puts me into their system and allowed me in the door for signings. So many people have asked me how I did it but I honestly don't know other than a divine intervention ;0) Anyway they're going to order 5 copies (since I'm an unknown newbie) for the store to have available and I'm to bring any more that I want at the signing and then after the signing they'll keep one stocked on the shelf for customers.

I always dreamed of being a published author and having a book signing at a store like Barnes & Noble but never did I imagine that dream would come true!

Permalink Reply by Amy Manemann on September 21, 2011 at 12:35pm

The word is quickly spreading about the signing and it's only a month away! I'm furiously working on the bookmark and leaflet and yes, the bookmark will have a mention about the 2nd book in the series ;0) You guys are so great, lot's of love to everyone.

Robert L. Allen said:

I agree with Stacy and one more thing, put your next book on the marker. Maybe a couple sentence synopsis for the next book...I'm so excited for you...

Stacy Eaton said:
Amy - The book marks are a great idea - a think having a small leaflet would be good to - you could put your book information on it - plus you could add quotes from reviews that you have had on the book. List all the places your book is on sale, your website - your blog... The more the better!

Amy Manemann said:
Thanks for the advice Steve! I'm working on having some bookmarks made up, do you think that'd work in leu of a leaflet or would having both available be more appropriate?

Steve Norris said:
Amy you will be fine. Enjoy the experience of people talking about your work. Take some promotional material with you such as leaflets to hand out. People will take a leaflet more easily than a book and they do read them and think about it.

I've got a few lined up with local waterstones in the UK now. I am targeting the Christmas market now as an opportunity to boost sales. A nice Christmas present for the avid reader ' A Very English Revolution' lol

Amy Manemann said:

Yep, I just want to walk into any bookstore anywhere in the world and see my books lining their shelves or make a best seller list.

With that in mind I have a book signing set up at Barnes & Noble in Davenport Iowa, October 29th at 1:00. *Happy Dance!* I'm so excited and nerve wracked at the same time as this will be my first signing. Any advice?