Tag Archives: Publishing
Writing to a Deadline Part 14: Publisher response
Holy cow!
I submitted my manuscript at 11:30 PM last night, and when I got home from work, there was a response that hit may mailbox at Noon!!!
Okay. Deep breath. Open the email.
“The revision was great. You did a fine job incorporating our feedback and adjusting the story to a simpler, more defined and well written product.”
Woa… hold on. This is my first submission to a publisher. Aren’t they supposed to belittle me and tear me to bits? Did a publisher just call my work “great”? Did a publisher just call my story “well written”?
Last words are “We’ll be in touch soon regarding final selections.”
Okay… we are back in “wait” mode. I can deal with that. I am just so tickled that I might actually be actually in the running—I can’t stand it.
I find a stream of emails from my writing buddy. She’s been having an email conversation with the publisher all day. They wanted more revisions done to hers. They want to know if she’d be willing to revise further, to some pretty stringent specifications.
My heart sinks. They went back and forth with her several times. Someone there likes her submission enough that they want it really polished. What does that mean for mine? Was mine a form email that everyone gets?
They told her that they have eight submissions that they are currently considering, and only 5 slots in the anthology.
Am I one of the eight? She obviously is.
I hop over to Scribophile, and another girl in my Scrib Group got a response that they liked her changes as well, and they were waiting to make a decision… The wording she used in her post made it sound like her response was almost word for word identical to mine.
What does that mean? Did we both get the generic “nice” response? Is that a bad thing, or are we both in the top eight?
Your mind goes crazy. I swear.
I know, I know, there is not a dern thing I can do but wait… and have a few quiet conversations with the Guy Upstairs.
I put a heck of a lot of work into this over the last month.
At first, it was just a challenge to myself.
Now, it’s something I want so bad I can taste it.
Deep breath… and the wait begins. Again.
Writing to a Deadline Part 13: Rewriting and resubmitting
Wow. They were right.
I took out one relationship element, and the rest of the story just fell in line. I read through my final product and shivered.
Yeah, I actually wrote that…
But that sting is still there… is it as good as I think it is? Probably not.
Three days until I have to submit. It’s a holiday weekend. No one is going to have time to read, right?
This is where friendships you have made come into play. I looked up every applicable beta reader past and present, and let them know my dire situation. I even sent it to my very first beta partner… who was nice enough to teach “idiot little me” so much when I first started out (boy did I stink back then) I haven’t spoken to him in over a year. You know what? He jumped on board.
A debut author from the same publishing house I am submitting to saw my plea on Scribophile, and offered to read it. So did one of my current betas, and my writing buddy who was also in the same boat having to make revisions to her submission for the anthology.
Suggestions come back. Minor changes. The last beta to come back arrives five hours before I need to submit. No pressure. More minor suggestions.
Make the applicable edits…. And Done.
Funny thing. I created a PDF, got ready to send, and got a sinking feeling in my stomach. I checked back on something I had just added that night, and it didn’t flow. Honestly, it sounded HORRIBLE. I took a few minutes and changed it. Perfect…. Sometimes, you really need to listen to your gut.
- Create a new PDF.
- Write up and email thanking the publisher for their suggestions; this is how I used them… yadda yadda… thank you for your consideration.
- Attach PDF
- Send.
Now the painful waiting process… again.
The deadline has passed. Whatever happens now, happens. There is nothing more I can do.
I feel good about it. I didn’t crack, and I held on to the bitter end. No matter the outcome, I am proud of this 40 page little gem. If anything, I proved to myself that I could do it.
Posted in Writing to a Deadline
Tagged beta reader, beta reading, Characters, critique, critiquing, editing, Manuscript, pitch, Protagonist, Publishing, revising, Short Stories, Short story, Writer Resources, writing
Writing to a Deadline Part 12: The Slap of a Rejection
After a week of waiting… Rejected.
Wow. That stung. I read the email. Well, that’s not true. After the words “Not ready for publication at this time.” I pretty much skimmed it.
Two things stuck with me off the bat. George was an unnecessary character, and the opening was confusing. What?????????? George is the catalyst! Deep breath… don’t scream.
