The First of Many…
by JM
I’m sure this is going to be just the first of many posts along my way to trying to get published. In deciding to take this leap, I’ve already come across many questions:
Do I submit here (Australia) or do I go for the larger American market? Or both?
Do I want to just go with one manuscript, or should I try simultaneous submissions? (Which is another issue because a lot of companies won’t accept simultaneous submissions while others will.)
Do I want to try to submit unsolicited, or should I try to get an agent?
How much of my manuscript(s) is enough to “accurately portray your tone and the direction of your story”?
Rye or wheat? 
Anyway, and so it begins.
publishing, fiction publishing, submissions, agents, fiction writing
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December 2nd, 2006 at 12:41 am
“Rye or wheat?”
Wry.
December 2nd, 2006 at 2:35 am
My 0.02?
1. Why not go for both. Where’s the harm? If you try for just one or the other, you could miss out on your big break.
2. I would personally go with simultaneous submissions because that way you’re not just waiting on one agent/publisher for weeks or months, you’re waiting on a bunch, and I don’t know, I just think it’s more…useful, to be honest.
3. The big publishers won’t take a look at unagented manuscripts. Besides, to get an agent is in and of itself a kind of achievement…it says that SOMEONE out there has enough faith in your stuff to be willing to try to find it a home with a publisher. My recommendation, then, would be to try for an agent. If that fails, either go back and work through your MS to see if you can figure out what’s wrong with it. Some agents are very good at giving out little pointers, others just send out form letters. Either way, rejection, while it hurts, can be useful in helping you to hone your stuff. Or you could go to a smaller publisher, but there, you run the risk of no one ever seeing a copy of the thing except you, your family, and your close friends.
Wow. That turned out to be a lot longer than I thought it would. heh.
December 2nd, 2006 at 2:40 am
And then I neglected to give a comment your last question.
From what I’ve read, agents tend to say either the first three chapters, or the first fifty pages. Of course, you’ll also need to write a synopsis first, in your initial query letter, and that’ll be what gets your foot in the door or not, so that’s got to be a hell of a piece of writing in and of itself. heh.
December 2nd, 2006 at 3:34 am
Dear Jamie,
Congratulations on embarking on this new step toward making your dreams come true. I think it’s great that you are taking the time to weigh all your options. It is an important decision. Your work is art and is precious, it is one of a kind. I look forward to knowing what decision you come to. Trust in your heart and you will always make the best decision. This is a quote by me! *:)
“The only difference between those who are successful and those who are not are that the successful people just went forth and did something, risked and made their dreams come true.”
Best wishes.
-Liane Schmidt
http://www.artistspassion.com
December 3rd, 2006 at 5:21 am
Dana - Hehehe.
Bethany - Good pieces of advice and good points. Thanks
(Actually, my last question was rye or wheat. ;))
Liane - Thank you so much for your faith and I’ll be sure to keep everyone updated when I make progress.