So I’m almost done with that sci fi book I was talking about. I’m thrilled. I wrote 75k in two months. I’ve just gotta finish it up, type The End, and send it out to the crit group. Then… well, what happens next?
I’m at this moment of…is this the best thing I’ve ever written? It certainly is different. And I think it could compete in today’s market. I’ve decided to send it out to some agents, but one thing worries me. I’m not a sci fi girl. Not at all. This whole book? Possibly a fluke (then again possibly not, I do have this aliens type sci fi I’d like to try next!) But what I’m saying is I generally write contemporary romance–which we all know isn’t the easiest sell right now.
So here’s my fear. What if I sub this to an agent and one of them likes it enough to offer the project representation? Well, after my hangover goes away from celebrating afterward, I’ll start to get worried. What if this agent only wants erotic sci fi’s from me? What if she/he just balks at the idea of me even showing them a contemp.
As an actress you can be type cast. Meg Ryan became the cute funny girl next door. I rarely saw her as anything else, and when she did, the movie tanked. What if as a writer, my sci fi was my break out book, and nobody ever wanted anything else from me?
Okay, the question might be a little loopy, but then so am I being that it’s almost midnight. Does anyone else have these fears? Have experienced it before?
And on a side note, notice I did not say ‘if it gets rejected’ or ‘maybe this book isn’t that good’. After last weeks TNG post I have been doing a lot of thinking. (See the post on my blog from yesterday) Basically, I’m going to give this optimism thing a try. If I can be everybody else’s cheerleader, why the hell can’t I be my own? 
March 13th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Just write, deal with what comes when it comes. You know I just went through this with the agent, so to speak. And what do I do? Do I go back and write a contemp? No.
March 13th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
We’re on the same page, Shelli. I finished this weird little fantasy-erotic thing (or, almost done) and I’ve angsted over where to send it, what to do with it. If I send it to an agent, am I skipping a lot of steps I need to take? If I send it to my editor at Samhain, am I refusing to take a risk?
The final answer is one only you can make, but be confident in it, honey. Send it, and stand by your decision
And I’ll um…try to do the same
March 14th, 2007 at 3:26 am
I don’t have anything to add. Only that I don’t think it’s loopy and I don’t think you’re alone.
You go girl.
March 14th, 2007 at 7:06 am
75K in two months? That’s awesome, Shelli–congratulations! I have to say I don’t believe you when you say “I’m not a sci-fi girl.” Obviously you are, to a certain degree, because you wrote one. I think you should be proud of yourself for this accomplishment and go for it. Why not try to sell in two different markets? If you’re prolific enough to complete several different projects, then you’re just doubling your chances. And I, for one, envy you.
March 14th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
I wouldn’t worry about being pigeon-holed, I would hope that an agent/editor/publisher would want you able to over a broad spectrum of books but maybe I’m wrong?
Oh I just worried myself. Crap.
March 14th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Amie: I totally thought of you when I blogged this.
Dayna: Go big! Send it to an agent
Jen: Thanks hon, big hugs!
Lenora: You are a totally sweetheart! Thank you! I really hope you do come to RWA.
Karen: You are too funny! LOL.