Being a good little camper, I shut down my computer, and walked away.
I stewed over it for a while. What were they talking about? How could they say these things?
Then I took my own advice. It was a nice day. I got on my bicycle, and just rode. I thought over those two comments, and cleared my head for an hour or so. Once I was able to deal with it, I went back to my computer to read it again.
It’s very hard to take your own advice when something happens to you. I have walked a few people through this very thing, but never myself. I’ve sent out work before, but they all saved me this heartache by not answering my queries at all. This time, I got the definitive “No”.
But was it really a no? I read it again. It wasn’t a yes, but it wasn’t completely a rejection either. They gave me a full-page type-written list of areas they thought were lacking in the story. Someone thought it through, and let me know everything they thought was a problem.
In my own advice to others: “If someone took that much time, they must have seen something in it that they liked.”
I printed out the page, went to my room, closed the door, and read it over and over. I realized that if I took their advice about the character George, that the characterization inconsistencies that they pointed out with three other characters would just naturally fall in line.
The last line of the email stated: If you would like to make changes and resubmit before the deadline date, please send the rewrite directly to “********”
Wait a minute… Go past the normal submission channels? Hop over the other entries right into a special mailbox?
Not quite so much a rejection anymore, is it? Thank God I submitted two weeks early!
Seven days for a rewrite, taking out a major plot element.
Gotta go…. Got something to do. 🙂
Writing to a Deadline Part 10: Rewrite and Beta Blast
If you’re just hopping into the insanity that is my writing life, check out my previous “Writing to a Deadline” posts or this won’t make sense.
Okay… fixed that climax. Yeah! I did it. Oh no! Now I am at 10,280 words!
That’s a whole page over! Ugh!
Edit madness: Extra word here, extra word there. Unnecessary clause? Can I tighten that dialog a little? Does this person need to smile? Is that dialog tag necessary?
Okay, I’m done. Right? Am I? ARRRHGHHHH!
Beta Blast! Call in the two people who the story really seemed to resonate with (Don’t bother with the person who didn’t seem to get it from the beginning)
Sorry, guys… I know it’s a lot to ask… but I need it back in two days.
Wait…. Wait…. Wait…. Tear a fingernail off. Wait…. Water the plants… again. Groom the dog… again (not that she’s complaining.)
Then the panic moment happens. Through a writer’s group, I find out that someone submitted, and got a positive response. Not an acceptance, but a request to make changes and re-submit through private channels.
Oh No! There is a possibility that they will close for submissions if they fill all five slots.
It’s okay… take a deep breath. I decided that I need to submit NOW, even though there are two weeks left until the deadline.
My two betas came back with minor changes. Of course, while I was waiting I made changes of my own, so I pleaded for one more read. Yeah, I can be annoying that way.
My worst writing nightmare is that all of these people call in the favor at the same time while I am up against a deadline of my own ***gack***
Okay… their responses come back.
Remove that comma, change that word…
Easy fixes.
Slow and steady.
Related articles
- Writing to a Deadline Part 1: “I got Nothing.” (jennifermeaton.com)
Posted in Writing to a Deadline
Tagged author, beta partner, beta reader, beta reading, Blog, critique, critiquing, editing, english language, Fiction, getting published, literary fiction, Manuscript, novel, Online Writing, publish, Publishing, Short Stories, Short story, shortstory, Word count, Writer Resources, Writing and Editing, Writing help
Writing to a Deadline Part 9: “And the beta-reading verdict is?”
If you’re just hopping into the insanity that is my writing life, check out my previous “Writing to a Deadline” posts or this won’t make sense.
Note: This post is mainly for those of you who have not yet been through the beta-process. Just to prepare you for what it can be like.
Last week I sent out my story LAST WINTER RED to a small Beta Army. And back the comments come…
Three fast “I just read it” responses came back in one day. “Liked the story” on each of them. At least that’s a step in the right direction. Next step… they will go through and make suggestions.
