by Theresa Garee | Feb 3, 2020 | Blog, Write Now Columbus Essay Archives
The #1 Way to Improve Your Odds When Submitting Your Work – Write Now Columbus – February 2020
“You don’t close a sale, you open a relationship if you want to build a long-term successful enterprise.”—Patricia Fripp
Long before Depression Hates a Moving Target was published, and especially after, writers have asked me how to find an agent or publisher. Having submitted books and shorter works for publication, I have experience to share. I tailor my suggestions to each individual, depending on where they are in their career, what genre they write, and their personal goals.
But one bit of advice never varies.
If you want to get published, you have to know how to follow directions.
During the submission process, this means finding and following submission guidelines. Most agents and editors (as well as contests, competitions, and publications) provide specific, detailed guidelines on their websites explaining exactly what, where, and how to send your work. They are usually hidden (in plain sight) under a link titled “Submissions” but you might also find them on a contact page or similar link.
There is no “standard” submission process. One agent wants a query first. Another wants the first ten pages. An editor might want nothing short of a full book proposal from the get go, while another wants only the synopsis. Your job is to do your homework, figure this out, and give them exactly what they want.
Why is this so important?
It’s about developing a relationship.
Let’s assume you can write well all day long, have an interesting and marketable story, an author platform, and are lovely to look at. If you’re difficult to deal with, no one as busy as folks in the publishing industry have time for you. Failing to follow instructions is a red flag.
If, like me, you’re not fabulous at logistics, get help. Ask a more detail-oriented friend to look over your shoulder before you hit “send.”
These are not just hoops you must jump through. Your job is to make it easy for the publishing folks to say “Yes”—not only to your lovely work—but to you as the author, as someone with whom they look forward to working. Developing a great relationship from the outset will serve you well.
by Theresa Garee | Mar 3, 2018 | Blog
“The profession of book writing makes horse racing seem like a solid, stable business.” – John Steinbeck
Over the past year, I’ve slowly worked through my list of small or independent traditional publishers who do not require agents. I created this list using Querytracker.net and NewPages.com. I began with publishers who only require queries, then moved to those who wanted proposals and the full manuscript.
With each round of submissions, I received feedback. I revised then sent out more. Some publishers who suggested revisions asked to see the book after I made changes. I have sent those out as well.
This month I sent out the remaining submissions including the last set by snail mail. I had saved those for last because, quite frankly, they are painful. Now, I wait.
And, I nudge.
There are two schools of thought on nudging. Some folks think it’s a waste of time and annoys the publisher (or agent). I disagree. To my thinking, and based on the advice of my friends in publishing, emails get lost and editors (or agents) appreciate a nudge to remind them of a project they might have forgotten. I’ve had one editor say she never received my original submission. She still rejected it, but at least she saw it.
For those of you thinking of nudging, here are the guidelines I use:
1. First, recheck the publisher’s submission guidelines to make sure they don’t hate nudges!
2. If you’ve sent a query and have heard nothing in three or four months (again, check the submission guidelines for this), nudge. Things really do fall through the cracks or wind up in the spam filter.
3. If one editor offers to publish your book (or an agent offers to represent you), but there are other editors (or agents) you prefer more who still haven’t responded, definitely nudge the one you prefer! This hasn’t happened to me yet, but I’m crossing my fingers!
4. If the publisher (or agent) requested the partial or full manuscript, use the same guidelines as above.
5. If you have substantially revised the manuscript, nudge nudge nudge! This is my current position. I’m sending follow-up emails with the revised material.
6. And finally, if you receive a rejection, do not follow up unless the rejection comes after you have made revisions based on the editor’s feedback. And even then, I would hesitate to ask for additional feedback. Editors (and agents) are insanely busy. You will write more books. Do not risk alienating an editor or agent you might want to query with a future project.
So, how do you nudge?
I usually forward the original email I sent, but I change the subject line to read, “Follow-up on (query/submission/proposal)” with the book’s title in the subject line. Mine reads, “Follow-Up on Query: Twenty-Six Point Freaking Two.” Then, above the forwarded material, I write, “I’m following up to see if you’ve had an opportunity to look over the materials I sent on X date. I know how easy it is for emails to get lost. Thank you for your time.” If the material has been revised, I will mention that and attach it. Brief. To the point. Boom.
And then, I go do something else, you know, like write another book!
by Theresa Garee | Feb 27, 2009 | Blog
Terry Spaeth, Midwest Regional Editor of Grand Magazine sent this call for submissions:
Grand Magazine, an online ezine with a primary demographic of people that are grandparents, is soliciting articles for their upcoming issues. There are no strict submission guidelines. We are looking for articles about people or places that would strike a chord with our readers. Standard features on the site include: long-distance grandparenting, kinship care and grandparents’ rights, children’s health and development, intergenerational travel and reunions, family money, fun and games to do with your grandchildren, food and family gatherings, fashion, inspirations, grandchildren’s photographs and funny sayings. For a free look at the magazine go to: http://www.nxtbook.com/splash/grand2/ or go to www.grandmagazine.com. For more information or to submit an article, please contact the Midwest Regional Editor, Terry Spaeth at tspaeth@columbus.rr.com or 614-917-7435.
Be sure to tell them Nita sent you.