Guest Post from Author Fleur McDonald

Author Fleur McDonald took the time to answer some common questions published writers are asked. Fleur has two published novels  Blue Skies and Red Dust. Please check out Fleur’s website for more information on her writings and more tips for writers.

How were  you able to get published?

About five years ago, I decided I wanted to write a book that I would like to read. Without too much thought, I decided on the topic of stock stealing. I still don’t know why I thought of it, particularly at a time when I was completely sleep deprived with two littlies, but I thought I could develop intrigue and mystery around this subject.

I set about writing. Once I had written five chapters, I asked a friend to read it to see if it was any good. I also sent it to my writing mentor for his opinion. The responses were brilliant and overwhelmed me. I decided I needed to keep writing.

Patience has never been my strong point! When I had written about a third of the story, I thought I’d try Allen and Unwin publisher’s ‘Friday Pitch’. This offers first-time authors a chance to have their first chapter and a synopsis read and considered by its publisher Louise Thurtell. I wanted to know what she thought about it—never mind finishing the manuscript!

Her response was just as encouraging as others I had received, although it wasn’t what she was looking for at that time and she encouraged me to try another publisher. I didn’t want to now I had established contact with Louise. So I waited about a year, tweaked it a bit more, and resent it—but I did little work on finishing the manuscript.

Suddenly, not only was there was a phone call saying ‘Yes! We want your manuscript!’, there was a contract and … an unfinished manuscript!

I got to work quick smart and finished the rest of the story in about six-months.

My journey to get to this point has been amazing. It blows me away whenever I think about it. I don’t have any writing qualifications or experience in writing for publishers. I just wrote the book I wanted to read. From that, I was picked up from the ‘slush pile’, handed a contract, now have two books published with another two book deal  and have also sold the rights for both Red Dust and Blue Skies to Germany. (Red Dust has already been released there with Blue Skies due out next year.)

Has anything in general surprised you since becoming an author?

Hm, not sure. I didn’t really know enough about the industry when I first started, to be surprised by anything. I just went with the flow and did what ever I was told to do!

I guess the response to my books has been surprising and very overwhelming. Red Dust flew off the shelves as did Blue Skies, but that may be more because there is a hunger for Australian stories than anything else.

I also love the way that Allen and Unwin are as passionate about my books as I am – I’m not sure if I’m surprised by that or just grateful!
How many times were you rejected before finding your agent?

I haven’t actually ever been rejected by an agent, when I was submitting my fiction novels. I got my first two books published without an agent, but Gaby Naher, from the Naher Agency is now my wonderful, patient and calming agent and negotiated my two book deal.

I was rejected by plenty when I was pitching my children picture books.

One thing I will  point out here – it’s harder to get an agent once you are published. Most people think it wouldn’t be the case, but it is. My publisher introduced me to both Curtis and Brown and Gaby Naher. Curtis and Brown wouldn’t take me on, because they had a similar client and because I had already negotiated two books. Just something to be aware of.

How long does it take you to finish writing a novel?

About a year – I diddle around for the first part – don’t do much, just think a lot, write lots of notes and then when I realise I’ve only got about six months before it’s due, get really stuck in and write. I usually have enough ideas and thoughts to be able to do that.

What gave you the drive and motivation to write a book and push to get it published?

Well, I never really started out with the thought that I would try and get published. I started to write a book that I would like to read and then, it was one of my friends who thought I should try.

I started researching the industry and submitted for the ASA Mentorship program, but didn’t get anywhere there. I don’t like failing so that was probably my turning point!