tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983687699975451453.post1637958664608443812..comments2024-01-02T16:42:15.732-05:00Comments on Redlines and Deadlines: But I Asked To See It!ECPI Editorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00569261288668237013noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983687699975451453.post-46029106752172648162009-05-09T04:59:00.000-04:002009-05-09T04:59:00.000-04:00I agree, I don't get it. The whole purpose is to g...I agree, I don't get it. The whole purpose is to get your story published.<br /><br />I remember the great line from the Godfather, "Tell Michael, it was nothing personal, just business." I try to hold fast to that quote when submitting. Don't misunderstand getting a rejection stings, but you have to just press on.<br /><br /><br />On critique groups, well ... been there done that. Over time have developed a private group of people who understand my writing good and bad. Also, I have found two people to be beta readers. I found a document called 16 questions. They read the story and answer the questions, it's a big help. One final thing, one person likes my genre (erotica/BDSM) the other doesn't. <br /><br />An editor said once, "getting rejected is one step closer to being published." Because if you don't submit you can't get published. Simple as that!Lisette Kristensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09825820708874760080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983687699975451453.post-8050477883925829692009-05-06T21:20:00.000-04:002009-05-06T21:20:00.000-04:00Hey Anon, I can only speak for this particular edi...Hey Anon, I can only speak for this particular editor. If I don't think a book is right for EC, I don't ask the author to send it. <br /><br />I do, however, offer suggestions on what they might want to consider revising if they're firm in their desire to publish with EC or Cerridwen (which would mean revisions that are specific to our markets, of course).<br /><br />And no, I'm not concerned that they'll take my sage advice and run off to another publisher. I'd rather know that I possibly helped someone improve their work. <br /><br />After all, I could find their book in my TBR pile some day...and I like to read good books. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983687699975451453.post-41396054944387443872009-05-06T20:15:00.000-04:002009-05-06T20:15:00.000-04:00I must admit, I'd sort of assumed that all editors...I must admit, I'd sort of assumed that all editors-agents etc said - send us your first three chapters - if you pitched to them at a conference. I thought that no one would want to have authors - or would-be authors wandering around miserable because XYZ hadn't wanted to see their work - or worse still bad mouthing XYZ because they'd expressed no interest. I thought maybe editors- agents etc made a note of those they particularly hoped to see but that was all. <br />Sadly I was born a pessimistic cynic.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983687699975451453.post-40016154598123771502009-05-06T19:41:00.000-04:002009-05-06T19:41:00.000-04:00Bill, it sounds like life experience alone has giv...Bill, it sounds like life experience alone has given you thick enough skin to survive the industry.<br /><br />But fear of failure is a very powerful thing. I've learned not to underestimate it. Well...not ME, of course...everyone knows I'm fearless. :)<br /><br />(And just for you..."lickety-split" originally meant "very fast sprint", and first appeared, in American anyway, in the mid-1800s.)<br /><br />Kelli CAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983687699975451453.post-53861032065603048052009-05-06T17:17:00.000-04:002009-05-06T17:17:00.000-04:00I just attended my first writers' conference this ...I just attended my first writers' conference this past weekend and was astounded when the editor/agent panel almost unanimously agreed that 9 out of 10 people NEVER send their material when requested. It truly boggles the mind. I realize that life happens but at least send SOMETHING!<br /><br />As a writer trying to break in, I cannot comprehend passing up such an opportunity, no matter the outcome.<br /><br />Thanks for a great post!Blazer67https://www.blogger.com/profile/17954340249076836708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983687699975451453.post-53024596809712869852009-05-06T16:02:00.000-04:002009-05-06T16:02:00.000-04:00I must admit that I just don't get it, but maybe t...I must admit that I just don't get it, but maybe that's due to my personality. I can imagine there are people who are so afraid of rejection or losing control of their book, their baby they've coddled since conception, that they're reluctant to send it out into the big, bad world.<br /><br />Writing my novel was fun. Sure, it was hard work, especially editing it, but for the most part, I had a great time writing it. I'd get a scene or some dialog just right, absolutely spot on, and I'd be thrilled. I'd reread it over and over and would feel like Tom Hanks on a deserted island dancing and yelling about what I'd just created. While he may have created fire, I'm thrilled with my literary creation. If writing isn't fun, why do people do it?<br /><br />I've been divorced and raised three teenagers on my own at one point in my life. I've had personal rejection that goes far and above anything an agent or an editor can throw at me. If my novel gets turned down, sure, I'll be bummed for a day, but life goes on. If an agent or an editor wants my full manuscript, I'd send it lickety-split (what the hell does that mean anyway?). What I'd really like to do is get on a plane and deliver the manuscript in person, take the agent or editor to dinner, ply them with some wine, give them a neck and shoulder rub, and then leave them to read my novel. But I'll squelch that urge.Bill Greerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14547897778543135864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983687699975451453.post-8120372021794255612009-05-06T15:00:00.000-04:002009-05-06T15:00:00.000-04:00Thanks, Editors!
