Rachel Hauck

How To Manage Manuscript Feedback

Well, it’s contest time and with that, unpublished writers often get some sort of feedback.

Feedback we want. But often it’s harder to digest than we think.

So, what are you to do with input from readers, judges or critique partners?

Digest it.

Consider it.

Pray over it.

Reread it.

Chew up the meat and spit out the bones.

Not all feedback is good. You have to know that, right?

But how many of you immediately dismiss the good things said and focus on the negative things?

Yeah, I see those hands waving in cyberspace.

One Thing Marketing: Pieces of a Marketing Plan Part 2

We’re taking a look at the various pieces to include in the marketing portion of your novel proposal. Last time we talked about including a brief intro to your marketing plan and then a list of publications. If you missed it, you can check it out here.

Today, we’ll cover two more sections: Media Appearances and Networks.

Media Appearances

Following the Publications section of my proposal’s marketing plan, I included a list of all the local TV and radio stations at which I’d seek out coverage. I had a little bit of an advantage here because in my day job I work with the media quite a bit. But simply showing your potential agent or publisher you’re informed about your local media and willing to make an effort at grassroots is just plain smart.

There’s Always a Way

Yesterday I had a 10:00am appointment to record an upcoming radio program. There was just one problem. We’d had a snow storm come through three days before. The whole area was covered in snow and, even worse, slick sheet ice.

I could not get a vehicle out of my community so I did what any dedicated radio talk show guest would do. I decided to walk the two miles to the station.

Big mistake.

I found myself slipping and sliding through slick ice, slushing though snow and walking on top of shrubbery that had been buried when the snow plows came through earlier.

Writing For Him. No, Not Him As In The Hero But Him As In Jesus

… I mean writing for Him as in the Lord.

A month or so ago, I woke up in the middle of the night and felt the Lord saying, “Write for me.”

“Of course, always,” I said. “There’s never been a question.”

Then I kind of faced a crisis with writing a book that was hard, and finding myself under the gun.

The pressure mounted.

And when stress and pressure mount on me, I tend to get low and humble before the Lord.

I went back to the drawing board, why do I write? Why am I doing this?

Because to be honest, I wasn’t sure there would be a “next” book for me.

I mean, who needs stress and pressure that keeps you awake at night?

I determined one thing. No way out. No way around. I had to walk through it.

Psalm 23 “When I walk through a dark valley, I fear no evil. You are with me!”