I have news!
Thursday, November 4, 2021
Monday, April 19, 2021
SCREAMS FROM THE VOID Launch Events
Greetings to all!
Come join me on Twitter @AnneTibbets and on Facebook as I virtually celebrate the launch of my new novel
SCREAMS FROM THE VOID
I'll be reading from the book, answering questions, talking about the publishing industry, and drinking gin.
What could go wrong?
Information below!
Hope to see you there <3
Monday, October 19, 2020
SCREAMS FROM THE VOID
SCREAMS FROM THE VOID
by Anne Tibbets
Launching May 18, 2021
For two years in deep space, the freighter Demeter and a small crew have collected botanical life from other planets. It's a lesson in patience and hell. Mechanics Ensign Reina is ready to jump ship, if only because her abusive ex is also aboard, as well as her overbearing boss. It's only after a foreign biological creature sneaks aboard and wreaks havoc on the ship and crew that Reina must find her grit - and maybe create a gadget or two - to survive...that is, if the crew members don't lose their sanity and turn on each other in the process.
Thursday, August 6, 2020
JJ Blacklocke's REFUGE - Launching November 10, 2020
LAUNCHING NOVEMBER 10, 2020
where aliens from different worlds meet to do business. A young and gyfted Speaker,
Gredin, is translator and diplomat for the happy occasion.
But a horrific vision shatters her first night’s sleep on Tradepoint. Venna, their homeworld,
has been destroyed. Now the safety of the delegation, the only Vennans left in all of time
and space, rests on Gredin’s young shoulders.
Stunned and grieving, she navigates trade wars and political prejudice, bartering with other
races—some friendly, some neutral, some outright hostile—for what her people need to survive.
And the cost of failure is the unthinkable.
Extinction.
Plunge into The Tradepoint Saga,
a space opera series with a diverse cast of characters. This
coming-of-age tale is perfect for fans of CJ Cherryh, David Feintuch,
Wen Spencer, and Star Trek: Picard.
Monday, July 27, 2020
SCREAMS FROM THE VOID Cover Reveal
LAUNCHING MAY 18, 2021
For two years in deep space, the freighter Demeter and a small crew have collected botanical life from other planets. It's a lesson in patience and hell. Mechanics Ensign Reina is ready to jump ship, if only because her abusive ex is also aboard, as well as her overbearing boss. It's only after a foreign biological creature sneaks aboard and wreaks havoc on the ship and crew that Reina must find her grit - and maybe create a gadget or two - to survive...that is, if the crew members don't lose their sanity and turn on each other in the process.
[I'll post the pre-order links as they become available]
UK Pre-Order Link:
Friday, March 13, 2020
Emery Hayes COLD TO THE BONE
It is with a deep, heartfelt pride I present to you my client
Emery Hayes's debut Adult Mystery, COLD TO THE BONE, cover reveal - releasing August 11, 2020.
Pre-order Link HERE>> https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cold-to-the-bone-emery-hayes/1135967891?ean=9781643854984
The brutal murder of a teenager and a deadly medical drama plunge a small-town sheriff into a vortex of treachery and greed in the debut novel of Emery Hayes's A Nicole Cobain Mystery series.
First female sheriff of Toole County, Montana Nicole Cobain earned the position through mental and physical grit and when a young girl is found murdered on icy Lake Maria, every bit of it is tested. But what begins as a chase for the killer quickly unravels into a high stakes medial transaction with harrowing consequences.
Eight years ago, Nicole fled her fast-track position as a homicide detective with the Denver Police Department in an act of desperation to save both her son and herself. Answering a recruitment ad, she showed up in the foothills of Glacier National Park and was elected sheriff six years later. She has a measure of peace in her new surroundings, her son is thriving, and she has effectively distanced herself from her past. Until Benjamin Kris shows up again.
Benjamin is the father of Nicole's son and a big-time charmer who has quickly scaled the crime ladder. He has a large clientele and is looking forward to a big pay day that lands him in Toole. But when it becomes clear he could be a suspect among several others in town with opportunity and motive, it's up to Nicole to sift through the tangled threads to find the killer before they strike again.
