Hurling Questions

March 29, 2019March 29, 2019Hershman Rights1 Comment

Not only are we a super-cool blog on the internet, talking about the ins-and-outs of publishing and writing, but we’re a literary agency, first and foremost!

Some things you may wonder about us (or agencies in general) may be misguided by other postings on the internet. It’s best to ask the source directly to find out if the match is real! This doesn’t go for us, it goes for anyone you manage to get in touch with!

Ask the individual you’ve made contact with how they got to where they are (in life, not your inbox.) Knowing our background helps give you perspective on our passions and how they may or may not coincide with yours.
1. A great follow-up is asking how long we’ve been in the biz. Passion and credentials.
Sales are really important in this part of the business. Don’t shy away from asking. We won’t give you the nitty-gritty details but we will tell you bout some of our accomplishments as of late!
Before you query, ask us if we’re looking! And if we are, what are we looking for! Each agency has criteria (and posts it on their website most likely) which must be met. Realistically speaking, “The Great American Novel” is not one of them.
Our expertise is important to note as well. Each agency covers every aspect of publishing, but sometimes – sometimes – you’ll come across an agency that’s REALLY good at something. What is it?
Communication is so important to both agency and client. Get it done as soon as possible: how would you like to touch base with your agency? Establish it! Most situations now involve email, but who knows, we can set up calls, video chats, dinner and a movie (no book adaptations, thank you)…(totally joking!)

The most important thing to remember is every agency is different and the people within differ from the others you may have spoken to. It’s always good to keep an open mind to whoever you come across, inside the publishing world and out!

Canada’s Loch Ness Monster

March 27, 2019Hershman RightsLeave a comment

Ogopogo | British Columbia

Lake-dwelling serpentine monster.

Sightings started in the 19th century but have been discredited to being a legendary water spirit, living in Lake Okanagan.
Other than having the body of a snake, the head has been described to be that of a snake, horse, or even a goat. Sometimes it has long ears or horns with blue or brown scales.
It eats flesh. That means humans…turn into prey. Hunters become the hunted. Native Americans never traveled across the lake without sacrificial meals on board. Now, its believed the monster dwells in one of the corners of the lake.
It’s very similar to the Loch Ness monster of Scotland.
The ogopogo is sometimes thought to be an extinct whale or marine reptile.

March Madness in Terms Of…

March 25, 2019March 25, 2019Hershman RightsLeave a comment

Audiobooks!

Out Of Control

March 22, 2019March 22, 2019Hershman Rights1 Comment

Relinquishing creative control can feel like the end of the world. One cannot simply do everything and have a successful book launch.

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Let your editor edit. You’re paying them to do so. Give them space. Let them work. And if they don’t meet their deadline, let ’em have it. All hell will break loose. Be easy on your editor who’s focusing on the substantive editing. They need to pick apart your story and ask questions. Don’t flip out on them. Take a chill pill.
Unless you’re designing your own cover, you’ll also need to take a step back and tell yourself: “I’m not the expert.” Give the designer what they need, info-wise. Maybe a little more. Be realistic in your feedback and don’t get irrationally angry if they don’t follow your original request. They may have a marketing tactic or two behind their reasons why. Just ask.
If you’ve hired PR to help with your marketing, then you need to lay out your terms and conditions to a degree. Once again, you’re paying this person to do a job for you. They’re the expert. Not you! They will treat your upcoming work with TLC and sketch out a marketing plan tailored to a genre and audience. If they don’t, something isn’t being done right. Ensue virtual yelling.

Think of this time away from your work as a vacation. Go to the beach, go for a hike. Drink a nice, cold pina colada. And when you’re notified from any of the people you’ve hired about your book…

Panic.

The Cannibal Monster

March 20, 2019March 20, 2019Hershman RightsLeave a comment

This is one of the last two areas of the world we are traveling too. So, let’s venture into the deep woods of the Americas to start the beginning of the final countdown!

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Wendigo | Algonquian Tribes

Cannibalistic beastly humanoid, possibly once human.

This creature is aligned with murder, insatiable, and cultural taboos against “normal” behavior. They’re also associated with the winter, the north, coldness, famine, and starvation.
The Wendigo is bigger than a human, and whenever it feeds on human flesh, it grows! It never gains weight and will always appear thin. They’re always hungry so watch out!!
There’s also an explanation as to why they may have been human once before turning into the Wendigo. When they were human, they may have been incredibly greedy. Or if the human was in contact with Wendigos for too long, they would become one.
Powers include: mimicking human voices, possession, controlling weather, manipulation of darkness (sunset), control of forest creatures, healing, and incredible strength and speed.
Believe it or not, there is a psychological disorder called the Wendigo Psychosis. People diagnosed crave human flesh even though they have access to normal food sources.

