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sisgal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 05:31 pm: | 
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Published authors, chime in if you will...
As an aspiring writers we accept that rejection letters are a part of the process. And I have to say that I gained valuable knowledge in someone elses critique, suggestions and analysis of my writing. What boggles my mind is this...though the positive outweigh the negative, I haven't got a deal. And two, some of these reputable publishing houses and agents, represent and publish some of the worst junk, and authors we list on our WORST list. So what does that say about there judgement, critique, suggestions? Do you have know someone? Know someone that knows someone? I ain't giving up (yeah I said ain't, cuz i'm really feeling my moniker right now and sister-gal ain't taking this lying down. I will continue to revise, query and submit, until hell, until I'm published.
But please, what's your take on the market, acquisition of new books, agents and how they select. It's obviously not all about a good book...right, bc there are too many bad books being published.
holla |
sisgal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 05:36 pm: |
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Oh yea, excuse the mispelled words, or grammar mistakes. I'm out of editing mode... |
Daghammerskold
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 06:17 pm: |
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What's your email address Sisgal?
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Daghammerskold
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 06:18 pm: |
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Also...exactly what kind of books do you write?
I assume they're about black people, but what genre?
Why haven't you self-published to get the attention of the big publishers?
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sisgal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 06:35 pm: |
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I write mystery/suspense for and about black people, yes. I not too long ago went the self-publish route with a childrens book. To summ it up, it was a bad experience.
After revising my childrens book, I gained the attention of a small publisher for it, so I am happy about that. The mystery, gets alot of attention. I guess the hook is great, just have problems sinking them or an agent for that matter.
You can reach me at sisgal_79@blackplanet.com |
sisgal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 07:25 pm: |
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Thank you Daghammerskold! |
Sis E
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 07:41 pm: |
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Sisgal, I sent you an email, too, just now. |
sisgal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 07:49 pm: |
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Thanks Sis E,
I got it! |
Linda
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 08:49 pm: |
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I know how you feel Sisgal. As a reviewer I know many of the agents, publishers, etc. But that has done little for getting picked up. I self-published Althea and released it last March. Though sales continue they have not really made me jump for joy. It's hard, but like you I will keep on keeping on and hoping and writing. Somebody is gonna want us one day! *LOL* |
sisgal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 09:44 am: |
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Thanks Linda for your input as well. I know it's going to be alright, and yeah, one day they will be banging down our doors, all the more reason for us to keep on keeping on and write more GOOD books! |
Chris Hayden
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 11:33 am: |
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Sisgal:
I may have the largest collection of rejection notices from magazine editors, book editors, publishers and agents in the world (or maybe I just think so)
Like you said, it is all part of the game. It is like with Professional Wrestlers--the first thing they learn is how to fall and the first thing writers seeking publication have to learn is how to take rejection--they should teach courses in this.
I have gotten all kinds of takes on it--I believe John Gardner stated that all editors are crazy and that writers should resist any inclination to think well of them. Having done some editing I have to temper this.
There are all kinds of reasons for rejecting work--too short, too long, just published the same thing, don't get it, don't like it, don't fit the mold I want, didn't like the envelope it was sent in, etc etc etc.
Don't worry about who else gets published or how they get published. Feel good for them. just concentrate on yourself (maybe try to contact them and ask them what is the secret or can they put in a good word for you).
I know you know the stories of how many times Harry Potter was rejected, how many times Tom Clancy and Stephen King were rejected, how Hemingway and Whitman had to self publish, etc. Doesn't do much for you when you are getting rejected and something you think is drek is on the shelves but that is the breaks.
When you get your break there will be those that will say the same about you, I assure you.
It is a crapshoot. It is all about timing and about contacts and networking. Just keep on and keep trying to broaden those contacts.
I have consoled myself with the true fact that, had my earliest efforts been published, I would have had a lot to live down right now. |
Chris Hayden
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 12:01 pm: |
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Sisgal:
I went away and thunk on it some more.
Another thing too is if you can't get the home run right away, go for the bunts--what I mean is, pile up those publication credits by any means necessary. Put short stories in those regional or small or local journals, publications and newspapers. Do book reviews. Do record reviews. If you write poems do them. Put them on the internet--though you shouldn't put everything you got on. Do letters and proposals or brochures or ads for people.
Get out to readings and meet authors and other writers. Get in workshops or writing groups.
