Submissions - Page 3

Can Online Critiquing Hurt My Pub Chances?

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Dear Editor…

Will posting my pb manuscript on online discussion boards for peer critiques hurt my chances of publication?  I have commented on several on SCBWI’s discussion board, but always hesitate.  What are the pros and cons of this?

Sincerely,

Wendy

Dear Wendy….

Editors and agents don’t care if your material has been posted in online critique forums. In fact, some publishers are actively searching for unknowns online, as evidenced with publisher-founded writing communities such as Authonomy (HarperCollins) and the brand new Book Country (Penguin; see today’s Publishers Weekly). But don’t post in online critique communities with the goal of being “discovered.” No one can attest to the odds of that happening or even to the likelihood that publishing companies can realistically maintain such a communal ideal. Post because you seriously want critiques and you seriously intend to give them. Because when all is said and done, the reason such forums exist is to serve your very real need for constructive, objective input on your writing. Before you commit to any critique community, follow it for a bit to get a feel for the quality of participants’ criticism. Then work to build relationships within that community that are built on respect, dependability, and trust.

Happy writing!

The Editor

Feeling Tense about Tense in Synopses

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Dear Editor…

What tense should be used when writing a synopsis?  Does it matter what tense is used in the manuscript?

Sincerely,

Mary

Dear Mary…

The get-to-the-point answer: Regardless of which tense you use within your manuscript, your synopsis should be written in present tense.

The nifty technical-mumbo-jumbo answer: Characters and events in fiction exist in an eternal Now called the literary present. Thus, any writing (such as a synopsis) that describes a piece of fiction should be written as if the events are happening now, this very moment—in present tense.

Happy writing!

The Editor

Mention Series Potential in Query Letter?

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Dear Editor…

I have written a middle grade fantasy novel that could be the first in a series. Is it a good idea to mention the series potential in queries?

Sincerely,
Heather

Dear Heather…

Only mention series potential if you’ve developed a full series and that’s how the project must be contracted. Don’t complicate matters; if this story can stand alone, let agents/editors fall in love with it before you go into all the other things it can become. There’ll be plenty of time for that discussion later.

Happy writing!

The Editor

Submitting on Your Own When You Have an Agent

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Dear Editor…

I have an agent who has submitted my novel to all her connections. I would like to pursue sending it out to some smaller publishers now.  Should I start sending it out on my own with a note to inform them I do have an agent? What do you think I should do about this?

Thanks for your help!

Amy

Dear Amy…

There’s no need to mention your agent to the publishers if you’re the one doing the researching and submitting. Just have a conversation with your agent about the situation before you proceed. That’s necessary for your professional relationship—and you may need to put something in writing to address language about “next published work” in your agency contract. If the agent still wants to be part of this gig, then work out an agreement for this one book where you do the legwork and the agent makes the contact and negotiates the contract for a smaller percentage of your royalty. I’ve personally seen that scenario, with all parties happy about it. It’s professional and fair to all.

Happy writing!

The Editor

Help with Hooks

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Dear Editor…

I am having trouble with query letters. Any tips on writing an awesome tagline or hook? I’ve recently started my second project and I already have that hook down. But my first eludes me, I think I may be too close to it. Please help!

Danielle

Dear Danielle…

Don’t try to nail “awesome” on the first try. As with a story itself, awesome hooks are built through multiple drafts. Start by drafting a pretend CIP summary line. That’s the utilitarian description of a story that appears in the CIP data on a novel’s copyright page. CIP summaries always state the main character, that character’s situation/conflict/goal, and specific details that distinguish the story from all the others in the library—such as era, age of the protagonist, location, that sort of thing. CIP summaries are bland but good at pinning down the details that give each story its unique context. When you’ve nailed that one key element that really makes your story different from the others in its genre, then you can get funky. Rework the wording to emphasize that core distinguishing element, making it tempting, surprising, or in some way intriguing. You’ve struck “awesome” when you can intrigue your hook reader.

Happy writing!

The Editor

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