Time to wait again
The professor got back to me noting “Great story” but lack of setting. Yeah… I’m famous for that. I only give what’s absolutely necessary. I’ll think that over. There was also a small element that she thought was lost in the middle. Easy fix, but it will put me close to the word count. She was also totally engaged and drawn in by my beginning. Yay!
Critical Beta Reader #1 comes back, and hates my beginning. She didn’t mention lack of setting at all. (Don’t you love contradicting crits?) She pointed out a few details that she thought were overdone. Easy fixes. When she finished, there was more red than black on the page, though. Ugh.
Getting nervous. Re-write of one section per Professor’s comment brings me up to 10,075 words. Yikes! Editing per Critical Beta #1’s suggestions brings it back down to 9,975. Whew!
My long time beta partner says it just needs a little tweaking. She likes the beginning, but not my starting point. She’s probably right, and this might be what critical Beta #1 meant, too. I think I can fix this now that I understand better… Just move the starting point three minutes later of where it is now. She also suggested inserting a little more turmoil over the conflict early on for the MC. Hmmmm. I can do that, my only concern is only having an extra 25 words before the 10,000 word maximum.
Romance Beta comes back and actually liked the kissy stuff???? Yea for me! She pointed out things that the others didn’t even see.
Memoir writer also pointed out some minor things that others didn’t notice. Easy fixes.
Two people thought my closing six words were absolutely brilliant. They both mentioned it without me asking… but Critical Beta # 1 deleted them without comment. Too funny.
So many suggestions fly at you so quickly… you need to decide what fits for what YOU want in the work… and at the same time, please the masses… not everyone. It’s impossible to resonate with every reader.
Clock is ticking.
Three people made the same comment about a rock in the well during my climax. Going for a complete re-write of that scene.
Ugh… no words to spare.
Tick tock, tick tock… no pressure.
Related articles
- What’s in a Beta Reader? Part 2 (laneymcmann.com)
Book Review of The P.U.R.E. by Claire Gillian
When I was offered a free advance copy of The P.U.R.E. from its publisher, I almost passed. I am not a mystery fan. I prefer something with lots of action and explosions. But I figured, what the heck, it’s free.
So, I sat down one day and began reading what I expected to be a dull, boring drama.
Boy, was I in for a surprise.
Once again, I will use the Oreo Cookie Concept for reviewing: Start with the crunchy goodness, dig into the squishy bad, and then end on a crunchy good note.
This one was a little tricky for me.
.
To start, were there any explosions? No? Sorry, but she loses a cookie there. (Yeah, I know that’s not fair, but it’s my rating system. Get over it.)
What POV was it written in? First Person “I”. What? UGH! I hate first person! Lose another cookie.
Okay, let’s not worry… She is still in “I liked it” range with three cookies.
Claire Gillian did an amazing job intertwining the overall mystery plot with the “Girl falling for the guy at the office” plot. Not being a mystery fan, I actually gravitated more toward the romance aspect initially, but Ms. Gillian quickly sucked me in to her overall world of corporate Hell.
The best part about this book is the really defined main characters. I totally believed them, and living in a cubicle myself for the last twenty years, I can totally relate to the inter-office politics.
Personally, I believe the realism of the characterization comes from the excellent POV writing. I’m not a fan of first person because normally I find it confining. Not so here.
So, Ms. Gillian, I am giving you your cookie back for POV. This is probably the best First Person POV I have ever read. You are back up to four out of five cookies.
The creamy filling… the bad stuff
This is going to sound uber-critical of me, but I just couldn’t leave this section blank. After all, no one is perfect. I have to admit, that I really needed to rack my brain over faults in The P.U.R.E. So, after much more in-depth pondering than a normal person would do…here you have it:
There were a lot of characters in the office environment. I got confused with who was who. Even in the ending scenes, I wasn’t sure who was who. This didn’t really bother me, though, because frankly, it just didn’t matter at that point. (In a good way—I was so absorbed I didn’t even stop to think about it.) –not subtracting a cookie for this
This is something I feel like I need to mention, although it breaks my heart to do it. I caught a few typos. Ugh. Okay… remember I am looking for something bad to say, because this novel was so dern good… so there! I found three punctuation typos.
