Many authors dream of selling a story or poem to a professional market, although sometimes it seems impossible. Earlier this month, I went to a panel discussion about professional genre fiction markets with award-winning authors, editors, and publishers.
Devour the wise words of Charlene Challenger, David Clink, Troy Harkin, Sandra Kasturi, Shirley Meier, and Ira Nayman.
Getting Started
Every successful author and poet began with one word. Dreams of becoming a published author are all find and good, but how do you make those dreams a reality?
- Co-write with another author who has already been published
- Accumulate a solid portfolio with small press and magazines
- Network as often as you can
- Attend writing conferences and workshops
- Write what excites you
- Always be writing, finishing, and submitting
- Persevere and continue to improve your craft as you pursue your dream
And a little bit of luck never hurts! When I can bottle it for you, you’ll be the first to know!
Before You Query
After achieving your SMART goals, it’s time to review your first draft. Have you developed your authentic voice? Does your manuscript reach your target audience? If it does, then you’re off to a great head start.
Agents and editors read thousands of manuscripts a year. Within the first few pages, if not the very first page, they know whether or not your novel fits their publishing mandate. Once past the “slush” pile, a manuscript undergoes further scrutiny. Publishing companies only print a limited number of titles per year, so it’s vital that you submit your best work. Don’t give them a reason to say, “No,” to your manuscript.
Be sure your story’s details are fact-checked before you submit. Have your manuscript reviewed by beta readers and an editor for stylistic content. Make it as error-free and complete as possible. Consider using a sensitivity reader if you write characters who belong to a social or cultural group different from your own. If your first chapter doesn’t have a polished hook and premise, you’re not going to get past the slush pile.
Querying and Submitting
The #1 rule for success in querying and submitting is “Always Read The Submission Guidelines.” Exceptions to a rule are just that. You may have a great book on your hands, but don’t assume a publisher will ignore your disregard of their submission guidelines. Have the first three chapters complete and available for immediate review; preferably the entire book.
Research the agent, editor, or publisher that you’re submitting to. Be sure that your manuscript is what they’re looking for. Starting off a query letter with a statement like, “I don’t know if you’re going to like this genre,” or “I know you don’t usually publish this kind of book,” is tantamount to an automatic rejection. A kidlit publisher isn’t going to buy a supernatural horror. Neither is a sci-fi publisher.
Formatting makes a difference. If the publisher posts formatting guidelines for submission, use them! Otherwise, follow industry standards for novel manuscripts. If an agent or editor has two manuscripts of equal quality of content, and one has crappy formatting, they are more likely to buy the one with correct formatting because it’s less work (therefore less costly) for them to correct.
Writing may be your calling, but publishing is a business. With so many authors submitting, why set yourself at a disadvantage right from the get-go? And, if you can’t follow posted guidelines, the agent, editor, or publisher may think you’re difficult to work with. That may make them uneasy about hiring you as an author.
Word Count
Ira Nayman shared a “slush pile” story with the audience. Amazing Stories magazine has a strict word count. His team returned a story that exceeded the word count by “that much.” Apparently, the author took exception and wrote back stating that it was not his intention to make his art conform to an arbitrary number.
Word counts are important for both independent and traditional publishers. Every word authors write costs money.
It costs the author money in sweat equity to write them. The more time you spend writing, the less time you spend doing all the other things you need to do for your biz. Books cost more to print when there are more words on each page. Certain genres, like YA, have a lower price point, so their books have to be shorter to be economically viable for the publisher.
Many times, well-meaning helpers in public writers’ groups say, “The story is as long as it needs to be.” That may be true, but only in a first draft. If you’re a “big deal” writer with a huge following who throws money at you, fair enough. Most writers aren’t.
Respect the word count of your guidelines and your market. Be rigorous. Cut out what doesn’t move the story forward and the superfluous words taking up space. Deleted content may be re-purposed in another project.
Rejections
Once you submit, be patient. It may take publishing houses weeks or months to get through all of their submissions and reply to you. The sheer volume of submissions they receive means they don’t have the time to send personal notes with editorial commentary on your material if they don’t want to buy it. If you do get a personalized rejection, take the note or suggestion, improve upon your raw material, and submit elsewhere.
Arguing with the person who doesn’t want to buy your story won’t get you anywhere.
Rejections go hand in hand with writing. Step aside from the romanticism and brace yourself for the tough part of the industry. If you set all your hopes and dreams on one written work, believing with all your heart that what you’ve made is the best thing in the world, you may fall hard upon the rejection nail.
Charlene Challenger said, “Your book is not your soul; it is a product.” Find a way to separate your joy of the art from the struggles of the biz. There are many reasons why a manuscript isn’t picked up, including the luck of the draw. Developing a thick skin is a necessity not only for the turn-downs, but also for bad or unfavourable reviews after publication. In reality, not everyone will love your work.
Strive To Improve
Writing is an art form. Successful writers build upon feedback from critical readers, fellow writers, and publishing professionals. Seek input from people whom you admire and who have reached a point in the industry where you want to be.
Be judicious about that feedback yes, but there’s a general rule of thumb that if several people point out the same error, they may have it right and you may have it wrong. On the flip side, if you feel that something in your manuscript needs to be left the way it is, try it on the market and see how it will be received. Your instinct may be right.
Read outside your genre. Read everything. Try new material. Take a break from time to time. Seek ways to elevate your craft and improve your skills.
Find Community
Writing is a lonely endeavor. Networking with other writers may validate your “why.” Within a supportive writing community, authors refuel their creative tank and make key connections. That’s often where that most mysterious of entities, Luck, lies.
Don’t be afraid of joining a writers’ group and sharing your story. As Sandra Kasturi said, “No one is going to steal your idea, because they think their idea is better.”
Get more insights from industry professionals like Charlene Challenger, David Clink, Troy Harkin, Sandra Kasturi, Shirley Meier, and Ira Nayman care of Your Author Strategy on Facebook. Follow the page for the latest information.