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Clairann
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With all the hoo-hah about the Top Ten and the Random House critiques etc. over recent months, I wondered how successful this has actually been in terms of launching careers? By this I mean has anyone been 'discovered' from the Top Ten and signed up by RH or similar publishers and offered a fantastic deal - six figure sum, yacht, penthouse, Brad Pitt's phone number etc. Just wondered (we can all fantasise...)
'A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom.' Roald Dahl
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YouWriteOn
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Hi ClairAnn
The Random House readers have been interested in seeing more of some of the stories, which we hope is very encouraging for the writers. Doug Jackson's book Caligula, which they picked up last year, continues to do very well, it's 35 in historical books on Amazon this hour. We hope he and other writers will get the breaks they deserve to go on to further success.
Ted
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Tommi
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Wow - that's up from the already high position we'd heard about already. Fantastic news!
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YouWriteOn
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It's interesting to ponder how the publicity and distribution works for a book. For example, I think my local Waterstones has a set display stock of 2 (perhaps about normal given limited space and the hundreds of books). They sold them pretty quickly when the book came out and there was a gap of several days before it appears the computer restock kicked in. I was a paperback manager at WH Smith in a previous life, many years ago, and back then many stock orders were down to how convincing the publisher sales rep could be and how much floorspace there was to cram the various demands in! I wonder how the human/computer element works these days. And also if preliminary sales are used by the reps to try to up the set stock.
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marthatandy
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Quote: Clairann, Tuesday, 29 Jul 2008 14:05With all the hoo-hah about the Top Ten and the Random House critiques etc. over recent months, I wondered how successful this has actually been in terms of launching careers? By this I mean has anyone been 'discovered' from the Top Ten and signed up by RH or similar publishers and offered a fantastic deal - six figure sum, yacht, penthouse, Brad Pitt's phone number etc. Just wondered (we can all fantasise...) NO
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marthatandy
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Quote: YouWriteOn, Tuesday, 29 Jul 2008 14:12Hi ClairAnn The Random House readers have been interested in seeing more of some of the stories, which we hope is very encouraging for the writers. Doug Jackson's book Caligula, which they picked up last year, continues to do very well, it's 35 in historical books on Amazon this hour. We hope he and other writers will get the breaks they deserve to go on to further success. Ted And well deserved too. Congratulations Doug!
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Clairann
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Thanks for answering my query, Ted. I shall go on dreaming...
'A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom.' Roald Dahl
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Steevang
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Quote: YouWriteOn, Tuesday, 29 Jul 2008 14:27It's interesting to ponder how the publicity and distribution works for a book. For example, I think my local Waterstones has a set display stock of 2 (perhaps about normal given limited space and the hundreds of books). They sold them pretty quickly when the book came out and there was a gap of several days before it appears the computer restock kicked in. I was a paperback manager at WH Smith in a previous life, many years ago, and back then many stock orders were down to how convincing the publisher sales rep could be and how much floorspace there was to cram the various demands in! I wonder how the human/computer element works these days. And also if preliminary sales are used by the reps to try to up the set stock. Dougs book was in the WHSmith top ten fiction hardbacks this week
The frog and the scorpion is available December 2008 www.steevanglover.com - or visit my blog Steevs Blog
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plumboz
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Quote: Clairann, Tuesday, 29 Jul 2008 14:05With all the hoo-hah about the Top Ten and the Random House critiques etc. over recent months, I wondered how successful this has actually been in terms of launching careers? I am proud to say that shortly after Random House joined YWO I was discovered by one of their perceptive, energetic and forward thinking young editors. As I recall, he something along the lines of "Eeeooo" and put me back where he found me. I didn't even have time to add his address to my Christmas card list. Best, Alan 
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Clairann
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Sorry to hear about your experience, Plumboz. A similar thing happened to me (outside of YWO) - an agent got very enthusiastic about my manuscript, made lots of promises etc. then dropped me like a hot potato. Apparently there wasn't a market for my type of children's fiction, although if I added a few witches or wizards to the plot I might be in with a chance... I declined, politely. End of our beautiful relationship.
'A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom.' Roald Dahl
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plumboz
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Quote: Clairann, Tuesday, 29 Jul 2008 19:37Sorry to hear about your experience, Plumboz. A similar thing happened to me (outside of YWO) This is where I rather shamefacedly admit that I made that up. My children gave me a tee-shirt that announces my tendency to do just that. I wear with pride, they still cringe. Best, Alan
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Lorraine
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Quote: plumboz, Tuesday, 29 Jul 2008 20:01Quote: Clairann, Tuesday, 29 Jul 2008 19:37Sorry to hear about your experience, Plumboz. A similar thing happened to me (outside of YWO) This is where I rather shamefacedly admit that I made that up. My children gave me a tee-shirt that announces my tendency to do just that. I wear with pride, they still cringe. Best, Alan  Have you thought of taking up writing as a career?
The ABC Checklist for New WritersVisit my website: Lorraine Mace
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Clairann
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Well, really Plumboz - and there I was crying into my glass of wine about how both of us had been so ruthlessly toyed with and then dumped. I'm off to the Tavern for a refill to drown my sorrows. (Very creative, well done - you'll go far) 
'A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom.' Roald Dahl
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plumboz
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My favorite tee-shirts: "I Make Stuff Up"
"You're never too old to do goofy stuff"--Ward Cleaver
"Watch out or you'll end up in my novel"
"Ministry of Silly Walks"Best to all, Alan
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clf
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My favorite tee-shirts Watch out or you'll wind up in my novel.
WARNING--Anything you say will be misquoted and used against you.
I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day--and tomorrow doesn't look good either.
Remind me how LUCKY I am to be working here. I keep forgetting.
I'm not trying to be difficult. It comes naturally! clf
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Random House - anyone been 'discovered' yet?
29 Jul 2008, 14:05