Emery Hayes's debut Adult Mystery, COLD TO THE BONE, cover reveal - releasing August 11, 2020.
Pre-order Link HERE>> https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cold-to-the-bone-emery-hayes/1135967891?ean=9781643854984
The brutal murder of a teenager and a deadly medical drama plunge a small-town sheriff into a vortex of treachery and greed in the debut novel of Emery Hayes's A Nicole Cobain Mystery series.
First female sheriff of Toole County, Montana Nicole Cobain earned the position through mental and physical grit and when a young girl is found murdered on icy Lake Maria, every bit of it is tested. But what begins as a chase for the killer quickly unravels into a high stakes medial transaction with harrowing consequences.
Eight years ago, Nicole fled her fast-track position as a homicide detective with the Denver Police Department in an act of desperation to save both her son and herself. Answering a recruitment ad, she showed up in the foothills of Glacier National Park and was elected sheriff six years later. She has a measure of peace in her new surroundings, her son is thriving, and she has effectively distanced herself from her past. Until Benjamin Kris shows up again.
Benjamin is the father of Nicole's son and a big-time charmer who has quickly scaled the crime ladder. He has a large clientele and is looking forward to a big pay day that lands him in Toole. But when it becomes clear he could be a suspect among several others in town with opportunity and motive, it's up to Nicole to sift through the tangled threads to find the killer before they strike again.
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Samples of a Query Pitch Paragraph
Sample of a Pitch Paragraph for Query Letters
Prepared by Anne
Tibbets
Donald Maass Literary Agency
A pitch paragraph is 4 to 5 sentences long and covers the Who, When, Where, What (Complication), What (Basic Plot), Why (Complication), and How .
The Wizard of Oz
Young Adult Fantasy
“Young Dorothy [14] is bored with Depression Era Kansas and her life with
her elderly Aunt and Uncle, but when a tornado rips her farm house from its
foundation and drops it and her into the magical world of Oz, Dorothy’s life is
now anything but dull. The house has accidentally killed a witch and now, the
witch’s sister is out for revenge. With the help from some new friends Dorothy
meets along the yellow brick road, she must escape the witch and travel across
Oz to meet the Wizard, who she’s been told can help her get home. But the
Wizard is not who he seems, and Dorothy must take heart and use her wits, her
courage, and the magic within herself to get back home.”
Die Hard
Adult Thriller
“Off duty cop John McClane travels from New York to Los
Angeles with the hopes of crashing his separated wife’s office party, and
patching things up. Unfortunately, his timing is horrendous as terrorists have
taken over the building and are holding everyone, including John’s wife,
hostage. Using his cop skills and creative do-it-yourself know-how, John
outsmarts and takes down several terrorists before they even know he’s there.
But now the cat is out of the bag, and the hunt is on. Like a lone cowboy, John
must take out the terrorists, save the hostages, and convince the police and
the FBI not to play directly into the terrorist’s hands. Yippee kai-yay,
motherfucker.”
Fellowship of the
Ring
Adult Fantasy
“Middle Earth is a land of elves, wizards, dragons, and most
importantly, hobbits. Frodo, one of these unassuming hobbits, has stumbled upon
his Uncle’s magic ring, but this is not just any magic ring. It is THE
magic Ring, which rules all others, and it is greatly desired by the evil ruler
of the land of Modor, Sauron. Sauron dispatches his Ring Wraiths to collect the
Ring and the hobbit, while simultaneously releasing an army across all of
Middle Earth, slaughtering every man, woman, and child in his path. The lands
of elves, humans, and dwarves collect their bravest and best warriors to form a
fellowship with hopes of protecting Frodo and his trusted hobbit companions as
they travel across Middle Earth to destroy the Ring. But the Ring has other
plans, and it’s destructive powers may be more than some in this fellowship can
resist.”
