tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post5005703994984778542..comments2024-03-29T05:45:39.184-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: How to Design Your Submission PackageDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-23047391158800628312013-02-27T15:50:52.330-07:002013-02-27T15:50:52.330-07:00Thank you, Kathryn.
Ed PeoplesThank you, Kathryn.<br /><br />Ed PeoplesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-29423687384991646692013-02-27T12:10:32.170-07:002013-02-27T12:10:32.170-07:00Anonymous: If you have a compelling reason to rema...Anonymous: If you have a compelling reason to remain anonymous, so be it! I'm not the owner of the blog, granted, but I'm happy to share our knowledge and resources with you and appreciate a fine conversation with other writers. Of course it's also fun to get to know one another, but you're right—the option to remain anonymous exists. The popularity of our blog attracts an awful lot of spam, though, as Dani said, so we apologize in advance if your comments get swept up in the housekeeping process!Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-6510560075360975652013-02-27T07:10:32.497-07:002013-02-27T07:10:32.497-07:00aka - Edward Peoples
If anonymous comments are co...aka - Edward Peoples<br /><br />If anonymous comments are considered spam why is there an option to comment as such? I apologize for the intrusion into your blog site. I had hoped to gain some potentially valuable guidance here, but I do not wish to incur the disdain of anyone.<br /><br />Quiet, Ed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-66242042728971638352013-02-26T17:58:24.666-07:002013-02-26T17:58:24.666-07:00Hey Donna, thanks for your comment. We hear all th...Hey Donna, thanks for your comment. We hear all the time that we need micro tension on each page of our manuscripts—how much more true that is if all the reader will see is a few lines!Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-1863889048981356402013-02-26T17:32:14.705-07:002013-02-26T17:32:14.705-07:00As the owner of this blog, I do wish people who po...As the owner of this blog, I do wish people who post as Anonymous would sign their names - at least the first name. I think we'd all appreciate that, if for no other reason than to make it easier for those of us who visit the blog daily to check and delete the Anonymous spam. ~ DaniDanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-68991049219569026522013-02-26T17:19:33.734-07:002013-02-26T17:19:33.734-07:00Kathryn, I love this line: An arc has spring and ...Kathryn, I love this line: An arc has spring and snap. Also, how each sentence must build on the last to hook the agent. This tip is key advice here especially in your manuscript's sample pages: Using the conventions of your genre. This speaks to the work we need to do in writing our book. We must know our genre and the elements that are part of that genre, even while having a unique tale. For no matter the query hook or synopsis, if it's not written with its audience in mind then the writer has failed to draw on all his tools! I learned this from you :) And I know, from experience, that this is an ongoing learning experience and I have to read my genre to write it.DonnaGalantihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16936331145444649588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-59936503991627309752013-02-26T15:24:23.095-07:002013-02-26T15:24:23.095-07:00To Larry: I didn't mean to ruffle your feath...To Larry: I didn't mean to ruffle your feathers but you did point out that this is a site written "BY" editors, so I thought you might appreciate a heads up on your typo. I gather that I was mistaken. A "perfectionist" I am not. Nor am I an editor. May the rest of your day be pleasant.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-5188498531865237562013-02-26T15:18:54.384-07:002013-02-26T15:18:54.384-07:00Dani I agree that digital submissions are great. T...Dani I agree that digital submissions are great. They're just sometimes "too" easy to send.<br /><br />As for your admonition that people should learn how to do this in a week vs mine to take your time and do it right: I think your suggestion is based on the fact that you have a polished manuscript with a tight structure ready to go. It is more my reality that in trying to distill her story, the author realizes it's not so easy—because that structure is often wobbly. This involves some back and forth between query/synopsis/ms until you are satisfied that you actually told the story you say you meant to.Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-89413504120091344482013-02-26T14:39:31.623-07:002013-02-26T14:39:31.623-07:00Frankly there are no drawbacks to digital submissi...Frankly there are no drawbacks to digital submissions, and after I complete the paper stack facing me now, I'm never accepting any paper submissions again. End of discussion. Here is my model for the perfect submission set-up:<br />http://adamsliterary.com/submitnow/submitnow.phpDanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-71327914591250479042013-02-26T14:35:52.036-07:002013-02-26T14:35:52.036-07:00Let me first state that I read a lot of "slus...Let me first state that I read a lot of "slush" - at the company I work for, we call this "the gold mine". I don't read the synopsis or the query at all, but immediately open the manuscript and read 5-10 pages. That tells me what genre and if it's right for this company, as well as the writing ability of the author. If both pass muster, I read more of the manuscript, but with a shift in focus to the actual story arc and character development. If I decline a manuscript (which is often the case), I scan the author bio and query so I can craft a personal response (hard to believe, I know) and if I think the boss will like the story, I read the supporting data so we can discuss the author's background, social marketing skills, etc. <br /><br />As far as putting together the submission package, my suggestion is all authors bite the bullet and develop the skills to do this in less than a week! That is, if you want to publish more than one book in your life, and possibly even earn some money at it. Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-53470625617126725422013-02-26T14:18:46.845-07:002013-02-26T14:18:46.845-07:00@Anonymous -- Touche. Or touchy, touchy. I'm n...@Anonymous -- Touche. Or touchy, touchy. I'm not blogging. Nor am I submitting a package. Moreover, caffeine deprivation is an acceptable excuse for even the most execrable of online errors. <br /><br />There are, of course, always typos, even after careful editing. I am so glad Kathryn, at least, took my "postal" thrashing with a smile.<br /><br />Incidentally, I could find a missing comma in my comment, but otherwise, for the informal usage of comments (not blogs or submission packages, of course), I am satisfied--yet open to be enlightened. Then again, I am not, like Anonymous, a perfectionist. Nor anonymous.<br /><br />As to you, Kathryn, your craft is magnificent, as always! Thanks for the good humored response.Larry Constantine (Lior Samson)http://www.amazon.com/author/liorsamson/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-20263969436348145182013-02-26T12:48:48.933-07:002013-02-26T12:48:48.933-07:00Great post! Very helpful. I've shared the link...Great post! Very helpful. I've shared the link on my on-line networks!Heidiwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593338979995203659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-21713419275672127892013-02-26T11:32:33.520-07:002013-02-26T11:32:33.520-07:00Christopher: In a word, yes. This is one drawback ...Christopher: In a word, yes. This is one drawback of digital submissions.Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-60509921683194382322013-02-26T11:28:14.361-07:002013-02-26T11:28:14.361-07:00Should I be concerned that agents and publishers h...Should I be concerned that agents and publishers have my submissions soaked in water before opening?Christopher Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667548312923348614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-70234482207320591742013-02-26T10:50:23.379-07:002013-02-26T10:50:23.379-07:00Meredith, your comment evokes gestation, which is ...Meredith, your comment evokes gestation, which is an apt comparison. Let it stew...revisit...let it stew...revisit.<br /><br />And unlike a real child, if the birth of your submission doesn't bear the expected fruit, you can pop it back in the think tank and revise and stew some more!Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-52121833164356080732013-02-26T10:47:17.665-07:002013-02-26T10:47:17.665-07:00This post comes at exactly the right moment for me...This post comes at exactly the right moment for me, Kathryn. I'm in month six on the synopsis (and think I've nailed the query after about a year), and even though a reader-partner has told me it's not ready, I've been pretending to myself that it is. Thank you for this posting!Meredith Rutterhttp://yoursinbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-1520618967457280802013-02-26T09:34:38.478-07:002013-02-26T09:34:38.478-07:00Kathryn, thank you for noting that self-pubbed aut...Kathryn, thank you for noting that self-pubbed authors need to be just as diligent about creating these materials as those who are seeking representation. The quality of the writing depends not on the publication method, but on the careful preparation of the writer -- and this includes creating a marketing package worthy of an agent's time and attention, even if an agent won't be reviewing it.