The submission process is hell!! - Writers Forum

cindyfreire · 08-25-2005, 01:14 AM

Hi everyone--I am currently in the process of pulling my hair out waiting for replies to the several queries I have sent out, as well as for replies from the two publishers I sent to (1 got the prologue and the first 3 chapters, while 1 publisher got only a query letter.

It is so hard--the waiting, I mean. I've become the proverbial writer who checks her mail everyday, religiously, in the hopes that something will be there, even though the response time has not expired yet. It drives me crazy. I know I will never give up and neither should anyone else who has a passion for words and the art of putting the right ones together for the duration of a novel.

By the way, anyone else out there who hates, with every fiber of their being and wishes for the abolishment of--QUERY LETTERS?????

Nickie · 08-25-2005, 06:05 AM

I don't like it either, but it's a phase you have to go through, Cindy! You just have to be patient and confident that you'll make it some day!

Nickie

midlandsmuse · 08-25-2005, 06:15 AM

Yeah that wait for a Yes or a No is awful.

One thing I also hate is the standard rejection letter. I know that time and money stops anything else but I so wish they could give just a couple of lines on why I missed out.

Julian_Gallo · 08-25-2005, 06:29 AM

It's something that you will get used to. Sometimes they take forever to respond. Sometimes, there are publishers and editors that won't respond at all. I submitted poetry to a whole list of magazines this year, some as far back as January and I still haven't received a response! (I'm assuming at this point that they weren't accepted, being that it's been nearly 9 months!) I also sent a portion of my novel to a publisher and it has been nearly 3 months and received no response at all...and a poetry book manuscript to another publisher--one who indicated to me it was all right to send it---and still haven't heard a word. That was about 3 months ago as well.

Yes, it's very frustrating but the only thing I would suggest is patience and to keep writing and sending other work out to other publishers and editors in the interim.

The submission process is hell!

leliathomas · 08-25-2005, 01:16 PM

Yes, this is very, very annoying, especially when they don't want simultaneous submissions, so you're left waiting on them.

I, too, hate query letters.

SilentRain · 08-26-2005, 09:39 PM

I would think Ive read this before- but what is the wait time on queries and submitting parts of your story- Im doing childrens' stuff... so Im not sure if thats different or not.

leliathomas · 08-26-2005, 10:05 PM

Generally, submissions guidelines tell you how long you can expect to wait. Many will say four to six weeks, and there are just as many that will say four to six months. It tends to depend on the publisher and the number of submissions they receive.

If the guidelines don't say anything, consider waiting three months and then sending a short letter asking for confirmation that they have received your submission or query.

Hope that helps.

SilentRain · 08-26-2005, 10:11 PM

Very good advice there- starr,

I was just curious- very good advice and thanks for answering my question

CFerroggiaro · 09-04-2005, 12:31 PM

The waiting gets easier and one day - there it is. It took me 4 - 6 months to get three replies, but it was worth it. Good luck to you.

mammamaia · 09-05-2005, 08:12 AM

"By the way, anyone else out there who hates, with every fiber of their being and wishes for the abolishment of--QUERY LETTERS?????"

...so, what do you suggest should take their place?

bobgelinas · 09-15-2005, 06:24 PM

Cindy,

You've discovered one of the best reasons in the world to have a good Literary Agent. Their job isn't simply to "mail and pray" - YOU can do that all by yourself, which obviously you've discovered.

A good Agent is considered "good" not just because they have a reasonable commission rate, but rather because of "who they know," specifically Editors and Publishers who will move their client's submissions to the top of the Slush Pile and consider them in advance of everyone who just threw something over the transom hoping for the best.

A good Agent will also get your work in front of Editors who will ONLY accept material from Agents and not directly from Authors, which tends to be the better houses. This is actually a very wise and efficient policy for Editors as it provides a layer of screening to filter out the trash and allows them to only consider viable commercial quality material.