Word Count Expectations in Traditional Publishing
Word Count Expectations
In Traditional Publishing
Prepared by Anne
Tibbets
Donald Maass Literary Agency
Word counts in traditional publishing are very important. I
wish they weren’t. But they are.
With self-publishing you can toss all these expectations out
the door and do whatever you like. However, if you wish to publish with a
traditional publisher, then you’d better aim your manuscript toward a specific
word count window to better your chances of getting an agent and then
hopefully, a publishing deal.
This information has
been curated from conversations with editors, research, as well as Writer’s
Digest.
These numbers are SUGGESTED
word counts and not hard and fast rules.
Category:
·
Adult:
o
General/Commercial Fiction: between 70,000 –
100,000 words
o
Science Fiction and Fantasy: between 80,000 –
110,000 words FOR A DEBUT
§
For your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. you can go as high
as 150k+, but for a debut it is highly recommended you do not exceed 110k. In
fact, several editors told me 100k is the safest bet for a SFF debut.
o
Historical: between 85,000 – 125,000 words FOR A DEBUT
o
Thrillers: 75,000 – 100,000
o
Mysteries: 65,000 – 90,000-ish
o
Romance: 60,000 – 90,000-ish
o
Horror: 75,000 – 100,000
o
Literary: 65,000 – 100,000
·
Young Adult
o
Contemporary: between 60,000 – 90,000-ish
o
SFF: 75,000 – 100,000
o
Historical: 75,000 – 100,000
o
Thrillers: 70,000 – 90,000
o
Mysteries: 65,000 – 90,000
o
Romance: 60,000 – 90,000-ish
o
Horror: 70,000 – 90,000-ish
o
Literary: 50,000 – 100,000
These numbers are SUGGESTED
word counts and not hard and fast rules.
But, you will greatly increase your chances of being signed
by an agent and/or obtaining a publishing deal if you submit within these
suggested word count guidelines.
What's in a Query Letter?
WHAT’S IN A QUERY LETTER
Prepared by Anne
Tibbets
Donald Maass Literary Agency
Date
Agent’s Name
Agency Name
Agent’s Email
Dear [Address Agent by Name],
Paragraphs to be included within query, listed in no
particular order:
·
Personalization:
list why you have queried this agent specifically.
o
Ex. “I noticed on your agency website that you
are acquiring Science Fiction, and that you have an interest in Steam Punk,
therefore I’m querying you with my manuscript, Steaming Punk.”
·
Author
name and biography: Please include your name in your bio. The biography
need not tell your life story. 2 – 3 sentences demonstrating that you’re a
functioning adult will suffice. Always be sure to include if you have other
publishing credits. Self published counts.
o
Ex. “My name is Gertrude Pennyweather and I’m an
accountant in Anycity, AnyCountry. I write mostly Fantasy Romance, but enjoy
dabbling in political Thrillers. I’ve self-published two novels, “Elf Lovin”
and “Backstabbers in Congress.” I have two short stories published in [Name of Magaine]. In my free time I play
board games and knit sweaters for my chinchillas.”
·
Manuscript
Specs:
o
Word Count – NOT
page count [see Word Count Expectations worksheet for more on this]
o
Category and genre
§
Categories:
Adult (18+), Young Adult (14 – 17 years old), Middle Grade (8 – 13 years old),
Chapter (6 – 8 years old), Picture Book (0 – 5 years old)
§
Genres:
Non-fiction, General/Commercial Fiction, Literary, Science Fiction, Fantasy,
Thriller, Mystery, Horror, Historical, Romance, etc.
§
Sub-genre:
[if applicable] Steam Punk, Dystopia, High Fantasy, Post Apocalyptic,
Historical Romance, Women’s Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Magical Realism, Lite
SciFi, etc.
·
For more
on sub-genres, visit www.Google.com
·
Pitch
Paragraph: A 3 – 4 sentence long paragraph that introduces the main
character and establishes the basic plot and major conflict.
o
Ex. Fellowship
of the Ring, Adult Fantasy: “Middle
Earth is a land of elves, wizards, dragons, and most importantly, hobbits.