Since I had an advance copy, I let them know about the typos, hoping they could fix them. I don’t know if they did. The problem with a typo is that I stopped reading. I flipped my Kindle in all different directions to read it different ways to see if it was really a typo. This is a problem because I am no longer reading the story. I lost the scene. You never want your reader to stumble in the middle of a scene.
I need to subtract at least a bite out of a cookie for that. I will happily remove the bite if the typos are fixed in the next revise.
Ending on a crunchy good note:
Once in a while, an author surprises me by breaking the rules. I would like to give super-big kudos to Claire Gillian for not ignoring the subject of condoms. They are always used, and when the romantic leads didn’t have one, they didn’t have sex.
GOOD FOR YOU CLAIRE GILLIAN!!!!!
The two characters even had a conversation about STDs and birth control. For myself, having lost a cousin to a sexually transmitted disease, I have to nod in appreciation to the author. This is the first time I have read anything that didn’t ignore that detail/concern like it didn’t exist.
For this, Ms. Gillian, I am giving you an extra cookie just because. Thank you for being socially conscious, while keeping it romantic and real. This totally makes up for the lack of explosions. (And I have to admit there was a high action scene that I thoroughly enjoyed that made up for it a little as well.)
Final cookie count? Four and three-quarters of a cookie, and I will happily make it a five cookie review if the typos are fixed.
I was thinking this over, and wondering where I would place this novel on my “best of” scale. I cringe to say it since this is a mystery novel, but the P.U.R.E. firmly has a place in the top five novels I have ever read.
I highly recommend all authors to read The P.U.R.E. and concentrate on Claire Jillian’s characterization, and her voice. I have large chunks of text highlighted to go back and analyze to learn from how she presented it. The writing is crisp, clean, and easy to read. Not only will you be enjoying a great novel, but I think all authors could learn a lesson or two from her great writing style.
Am I now a mystery fan? No, not at all.
Would I buy another Claire Gillian novel? Yes, absolutely. I wouldn’t hesitate for a single second.
Buy The P.U.R.E. at Amazon.com
Buy The P.U.R.E. at Barnes and noble
Note: Barnes and Noble has it on sale for $11.46 in paperback right now. Digital is $4.99 on both sites.
Related articles
- Special Release Day Review: The P.U.R.E. by Claire Gillian (bookarooju.wordpress.com)
- Review: The P.U.R.E. (bexbooknook.wordpress.com)
Posted in Book/Movie Review
Tagged author, Book Review, Books, CLAIRE GILLIAN, Fiction, Gillian, Publishing, The P.U.R.E., the pure
Writing to a Deadline Part 8: “Calling in the Beta Reading Army”
If you’re just hopping into the insanity that is my writing life, check out my previous “Writing to a Deadline” posts or this won’t make sense.
I was happily surprised when I sat down to edit, that I had very few things to change. Mostly typographical errors and little things like switching sentence structure to make it flow better.
The one scene that I purposely wrote as “tell” took a little time to work out, but it’s finally done.
So, I took a deep breath, and called in a Beta-reading army. Crossed genres and ages. These are all people I have a fairly high trust factor with:
Two are currently mercilessly ripping apart my novel and making great comments
One is a college professor who teaches creative writing (She has never read my work)
One is a Romance/ Middle-Grade soon to be publisher author who hasn’t read my work (she’s there for that kissy stuff I’ve never done before)
A memoir writer, who also has not read my work
A High Fantasy writer (my writing buddy for the past year or so—-who’s sick of reading my work) (ONLY KIDDING!)
My first ten pages will also be reviewed by three people in a critique group who I’ve never met before.
It’s kind of like submitting to a publisher, but you know these people will get back to you.
Funny, I was more nervous about this beta-read than I was about my novel. Probably because I feel deep down, that the story is pretty solid. After dissecting the Gold Mine Manuscript for seven months, I think I know what NOT TO DO. The question is… did I write what I THINK I wrote.
