In The Know: Last Part
The final thing that I think is so important to be in the know about is the publisher you're targeting. Even knowing what the editor likes is important. Pen Pen mentioned reading books and discovering the author's agent through that; the same thing can be done for editors.
When reading a book similar in style to yours, check out if there's an editor acknowledgement. Go online and read editor interviews. Most of the time we only have one chance to submit to an editor so it's important that we pick the one most likely to connect with our writing.
You all know I just got a rejection back on The Bad Boy's Redemption. I learned a very valuable lesson with that story.
Basically, Love Inspired publishes books with plots revolving around small town and family. I've read tons of LI books and I studied the pacing, the length, the setup, but never the plotlines.
My mistake. The editor who rejected me was kind enough to mention stuff I should've already known, if I would've studied the publisher better.
You may have an awesome story, with spine-tingling writing, but if the publisher you submit to doesn't publish that kind of book, then it's a useless submission. The writing and the story won't matter.
Have you ever subbed to the wrong place? Or realized that no publisher is printing the kind of story you write? What's your favorite way to research editors? Or do you leave that up to your agent?
When reading a book similar in style to yours, check out if there's an editor acknowledgement. Go online and read editor interviews. Most of the time we only have one chance to submit to an editor so it's important that we pick the one most likely to connect with our writing.
You all know I just got a rejection back on The Bad Boy's Redemption. I learned a very valuable lesson with that story.
Basically, Love Inspired publishes books with plots revolving around small town and family. I've read tons of LI books and I studied the pacing, the length, the setup, but never the plotlines.
My mistake. The editor who rejected me was kind enough to mention stuff I should've already known, if I would've studied the publisher better.
You may have an awesome story, with spine-tingling writing, but if the publisher you submit to doesn't publish that kind of book, then it's a useless submission. The writing and the story won't matter.
Have you ever subbed to the wrong place? Or realized that no publisher is printing the kind of story you write? What's your favorite way to research editors? Or do you leave that up to your agent?
Comments
Hey...I mentioned you in my blog today. Stop by for a look!
I saw! :-) Thank you so much.
I hope medievals pick up. I've always enjoyed them, dating back to Julie Garwood and Lyn Kurland. :-)
I spoke to an agent, but found she doesn't rep the type of book I wrote. Obviously, I didn't research her preferences.
Thanks for the great tips.
Blessings,
Susan :)
I should have went with my gut instinct. LOL!
I'd say it's my agent's job, if I had one. Hopefully, soon.
Lin Johnson says the major reason books and article are rejected is that they're sent to the wrong place, just like you said.
Research is not my favorite thing, like dusting under teacups, but it has to be done to succeed in this business.
Jessie, you told me about six months ago that even though it's a ministry for us, this is a business and we need to remember that. Your comment has helped me many times.
Jen
It doesn't hurt to be adventurous. Yeah, we need to research. But sometimes we need to break out of the box and try something new.
So it didn't work for you that time. But you did get pubbed and you wrote a great book that made me laugh. :-)
That's true about taking chances. And it def. doesn't hurt to have some knowledge about where we're interested in subbing.
No, I really believe it's better to go the agent route first. Once you sub to an editor, if you get rejected, that's pretty much it for your manuscript at that house. If you do agents first, then you might get feedback and if no one reps you, you can utilize that feedback for a stronger story and then sub to an editor.
I'd recommend trying to go to a conference when you feel your manuscript is ready to sell. I've heard meeting and pitching to editors face-to-face is invaluable. They have a face with the name, you know?
It's helpful to know that by knowing the business aspects of this writing stuff, we jump ahead of tons and tons of unsolicited submissions that know nothing about the business. It's hard to get published but those who pay attention have a better chance of hitting the right editor/agent at the right time with the right manuscript. :-)
I'm glad my comment helped. It's something I think about alot. :-)
Actually, I did look at one publisher who has a specialty in mom-books, but they weren't interested in me. *sigh*
Lots of work to get published! I'm hoping you find the right place for Bad Boy, because I really want to read it.
Reading books in your genre to find agents/editors names are a great idea!!!
Happy Wednesday!
Let me know what happens with yours! I didn't even know you were targeting Love Inspired.
I've done that too. We learn. :-)
Thanks so much for pointing that out! Even with an agent, it can happen. My friend had an editor LOVE her story, and then, like three days later, we found out the editor left the house. Still haven't heard back on the manuscript.
YOu're definitely right about the turnover. It's crazy.
That is funny. :-) Hey, but they liked your stuff so that must've been an ego booster. ;-)
SNORT!!!!'
I promise I'm kidding. :-) Actually, everything I post about I've learned from someone else. THis information I first learned at a conference where they actually put editors at the front of the audience and the editors gave us a whole bunch of info, #1 being that they all were looking for different types of articles and that writers needed to research what that publisher put into print. :-)