5 Benefits of Making a Debut Novel Delivery Video by Keli Gwyn

I came across a fun video of historical romance author Keli Gwyn celebrating receiving the first copies of her debut novel A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California (one I recommend reading, BTW). I asked Keli to relate her experience. Please take a few minutes to watch the video, then she'll explain some of the benefits she's received from it. -- Sandy

Keli: I love reading blog posts and seeing Facebook status updates written by writers who are holding their debut novels in their hands for the first time. Their joy is evident.

In the days when I was a newbie writer dreaming of publication, such messages inspired me, encouraged me, and spurred me on. I have a hunch others feel the same way.

Reasons for the Video

When the day of my debut novel’s delivery drew near, I got to thinking about capturing that milestone moment in action. So many people had supported me, helped me, and prayed for me that I thought it could be a way for them to share in the culmination of my dream, one they helped foster and bring to fruition.

Reactions to the Video

A good number of my friends watched the video on Facebook, liking it and commenting on it, both writer and non-writer friends. Several thanked me for sharing, with many remarking how watching me tear up had them reaching for tissues as well.

Results of the Video

Sandra asked me what marketing effects the video had. I don’t think it attracted any new readers. Those who said they planned to buy the book already intended to. Thus, making a video like this isn’t a very effective marketing strategy.

So, what good is a First Look video?

Here are five benefits.

1. A First Look video captures an author’s excitement and serves as motivation for those who dream of holding their debut novels in their hands. Since I’m all about encouragement, this aspect is important to me.

2. Most people have a dream. Watching the joy another dreamer felt when that dream became reality can serve as inspiration. If my video encourages one person to pick up a paintbrush, enroll in a photography class or seek a piano teacher, it will have served an important purpose.

3. Many non-writers don’t understand all that goes into getting a book into readers’ hands. A First Look video like this lets them get a feel for the glee reaching our goals means to us.

4. A video is a way to become a real person, instead of a two-dimensional image on a screen. Some of those who watched the video remarked about how fun it was to get a feel for what my dear Gwynly and I are really like.

5. A First Look video captures an important moment in a writer’s life. We writers know there can be down days when we doubt we’ll sell a book. Published authors may doubt we’ll sell another book. I know. It’s been three years since my debut novel was contracted. During those times when discouragement came calling, I could watch the video and remember why I’m writing: for the pleasure it brings me and my someday readers.

What was your reaction as you watched the video? Can you see other benefits to making one?

