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Freeper Travis McGee's book, "Enemies Foreign and Domestic", goes to print!
www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com ^ | July 14, 2003 | Jeff Head

Posted on 07/14/2003 8:02:31 AM PDT by Jeff Head

Freeper Travis McGee, has finished his much anticipated novel, Enemies Foreign and Domestic, and it has been sent off to print. His web site indicates it will be shipping in 3-4 weeks.


Click the Cover to go to the EFAD Site

He has 20 chapters of the book available online as excerpts, so you can get a real good feel of the book right there on the web site before ever ordering it.

My own review of the book, which I have been privileged to read in its entirety, is as follows...

Enemies Foreign & Domestic is as compelling a fictional novel about liberty and the 2nd amendment as you will ever read. It is packed with real life issues right off today's headlines and the political camps on both sides of the issue. It is also just a good, old-fasioned barnstorming novel that you can't put down. In his first at bat, Matthew Bracken has hit one out of the park.
Let's all congratulate Freeper Travis McGee on a job very well done...and consider getting one of his books. We have another Freeper Author in our midst and I am sure his novel is going to be picked up and taken nationally by someone. It's simply too good a read for it to be any other way, and it sends all the right messages.


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Announcements; Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Free Republic; Government; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 2ndamendment; banglist; constitution; efad; enemies; foreignanddomestic; freeperauthors; liberty; mattbracken; rkba
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To: MississippiMan
Thanks MississippiMan. No matter what else happens, I'm a novelist now.

260K words, carefully crafted, is not a negligible work.

281 posted on 07/21/2003 7:52:47 AM PDT by Travis McGee (----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
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To: Cap'n Crunch
I also hope it's the first of many! But I'll leave "break a leg" for the film version. I think that's a movie thing.
282 posted on 07/21/2003 8:11:54 AM PDT by Travis McGee (----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
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To: Travis McGee
I must have been asleep at the switch to have missed this thread for so long!

Congratulations...
It's beginning to look like I WILL live long enough to read your book!

The members of the family, for whom I have already ordered copies - have been informed that their continued presence on the "receiving end" in my Last Will and Testament - will have to complete the book and pass "the test".

And, "Daddy doesn't Joke" about things like that".......

I guess you DIDN'T waste too much time in the forum, afterall...

Wishing you a major success...

Semper Fi

283 posted on 07/21/2003 2:18:12 PM PDT by river rat (War works......It brings Peace... Give war a chance to destroy Jihadists...)
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To: river rat
Just tell my wife that, PLEASE!!!
284 posted on 07/21/2003 4:14:29 PM PDT by Travis McGee (----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
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To: PatrioticAmerican
Other than Jeff and Travis, who else has a book out?

I don't have one published yet, but am working feverishly toward that. I'm going the "traditional" route myself. Spent months securing a top agent. Now in the final round of tweaks—looks like the ninth draft will be the final draft, until editors ask for changes—after which he'll start marketing it to the publishing houses and movie studios.

MM

285 posted on 07/21/2003 11:08:38 PM PDT by MississippiMan
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To: Travis McGee
Most welcome, Travis. Do keep us posted on progress. 260,000 words is mammoth!

MM
286 posted on 07/21/2003 11:17:43 PM PDT by MississippiMan
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To: MississippiMan
I know! I kept operating under the assumption that a standard MS Word full size document page was about the same as a book page. WRONG!

But actually, that's just how many words it took to tell the story I already had in my head from start to finish.

In fact, I cut out or abbreviated many subplots and combined some characters just to keep it as "short" as it is.

287 posted on 07/22/2003 12:25:32 AM PDT by Travis McGee (----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
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To: MississippiMan
I'd love to hear how it goes. We are both striving toward the same goal, by two different roads. I just decided that the 5th avenue beg and plead method wasn't worth it (for may reasons) and decided to try an internet centric paradigm.

It'll be interesting to compare notes, as we both meet at the top, having overcome all the chutes and ladders of our chosen routes.

288 posted on 07/22/2003 12:28:53 AM PDT by Travis McGee (----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
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To: Travis McGee
Roger that, Travis. I'll post updates as significant things happen along the road.

MM
289 posted on 07/22/2003 2:13:04 AM PDT by MississippiMan
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To: MississippiMan
>Spent months securing a top agent

How did you go about selecting an agent to approach? I've done some internet searches and there are so many out there and not knowing anything about any of them it seems one could waste a lot of time following dead ends. Since certain agents are genre specific it narrows things down, some. What crtiteria were you looking at in your decissions? It's difficult to gauge someone's effectivness beforehand. May I ask how many turned you down before you found some interest or how many liked your work and then did nothing with it?

