ISBW #86 - Back to Basics
We’re talking the basics of submitting a story here, an old topic, but always good to return to.
- Promos: Jack Wakes Up, The Nut Gallery
- Market research: Ralan, Duotrope,
- Writing Quiz.
- Starship Sofa podcasts the 2007 Best British SF Short Story nominees.
- New SF market: Afterburn SF
About the Author: I am a writer and podcast producer, writing for magazines and RPGs. I am a wanna-be fiction writer with several short fiction, comic scripts, and one novel sale. Playing For Keeps will be out August, '08.
Rachel | Mar 16, 2008 | Reply
The problem with manuscript formatting is that the requirements of the publishers tend to vary. Therefore, I advocate reading the submission guidelines closely. Some editors do want to reject on the cover letter alone, thus ask for the sentence to summarize.
Give them a time limit in the cover letter, like 3 months, and say if you don’t hear back that you’ll submit elsewhere. Less fuss on both sides and less paper usage. (Writer’s Market suggests this too).
Times and Courier are standard, some editors hate Courier, some love it. Reading up on these things on the website and finding a current name is good policy. 12 pt. Double space, margins vary, formatting of cover also varies. Some editors are me fussy than others. I tend to follow Writer’s Market Guidelines unless specified otherwise. Don’t forget the headers. The first page header should be, you name, address, phone number, e-mail. On the right side word count [word count]. Second page and to the en, there should be a separate header, your last name slash, shortened title, page number. It’s because manuscripts can be shuffled, fall or get lost.
Cover letters should be short and sweet. Also KISS should apply. Keep it Simple Stupid.
Dear (name of editor),
I am submitting my story titled, “[name of story]. It is # of words long. [summary if asked for it... Writer's Market suggests that one put in a ONE SENTENCE summary of the conflict in less than 20 words. Also KISS.]
[publishing credits if there are any, non-fiction puts personal professional experience that would help with the submission. Sometimes if it's asked for, a bio. Some markets require it. Read those guidelines!]
Sincerely,
[sign]
[typed name]
Encl: SASE and Manuscript.
(Because it helps me to remember, also because Writer’s Market says it’s an old convention… when you write it, remember to actually do it…)
I ignore what Writer’s Market says about having to *know* the magazine inside and out. Instead, pay attention to what they want and don’t want. If you happen to be a subscriber and are submitting think of it as an extra.
I wrote one piece pro bono for a specific podcast because I liked it. It’s also, for me, a way to promote myself. I think also because it was a short piece (Less than 300 words), that it didn’t feel like a loss.
Also check out Preditors and Editors for screwy agents and “publishing” houses. If you have to pay to get paid, it’s not worth it.
Mostly don’t obsess too much over it. I have a hard time with this, and especially letting go of the story from my desk into another person’s hands. But I think if you set a mark of how many rejections you want for the year and make it a game it eases the burden. I set my rejection goal for twenty, and since I had 10 at the end of last year, and I now have 15, I’m thinking I can raise it to 25. I also discuss rejections with other writers in this game fashion which keeps us honest and helps keep the courage up. My game, I want 100 by the time I’m 30. Then I’ll count to 200 until I lose count. If you treasure the rejections, it makes them less scary.
Simultaneous Submissions, read guidelines. Some like it. Some don’t. Read guidelines. Increasingly it seems less like simultaneous submissions on short stories. Don’t ever do it for novels. That’s an agent’s job. They can do that. If they allow it, go for it.
Multiple submissions, read guidelines.
Sylvan | Mar 21, 2008 | Reply
Mur, your final caller was a bit difficult to understand. I was finding it interesting that she was taught a Meme by her teacher about what words NOT to use in writing but -no matter how many times I run it over- I just can’t make it out.
What did she say?
Kevin Anderson | Mar 21, 2008 | Reply
I have the same problem as Sylvan - could you post the saying somewhere?
And I was floored when you mentioned that there were writers or want-to-be writers that stand against/argue against Standard MS format. Really? There are such people?
Matt Bloom | Mar 23, 2008 | Reply
Mur, I’m impressed with your site here! I’m a writer trying to break into public consciousness and I wonder if you would consider hosting a link to my online serial novella, Striking Out. Please check it out (free): strikingout-story.blogspot.com. Thanks! -Matt Bloom
Thom Allen | Apr 22, 2008 | Reply
Loved this episode. Got me thinking about a lot of new ideas. Thanks for all you do.