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Wednesday, May 02, 2007The Stuff That StinksWriting -- the actual stories, that is -- is cathartic. It's also freeing, engrossing, passionate, deeply fulfilling. All these things and more. You who also write are nodding your heads in psychotic agreement. Seeking publication -- the actual selling of one's manuscript -- is exhausting. It's also -- well, I won't go there. Suffice it to say that, if one isn't careful, one's writing energy will be completely sucked dry by the energy put into the "business side" of things. There are two paths from which to choose: seek an agent, or go directly to the publishers of your choice. Mind you, the second option is wrought with stumbling blocks, such as bold-faced declarations on the web sites of major publishers that state, "We do not accept unagented submissions." Right. As though finding an agent isn't going to be equally insurmountable. Well, almost. Thing is, if you're smart, you'll do your behind-the-scenes homework and discover the names of all the editors who happily accept unagented queries. But again, it's time-consuming. I can spend an afternoon writing, or I can spend an afternoon researching children's publishers, but I can't do both. In truth, though, the majority of serious writers (with the possible exception of those who write picture books) do seek the representation of a literary agent, who can then take care of all that brain-melting business stuff while the writer continues to...write. Sounds good, doesn't it? Except that one must also factor in the huge percentage of rejections that pass one's portal, be it the mailbox by the curb or the ever-so-fickle email program. Have I mentioned that this process is exhausting? Not to discourage you aspiring writers. You just need to be prepared for the long haul. You know -- rejection, disappointment, endless waiting. If you can handle all that, you've already succeeded in a huge way. Want to know what makes it worse, though? Really stinky business practices that sometimes feel like the nail in the proverbial coffin. Things like: * Agents who say that they accept queries by email, but that they will only respond if they are interested in reading more of your work. Know why this stinks? Because you have no way of knowing what the particular agent's turn-around time is, which can really tie your hands. For instance, it's completely non-Kosher to query two agents at the same agency simultaneously. So if you've queried Agent Purple, who only responds if she's interested, and your next choice is Agent Green, when can you safely say that you've been "rejected by omission" by Agent Purple? You can't. It's a guessing game. And frankly, it's not fair. A simple, form "not right for me" is adequate, and, in my opinion, not too much to ask. * Agents who insist on addressing their rejection letters "Dear Writer." In this age of instant mail merge, how difficult is it to thwack someone's name in after the "Dear?" It's common courtesy. Yet even some of the "top notch" agents out there don't bother with this simple nicety. Frankly, I'd rather receive an email with no salutation at all. "Dear Writer" or "Dear Author" is fairly dehumanizing. And this after one has so carefully checked and double-checked the spelling of the agent's name. Tisk, tisk. * Agents who reject a requested manuscript with a photocopied form letter. Yes, it happens. You might think that, by the time you've actually gotten someone's attention to the point where they want to read the whole story, they'd at least be on a "Mr. or Ms. So-and-so" level when it comes time for them to say "no thanks." After all, the agent requested the work and you spent a chunk of change mailing it (manuscripts aren't light). But be warned -- just because someone personally requested your manuscript doesn't mean they'll ever call you by your name. So there you have it -- an idea of the kinds of things that will drive you to distraction if you let them. Ah, but there's the key -- if you let them. The tougher your skin, the farther you'll go. The tougher your skin, the more likely you are to land an agent, provided your manuscript is as strong as your skin. Are you with me? So, yeah, this kind of stuff makes me want to scream nasty things at nobody in particular. But I don't. And you mustn't, either. In the end, it's all about the right query letter in the right person's hand at the right time (in the second phase of the blue moon in the northern hemisphere during a distant tsunami while the stars are aligned with the stock market and the Yen is falling). Whew! I feel a little better now. I think I'll go write some more. Labels: writing |
About Me
I am: Mother to five stunningly individualistic children... Writer of young adult fantasy... Passionate advocate for Women At Home... Madly in love with my husband... In need of Organic Gourmet Chocolate on a regular basis. I've got a Paypal account if you'd like to contribute to the cause....
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3of my readers are feeling chatty:
Yup. You know it.
On the other hand, when you find an agent and start moving forward, it's all sooo worth it. Even if you part ways with the agent before a sale gets made.
Hang in there. We'll get there somehow.
FAITH.
Whoa. O_o That stuff DOES stink.=( It's a good thing you are a positive thinker and not the kind of person who gives up. God bless you for the business side of writing! I'm supporting you all the way from the Philippines!
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