290 posted on 07/22/2003 6:07:46 AM PDT by u-89
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To: MississippiMan
Interesting. Let us know how that goes.
291 posted on 07/22/2003 7:53:18 AM PDT by PatrioticAmerican (Helping Mexicans invade America is TREASON!)
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To: MississippiMan
Maybe you can point your agent toward my website just for grins. The first 20 of 52 chapters are posted there, a pretty fair sample in anyone's estimation. (And much more convenient that mailing 576 manuscript pages around and waiting...and waiting...and waiting...)
292 posted on 07/22/2003 7:54:22 AM PDT by Travis McGee (----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
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To: u-89
U, I'll try to encapsulate the process for you. First, I've been researching agents and such for a couple of years. I use Writers Market a lot. It's pretty exhaustive, though it's best used to narrow down a search. Some agents aren't listed there, but most are. You can't necessarily get a detailed handle on them, but it can help you to narrow down the list and the Submission Tracker is an ultra-handy tool, too. You can get the WM information in book form, online, or both. I use the online version exclusively.

In addition to WM, I frequented active online writers' boards for a long time. The real value there, I'm sorry to say, is more social than anything else. On any such board, 90% of the participants are going to be unpublished or barely published writers themselves, all looking for that edge. A few genuine experts can be found, but very few.

When the time came to actually start my agent search, I used AgentResearch and purchased their "Custom Fingerprint" service. I gave them all the details about me and my novel, and they selected five likely top-tier agents and furnished detailed reports on each. These people at AR are insiders and know the industry on a detailed basis. The one big drawback is that they for the most part recommend the UBERagents. Sure, all agents take on new clients, but at this level they are naturally VERY selective and it's often hard to even get their attention. The second drawback is that reality is: It takes virtually any new writer more than five queries to land an agent. AR also offers a VERY informative newsletter that you can subscribe to for $35 per year and I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend it. It will give you a real finger on the industry pulse.

Another invaluable site is Publishers Marketplace. The research value of this site is huge, U, just huge. And the fact that it's a paid site ($15 per month for full access) tends to keep out the not-as-serious writers and vastly improves the quality of the site. There is no other site on the net that comes close to the value of PM. On three or four different occasions, I had top-tier agents and/or editors from MAJOR publishers initiate contact with me and ask for my manuscript. No other site can boast such a claim IMO, not truthfully anyway.

In the end, here's the real nutshell version of the game: AFTER you've created a saleable piece of work, this thing becomes a numbers game that requires undying persistence. Because the truth is that you'll have to hit the right agent with just the right query or just the right manuscript, on just the right day, at just the right time, and in just the right mood. Everything is SO subjective that it can drive you NUTS. One person will love it. The next hates it. It's an emotional rollercoaster that can truly wreak havoc with your soul.

The query letter must be strong as garlic. Mine evolved over a period of months and in the end it was indeed strong. I queried dozens of agents. About a third of those I queried asked to see either more sample chapters or the whole manuscript. Out of those, I had three offers of representation. I couldn't buy into the first guy's vision for marketing this book and my future books. The second lady was right on track and tack-sharp but was just coming out of the Christian market and into the broader secular market. I agonized over whether to sign with her because she was on fire for the book, but in the end her lack of experience in the secular thriller market made me gunshy. The third was a perfect match and I hooked up.

Since I write primarily thrillers, I of course looked for agents with a strong record in the genre. I write in a very "cinematic" style, so I paid attention to agents' track records in selling not only novel rights but also movie rights. The agent I signed with is ultra-strong in this regard. He works as both a literary agent and a movie producer and has offices in both New York and L.A.

Hope this helps...

MM

293 posted on 07/22/2003 3:30:30 PM PDT by MississippiMan
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To: MississippiMan; u-89; plusone
Even though in the end I decided to start out the self-publishing way, I alse did a lot of agent research. Over a matter of years, I searched the acknowledgements pages of thrillers I admired, and compiled a list of about 30 or so agents. These were often glowingly described by the authors as real aces etc etc. If I had gone the 5th Ave route, (and I still may at some point, but with a track record to point to), I will query that list of agents first.

(BTW, I'd be happy to share the list, if you're writing in the thriller fiction genre.)

