Comments on: Writing Excuses Episode 13: Submitting to Editors Part 2

By: Dan Wells

Dan Wells — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:29:49 +0000

1. Do I need an agent?
Absolutely. Agents are an author’s best friend in the entire world. Check Preditors & Editors, check this link: http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2005/01/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about.asp
and so on.

2. If the publisher makes me an offer is that when I should query an agent or should I do so now?
Go ahead and get one now. You won’t have to pay them until you get a deal anyway, so you might as well, PLUS a good agent will be able to tell at a glance if this is a legitimate deal and a good idea.

3. I’ve done a lot of research on this: is this as bizarre as it seems?
Yes and no.
An editor’s job is to publish good writing that they think people will want to read. If this editor thinks you fit the bill, then that makes perfect sense. Just because it hardly ever happens doesn’t mean it can’t.

4. I’m sure I’m missing something, which is why I bow to your superior wisdom.
Well done, my young padawan. I hope I’ve been helpful to some degree.

By: AD Forest

AD Forest — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:55:54 +0000

First off, I love this podcast, and the chemistry you have with each other gives me hope for peace between all members of mankind. I usually listen within hours of it going up. I have read all of Brandon’s books since I discovered who he was off of dragonmount (Alcatraz was my favorite, I read it aloud to my baby sister in a Shrek voice to our mutual delight), and I’ve been steadily working my way through Schlock. I’m looking forward to reading Dan’s book.

Now that I’ve shared my love for all of you, I have a very weird situation and I was hoping that you could help me sort it out. I’m 23 and I authored a blog for a while that garnered me a small (think 8 point font) amount of internet celebrity and a publisher has contacted me wanting to know if I would like to write a book.

I’ve checked out the credentials and everything is legitimate. Real publisher, real editor, actual books on actual shelves. She told me she would have to clear me with her boss, but left me with the impression that I was probably going to be published. I’ve submitted what she wanted (a sample of short stories I had written) and she seems happy with them, although I haven’t gotten an official green light yet. I wanted to ask you questions early in the process because I don’t want to make any mistakes that would jeopardize my chances.

My question are as follows:

1. Do I need an agent? If that’s too simplistic please dress me down and scold me, while educating me in the process.

2. If the publisher makes me an offer is that when I should query an agent or should I do so now?

3. I’ve done a lot of research on this: is this as bizarre as it seems?

4. I’m sure I’m missing something, which is why I bow to your superior wisdom.

Although science fiction and fantasy have always been my first love, I write narrative non-fiction if that changes anything.

Thanks a million.

By: Guerry

Guerry — Thu, 08 May 2008 07:30:51 +0000

I enjoyed last week’s podcast with the fun/painful stories, as well as good meat to chew on. However, this week’s was the main course for me. For a new writer like myself, it was refreshing to hear that there are editor-friendly ways to build relationships and contacts. So much that is out there about subbing novels is the blind submission approach, which seems, well, not very efficient.

Good stuff all! Thanks for everything Stacy!

By: stacy

stacy — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:19:33 +0000

Sorry haven’t responded. I’ve been in Atlanta at a trade show all week, and just this morning remembered that the second half went up today! I’m afraid I have to run out to the show right now, too, but I wanted to let anyone with questions know that I’ll try to get to them Friday or over the weekend. Thanks for the great comments!

By: Mike Barker

Mike Barker — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:27:12 +0000

And a summary of sorts

http://mbarker.livejournal.com/69712.html

By: Conyngham

Conyngham — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:31:57 +0000

Jen: Researching editors and agents can probably come at any point. It’s a part of being market savvy, which, as the podcast discussed, is a wonderful thing to be. If you’re watching the market and keeping an eye on where books like yours come from, then you’ll have an idea of the editors and agents to approach when you have a manuscript that’s ready.

As far as when to approach them, I’m defnintely no expert, but I’d personally polish up my manuscript as much as possible before sending it on (without beating it to death, of course). I can’t imagine that many people want to see a half-baked manuscript with the promise, “It will get better, I just haven’t fixed it up yet.” Especially if you’re going unsolicited and unknown, a finished manuscript is probably the sort you want to be presenting.

Please correct me if I’m wrong.

By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:20:03 +0000

I’d also be interested in hearing an elaboration on word count. There was a discussion going on regarding preferred word counts from new authors that got sidetracked into another topic. Is there really a solid word count expectation?

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:33:47 +0000

Here’s a question: At what point in the writing process should I start researching and approaching editors? Only after I’ve gotten my manuscript as far as I can take it alone, or is there an appropriate point before that?

By: Psychomancer

Psychomancer — Tue, 06 May 2008 08:28:46 +0000

I like Writing Excuses a lot- but listening to these two ‘casts with Stacy has been a real treat. I want to be an editor someday, and so hearing a bit about what the job is like from a veteran was very nice.

See if you can have Stacy on more!

By: B.E.

B.E. — Tue, 06 May 2008 05:24:28 +0000

Great work this week. Thanks for all of the tips for aspiring not-sot-young-authors like myself. I appreciate the reminder that publishing has its own culture. One has to be literate in the expectations and practices before one can successfully participate in the industry.

Stacy, thanks for mentioning PWdaily and Publishers Lunch, I was unaware of these resources.