<br /><br />Great post!Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06686488133905538811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-34010645067341993142013-02-26T09:34:25.735-07:002013-02-26T09:34:25.735-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06686488133905538811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-3295554209424025932013-02-26T09:27:34.237-07:002013-02-26T09:27:34.237-07:00So it seems everyone's on board with the fact ...So it seems everyone's on board with the fact that you have only a line or two to hook interest before your query is discarded. <br /><br />Recall the old saying (attributed to many but most probably started with Blaise Pascal) that goes something like: I would have written a shorter letter but didn't have the time. It takes time—and let's be truthful, considerable amount of introspection, analysis, and craft—to distill the essence of a thing. An inability to do so is one indication that you still aren't ready to market the book.<br /><br />For this reason, are you going to throw your first sentence away with "I am writing with the hope that you will be intrigued enough to offer me representation for my 90,000-word paranormal romance?"<br /><br />Didn't think so. They know why you're writing. Show them why they should write back!Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-63382730457602051032013-02-26T08:17:36.982-07:002013-02-26T08:17:36.982-07:00Thanks for another helpful post. I am so glad that...Thanks for another helpful post. I am so glad that you stressed that it takes time to get a submission package prepared. So often we finish a book and are so eager to make that first contact with an agent or editor, we dash off a query. I know I was guilty of that haste early on in my career. These marketing materials can be as challenging, or more so, than writing the book, but as you stated, it is well worth the time and effort to get them right. Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-45456558612760541502013-02-26T08:15:50.181-07:002013-02-26T08:15:50.181-07:00Thank you for explaining these marketing necessiti...Thank you for explaining these marketing necessities so concisely and cogently : ). Unfortunately, agents and editors only have time for the 30-second commercial rather than the 120-minute screenplay. Making those 30 seconds count is key.Diana Hurwitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-80416699043554079662013-02-26T07:25:02.783-07:002013-02-26T07:25:02.783-07:00Blurbs and query letters take a lot of effort and ...Blurbs and query letters take a lot of effort and real talent. They are not to be rushed over, that's for sure. <br /><br />Morgan Mandel<br />http://www.morganmandel.comMorgan Mandelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-13575250454732910322013-02-26T07:24:00.743-07:002013-02-26T07:24:00.743-07:00and Larry --you shouldn't be so hasty to corre...and Larry --you shouldn't be so hasty to correct Kathryn's grammar until you've checked for errors in YOUR editing. I'm sure you'll find it NOW. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-76160631415846623152013-02-26T07:19:33.809-07:002013-02-26T07:19:33.809-07:00Makes one wonder how many great books are left in ...Makes one wonder how many great books are left in slush piles. So shame on those whose job it is to READ submissions and do not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-26662518991590411572013-02-26T07:08:34.818-07:002013-02-26T07:08:34.818-07:00Early on, I got a copy of Noah Lukeman's "...Early on, I got a copy of Noah Lukeman's "The First Five Pages" and was so depressed I gave the book to a friend. Given the stack of submissions (one editor said her slush pile was two stacks of envelopes, each taller than she was, and she was 5'10") they're not looking for ways to help "not there yet" manuscripts. They're looking for a reason to get it off their desk.<br /><br />Another writing colleague said his brother worked for a small publishing company. On Mondays, everyone read queries/slush. EVERYONE. Even the janitor had the power to reject a submission.<br /><br />And what if your targeted agent doesn't want anything but a query? All the rest doesn't matter if you can't send it along.<br /><br />It's a tough business, and sometimes I think it's a crap shoot. Yet books do get represented and sold; it's a matter of timing and finding that perfect match. Having a quality product is a big part of the process.<br /><br />Terry <br /><a href="http://terryodell.com/terrysplace" rel="nofollow">Terry's Place</a><br /><br />Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.com