The Get Off Your Ass and Get Something Submitted Thread

[pepperlandgirl]

As they say, you can't win if you don't play! The submission process is hard, and not fun. My writing partner refuses to submit or query. That entire responsibility is left to me--so that I shield her from the less fun rejection. It's also a huge amount of work. Getting your submission just perfect, crafting an awesome query, and researching your market can take a great deal of time and effort. It's generally not something that can be done in an hour or two. On top of that, you might not even know where to begin. If you are completely new to the process, you may be unclear of just what goes into a query, what's the proper manuscript format, the difference between a full and a partial, and just who the heck needs an agent (and why). There are also markets that you should avoid at all costs, and they often have several glaring red flags that you could miss if you aren't accustomed to them.

So with all that in mind, I thought it'd be nice to have a support thread specifically for the submission process. People can post links to interesting markets or calls for submissions, as well as provide any helpful advice or tips they have. We can also commiserate over the assholes who clearly don't understand our art. I think goals would be good, too. "I'm going to prepare one thing for submission in the month of March" or something like that.

So, I'll start! If you enjoy writing erotica, or if you think you might enjoy writing erotica, then you should check out Erotica Readers and Authors Association Call for Submissions. I've made several sales based on the information I've found there (and got a pretty sweet gig reviewing porn sites. I miss that job).

[tirial]

This thread is a great idea pepperlandgirl. I'd recommend Writers and artists yearbook print and online versions as a place to start. It has a lot of useful advice on submissions and links to the agents and publishers.

The problem is that when you are writing outside your usual genre, trying to find out who in the new area is reliable and who isn't is hard. Detecting scams can be difficult e.g. I've had one professional publisher who came back and said they thought it would sell, but wasn't their usual type, so they would publish the book if I underwrote their costs (ROTFLMAO - ahem - no.)

Also, for advice: lower your expectations. If you don't have a published history sometimes the important thing is to get something in print professionally published, forget an advance, and simply try and get good reviews to get a better deal on the second book. Anyone can write one novel, but from my recent experience publishers want people who can write several.

And finally: Don't give up!

[pepperlandgirl]

The problem is that when you are writing outside your usual genre, trying to find out who in the new area is reliable and who isn't is hard. Detecting scams can be difficult e.g. I've had one professional publisher who came back and said they thought it would sell, but wasn't their usual type, so they would publish the book if I underwrote their costs (ROTFLMAO - ahem - no.)

That brings up the number one rule of writing--money always, always, always flows to the writer. The only place a writer should sign a check is on the back, when endorsing it. If anybody ever tells you a book has great potential and just send them a couple grand to publish it, run the other direction.

Incidentally, rule number two of writing is never, ever, ever respond to a review of your book. It's called The Author's Big Mistake for a reason. It never turns out well for the author.

[Harlequin]

I've decided to go ahead and do what I asked about in this thread (put my novel up on a website). I guess that counts as a submission of sorts.

The plan is to do it Monday after a last go-through and some betareader feedback. Wish me luck.

[pepperlandgirl]

Good luck!

[tirial]

Well, first novel is off with a publisher and I'm waiting for feedback. (Second is still WIP - the character's aren't co-operating.)
Just need to find somewhere to send a short story.

[pepperlandgirl]

I saw a call for vampire romance stories, 3,000-10,000 words, so I spent the last few days writing one and sent it off last night. I am more than a little nervous, as I experimented with style, tone, voice, and sent it to an editor that I've never worked with, at a publisher I've never published with. So, right now, I have two stories out there, waiting, driving me crazy.

Last night, my husband expressed surprise that I still get nervous over submissions, but I think everybody does, no matter how long they've been writing. Or they should, if they don't take their own amazing talent for granted.

[Harlequin]

Last night, my husband expressed surprise that I still get nervous over submissions, but I think everybody does, no matter how long they've been writing.

I'm just starting out, but I don't think I'll ever stop being nervous. You're opening your chest and having someone examine your heart to decide if its worth something.

[Harlequin]

I've decided to go ahead and do what I asked about in this thread (put my novel up on a website). I guess that counts as a submission of sorts.

The plan is to do it Monday after a last go-through and some betareader feedback. Wish me luck.

I did put it up a few days ago. It's not going to lead anywhere and the whole deal is scaring me halfway to death, but it's something.

[pepperlandgirl]

Have you had any feedback on it yet?

[Harlequin]

A little, none negative, but no-one has read further into it than a few pages so I'm taking it all with a grain of salt.

[sistercoyote]

I just submitted three poems to the MSLexia Women in Poetry competition for this year (Pay to play, but only five quid).

I also may have another submission going out to an editor who asked if I was interested in writing for his anthology. Nothing big, small press stuff, but it was nice that he was interested enough to ask me, you know?

[Harlequin]

I also may have another submission going out to an editor who asked if I was interested in writing for his anthology. Nothing big, small press stuff, but it was nice that he was interested enough to ask me, you know?

"Nice" doesn't quite cover it. How did he find your work?

[sistercoyote]

I also may have another submission going out to an editor who asked if I was interested in writing for his anthology. Nothing big, small press stuff, but it was nice that he was interested enough to ask me, you know?

"Nice" doesn't quite cover it. How did he find your work?

Oops! It isn't quite so spectacular as it might be - he purchased a co-written story I wrote for another anthology.

[Baldwin]

I've collected a few rejections; never fun getting one, but at least it means you're in the game. Short stories aren't really my forte (assuming I have one).

[Harlequin]

Yeah, I've got a small stack of them myself. All years old, though. I'm starting a whole new cycle of destroying my self-esteem.

[pepperlandgirl]

I've collected a few rejections; never fun getting one, but at least it means you're in the game. Short stories aren't really my forte (assuming I have one).

Are you saying that short stories aren't your forte because you've collected "a few" rejections? Just because you haven't found your market yet doesn't mean your short story sucks, or that you shouldn't be writing short stories.

[Baldwin]

I've collected a few rejections; never fun getting one, but at least it means you're in the game. Short stories aren't really my forte (assuming I have one).

Are you saying that short stories aren't your forte because you've collected "a few" rejections? Just because you haven't found your market yet doesn't mean your short story sucks, or that you shouldn't be writing short stories.

No, that's based on several decades of experience. If I achieve anything, it'll be in longer forms.

[featherlou]

I just wanted to say that I keep thinking this thread is, "The Get Off Your Ass and Get Something Done" thread. Which is also good advice.