Oh, Elaine, that is heart-breaki...Thanks, Editors!<br /><br />Oh, Elaine, that is heart-breaking. It's like the girls at work telling you you're fat. Who ya gonna believe? Them or your husband who thinks you're gorgeous and can't keep his hands offa you?Kimber Lihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03982239712083114488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983687699975451453.post-74611297342026025222009-05-06T14:43:00.000-04:002009-05-06T14:43:00.000-04:00I've never done this, but one writer in our local ...I've never done this, but one writer in our local chapter did. She attended a conference, got a request for a full from an agent. <br /><br />Then her first chapter was read at an anonymous session w/panel of editors/agents. The whole panel loved it. She stood up, proud, and the whole panel asked for a partial. <br /><br />I saw her 2 mos later and asked how her submission went. She hadn't sent anything--she wanted a final run thru by her critique group, they trashed it, she felt too insecure and gave up. Hasn't attended a meeting since. It's such a shame b/c it was industry reps who loved it, and she let critique group ruin her self confidence. <br />ElaineElainehttp://www.thewriterscanvas.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983687699975451453.post-68200606431543548682009-05-06T14:10:00.000-04:002009-05-06T14:10:00.000-04:00Hi, Kimber An,
Yep, I can see how an author might...Hi, Kimber An,<br /><br />Yep, I can see how an author might be intimidated or discouraged by information from others. Amazing how many people proclaim themselves to be "experts" in areas where they have limited experience or knowledge, and inflict what are essentially their personal opinions on others under the guise of "here's how the industry works for everyone".<br /><br />I can't predict the reactions of every editor or agent at every company. But most of us are basically pleasant and patient people, and are not going to put a black mark against an author's name for reasonable communication. (Please, avoid the repeated emails and demands for attention or acceptance.)<br /><br />Nope, none of us here at ECPI participated in QueryFail, and we don't allow public dissing of any authors.<br /><br />Professional communication can only help your chances.<br /><br />RaeleneECPI Editorshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00569261288668237013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983687699975451453.post-29072400647514344282009-05-06T10:33:00.000-04:002009-05-06T10:33:00.000-04:00Oh, on the advice to communicate, a lot of aspiri...Oh, on the advice to communicate, a lot of aspiring authors are afraid to after being told repeatedly not to bother agents and editors.<br /><br />Another case of misinformation? Probably. But, when a writer's chances are so slim, she often doesn't know who to believe. One shot, one mistake, and it's all over for that one novel she's put so much time and energy into.<br /><br />Bookends is blogging on a related topic today, by the way.Kimber Lihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03982239712083114488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983687699975451453.post-49751848332650331132009-05-06T08:44:00.000-04:002009-05-06T08:44:00.000-04:00Hmm, I haven't done this yet, but I've heard about...Hmm, I haven't done this yet, but I've heard about it.<br /><br />1) The novel isn't actually finished. The author figured she'd never get a request anyway and just wanted to see if it stood a chance before putting the incredible time and energy into finishing and polishing it. I've been tempted to do this, because of the time and energy thing coupled with knowing none of my stories fit neatly into a selling genre. <br /><br />2) Someone told her the editor/publisher no longer takes that kind of story.<br /><br />3) She learned you participated in Queryfail. If memory serves, none of you did, but that doesn't mean she wasn't told you did.<br /><br />4) Someone told her you dissed aspiring authors some other way and would likely get ridiculed too. Again, doesn't matter if it's true or not. If she's been told this, she's intimidated.<br /><br />5) A writing expert has told her the story will never sell because it doesn't have a vampire (or whatever) in it.<br /><br />6) A writing expert has told her something else, probably based on out-of-date advice because he hasn't been in touch with the publishing industry in five years.<br /><br />7) The finished and polished novel was on the computer and it crashed and she didn't have it backed up anywhere. She's sobbed her eyes out and given up on ever writing again.<br /><br />8) She's been told she must include graphic sex scenes or she doens't stand a chance. And she's uncomfortable writing them or her story doesn't make sex a part of the plot or characterization. (Doesn't know about Cerridwen Press.)<br /><br />There's probably more. I see a common thread, misinformation destroying shakey self-confidence.Kimber Lihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03982239712083114488noreply@blogger.com