294 posted on 07/22/2003 4:36:28 PM PDT by Travis McGee (----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
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To: MississippiMan
MM,

I owe you a big time thanks and I mean that sincerely. You not only gave me useful tips but also provided links to important sites. You're a generous man. You mention some on-line writers boards - care to suggest any? Socializing isn't all bad as it can stimulate thought. At the time I am sadly w/o intellectual stimulation from my friends. None are writers - most are painters like myself but the only two who read much have married and moved off into the real world and I don't see them much. At this time as a writer I am in isolation - I can't even find a friend who has the time enough to read a short story of 20 pages.

When you say "AFTER you've created a saleable piece of work I understand what you mean and admit that I am not there yet but knowledge is valuable enough to get any time it is available so I thought to write you about procedure. Your comments about the right person, right time etc. is also understood. As a stoic I believe things happen at a time and place for a reason and if success is meant for you it will happen and if not enjoy life as best you can anyway - it's still good. Besides God put me on this earth to be a painter -that's what I am. I have a head full of ideas for writing but if they go no where it just doesn't matter - the thrill of creating was reward enough.

Could you fill me in a bit on the query letter? or guide me to where I could see some examples ( haven't explored your links as of this writing so forgive me if what I need is found there). The concept of strength and brevity is not lost on me but I am totally unaware of what content should be included. You mention that you write thrillers. How many completed works do you have to date? what kind of thrillers are your works - crime, spy, horror ? Will you be changing your name from Mississippiman to Hollywoodman after you sign a contract? When the time comes can I call you Hollywood for short?

best regards,

295 posted on 07/22/2003 4:52:33 PM PDT by u-89
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To: Travis McGee
The Poynter's book which you recommended to me was easily found but it has not yet arrived so my knowledge is still at zero. How would you describe the costs of self-publishing? modest or high? Did you explore overseas for printing or decide to stick with US companies no matter the cost? Or did overseas printing require too high a volumn for a minimum order? (I found that once on a venture I explored years back)

P.S. I found the hurt responces to your comments on the Clancy thread funny - in a schadenfreuden kind of way.

296 posted on 07/22/2003 5:08:39 PM PDT by u-89
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To: u-89
Overseas won't pay, shipping will kill you, and if you have a problem with the product, you have zero recourse, and they know it. What are you going to do, fly to Hong Kong with your team of lawyers?

I priced about a dozen printers out of the 100 or so listed in the back of Poynter's book. About a half dozen all came in within 5%, right at the lowest numbers, so I knew they were the leanest and most modernized. I then picked one based on other factors, such as fasted delivery time. For 1,000 copies it's under $5,000, delivered. The second 1,000 made off the same plates will be cheaper.

The first edition I am considering "pump priming" and I don't expect to run much of a profit, because I plan to send out 100s of copies to columnists, other authors, etc. Each favorable review by a "name" is then levereged into more free publicity (see the top of my reviews page). You need to start with printed books for credibility, to get those reviews etc. But shortly, I will put out an Ebook version. Also, I will sell on Amazon for the convenience, even though they take over 50%. That's still better than the miserly 8% you will get from a NYC publishing house! Remember, promotion is 100% up to the author of a first novel. NY houses AT BEST will just put your book on the shelves for a 60-90 day trial. If it doesn't catch fire, (that is, if YOU don't make it catch fire), back it goes in the returns bin, and you are finished, another "failed" author.

That's why I am starting with self-publishing, where I can control the entire process. Eventually I may sell out for a contract, but NOT for a "please please please, I'll take anything!" first time no-name author 8% contract.

297 posted on 07/22/2003 5:32:51 PM PDT by Travis McGee (----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
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To: Travis McGee
Audio book version? My eyes ain't what they used to be.
298 posted on 07/22/2003 5:36:42 PM PDT by jwalsh07
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To: jwalsh07
Why not? I used to be told that I had an "FM" voice. I could do that pretty easily I think.

Thanks for the idea, I will put it on my "to do" list.

eBook versions might do well for you also, since you can crank the letters up to 150% or even higher.

(My eyes really went downhill writing this thing. I routinely used 150%.)

299 posted on 07/22/2003 5:58:15 PM PDT by Travis McGee (----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
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To: u-89
I just remembered: click my name, go into my bookmarked books, there was a thread last year called something like "Are there any writers on FR?"

That thread will be very helpful to you. Lots of advice, links, etc.

300 posted on 07/22/2003 6:00:05 PM PDT by Travis McGee (----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
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