Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Amber Argyle: "Evil Queen" Of The Cosmic Table!


A few years ago, I met a fellow author at a writer's conference who shared the same dream I had. We even wrote the same genre and we were lucky enough to sit at the same critique table. Based on our first chapters, we caught each other's skills and learned a lot about writing together. Now she's the proud author of three novels and a 4th coming your way! I'm a big fan so she's no stranger to The Laire, but for the first time ever, she's come in invade our space! In honor of her awesomeness and helpfulness to fellow writers, I hereby dub thee, Amber Argyle: Knight of the Cosmic Table!

AA: Wow! Thanks. I'm honored!

BTW, do I have to slay a dragon? Cause I totally can. Just let me know so I can get my sword out of the trunk.

DPK: We're actually working very hard on a knight/dragon relations treaty, this being the 21st century, but there's been an explosion of trolls since this "Internet" thing started, so you're free to slay as many of those as you like. They're worth 5+ XP each, I think.

AA: Great. So I can officially come out as a dragon. But don't worry. I won't burn anyone to a crisp unless you try to save the princess.

Once again, in case you missed it - all princesses must now and forever save themselves.

DPK: All princesses? Even the really young ones?

AA: I don't rescue princesses. I'm a firm believer that all princesses should rescue themselves. Unless they're babies, then I'm totally in.

DPK: Whew! I was beginning to worry for a second.

AA: Oh, one more thing, can I be the Queen AND a knight? I have a hard time taking orders.

DPK: A queen for a knight and a knight for a queen?

Hmm. You might be onto something there, but you'll likely have to go through a screening process since we try to keep our table evil-queen free - not that you're completely evil, it's just protocol.

AA: What's your problem with evil queens? Without us - I mean - them, there's no one to push the hero onto greatness!

DPK: You got a point, there. Well, if you're willing to push my table of Cosmic Knights onto greatness, consider it done! You are now our first Evil-Queen Knight of the Cosmic Table!

Now to business - It's been years since we first met, but I don't know how long you've been writing before then. Tell us about your writing journey up to your first publication. 

AA: It's a long (five years) and a dangerous journey (involving a rattlesnake-really). I'll try to keep it short. I always wanted to be a writer, but it never seemed like the write time! Bahaha!

So sorry. *clears throat*

Then I had my second son, who screamed for 16 hours a day. The fear of failing and finding time didn't matter anymore. The only thing that mattered was gathering what little shreds of sanity I had left (never did find them all). Writing became my one solace. The one place where my exhausted mind could go to escape the never ending demands and dark pit of emptiness that I had tumbled into.

Fast forward through the next five years. I found an agent. After a year we broke up. I found a publisher, but I refused to sign their predatory contract. I finally found my way to a small press, who published Witch Song. After that, I moved onto indie and haven't looked back. I love it!

DPK: That's a fairly common thing I hear, writing as a means of solace. I've been there, and in a lot of ways, writing helped me learn who I am and what I want to be. I'm glad that writing has brought out the best in you because, seriously, you're the life of any party!

AA: I know. I can't help myself. ;)

DPK: I'm glad you brought up predatory contracts. When an author gets their first contract, usually they're so excited they sign right away. I know I turned down some, too. What are the most important things to watch out for in a publishing contract?

AA: You can learn just as much by how they treat you when you try to discuss the contract as you can from the contract itself. I teach an entire class on the subject, but here's a few tips:

- Check for a reasonable date for publishing the work (otherwise they can just cuddle with your MS forever).

- Make sure THEY pay to publish it.

- See if you can get approval for the format and style, graphic material, and style of the dust jacket.

- How many books is the publisher giving you (usually negotiable, try to bump it up).

- What’s your discount for buying books (~40%).

- Out of print clause: Make sure it’s SPECIFIC.

- Bad ex: The said Work shall be considered to be “in print” if it is offered for sale by the Publisher in any edition.

- Good: When 50 (the higher the better) or less print copies have sold in a consecutive 12 month period.

- Don’t assume it’s gone out of print. You have to have it in writing from your publisher.

Royalties:

- Do they pay an advance? Most small presses do not.

- Is the royalty based on gross or retail? BIG difference.