It is doing it the hard way, but it seems to me that unless you got a name up front (a la those fine fiction craftsmen Newt Gingrich, Jimmy Carter and Sarah Ferguson) or you have come through the Iowa MFA program it is a tough row to hoe. |
Cynique
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 12:07 pm: |
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I have nothing to add to what has already been written, sisgal, except to say that in keeping your eye on the prize, don't let the glitter of financial gain blind you. Keep the faith. |
sisgal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 01:04 pm: |
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Chris,
Thank you as well for your input...I agree wholeheartedly to what you have said. I read somewhere that rejection letters come in many forms, (like you said above, and I have over time received probably a sample of all of the above)but was advised to take notice when your rejections are more detailed, with suggestions and tidbits, encouragement and praise. I am happy to have reached this point in my writing (the revising, editing, whatever is doing some good, but no cigar. So, I do know where you are coming from, and appreciate your advice. This was not to berate other writers or their works, but as a newcomer to this industry; I was perhaps trying to understand the process better. Alot of us just don't know what takes place, the decision process, etc. All I hear from are agents, and editors, publishers, who I think sometimes speak in forked tongues, but mean well. Another author related to me offline that it took her 8 years to publish a book, and she has dealt with her share of upsets, letdowns but wouldn't change what she loves to do for nothing. And Cynique, it is not so much, financial gain...I write, so others may one day read what I write, to share. So, I'm not necessarily looking for the 6 figure deal, 1,2, or 3 figure, I just want to be published, but on the same token, I want it to be good. A dancer dreams of performing, a writer wants to be read.
Oh and Chris, good advice about the short storie and other publication credits...I will be looking into this as well.
Thanks to all |
Chris Hayden
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 01:22 pm: |
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Thanx Sisgal:
I have been told that when you start getting comments on the rejections you are at least making am impression and possibly also creating a market for future or revised work. |
Cydney
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 05:48 pm: |
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I think the key word is saleable, even if the novel is horrible, is it saleable-horrible? |
Anita
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 10:47 pm: |
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Sisgal:
Try applying for a grant from your local arts council/commission. I scan the book jackets of lots of published authors and many receive grants and fellowships from various organizations. Give it a shot.
You are not alone. Lots of us are tapping away at the keyboard in hopes of being published. Hang in there. :-) |
Always Lurking
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 09:25 am: |
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I feel you Sisgal. I am going through the same thing. I also tried the self-pub route but it didn't work out for me. I went POD and really didn't know a whole lot about publishing, let alone POD. My questions in relation to this is, whether or not it is a “don't” to resubmit to the same publishers, maybe a few months down the line. I refuse to give up as well even though I have enough rejec lets to wallpaper my house. |
ABM
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 01:03 pm: |
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To be fair, I should preface the following by saying that I am neither a professional writer, editor, publisher, nor anything else in the book dealing biz. I look at the plight of the professional writer purely from the perspective of an outsider. So think of and do with the following what you will.
With the advent of the ubiquitous personal computer, word processing, desktop publishing and now even book writing software; there are more people who are trying to write/publish books and articles than EVER before. Consequently, I'll bet the average editor receives +10 the number of unsolicited submittals, as did his/her predecessors.
Conversely, publishers are being bought out by multi-media conglomerates who can give 2 Fig Newtons as to the quality/merit of ANY book if they can't foresee that said book will not only generate a huge return, but also a return that will contribute to what is reported on their VERY NEXT 10-Q report.
And what further worsens the situation for the writer is the potent mega-book stores are every bit as mercenary, who are as every bit as mercenary as the multi-media conglom's, will only stock and aggressively market books that they project out to be big moneymakers.
I said that to say, I think the old model for getting publish for even the very best writer is virtually dead.
Yes, there are a few literary evergreens whose fame has grown to such proportion that they could skillfully wield the intimate details of their most recent colon-rectal exam in to a NY Times Best Seller (e.g., King, Clancey, Grisham, and Black version of such would be Harris, McMillian, Dickey, etc.) And there will always of will always be a few authors that come from outtah nowhere to great fame/fortune.
But by-n-large, for +99% for even the best writers, their books will never see the light of day, much less make a Best Seller list. And the sooner writers understand and accept that, the more quickly you can begin to engender for yourselves a more effective book selling apparatus.
Self-publishing is a part, but not all of the solution. I recommend that small/independent authors consort together to help edit/publish/distribute not only their own books, but also those of others. You should combine your talents in a manner similar to that of CPAs, attorneys, physicians, and architect.
Because maybe some one in your group is a peerless (but hopefully 'kind') editor, perhaps another has marketing skills commensurate with those of Walt Disney, and maybe another has savvy negotiating skills. A partnership would mutually allow you do what you alone can not.
