Two Contest Entries

PASIC, the RWA chapter for published authors, has a contest every year entitled Book of Your Heart. Technically, every book you write should be that or you shouldn't be writing it, but sometimes, it is easy to get caught up in writing what you think will sell rather than the story you really, really want to write. Especially after you've signed a few contracts. Then you have added pressure from your editor(s) and sometimes, even your agent, to "write what your readers expect from you" to build your name. (The current buzz word is "branding.") Or "write__________" because that is what is selling right now. Your editor and agent both depend on you to make money so they can get paid. After you've sold a few books, you do become your own little industry with people counting on you. It is pressure of a different kind, but pressure, nevertheless.

And of course, then there's you. YOU want to write what is selling. You have visions of big royalty checks or "bestselling author" status or fame and recognition. Face it. It's part of the whole fascination and attraction to writing in the first place. But only a part.

I truly believe most writers--at least the ones who stick it out--become writers because they have a deep need to communicate something to someone. That's what the Book of Your Heart contest is all about. It gives authors a chance to write what they want to say and have it read by booksellers. As well as scoring the entries, the booksellers fill out a simple questionaire with things on it like "I like this enough that I would hand sell it to my customers." Of course, they are encouraged to be totally honest and they may say "This stinks," but either way, it's a great way to find out if the Book of Your Heart is anything that readers might want to read. It's feedback with no pressure attached. No sell-through numbers to worry about. No agent hoping to negotiate a bigger contract. No nothing but pure is the book of YOUR heart a story that touches anyone else's? I sent in two entries, both different than anything I've tried to write before. It will be interesting to see what kind of feedback I get.

(Note: The good news? I personally think you can make a Book of Your Heart one that is also very targeted to a current market. I've written an article on the subject for the October Romance Writers Report. If you belong to RWA, watch for it there.)