- Average royalty for print in large presses is 10-15%. Small presses start at 6% for soft cover/8% for hard (you probably won’t get hard). If yours doesn’t pay a great royalty, ask to be paid on a escalating scale.

- 15% on ebooks. I’d fight for this one (the big presses give 25%).

- Editorial—make sure you get final approval on any changes to content.

- Copyright—publisher should take care of this (in your name).

- Accounting—make sure they allow you to do an audit. How often are they paying you?

- Author Warranties: You wrote the book and have the right to sell it (nothing libelous).

- Termination by author: you can terminate the contract if they fail to publish the book in the specified time. I know an author who was screwed on this one.

- No advertisements shall be included in the work.

- In case of bankruptcy: Agreement is terminated and rights revert to author.

- Get rid of any late penalty/deep discount clauses.

DPK: This is fantastic advice! You guys taking notes? No seriously. Take my pen. Take ALL of my pens. This is great information!

As an indie author, the covers for your books are among the most stunning I've seen. I end up asking myself, "who did that for you!?" Where does an indie author find an awesome artist for their cover?

AA: Writer's need to study the covers of the novels in their genres. Your cover is the single most important marketing tool at your disposal, so make it FANTASTIC. I have fantasy boards on my Pinterest page where I pin cover images and art I feel works well for my stories (you can check it out here: http://pinterest.com/amberargyle/boards. I take pieces of the images I like and use them in my covers.

I found the cover artist for my last two books on Pinterest. I found a piece of art Laura Sava had done, found her and asked for a bid.

deviantart.com is another good site, but I like Pinterest better because pinners have already waded through the crap and picked out the best images.

DPK: After scrolling around for a bit, I can see where you got your inspiration for Witch Fall. I just might start a Pinterest page now!

Speaking of Witch Fall, let's check out that cover, shall we?

Seriously, that's a nice cover, if not my favorite of all your covers! Now, this is the conclusion to your Witch Song Trilogy, correct? Tell us a little about it?

AA: It's the final novel - a prequel that tells Lilette's story.

Here's the back cover:

All things fall.

Even Witches.


Supreme in their dominion over seasons, storms, and sea, the Witches have forgotten the unmatched destructiveness of mankind. And among the weapons men seek are the magical songs of the Witches.

Lilette is one of the few who see the decadence and decay weakening the Witches. As an outsider amid her own kind, can she help them survive the coming war?

I'm hoping to have it done by October, but my life isn't cooperating. At all. I have a short story that will come out at around the same time--Witch Something-or-other. Ideas anyone?

DPK: Witch Rise? Witch Dawn? Witch Way is North?

AA: *note to self, don't ask David for title ideas* ;)

DPK: *laugh out loud* That sounds great, and I can't wait to add Witch Fall to my "reserved for Amber Argyle" shelf (don't freak out - I have several reserved author shelves).

Congratulations on publishing your first trilogy! Do you prefer the vessel with the pestle or the chalice from the palace?

AA: The chalice - they usually come with a servant and I desperately need one of those.

DPK: Oh, I know, right? *ahem* One last question and I'll let you get back to your busy schedule: what does it mean to be a knight in the writing community? Or, your case, an evil queen knight?

AA: It's fabulous! I have little minions to do all my dirty work. Servants to cook and clean for me. There's always a disposable minor lord if I need to take my frustrations out, and I'm super powerful and feared by all.

DPK: Sounds like wicked awesomeness to me! There's just one catch. Since my Cosmic Knights have been trained to vanquish evil, we might have to tone down the "evil queen" bit - at least until they become more accepting of the idea. Now, how do we hook-wink everyone?

Hmm. I know! You can have this badge (to use however you like) and NO one will suspect a thing. Just be sure not to cast any spells, cause that's a dead giveaway. Sound good to you?

AA: So much prejudice against evil. You and your books would be nothing without our influence. Remember that!

*dramatic exit*

*     *     *

Amber does make a great point. While we don't encourage real evil, our characters would be nothing without evil to face. So the next time you write a dark lord or an evil queen, make them awesome, so that your hero will want to curl up and die. What doesn't kill them only makes them stronger, right?

Did you guys know that Amber defeated me in a growling contest? She's just THAT awesome!

Her latest novel, Winter Queen, is the first book of her new series, and I encourage fantasy readers everywhere to check it out!