And I would also recommend you bring into the fold non-writers into the consortium. Invite attorneys, CPA's, teachers and certainly any/everyone who's got cash they are willing to invest. Non-writers might to only help to broaden the skill-set, they might also help maintain some sense of ‘realism’ in the projects that writers can (understandably) loose (as they peck away alone at 2 AM on a Saturday nite).
Of course, the lionshare of an author's book royalties would be given to her or him. But a portion of their royalties would go into the general profit fund of the consortium I am thinking maybe an 80-20% split between the author/consortium.) that would be distributed equally or as the consortium agrees to. And I would even recommend a similar shared pay distribution for speaking engagements, certain teaching assignments, periodical and speech writing assignments, and other revenue sources authors may enjoy.
And as the consortium grows in power/esteem, you could use that collective might to garner more leverage with book/magazine publishers/dealers.
I know that there is likely an inherent/natural uneasiness about sharing what one is writing and is earning (or NOT earning) with other authors. Thus, in any such arrangement, the author should retain final/primary control over his/her work. But perhaps by working together, rather than alone, writers can shore up each others weaknesses and leverage each others strengths in ways that make getting published more possible...and lucrative.
I am actually surprised that few (if any) authors work together in this manner. But I can't help feeling as though I am missing a major part of the issue, here. So as I said before, please do with this as you will. |
sisgal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 04:49 pm: |
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Thank you ABM, nice work, and lovely suggestions. I don't know either why authors don't work together? What is with that? This something I also considered, as well as establishing our own very profitable and successful Publishing company...the Motown, S0-SO Def, etc..of book publishing. Rappers do it all the time, why can't we?
Always lurking..Hang in there! WE can do this. Anita, you too!
I'm feelin motivated right now, Thanks everyone! |
Michael T. Owens
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 11:45 pm: |
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"Saleability" is one of the key factors that determine your publishing success. However, before your manuscript even makes it to the "reading" stage, you must have good presentation. When I say presentation, I mean start with an excellent query letter. Make it short, sweet, informative, and captivating. As a few have said here, you'll want to bolster your writing credentials. I suggest writing for local community papers first. Also, make sure you are sending your material to the proper publishing house. You'd be surprised at how many aspiring authors of let's say, romance, send their material to a house that specializes in Sci Fi or Westerns (for example), and then wonder why they never respond. Pinpoint publishers who specialize in what you're writing. This will increase your chances of getting "picked up". It does help if you have connecitons or affiliations to certain groups but it is not mandantory. The bottom line is an editor, agent, publisher, etc., wants to know: Will this manuscript make money? Use those rejections slips as fuel to move forward, perfect your craft, and write, write, write. When you hit the big times....send me an autographed copy! LOL
Michael T. Owens
http://www.michaeltowens.com
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Anita
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 10:34 pm: |
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Sisgal:
Here are two links to writing fellowship programs. There are lots of fellowships around, but these two are highly recommended for emerging writers.
http://www.fawc.org/
http://www.stanford.edu/dept/english/cw/fellowship.html |
A_womon
Newbie Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 02, 2004 - 01:39 pm: |
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I hope this thread is still open. suppose you send a query letter to a publisher along with one page sample of your work and then the publisher requests your entire manuscript, can you still recieve a rejection letter? |
Sisg
Newbie Poster
Username: Sisg
Post Number: 9
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 03, 2004 - 09:10 am: |
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Yep! Sure can. But don't worry, it happens to the best of us! Use the advice given above and continue to go for it!
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A_womon
Newbie Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 5
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 03, 2004 - 06:15 pm: |
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sisg,
thanks for the response, however, I have not been rejected yet. I managed to get my manuscript in front of a very high profile hollywood actress, who has been very gracious, so far. How long did it take to receive the rejection letter, more than 30 days? |
Sisg
Newbie Poster
Username: Sisg
Post Number: 11
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 04, 2004 - 04:03 pm: |
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You knows times vary...sometimes they have suggestions, sometimes they may want you to change some things, rework some things...or they may say, not for us, not good enough, not what i'm looking for... of course the responses vary, as well as the time they respond. It all depends on the publisher, editor, agent. Good Luck! |
A_womon
Newbie Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 15
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 04, 2004 - 06:03 pm: |
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thank you sisg! If i have any luck, i will share my story with you of how I got my manuscript read by this person. It was a comedy of errors, but hey, she does have the manuscript so that is a good thing, right?
Would you care to swap writing samples of your work with me? |
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