Frodo, one of these unassuming hobbits, has stumbled upon his uncle’s magic
ring, but this is not just any magic
ring. It is THE Ring, which rules all
others, and it is greatly desired by the evil ruler of the land of Modor,
Sauron. Sauron dispatches his Ring Wraiths to collect the Ring and the hobbit
who carries it, while simultaneously releasing an orc army across all of Middle
Earth, slaughtering every man, woman, and child in their path. The lands of
elves, humans, and dwarves collect their bravest and best warriors to form a
fellowship with hopes of protecting Frodo and his trusted hobbit companions as
they travel across Middle Earth to destroy the Ring. But the Ring has other
plans, and it’s destructive powers may be more than some in this fellowship can
resist.”
o
For more
examples: See pitch paragraph samples in this packet
·
Inclusions:
Notify the agent you’ve followed submission guidelines.
o
Ex. “As you requested on your agency website,
I’ve included the first ten pages of my manuscript within the body of this
email. I hope to hear from you soon.”
o
Some agents will request sample pages, some
won’t. Some will want the pages attached in a separate document. Some will want
the pages pasted within the body of the email. Some agents will want queries
via email, while others will want you to go through Query Manager. The point is
that every agent has different requests in regards to their submission
guidelines. I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO FOLLOW SUBMISSION GUIDELINES.
Agents receive hundreds of queries a month,
by following their specific submission guidelines your chances of having
additional pages requested increase enormously if you’ve demonstrated you can
follow instructions.
Sincerely,
Name
Email address
Phone Number
How to Acquire a Literary Agent For Traditional Publishing
Step 1:
·
Finish writing, editing, and polishing your
manuscript.
o
Do not query a manuscript until it’s
finished.
Step 2:
·
Determine what is the category and genre of your
manuscript:
o
Categories: Adult (18+), Young Adult (14
– 17 years old), Middle Grade (8 – 13 years old), Chapter (6 – 8 years old),
Picture Book (0 – 5 years old)
o
Genres: Non-fiction, General/Commercial
Fiction, Literary, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Thriller, Mystery, Horror,
Historical, Romance, etc.
Step 3:
·
Research what agents represent your manuscript’s
category and genre.
o
Resources: Querytracker.net, Duotrope, MSWL,
Writer’s Digest, Twitter, individual Agency Websites and agent blogs. Google is
your friend.
Step 4:
·
Write a “Query Letter” template.
o
What usually in a query letter? [in no
particular order]
§
Name of writer with short biography (be sure to
list previous publishing credits, if any)
§
A personalized reason why you have queried this
agent, ie. “I saw on MSWL you’re looking for vampire roller derby manuscripts
and that matches my manuscript perfectly!”
§
Name of manuscript
§
Manuscript’s category and genre
§
Manuscript’s word count (not page count, word
count) [more on word counts later]
§
A 1 – 2 paragraph “pitch” which describes the
basic plot and conflict in the manuscript
o
Each agent will have individual guidelines for
what they request to be included with a query. Some agents will want a writing
sample, some won’t. Some will want a synopsis of the whole book, some won’t. It
is imperative that you follow submission guidelines
and give the agents exactly what they request – nothing more, nothing less.
o
Do not email a bunch of agents on the same email.
Send them one at a time, personalized to each specific agent. I recommend you
keep a chart to help you keep track of whom you have queried, and when you sent
it.
o
Agents have different response times in regards
to queries.
§
Some agents will respond, some won’t.
§
Keep track in your chart what their response
policy is. You can usually find that information on their agency website.
§
Queries can take anywhere from 1 hour to 1 year
to receive a response, if at all.
§
It is acceptable to email the agent and “nudge”
them if they have exceeded the wait time listed on their website. Occasionally,
queries do get lost. However, if you have queried, nudged, and received no
response, that’s a ‘no,’ or otherwise considered “closed due to no response.”
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