Write what you love...unless nobody wants to read it?

[HareBrain]

I'm still waiting for a really good ballet x zombies crossover.

I'm intrigued as to why you think it only has a short time in which to be taken up. In fact, you seem to have managed this thread to create as much intrigue as possible. I can only think you've begun your marketing campaign already.

 

[GWakeling]

I'm still waiting for a really good ballet x zombies crossover.

I'm intrigued as to why you think it only has a short time in which to be taken up. In fact, you seem to have managed this thread to create as much intrigue as possible. I can only think you've begun your marketing campaign already.

I agree, you've already got me intrigued by the idea. If you're thinking that the concept (secretive gay feelings towards other footballers - if that's right) is going to become outdated any time soon, I don't think you should worried. I think it'll be quite a few years before most footballers feel comfortable enough coming out.

 

[alchemist]

It's very topical and I can't see why agents wouldn't think the subject matter marketable. You'll be getting a PM soon, amw.

 

[allmywires]

I don't know, I feel like it's sod's law that I've written it now, one of them will only go and ruin the whole thing by coming out! Since pretty much the whole plot of the book is - he won't come out, he thinks it will ruin his career (which, imo, I actually think would not be the case).

Thank you for all the encouragement, everyone.

edit: ta alc, you don't know what you've got yourself in for I agree, but I think it needs somewhat of a knowledge of the football world to grasp just how topical it is.

 

[thaddeus6th]

It's not an either/or choice. When you're enjoying writing I firmly believe it's of higher quality than if you're not enjoying it.

This'll make the writing better and increase the chances of someone else liking it, but you need both.

That's why my writing has little sex and a reasonable amount of bloodshed. I prefer violence to romance [this may explain why I'm single, now I come to think of it].

 

[GWakeling]

I don't know, I feel like it's sod's law that I've written it now, one of them will only go and ruin the whole thing by coming out! Since pretty much the whole plot of the book is - he won't come out, he thinks it will ruin his career (which, imo, I actually think would not be the case).

Thank you for all the encouragement, everyone.

I don't think every gay footballer in the world is suddenly going to burst out of the closet though. I think you'll be safe. And I think this story is actually very pertinent to both now and the future. Good luck, and don't be disheartened. There's a thread full of people here interested.

 

[allmywires]

I think you're quite right GWakeling, there's plenty of other longstanding issues in the game to deal with, let alone adding openly gay players to the mix. Said WIP is also set approximately 7 years in the future, so I'm banking on nothing changing anyway!

If anyone else wants to throw their hat into the beta-ing ring, football fan or no, I would be very grateful. (And if not, it's fine too!)

And on topic -- I agree with thaddeus. I'm hoping that your own passion for your work bleeds onto the page, and the reader can't help but feel it themselves. Your writing is a portal, after all, and you can't help but leave some of yourself behind with it, which the reader will pick up on, consciously or not.

 

[Phyrebrat]

Hi AMW,

How about tackling (ho ho ho) this from a different angle; how would you feel if you had not written it? Frustrated, I'd imagine.

Anyway, in the light of the emotive support you've got here, it looks like it will be viable. As Zhaan says; 'Wait for the wheel.'

pH

 

[Kissmequick]

Is this SFF at all?

Because football books sell. So do books with gay protags (used to be less so, getting better)

Maybe this will cheer you up:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/aug/17/anthony-clavane-top-10-football-fictions

 

[allmywires]

@Phyrebrat - yes, I'm glad I wrote it. One of those things where you start it, come back to it years later and it just clicks. Now I just want the next step really, which is the frustrating part!

@KMQ - no, not SFF, perhaps it was a bit cheeky of me to post in here, but it wasn't intended to be an acute dissection of my non-SFF work. Thanks for the list. I loooove the Damned United. Perhaps I should include that link in the cover letter for my next batch of agent-fishing.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Are you getting readthroughs from the query? If not, does it need dissected? Have you - gasp - taken on QLH? (Hands shake at the memory and she slopes off to have a short lie down. )

 

[allmywires]

Are you getting readthroughs from the query? If not, does it need dissected? Have you - gasp - taken on QLH? (Hands shake at the memory and she slopes off to have a short lie down. )

I am waiting until I've definitely been rejected from this last batch to brave that hellish place...

 

[Kissmequick]

@KMQ - no, not SFF, perhaps it was a bit cheeky of me to post in here, but it wasn't intended to be an acute dissection of my non-SFF work. Thanks for the list. I loooove the Damned United. Perhaps I should include that link in the cover letter for my next batch of agent-fishing.

Nah, I was just wondering (A Science Fiction about footie might be hard to sell for instance!)


The only problem I think is that you might limit the number of agents/publishers - I can't see a US agent having quite the same interest as in the UK. Though I suppose it's not impossible.

There's also....I know several writers who, after their first deal on a different book, offered an earlier one and got it published. While querying, I'd suggest keep writing on a different project which you can also query. Sometimes it take a couple of books to land on The One. But when you have....

 

[thaddeus6th]

QLH? Quizzical Lusty Harlots?

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Query Letter Hell on Absolute Write. It's... very intense. But really useful.

 

[thaddeus6th]

Ah, cheers.

You make it sound like Chrons + S&M.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Ah, cheers.

You make it sound like Chrons + S&M.

Very close. You'd like it.

 

[Boneman]

I don't know, I feel like it's sod's law that I've written it now, one of them will only go and ruin the whole thing by coming out! Since pretty much the whole plot of the book is - he won't come out, he thinks it will ruin his career (which, imo, I actually think would not be the case).

.

Doesn't he have to come out to play, every week?

 

[allmywires]

Doesn't he have to come out to play, every week?

 

[Ursa major]

I don't know, I feel like it's sod's law that I've written it now....

You can't say fairer than that.


Seriously, though, this issue is alive and ... er... kicking at the moment, and as someone up the thread said, it isn't going to be resolved any time soon, so there's a good chance it'll still be very relevant whenever the book is published.