(By the way, Keli just signed a contract for a Love Inspired Historical. Congratulations, Keli!)

~~~

Keli Gwyn writes stories that transport readers to the 1800s, where she brings historic towns to life, peoples them with colorful characters, and adds a hint of humor. A California native, she lives in the Gold Rush-era town of Placerville at the foot of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains. Her debut novel, A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California, set in the heart of the Gold Country is currently available at all major booksellers.

When Keli’s fingers aren’t hovering over the keyboard of her newfangled laptop, she enjoys strolling past stately Victorian houses in her historic town, burying her nose in reference books as she unearths interesting facts to include in her stories, and interacting with other romance readers. Her favorite places to visit are her fictional worlds, historical museums, and the Coach Factory Outlet Store.

My Top Two Tips for Dealing with Pitch Session Jitters by Keli Gwyn

A writer’s journey to publication often involves attending conferences where one can bond with people who share the same passion, learn more about the craft of writing, and meet with professionals in the industry. It’s exciting to get an appointment with a dream agent or a favorite publisher. But it can also be a nerve-wrecking experience. Author Keli Gwyn offers comfort and encouragement by sharing her personal stories. ~ Dawn

  

My Top Two Tips for Dealing 

with Pitch Session Jitters

by Keli Gwyn

What two words can give a writer the heebie-jeebies quicker than any others?

Pitch session.

Yup! The pressure to pitch perfectly can be intense.

So, what’s a writer to do?

I’ve come up with two tips I learned as a result of my flub-ups.

1. Forget the advice about first impressions being your one opportunity to wow a publishing pro. It’s not true. They know we don’t know everything when we begin writing. They know we grow. And they will give us second chances.

Back in my florescent green newbie writer days, I queried an agent. The story wasn’t ready. I know that now, but at the time I was clueless. The agent sent a well-deserved rejection.

Two years later I met the agent at a conference. She invited me to tell her about my work-in-progress, stared long and hard at my nametag, and asked, “I rejected you, didn’t I?” I gulped, certain I’d lost any chance of interesting her in my story.

Once I regained the use of my vocal cords, I said something clever like, “You remember that?” She smiled and said, “We don’t forget.” Great, I thought. Scratch that agent off my list.

What came next blew me away. The agent handed me her business card and invited me to send her my story when I finished revising it, proving I hadn’t burned any bridges after all.

2. Remember that publishing pros are people, too. Nice people. Understanding people. People who will cut us slack even if we make utter fools of ourselves.

During the Q&A portion of a publisher spotlight, I asked a question. One of those questions, the kind that caused the editor’s face to freeze and the room to become library quiet. The editor responded, saying the information I’d requested was confidential. Oops!

In an effort to redeem myself, I tried rewording my question in a more acceptable way. I blew it worse than before, being told my question was out of line. I slunk out of the spotlight with one thing on my mind: I had a pitch session with that very editor the following day.

The next morning I sat across the table from the editor, wondering if she remembered me. She began by saying she’d seen me at the spotlight. Yikes! I apologized, explaining that I hadn’t meant to ask about something that was off limits. She said it was fine and that she just felt badly that she couldn’t answer me. I’m sure she heard my sigh of relief.

That pitch session ended up being one of my best ever. And I learned a valuable lesson. Mercy exists—even in the publishing industry.

Pitch sessions can bring about the jitters, but these tips, coupled with plenty of prayer, might help keep them at bay.

Questions for You

Have you ever blown it in a pitch session but had good things happen in spite of your less-than-stellar performance?

What are some of your best tips for dealing with pitch session jitters?

Click to reach Amazon.

Keli Gwyn writes stories that transport readers to the 1800s, where she brings historic towns to life, peoples them with colorful characters, and adds a hint of humor. A California native, she lives in the Gold Rush-era town of Placerville at the foot of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains. When she's not writing, she enjoys strolling past stately Victorian houses in her historic town, burying her nose in reference books as she unearths interesting facts to include in her stories, and interacting with other romance readers.

To learn more about Keli, you can visit her new Victorian-style cyber home at www.keligwyn.com, where you'll find her parlor, study, carriage house, and more, along with her blog and her social media links.

The Rewards of Rewriting by Keli Gwyn

Rewrite. The word can put fear into a writer, evoking images of taking an axe to one’s story—or maybe even a chainsaw.

In December 2009, I got an amazing Christmas present: an offer of representation from Rachelle Gardner. She’d seen my story when serving as a final-round contest judge and requested the full. I was soaring in the ionosphere, which my science teacher hubby tells me is even higher than the stratosphere.

When Rachelle called to make her offer, she mentioned that the story needed work but didn’t tell me what I would have to fix. At my critique partner’s suggestion, I made a worst-case scenario list, noting everything I thought she might say.

I didn’t think big enough. When I got the feedback six weeks later, I learned that I’d released the tension one-quarter of the way into the story and needed to rewrite the final three-quarters. Yup. I had to delete 75,000 words and start over.

Two weeks later, after I’d come to grips with the news—and shed a few tears—I tore into my story chainsaw-style. I literally cut the hard copy to pieces, saving any scenes or snippets I thought I might be able to use in the new version. Then I set to work writing an ending to match the beginning, one that had earned me a number of contest wins.

I was no stranger to rewriting. I’d already rewritten this story two times. I could do this. I would do this.

I did, completing the revised version of the story six months later. I sent it to my critique partners, who told me it had a sagging middle. Oops!

Two months later I sent the finished product to Rachelle, who said it was ready to submit. She did, and six weeks later we had two offers. I got a contract for Christmas that year.

These days I don’t call myself a writer. I prefer to say I’m a re-writer. It’s not easy to rip a story to shreds and rewrite it, but the rewards can be great.

What would you think if you were told you had to rewrite a major portion of your story?

If you have performed a rewrite, what did you learn from going through the process?

Award-winning novelist Keli Gwyn writes inspirational historical romance. She’s a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America® and is represented by Rachelle Gardner of Books & Such Literary. Keli earned her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication/Print Journalism from California State University East Bay and worked as a copyeditor for a small textbook publisher. Her debut novel, A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California, was released by Barbour Publishing in July 2012.

An ever-resourceful widow, Elenora Watkins arrives in El Dorado ready to go into partnership with Miles Rutledge. When he refuses, Elenora becomes the competition across the street. Is this town big enough for the two of them?