Over the past few weeks, some interesting questions have come my way from readers, up and coming writers, and published authors.

I thought I’d take today’s blog to answer their questions publicly so we can all learn.

Here we go:

Q: As an unpublished author, am I shooting too high when I query well-established, wise agents? Should I instead look to get in on the ground floor with a newer agent?

A: This is a great question. There is no reason for an unpublished author not to shoot for his or her dream agent. Or publishing house. Start at “the top” and see where you land. I had a saying when I started out, “Aim small, hit small. Aim big, hit big.”

I figured if I shot for the stars and landed on the moon at least I left the earth and arrived in the heavens.

But, if I aimed for the roof of my house, missed and fell off, the only place to land would be the hard ground. And there’s no place to go from there.

Publishing houses and agents do not disregard a new, unpublished author. They are all looking for a new, fresh, exciting voice and story. They love discovering new talent.

There are situations where it’s more favorable to be a new author than an established author with a weak sales record.

So, never count yourself out because you’re a new or unpublished author. If you sign with an agent just for the sake of having an agent, you will end up wasting your time.

Publishing requires a lot of patients. So don’t be in a hurry.

Conversely, don’t be so high minded you miss a perfectly valid opportunity. When I started writing, I didn’t think Heartsong books were for me. I wasn’t looking to write “sweet romances.”

But praise God a Heartsong author took me under her wing and opened the door for my first published novel. Thank goodness for Senior Editor Rebecca Germany giving authors like me a chance.

That first book led to getting a stellar agent, which led to my first trade book, which led a contract at my dream publisher.

So, pray about each step. Figure out your goals and needs. Don’t settle for the roof of the house when the stars are within your grasp.

Q: Where do you get your ideas? How do I formulate my ideas into a story?

A: I get my ideas from life. From conversations. From TV or movies. From memories or emotions. From an odd saying that hits me just right.

Keep your eyes and ears open. Stories are everywhere.

I only work on one story at a time. I might have a jot and tittle of an idea for future books, but I stay focused on what I’m writing at the time.

But here’s a key factor. I try to make all of my stories as high concept as I can. Meaning, can I define my book in a sentence or two? Is there an overarching marketing/selling hook?

Can I develop an intriguing pitch line?

Does the story have broad appeal? Is the spiritual theme one that a salesman could express quickly?

Being able to describe a book in less than a minute or two is key for the sales team. They don’t have much time to win over the booksellers. We need to give them all the help we can.

High concept ideas are The Wedding Dress. A book about a wedding gown four women wear throughout the century.

High concept is Dining with Joy. A book about a cooking show host who can’t cook.

High concept is My Foolish Heart about a lovelorn talk show host who’s never been in love.

Noodle around with your idea until you can define it’s concept in a sentence. Start with a story idea not a message. Not a theme. Not a “I can write this better” notion.

Read widely. Study Barnes & Noble, Amazon, CBD for books that are popular. Listen to the news. What are your friends talking about?

Consider remaking a time-worn notion. An old movie that continues to resonate. A book theme that constantly remains popular.

Don’t be too trendy. Because what’s popular today won’t be popular tomorrow. If you write a book where the characters are constantly Facebooking each other, it’s highly possible that FB or Twitter won’t be the “thing” in three or four years.

Write who you are. Write about what drives you. What’s your passion? What is your MO of life? What has God given you to say?

Formulate that into a story and you’ll have something worth pitching and selling.

Q: Readers tell me they can’t find my book at the book store.

A: Ah, that’s a tough one. I recently had a friend tell me she went into the local Christian book store and they did not have my new release. Nor did they have it on order. Very weird.

But I’ve learned over time, sales, marketing, distribution is out of my control. It’s always good to ask for an author’s books to be ordered, but many times books are divvied up based on market and/or region.

Sometimes books are meant for market A but get rerouted to market B. One of my books was supposed to be on the new arrivals of my local B&N, but when I went it to see it displayed there in all it’s glory, I discovered something had changed in the few weeks since I’d been told the book was to be there on the shelf. So it wasn’t displayed at the front of the story. But the kind sales clerk brought the book from the Christian fiction shelves and made a place for it. Yay!

Thank goodness we can find book online as well as the brick and mortar stores. If a local retailer doesn’t have your book, while discouraging, it’s not the end of the world.

Take such concerns to your publisher or agent.

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Best-selling, award-winning author Rachel Hauck loves a great story. She excels in seeing the deeper layers of a story. With a love for teaching and mentoring, Rachel comes alongside writers to help them craft their novel. A worship leader, board member of ACFW and popular writing teacher, Rachel is the author of over 15 novels. She lives in Florida with her husband and her dog, Lola. Contact her at: Rachel@mybooktherapy.com.