*smokes cig* Submitted for your Approval...

[wednes]

So...

I just sent out my query packet for a certain publishing house that a certain novel about a certain Hazel was written for. It's a simple story with some simple themes told in a way that I think (and my 3-5 regular readers may agree) is a clever and enjoyable read. Last time, I heard from these guys in just a few days, but they invited me to submit when I had something more "them." I presume this is not a reference to James Whitmore or giant ants!

I don't really understand why I'm not able to get published. I'm trying hard. My heart is in it. And everyone who reads my Sadie novel says things like "I couldn't put it down" or "man...the ending was so good." But publishing types see no such magic in my work. Is it because, like movie producers, they're just thinking of marketing strategies? Is it that my work is only "good" to people who don't read much and forgot books are awesome? Am I just being whiny and insipid? Anything is possible...

Anyway, I'm hoping for them to write back and ask to see the whole thing--since you only send out three chapters at this point. Even if they don't publish it, just having them want to read it would be better than not.

Have any of you had a submission sent back for changes? How does that work? Did you eventually get published? Do tell...

And now: leftover pasta. Mmmmm.

Comments

[gifgal.livejournal.com]

...what this 'sadie novel'? i'll give it a read! (that is, if you want to add another one to the 'i couldnt put it down list' hehe). wish i had connections and all to help you get EVERYTHING published girl!

but instead all i can offer is tacos

[wednes.livejournal.com]

LOL

Shoot me your Email and I'll send you a copy. Sadie is the subject of my 2004 NaNoWriMo novel. Last years NaNo needs a great deal of editing still...which I won't get to until Jan at the earliest. ;-[

thanks :)

[gifgal.livejournal.com]

sounds cool to me, thanks! whatmeow at the gmail dot comage :) no rush, just whenever you feel like it. i wont have time to sit and read for a few days :)

[itches]

'I don't really understand why I'm not able to get published. I'm trying hard. My heart is in it. And everyone who reads my Sadie novel says things like "I couldn't put it down" or "man...the ending was so good."'

As far as I can tell, trying hard, and being a good writer has about as much to do with getting published as it does with winning the lottery.

But I can be fairly cynical.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

I don't feel like beleiving that just yet. I mean, if passion, skill and perseverance mean nothing--then I'm just a big losery tool.

[roane.livejournal.com]

Don't believe it. If you haven't already, check out the archives on Teresa Nielsen Hayden's blog. She's a bigwig at Tor, and is pretty upfront about how the selection process there goes. Ditto arcaedia, who's an agent. TNH says that if you're not batshit crazy and are literate, you're already ahead of 90% of the submissions received. ;) Yes, there's an element of chance ("right story, right desk, right day"), but skill and passion and perseverance are all how you GET that chance.

Man, I am so impressed that you've gotten to novel submission stage. I can't seem to get past the first draft. Of course, if I actually WROTE now and then, it would probably help. :P

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Dude, I hope that's true. I really want to think that if I just keep at it that eventually the right person will see the value in my work. I honestly think my first novel would sell well.

Wait--did you say NOT batshit crazy?
Uh oh...

Thanks!

[roane.livejournal.com]

I've had short stories sent back for changes about three times. Once they eventually took it. The others they didn't, but it was a helpful experience anyway, because it improved the story each time.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

I think I might go insane if I make changes in a novel and they still don't take it. Grrrr...though I guess that's better than just saying 'NO'.

as I said..

[katharinakatt.livejournal.com]

As I said... start small. Maybe ebooks. Even better to find a ebook publisher that also does print. Its small, but once you're published you've got a foot in the door for bigger publishers.

Try double dragon ebooks.

Re: as I said..

[wednes.livejournal.com]

That's what I'm looking at now. They do mostly eBooks but some print if they sell well. I'd just like to have some publication credits so my search for an agent will (hopefully) go better.

Re: as I said..

[katharinakatt.livejournal.com]

I started with them, and 6 months later it went to print. Plus the staff is really nice and the payments are always on time.

[nate101000.livejournal.com]

Maybe you would have better luck getting published if you did throw some giant ants in. Maybe a freaky acid trip?

[wednes.livejournal.com]

That's absurd.

Next you'll be suggesting that eggs have emotions!

[nate101000.livejournal.com]

I don't think that we can definitively rule out the possibility.

[groovesinorbit]

Good luck with your submission! Definitely a clever and enjoyable read. They're silly fools if they think otherwise. : )

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Would that they agree.

I got a confirmation Email a few moments ago, so I should know in the next four weeks if they want to see more.

[groovesinorbit]

*crosses fingers* Here's hoping.