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| Tuesday, January 24, 2006 |
| Submission Savvy |
Raelene Gorlinsky, Publisher, Ellora's Cave Publishing
Anne Sowards, Editor, Berkley Publishing Group
This presentation represents our personal experiences and opinions. But it also includes information from other editors, including those at other publishers. Editors DO talk to each other and share stories, we're in the same profession even if we work for competing companies. (Which is why you should not antagonize an editor at any publisher, even if you are not planning to submit to them.)
Poll of Ellora's Cave Editors: Top 10 Things We Look for in Submissions
Professional cover letter. "This is the first impression. If the cover letter is riddled with errors or sounds very immature, I assume the story is the same way."
Clear synopsis. "I want to know before spending the time reading the submission whether the story meets our guidelines, is appropriate for our market."
Correct grammar and word usage, no typos.Is this something I would buy to read for myself?Believable and likeable characters.An emotional connection between the characters, and the sensuality worked into the development of the romantic relationship.Good blend of dialogue and action.Intriguing and believable plot, no major holes, no "and a miracle occurred" resolutions.
Originality: not the same plot elements and character types I can find in a hundred books on the store shelves right now.Clear POV, no head hopping.Submission Pet Peeves (all easily correctable)
From Anne Sowards, Berkley Publishing Group
1. Submissions that are completely inappropriate (i.e., short stories, children's chapter books, poetry, academic nonfiction).
2. Submission of the entire 170,000 word manuscript instead of the first three chapters and a synopsis, as our guidelines request.
3. Submissions of chapters 1, 24, and 46 instead of chapters 1-3.
4. A manuscript that is less than 60,000 words is an automatic reject for me. If you write at a shorter length, submit your work to markets that publish those lengths.
5. Manuscripts formatted in a way that makes them difficult to read-for example, single spaced, double sided, 8 point type on purple paper.
6. Submissions that include suggested cover art. This is almost always a very bad idea.
7. Submissions that are emailed or on disk. I usually delete these or return the disk unread.
8. SASEs (self-addressed, stamped envelopes) that are too small for the submission to fit inside.
9. Authors who call a week after they send a submission to see if I've read it yet.
10. And last but not least, those big mailing envelopes that are padded with "recycled" material, little bits of gray stuff that get all over everything when opened.
From NovelBooks, Inc.:
Eight Top Reasons Manuscripts Are Rejected(Note: NBI is no longer in business.)
1. Incorrect format.
2. Blatant spelling errors. Your spell-checker is your friend!
3. Incorrect genre for the publisher's needs. What is the publisher looking for?
4. Shoddy proofreading. Don't you want your manuscript as perfect as you can make it, before you allow anyone else at all to read it?
5. Grammar problems. Invest in a good book on basic grammar.and READ it.
6. Disregard for the publisher's DON'TS. For NBI, no pornography, no erotica, no abuse.
7. Submitting a first draft instead of a polished manuscript. Have you read and reread your submission, to make it as perfect as you can?
8. Research, research, research. Thou shalt not put anachronistic dialogue in thy characters' mouths, nor incorrect clothing on their bodies, nor improper surroundings in their historical time periods. In other words, if you're writing a Regency, study the vernacular; if you're doing a medieval historical, don't have your heroine shoot a revolver at the villain! Make sure your science fiction has a certain basis in science fact, and that your fantasy worlds are true to their internal logic. In your mystery, make sure that you don't wait until the last chapter to pluck the murderer from thin air.
A Few Words About AgentsFrom Anne Sowards, Berkley Publishing Group.
Around 98% of the manuscripts Berkley publishes are agented.. Editors at traditional publishers like agents because they save us time. When we receive a submission from an respected agent, we know right away that it will be the type of book we publish and that the writing will be acceptable.. There are benefits for the author as well. The author will have someone to pitch their work who knows the editors in the field, who has lunch with them, and who knows what they like and what they're looking for. An agent is experienced in negotiating contracts and is also usually able to get an author a better deal than they could themselves. An agent can handle the business side of things, and let the author handle the creative. And, perhaps most importantly, a submission from an agent we respect will receive priority and go to the top of our manuscript pile.. Keep in mind that anyone can print letterhead and business cards and claim to be an agent-check him or her out and make sure you're dealing with a reputable agent.
1. Ask them to tell you a few projects they've sold recently, and to which publishers.
2. Ask for some names of authors they represent.
3. See if there have been any complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau.
4. A big warning sign is if they ask for money up front-a reputable agent should take their commission when they've sold your novel, not beforehand..
