Catherine Dilts
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Big Changes, New Plans

2/2/2016

8 Comments

 
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The email broke the news as gracefully as possible, considering the circumstances. Five Star is ending their mystery line.

The good news is that two novels in my Rock Shop Mystery series found a home with the publisher: Stone Cold Dead (2013) and Stone Cold Case (2015). Both will be available indefinitely as e-books on Amazon, and for now may still be purchased in hardcover.

The bad news is that the third, Stone Cold Blooded, is stuck in limbo. I missed being in the last batch of mysteries published by Five Star. This is disappointing because I had planned to conclude the series with this novel.

Working with Five Star editors Alice Duncan, Deni Dietz, and Tiffany Schofield was terrific for a first time author. Like your first real job in the working world, it should be an exciting learning experience. It was. Now I can take those lessons to my next job.

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Big Changes require a new game plan. Here are the lessons I will apply to my next move.

#1) Always have a backup plan.

Smart people do not settle comfortably into their careers. They keep their resumes updated and maintain business contacts that could land them their next job. For authors, these are your peers in professional writing groups, and the editors and agents you meet at workshops and conferences.

Even people who are happy with their current position are constantly scouting for the next opportunity.

#2) Don't put all your eggs in one basket. 

Gone are the days of going into your first job and remaining there until retirement. It happens, no doubt, but the current job market encourages mobility. If you want to move up, move on.

This applies to the publishing world, too. Sure, there are those rare exceptions who make a career on one novel. Most of us have multiple stories to tell, and ambitions that go beyond book one.

I would be devastated if the Rock Shop Mystery series was my only fictional egg. After completing Stone Cold Blooded, I began rewriting a novel that has been sitting on a shelf for several years. Now that I have two published novels under my belt, I have the confidence that I can turn this new story into something exciting, and find it a publishing home.

I also write short fiction. My second Charles Harrison story, "The Chemistry of Heroes," is scheduled for the May 2016 issue of Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, which goes on sale 3/29/16. I plan to devote more time to writing short stories this year.

3#) Keep Calm and Carry On.

Five Star authors have commiserated in person, on blogs, and in online writing loops. Trying situations cause different reactions. Most have responded with the attitude that they are writers first and foremost. The desire to create new stories will find a new outlet.

Many of us were caught in the middle of a series. Other publishers may be reluctant to pick up a series in progress. There are small presses that might like to take a chance on a continuing storyline. Another possibility for Stone Cold Blooded is self publication. People want to know what happens next. I intend to get the third and final book out there for my readers.

Final Thoughts: Frequently, what at first seems like a setback turns into a step up. For former Five Star mystery authors, the key is to make that next career move with deliberation. Create your new game plan, and carry on. 

If you've been wondering about the origin of Keep Calm and Carry On, here is an article on its history:
http://www.keepcalmandcarryon.com/history/

8 Comments
Susan Oleksiw link
2/2/2016 07:29:58 am

A sensible and useful post, Catherine. I wonder at the wisdom of the Five Star decision, but I'm already looking for a new home for some of my work. Good luck with finding a home for your third Stone Cold book.

Reply
Catherine Dilts
2/2/2016 09:53:23 am

Susan, I know we'll land on our feet. You can't keep a good author down!

Reply
Maris link
2/2/2016 08:41:49 am

Good advice, Catherine. So far, in my writing career, I've had 5 different publishers and more editors than I can remember. Each publisher allowed me to try new ideas/genres and each editor helped me grow as a writer. It's sad to see something as good as Five Star Mysteries end, but I'm sure each of us will move on as other doors open.

Reply
Catherine Dilts
2/2/2016 09:55:20 am

Maris, that seems to be the experience of authors who are in it for the long haul. Change is to be expected. Thanks for sharing your journey.

Reply
Allan J. Emerson link
2/2/2016 01:51:01 pm

Catherine, I'm in the same boat as you--my first novel was the kickoff of a series. Now I'm working on the second in the series, and I completed a non-series novel recently also. I don't know who the publisher will be (or even if there will be one), but I'm going to continue anyway. I can't control what happens in the publishing world, but I can control what I do.

Reply
Catherine Dilts
2/3/2016 10:02:31 am

Allan, you have a published novel to your credit. I am sure you will find a home for your next two books.

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Patricia Stoltey link
2/3/2016 09:41:10 am

I'm in the same boat with the mysteries, but I still have a tiny hope Five Star will publish the historical I submitted to Frontier Fiction. For the mysteries and thrillers, I'm going to look for traditional publishers that take unagented submissions first, maybe query a couple of agents I've met at conferences, and kind of go with the flow. I'll keep writing, of course. Like the rest of you, I can't seem to stop even when I want to.

Reply
Catherine Dilts
2/3/2016 10:04:54 am

Patricia, that sounds like a good plan. I hope to find an agent, too. Now that we have publishing credits via Five Star, perhaps it will be easier to get noticed.

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