Of course, the real Catch-22 of this whole situation is that if you don't have a Literary Agent, you'll still need to go through the query process to get one. But I can tell you that you'll have even better luck and faster response from Literary Agencies if you don't merely query them, but learn to write a strong Book Proposal. It's amazing how Agents become more receptive to authors that equip them with everything they need to sell the work.

And when you do get a response from an Agent expressing an intererst in representing you, be prepared to ask them some tough questions (asked with as much tact and diplomacy as you can muster):

1. Who do you know (Editor/Publisher) who is looking for material like mine? Or are you just planning on throwing it out there and hoping for the best?
2. Which houses do you work with the most?
3. What are the typical deal terms you're used to getting for your other clients?
4. How many total clients do you currently have and work with personally? (If the answer is a very big number, think about how much mind share you can look forward to; if it's a very small number, how much have they really done?)
5. Who are your top authors and how have their works done? This is really a reference question.

There's a dozen other similar questions, but the gist here is that a Literary Agent either has something of genuine value to bring to the table in this whole process, or they don't. That value will ultimately always be measured in terms of TIMELY ACCESS TO THE DECISION MAKERS. You need to know if they can really do that before making any commitments. There are too many fly-by-night agencies out there who look to make 10%-20% off anything that sells, but do nothing more than forward on what you send them -- which you could have done yourself for free.

I can tell you from personal experience, I have a few Agents I work with on a regular basis and for whom I have the utmost respect and trust, who if they call me and say, "Bob, I have something I know you're going to love. You told me last week you were looking for something like ... [XYZ] and I've got it." Sometimes contracts are being exchanged same-day. Sometimes I look at a synopsis and read a few chapters. The point is, it's happening at the top of my To-Do list, not waiting at the bottom of the Slush Pile.

Best,

mammamaia · 09-15-2005, 06:27 PM

good basic advice in re agents... but, of course to get an agent, you still have to write those dreaded query letters!

nethawk · 11-26-2005, 02:52 AM

I can relate. I'm in the process of finishing up a project that has been ongoing for the past ten years. Over 120 rejections in the first period six years ago. Round two is coming up - after two rewrites and a new chapter added. Much higher quality.

Now, here is another weapon you might consider in your arsenal...

Last year, deciding I needed another "advantage" in my favor when approaching agents, I decided to create a DVD movie of my book. It's full length is 00:58 minutes. In it I introduce myself, tell immediately what the book is about, and show my book (non fiction) as a story. I use a variety of graphics and original music tracks made by a friend (a professional musician). The end result is a direct hit in terms of generating interest in my material. Especially since my material is so controversial, any visual impetus I can provide agents with to take me on as a writer is welcome. I'm still waiting for the proofreader to get back to me regarding changes to the manuscript, but once it's done...watch out.

Even better: make a short film (no more than two or three minutes) about you and your book - perhaps include a short reading session. Either in DVD format or Quicktime (most professionals use Macs). This way, not only will agents get to see who you are and what you're like as a person, but it will give them an idea of your "market value" as an author.

I purchased Adobe Premiere Pro to make my movie, but lower end software such as Pinnacle or even the one that comes with XP might do too - especially if the product is going to be under three minutes.

Good luck. Don't let waiting for an answer make you lazy. You're in a war to get your name known. Use all weapons at your disposal.

mammamaia · 11-26-2005, 10:58 AM

sorry, but that's just a waste of time, energy, and money, imo... agents don't have time to look at gimmicks like that and won't think highly of new writers who indulge in them... it's more likely to make the recipient dump your submitted query/ms in the round file without even opening it, than to make them want to read it...

not good advice to be giving beginners... it doesn't give anyone any idea of your 'market value'... only shows one's amateur status and total lack of knowledge of how the agency and publishing worlds work... the only thing that will make you attractive as a WRITER, is how WELL you WRITE!... not how many gimmicks you can come up with, to be 'noticed'...

nethawk · 11-27-2005, 11:55 AM

Uh...I beg to differ. I spoke personally with three agents (2 in the states, one in Canada - ones not representing the genre I write in) and each one said that as long as it was short and concise, the video is an excellent idea. One even suggested posting the video online on my website, so...