We do consider unagented submissions as well, but considering most of the things we publish are agented, the odds are not as good.
Submissions Review Process at Ellora's Cave. Remember that editors are very busy. We need new submissions, but they have to be squeezed in with our daily editing tasks. It's a huge amount of work and sometimes depressing to read through so many inappropriate or unacceptable stories to find the few gems. So you the author need to make your submission something that will put the editor in a good frame of mind and will hold their interest.
Initial Review editor: Reads synopsis and several pages to several chapters. Weeds out the clear rejections. Puts the submissions with strong potential into a queue for the appropriate acquiring editors.
Acquiring Editor: Reads initial chapters, decides whether to request full manuscript. If so, reads full, makes a decision, notifies author. Will consult with Publisher if wants a second opinion or has question on acceptability of some aspect of the story.
How To Be a Savvy-and Successful-Submitter
Step 0 - Before submitting
1. Become a pro at your profession.. Learn your trade: join writer organizations, attend conferences, go to book signings. Learn the industry: magazines like Publishers Weekly and RWR; publisher websites. Know your "customers": readers. Reviews, discussion lists, bulletin boards, RT BOOKclub magazine. Read. Read a lot. You can absorb writing techniques by seeing how other authors do it. This will also help you be aware of what sort of books are being published-and who's publishing them (useful knowledge when you get ready to submit your own work).
2. Be sure your "product" is ready for sale.. Use critique partners and proofers. (Family members, close friends, or rabid fans do not count!). Writer's groups can be a great way to get feedback and find critique partners; they also often sponsor writer conferences where you will have the opportunity to talk to editors, agents, and published writers..
Contests: A way to get feedback on your work. Especially consider those that use editors or agents as judges. Nice for authors to mention wins in cover letter.. Story needs a great "grabbing" start to get and keep the editor's attention. You only have a couple of pages to convince the editor to keep reading your submission.
Now you are ready to submit your story. Remember, if your manuscript is accepted, this is the beginning of what you hope will be a long and profitable connection with the publisher and editor-so do everything you can to start the relationship off right.
Step 1: Where to submit
Know the publishers and agents, what they are looking for. Be familiar with the books they publish or represent. Check out their websites. Ask questions. Send only to appropriate places!
Step 2: Submission guidelines
Read them, follow them. Use common sense.
Step 3: Cover letter / email / synopsis / sample chapters
Customize each submission letter. Make it easy to read, a quick summary of you and your story. Always be polite, don't be too aggressive, don't sound overconfident.
Step 4: Be patient
Response times are often longer than stated. At least you know it wasn't rejected at first glance.
Step 5: ResponsesReject:
Don't argue, it is pointless. Thank you note (brief, professional) is not necessary but is a nice touch. You may want to submit something else there in future.Face reality. Publishers are companies, they have to turn a profit. They determine what is selling in their market and offer readers what they want to buy. The book of your heart may be something that does not tug at sufficient other hearts.
Revise and Resubmit: Yes, it's a rejection, but the door is still open. The editor took a lot of time to analyze your story and explain what needs to be changed-so she must see a good bit of potential in it. Really think about the advice. If you don't agree, or it doesn't match what you feel for your story, you don't need to take it; try submitting elsewhere. But if you keep getting similar advice.
Accept: Joy and celebration! Ask lots of questions early. Find out the process, the timeline; develop realistic expectations. This is your chance to be a "newbie", your editor will be more tolerant now than later. Be friendly with your editor, but keep it professional, not personal.Be professional and realistic in contract negotiations. Do you have an agent or a lawyer with experience in the publishing industry? Don't expect the publisher to "teach" you contract law-be responsible for understanding all the ramifications of your contract.Find out how to handle future story submissions. You want to be multi-published!
Step 6: Get published.Meet your deadlines. Be reasonable and cooperative about revisions. Don't turn into a prima donna. Remember that your editor has a lot of other books and authors to handle.Not all stories that get bought, get published. Understand your contract. There are bumps on the publishing track, and some of those could derail your book. They may be out of your control, and this can be very frustrating. Keep aware of what is going on at your publishing house, network with fellow authors. |
posted by Cathryn Fox @ 4:10 AM  |
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| 2 Comments: |
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Great info! Thanks - very timely.
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So glad it was useful to you lovely ladies!!
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Great info! Thanks - very timely.