I also have that deadline looming over my head. And I don’t want to wait until the last minute… just in case the publisher decides to close for submissions early. It’s enough to make you a nervous wreck. Will I have time to make all the changes they might suggest? (If I agree with the suggestions, of course)
Related articles
- What’s in a Beta Reader? (laneymcmann.com)
Posted in Writing to a Deadline
Tagged author, beta partner, beta reader, beta reading, Blog, critique, critiquing, editing, Fiction, getting published, Online Writing, Publishing, Short Stories, Short story, shortstory, Word count
Writing to a Deadline Part 5: “I Love this stinking outline”
If you’re just hopping into the insanity that is my writing life, check out my previous “Writing to a Deadline” posts or this won’t make sense.
Wow… one thing that the outline “in my head” wanted me to write just wouldn’t work. Yikes, would I have wasted a lot of time. The whole scene would have been lost in editing.
And I wouldn’t have known that if I didn’t outline first.
Yes, I’m a pantser, and I cringe every time I read over this outline. But it is helping me to figure out how one scene will flow into the next. I stare at the outline every day and make changes to the story before I’ve even written it. It’s a very strange place for me.
Why aren’t you writing yet? Deadline, Jen, remember? What are you doing?
I do most of my writing in the car driving back and forth to work. Okay, stop gasping… I do it in my head. I have a pretty good idea of where key scenes in my outline are going. My question now is whether or not I will be able to write this story in the “10,000 words or under” parameter. Being concise was never my forte.
I am now four weeks in. Yes, everyone else is a month ahead of me. Some of them may have even submitted. The publisher may have already picked a few that they may include in the anthology.
Maybe. I have a little cheat card up my sleeve, though. I am going away to a writers retreat over a weekend. Eight writers closing themselves in a cabin in the middle of nowhere with no internet, and no ambition other than word count.
My challenge to myself is to be completely prepared going in.
Ready, set— go. Write, Edit, Polish, Complete.
When I get home, send it out to Beta readers.
Re-polish.
One last read from whomever I can convince to put up with me
Submit.
Cutting it close? Well, honestly, yes.
Today I actually start writing to my outline. New ground for me. Let’s see how this pantser does.
Stick to the outline, Jen. Stick to the outline.
Resist the urge to explode something. You can do this.
Related articles
- I’m a Pantser and proud of it (jodiashland.wordpress.com)
- I’m Free (from an outline that is) (amyisaman.wordpress.com)
- Which Pants Are You Wearing? (kenradaniels.com)
- POVs & MCs = A Bucketful of Joy Beans (caymayowrites.wordpress.com)
- Why I’m no longer a pantser (and what it taught me) (annelessing.wordpress.com)
- The Extreme Pantser’s Guide: Working with your subconscious (madgeniusclub.com)
Published Author Brinda Berry takes on the Little Blue Lady from Mars: (An Interview)
I want an interview
Sorry Little Blue Lady from Mars. I don’t have time to interview you today.
Unacceptable!
I will be interviewed!
Wow! Did you just get bigger? Ummmm… Will you answer questions? Give helpful comments?
Ha Ha! No! I am here to take over the world!
.
.
Ummmmm. Maybe next week.
Today we are talking to the lovely and talented Brinda Berry
Hello, Brinda!
(Imagine Brinda waving madly)
Your first novel, The Waiting Booth was published in 2011. It was your very first published piece, right?
Yes, The Waiting Booth was my debut novel.
Do you have an agent?
I don’t have an agent. I have experience in querying agents but not in obtaining one. That was supposed to be funny. If you are an author, you should be smiling.
A brave lady. Publisher direct, Huh? So, How many publishers did you query before finding Etopia?
I have a spreadsheet with the exact number and details, but I’d say I queried a dozen before receiving the offer from Etopia Press.
What was your funniest/most memorable rejection letter?
Most of what I received were form letters. I don’t remember any specific letter that stands out. It’s all a blur. You begin to feel that you can recite the first paragraph of a rejection letter before you read it.
How did you settle down with Etopia press?
I participated in an online conference with authors and publishers. This conference, Digicon, accomplished two things for me. It gave me tons of information about digital publishing as opposed to traditional publishing. It exposed me to the changes taking place in publishing. It also gave authors the opportunity to participate in online pitch sessions with requested publishers. I received two offers as a result of the pitches. I chose Etopia because of the quality of their published works and their input on my manuscript.