I'm David, and the chalice from the palace has the brew that is true!

40 comments:

  1. Those are some great contract tips. I know I poured over mine for a long time before singing, but I'm sure I didn't catch everything you listed.
    Your covers are really awesome.
    I do recommend Minions. They help.
    And you can slay dragons, just don't slay Father Dradon Al. We like him.

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    1. *making a notation* no slaying of Father Dradon Al.

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  2. Very helpful list of things to watch out for in contracts! And a very funny interview :) Best of luck to you, Amber!

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  3. I would love to pick Amber's brain on why she decided to leave Rhemelda Publishing to produce the second book in the Witch Song series. But when I asked another author who I thought might know (she shall go unnamed) I got nothing. So I'm dying of curiosity. I know there's something there that I want to know.

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    1. It's called a "no disparagement agreement". That's all I will say on the matter.

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  4. Cool! It's awesome that you met at a conference and then were able to share your love for the same genre and style:)

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  5. I'm so glad Amber got featured today. I've followed her blog for a while and even did a cover reveal when she asked. She's both a talented author and a really nice person. And she's right about evil being needed for heroes to vanquish. Life can't be perfect all the time.

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    1. You rock, Sheena! I've always appreciated your help!

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  6. Congrats Amber. Great interview, and great contract tips.

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  7. LOL! Amber, that was awesome. You too, David. I'm going to have to reconsider my policy toward dragons and sharpen my evil skills. ;)

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  8. Great interview, Amber, and those are some fantastic contract tips.

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  9. Of course I defeated you in a growling contest. Evil . . . hellooooo???
    ;)
    Thanks David!

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  10. Great advice-- thank you for sharing the lessons you've learned. Your covers are fantastic! All the best to you in your sales.

    (Waves at Dave too)

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  11. Ha! Love The Court Jester.

    You make a great knight. Those contract tips are wonderful!

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  12. *borrows all of your pens* I will definitely be making note of those if I ever make it that far. Great interview! Those are some very cool covers!

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  13. Aloha fellow knight, or should that be Lady Evil Queen knight...yikes!

    *THANKS* Amber for sharing so many tips and words of contracting advice, although I did laugh when I read Alex's comments, because Father Dragon must be spared from any slaying :)

    Cheers, Sir David, and may your throne not be made of stone or look like a bone :)

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    1. Do not fear me. For I am fluffy and wear comfortable shoes.

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  14. Wonderful advice, Amber! Can't wait to read your book!

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  15. I am printing this out for future reference - some GREAT tips here. And those covers are absolutely stunning. I'm also a fan of Pinterest and I think it's a great idea to visualize your book's cover with the images you find!

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    1. Pinterest has saved me so much time in cover research. I love it love it love it!

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  16. Amber's interview is timely for me. Waiting to get my rights back from a small press and I'm going full court-press indie with my books.

    Good to know authors like her are doing well.

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  17. Congratulations Amber, that is a great cover. Enjoyed the interview and some useful tips to bear in mind.

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  18. Oh my, that was one awesome interview, catchy and hilarious. I knew about Amber from her connection to Michelle D. Argyle (I follow her blog), still didn't get to read her which song series but meaning to cause it sounds so cool, but yet again so does she :) great choice for the "knight (evil Queen) of the cosmic table."

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    1. oops! witchsong I mean...how confusing :|

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    2. Amber- amazing cover!!

      I suggest we start a campaign to save the princes, especially the ones out traveling unable to ask for directions!

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    3. Haneen: Aw. You're a sweety!

      Elizabeth: We shall buy them all Garmins. *raises rallying fist* To the minivan!

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  19. Contracts can be VERY confusing... Thanks for the tips LADY KNIGHT/ EVIL QUEEN.... LOL.

    Can't be too evil Amber if you're a friend of David's and NOW one of us! LOL.

    Love your name... The mc in my first novel is named Amber...

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    1. You and my mother have excellent taste in names.

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  20. Ohhhhh... loved this interview, DPK! I've heard Amber's name kicked around forever, but we haven't spoken yet. It's clear she knows the business and has talent. I totally want to read her work. Thanks for this great post!

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    1. Clearly. ;)

      We should speak. Hello. I'm Amber. I love sushi.

      Your turn. ;)

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