So Many Hours, So Little Time…

March 18, 2019March 18, 2019Hershman RightsLeave a comment

If you missed it, here’s the recap!

St. Skin

♥ London Casey & Jaxson Kidman ♥

Books 2-5 of the St. Skin Series

♥ Cecilia Lane ♥

Dangerous Mate

♥ Christy Pastore ♥

Wicked Gentleman

♥ J. New ♥

An Accidental Murder

♥ Layla Frost ♥

Best Kase Scenario

♥ Meg Anne ♥

Crown of Embers

♥ Nicole French ♥

Legally Ours

Downsizing Your Writing

March 15, 2019March 15, 2019Hershman RightsLeave a comment

Inspired solely on the act of decluttering a home, we’re talking about a part of editing some people dread: downsizing the finished product.

There is a such thing as writing too much. Spending an excessive amount of your time world-building all at once, having long conversations between characters to reveal information, or describing your characters in great physical detail and not focusing on the plot. These are examples! There can be all kinds of details you may be able to omit!

If you find yourself growing insecure or anxious about your ability to write effectively for an audience, you may want to begin the downsizing process.

Those moments too large (or too long)…revisit them. Break it down and see what can be taken out. What’s important to your writing is showing your reader what’s going on around your character or how your character(s) perceive the world – not telling your reader. They won’t feel it.

Small details may be important to hold onto so save them in a note on the side. They might be able to be woven into the narrative in a flowing manner.

Try to set a time frame in which you’ll work on this form of editing. And if you have to – do it more than once. You’ll realize how a whole paragraph may only needed to be one sentence.

Revenge of the Scorpion Man

March 13, 2019March 13, 2019Hershman RightsLeave a comment

This creature was a feature in the Mummy series. Definitely something worth getting the chills over! 😱

Aqrabuamelu | Former Mesopotamia

Warrior with a scorpion body and male torso.

These creatures (made both male and female but more known as male) were created to wage war against younger gods by an older goddess.
They were also known to stand guard to gates leading to other gods (the list of gods differ).
The Aqrabuamelu doesn’t have magical powers, at least not ones officially documented – only speculated. With purely physical abilities, they utilize their human body and scorpion body in their own ways.
Wonder if they were the size of scorpions? Nope! Supposedly, their heads touch the sky.
Along with their fearsome tail filled with poison, they’re actually skilled with a bow and arrow.

Earth Fish

March 6, 2019March 6, 2019Hershman RightsLeave a comment

Bahamut | Middle East

Colossal fish that is one of seven layers supporting the Earth.

Bahamut is sometimes considered a nickname. Balhut is the earliest name for the fish. Bahamut came along and is actually translated from the word, “behemoth.” (And other references but crazy!)
You can’t see Bahamut but he keeps us out of the black abyss, while swimming around in the underworld.
The general consensus on what Bahamut looks like revolves around a huge animal. Some stories give him different appearances but the more notable figure is the water-dwelling animal.
Can a fish even have powers? With his size, you think that would be it. Lo and behold, in other mythological tales, Bahamut has the ability to drive someone mad if seen (which is most unlikely, but whatever.) Another version of Bahamut can control all wild predators on Earth with a simple roar, during the summer solstice. This power keeps the animals tamed until the next year.
Weakness isn’t a word Bahamut knows…but obedience is. If he doesn’t obey his Creator…he could get killed!

Proof It Once, Proof It Twice…

March 1, 2019March 1, 2019Hershman Rights2 Comments

…Third times a charm! Right? Right?

Unfortunately, that’s not the case when it comes to editing and proofreading your novel. If you’re trying to save money and doing everything by yourself is your only option, we want to be there for you.

Meaning, we’re going to give you some advice.

Take some time away. We mean it. You may not be able to do a vacation getaway from your writing, but you could leave the room. That’s like a vacation, right? Leave your writing domain for an extended period of time and take a breather. You deserve it! And plus…if you jump into proofing and editing immediately, you’ll end up critiquing yourself as a writer more so than edit your actual book.
Figure out what you want the process to be like. While you’re away from your writing space would be the best time to do this! Mapping out your editing goals will help you focus on what’s important and needs to be done. Don’t let your mind wander!
Sit down.
Make sure you’re reading your book as a stranger. Another important part of taking a break is coming back with a new, fresh perspective. With healthy distractions, you’ll be able to forget (for the most part) what your book was like and when you start to re-read, you’ll think…”What did the author say?…Oh wait, that’s me.” You’ll notice details differently, too.
Get into the reading groove. Maybe you’ll read very slowly, maybe you’ll read it aloud to yourself (or force someone to read it for you…ALEXA.)
Pace in your space because it becomes too much.
Don’t worry! We always see writers attempting to word particular things differently. Don’t worry about that. Sometimes…you just have to use the word ‘said.’ There’s no reason to get fancy. Focus on other bits, not that.

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