I have a fifty pound poodle that could eat your cairn terriers. Either that, or she’d roll around with them making a mess of the lawn.
I hope she’d roll around with them.
Chloe is licking her chops looking over the screen. Don’t let her bows fool you.
Brinda: One of my cairns believes he is a bull mastiff. 
If challenged, he acts like a lunatic.
Sounds like a two-on-one puppy derby!
Okay, back on topic. Your first novel, The Waiting Booth, was told in “mostly first person” you switched to another POV in a few chapters. New writers are told to shy away from this. How’d you get away with it? Did the publisher have any concerns?
Although I felt this was the right thing for me to do in my story, I did have reservations. I quizzed my editor about the risk in another POV, and she whole-heartedly supported it. She had no reservations and I trusted her instincts. You will see this again in the second book of the series, Whisper of Memory.
So, interdimensional portals hidden in the woods, huh? Where did that concept come from?
I have a wild imagination. What can I say? Actually, I’ve always loved stories about portals. Also, I spend two hours daily in a car for my commute. I enjoy listening to NPR podcasts about string theory, black holes, and alternate dimensions.
Sexy government agents are always a hoot too.
One of mine is a hoot. The other is just sexy.
Just sexy works for me 🙂 Let’s see… If you had a choice between a pound of Godiva chocolate, or a week’s free Starbuck’s coffee, which would you take?
Could I take 1/2 lb of Godiva with the 3.5 days of Starbucks?
Nope.
You are drill sergeant tough. I guess the chocolate. One Christmas, my husband gave me a 5 lb. box of Godivas. The man loves me.
Yeah for thoughtful hubbies!
I hear you’re an internet junkie. What’s your favorite internet site?
I spend most of my time reading blogs. I like Amazon a lot because you can find anything there. I spend a limited amount of time on social media like Twitter and Facebook.
Yeah, I’m not much for Twitter or Facebook either, although I have met some interesting people on Twitter.
Your new novel, Whisper of Memory, is out on March 16. How long have you been working on it?
I worked on it for approximately three months. That does not include time editing after it was submitted to my editor. After submission and contract signing, you can add several additional months.
Because I work a day job, I’m a slow writer. I hope to get faster at some point (or not require a day job).
Quick Brenda Run!
Aaaaaa!
Okay, I just blocked her with my cyber-super-blog-o-blocometer. We’re safe. Quick, before she breaks back in, tell us about your new novel.
Are you sure it’s safe?
Yeah, I’ve got my finger on the blocometer button. go ahead.
Okay. Whisper of Memory is Book 2 in the Whispering Woods series. It was actually more fun to write since I knew the characters so much better. I like to have lots of action, and it was interesting to create problems for my characters. Mia Taylor, the main character, is a high school senior who is a synesthete. Her sensory perception is different from the norm. Beyond the typical synesthesia experience, Mia is able to sense portals. In Book 1, The Waiting Booth, she wanted to find her missing older brother. This book still includes that goal but adds the tension of a romantic relationship.
Did you have this plot in mind when you finished book #1, or did that come later.
I already had this book plotted when I finished Book 1. Otherwise, the first book might have ended differently.
If anyone wants to get a taste of Brinda’s first novel, here is the trailer. You can pick up book one now so you are all ready for the release of book two in a few days.
Check out the book trailer here!
Just curious, did your publisher ask you for another novel, or did you wave and say “Hi, I have more!”
When I pitched my story for the first book, I let them know that I had plans for three in this series. I was asked to give the details for the entire series arc.
What is one bit of advice you can give to “soon to be published” authors?
One rejection does not a failure make. Seriously. Also, authors should be open to new ideas and challenges.
Great! Thanks, Brinda. As you know, Q & A is a prerequisite to stopping by here. Are you ready to answer questions?
Sure
There you go guys. Brinda is now all yours!
Buy the Waiting Booth
Posted in Author Advice, Author Interview
Tagged author, Book, Debut novel, Interview, Publishing, Publishing and Printing
Jennifer M Eaton 