I'm lucky (or cunning) enough to have lured yet another successful writer over to my blog for an SAT - Successful Author Talk. SAT authors have conquered the query, slain the synopsis and attained the pinnacle of published. How'd they do it? Let's ask 'em!
Today’s guest for the SAT is Liv Constantine, author of The Senator's Wife, the story of a D.C. philanthropist who suspects that her seemingly perfect employee is secretly plotting to steal her husband, her reputation—even her life.
Are you a Planner or Pantster?
We call ourselves Plantsers. We have a broad outline, we know the main twist, but the rest of it gets written as we go along.
How long does it typically take you to write a novel, start to finish?
Our first draft takes three to four months and then we spend another two or three months going through several rounds of edits. So from start to finish takes anywhere from five to seven months.
Do you work on one project at a time, or are you a multi tasker?
We concentrate on one fiction project at a time. We like to immerse ourselves in the story world so it’s difficult to have more than one project going. That said, if we are in edit mode in one book, then we have the creative energy to work on something new, especially crafting and scoping out the next story and its characters.
Did you have to overcome any fears that first time you sat down to write?
There was excitement the first time we sat down to write. However, sitting down to write the book that followed The Last Mrs. Parris and its success, was when some fear arose for us. The sense of freedom we felt when writing the first book was not something we felt as we wrote The Last Time I Saw You, our second book. There was always the knowledge that the bar was now set higher, that The Last Time I Saw You would be compared to and judged against The Last Mrs. Parris. It was definitely a much tougher umbrella to work under.
How many trunked books (if any) did you have before you were agented?
One.
Have you ever quit on an ms, and how did you know it was time?
Yes, the book we wrote before The Stranger In The Mirror became lack luster for us after the first draft so we decided to shelve it and start a new book. We may at some point go back to that one, but for now, it’s in a drawer.
Who is your agent and how did you get that "Yes!" out of them?
We got our first agent with The Last Mrs. Parris through the traditional query route, although we did have a personal referral to her. We met her at Thrillerfest a few months after sending the manuscript and she offered us representation.
How long did you query before landing your agent?
We spent three years querying agents before finally landing one. The book that we put away was the book we had been querying and we would get close. Agents would ask for a partial, then a full but it was never quite right. Once we shelved that book, we went to work on The Last Mrs. Parris and that’s how we found representation.
Any advice to aspiring writers out there on conquering query hell?
Perseverance is key as well as the ability to take criticism. Make sure that your manuscript is pristine and in the best shape possible. If you’re able, hire a freelance editor to help you make sure your manuscript is ready for submission. And the old saying…if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
How did it feel the first time you saw your book for sale?
It was amazing! We were at Bouchercon in Toronto, and we went to Indigo Bookstore and there it was – prominently displayed on the shelf – maybe ten across. We got chills!
How much input do you have on cover art?
A lot. We’ve been very fortunate with our publishers in that they want us to be happy with the covers and it’s been a collaborative effort.
What's something you learned from the process that surprised you?
How many hands touch your book. There’s such a large team that takes a book from manuscript to finished book. The passion and dedication of our publishing teams have been such a blessing and we’re so appreciative of all the hard work that goes into it.
How much of your own marketing do you? Do you have a blog / site / Twitter? (I'll insert the links here)?
We’re active on social media. We love to interact on Facebook and Instagram, and we also have a Facebook reader group where we do lots of fun giveaways and discussions. We also do giveaways on our newsletter that are exclusive to our subscribers. Twitter
When do you build your platform? After an agent? Or should you be working before?
Definitely before. It’s good to have a website and social media built up well before that first book is on sale. You can build relationships and goodwill by sharing other authors’ news and books, and it gives you a leg up once you have your own book to sell.
Do you think social media helps build your readership?
Absolutely. Social media is a great way to connect with readers, other authors, bloggers, bookstores, and libraries.
Liv Constantine is the pen name of sisters Lynne Constantine and Valerie Constantine. Lynne and Valerie are Wall St. Journal and USA Today international bestselling authors with over one million copies sold worldwide. They are Library Reads Hall of Fame authors. Their books have been translated into 28 languages, are available in 33 countries, and are in development for both television and film. Their books have been praised by USA Today, The Sunday Times, People Magazine, and Good Morning America, among many others. Their debut novel, The Last Mrs. Parris, is a Reese Witherspoon Book Club selection.