Any avid readers with some free time?

[Starthinker]

I've been writing for many, many years and it's always been my goal and hope that I pen a novel that becomes very popular and makes some top ten lists. It's only been the past year or so that I've diligently started sending out manuscripts to both publishers and agents and like all those who have gone before me I'm not getting anywhere. Yes, I've read all the articles and formatted my cover letter just right and read up on the people I've sent to and all that but I've yet to even have reply, let alone a rejection letter. There's at least 60 of my self-addressed, stamped envelopes floating around out there and I'm beginning to think they just print labels and use them for their own personal use.

I do have a friend that very successfully self-published his own book and have been learning the ins and outs of that avenue as well.

I'm also realistic and wonder if I'm even good enough. So would anyone like to read my latest book and give me a critique? I have much respect for most fellow JREFers so I thought this might be the place to ask. If you are interested drop me a PM and I'll send you a copy. If nothing else I will learn something for the next book.

The book is called Rebecca's Lament, about a woman trying to find her place in the world. It has a skeptical bent, and parts are based on actual events.

And if anyone has an agent or publisher that might be interested, I'm sure we can cut a deal.

If interested let me know. It's in Word format, just so you know.

[mrbaracuda]

How about a small excerpt to lure readers? :)

[SezMe]

Dealing wth Rejection (http://www.ellenjackson.net/work22.htm). Full disclosure: she's my mate. But there's a lot of good advice on that site beyond this link. Noodle about for more goodies....and good luck.

[mrbaracuda]

I am confused, SezMe! :(

[SezMe]

I am confused, SezMe! :(
Rejection is the expected experience of any author, much less a noob. I was just trying to give Starthinker some perspective and seasoned advice from a successful author who, nonetheless, has a whole bag full of rejection letters. More to the point, a successful author who frequently is completely ignored when she submits a manuscript to an editor at a publishing house that has previously published her work.

Getting published is a bitch. Starthinker has to develop a thick skin if she/he is aspiring to be a published author. And she/he is going to have to take rejection and preservere. For example, I think the Harry Potter manuscripts were submitted over 40 times before the first one was accepted.

It's also true that the enormously successful Spenser series of novels by Robert B. Parker was started with a manuscript that was accepted pretty much "as is" on his first try.

But I'll let you guess which is the more typical experience.

[Starthinker]

SezMe, while I'm diligently sending out manuscripts now I have been doing so for many years only not so diligently. I'm no stranger to rejection and expect much, much more in the future. I didn't start this thread because I'm worried about rejection, I'm not, I started it because I'd really like to know if anyone thinks my current project, which I love, is enjoyable to others. I do think there is a trend now to not even reply, even when following the guidelines for submissions, which is more annoying than anything. I'd rather get a rejection letter than nothing at all.


Got my very first rejection letter about 25 years ago. It just said, "Sorry, not interested at this time." I've only gotten about six that offered some critique the rest mainly just say "no". Weirdest one I got said, "You spelled your name wrong." and they sent back everything I sent them and for the life of me I can't find my name spelled wrong anywhere. I think they were messing with me.

[Starthinker]

ETA: By the way, ATT, Inc was in negotiations for a book that would have contained clues to a hidden prize, but alas, they went bankrupt before we could iron out the details.

[SezMe]

I do think there is a trend now to not even reply, even when following the guidelines for submissions, which is more annoying than anything. I'd rather get a rejection letter than nothing at all.
I think you're right. Many houses are not taking manuscripts at all. Others have restricted submissions to authors who are represented by an agent. It is a very, very tough biz right now.

[Garrette]

If you really want someone to look at a manuscript, I'll have a go. A few years back I looked at something Phil wrote; you could ask if he thought my comments worthwhile.

[Rasmus]

I've been known to make people cry after I commented on their writings - twice, and with different people.

So, yeah, I'll look at your book.

[Garrette]

I've been known to make people cry after I commented on their writings - twice, and with different people.

So, yeah, I'll look at your book.Oh, so you want a Critic Throwdown, eh?

Well, I can make him cry, lose all sense of self-worth, curse his parents for conceiving him, AND become a lesbian.

[Starthinker]

So, what's your e-mail addresses? I'll bet I don't cry until August.

[Garrette]

pm'd

[Starthinker]

Bring it. :)

[mrbaracuda]

Still no excerpt? Pff!

[TsuDhoNimh]

I suggest you take this to absolutewrite.com/forums/index.php and head for the SF critique areas, and also read the "BEWARE" section.

Publishing has its own kind of woo, and the experts are there.

Uh ... that's a link to a writing site, oh great moderator ghodz. Run by real writers with published books that they collect royalties on, and some editors.

[Puppycow]

For example, I think the Harry Potter manuscripts were submitted over 40 times before the first one was accepted.

I wonder how much great literature has been written that nobody knows about because a publisher wasn't found and the author gave up trying to get it published.

ETA: Not that I consider Harry Potter to be "great literature," just saying.

[Kittyclaws]

If you're a reader/speaker, consider podcasting your novel. I've been listening to podcast fiction on Escapepod (plus horror on Pseudopod and weird stuff on the Drabblecast) for over a year now and they're always looking for submissions, though mainly short fiction.
Maybe getting your stuff out there and racking up a following would help your case.

J.C.Hutchins podcast a trilogy (7th Son) and is following up with submissions from readers for a short story anthology set in the 7th Son world.

Scott Sigler podcast 3 of his novels before getting someone to put one on paper ("Infected") after it had been podcast in its entirety. Heck, I went out and bought it, too. I want him to keep writing, keep getting better.

I listen to Spider Robinson and subscribe to support his podcast, too. He flat stated if the numbers don't work, he'll pack in the podcast and we'll just have to wait for the books. The only authors making big bucks are "names" (King, Grisham, etc).

Every so often I read/hear a news story that published fiction is on its way out, that people who insist on actual books will be able to have them printed to order or read them on electronic media like Kindle. That may have a lot to do with your lack of responses from publishers.

Good luck.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

The book is called Rebecca's Lament, about a woman trying to find her place in the world.

I already hate it.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Still no excerpt? Pff!

"It was a dark and stormy night..."

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I wonder how much great literature has been written that nobody knows about because a publisher wasn't found and the author gave up trying to get it published.

Or how many great musicians, who eventually had to get a "real" job because the bills were piling up.

[ZirconBlue]

I'd be up for reading it, if you're still looking for critiques.

[Fnord]

So would anyone like to read my latest book and give me a critique?

I'll give it a read, and then give you my opiniopns about it.

Since you're using Word, I hope that you've taken full advantage of the spelling checker.

[Kittyclaws]

If you have a manuscript and send a SASE, I'll give it a go. I much prefer the printed page to reading the computer screen. I read all kinds of fiction and non-fiction. I have an overly developed sense of spelling and punctuation, though, so if your ms is rough.... Maybe I'll wait.

PM me if you'd like me to give it a read.

[Piscivore]

I read it, the spelling was fine. No worse than any published work I've seen.

[Starthinker]

Well, I'd give it a C- or D+ based on the reviews from here. Nothing that made me cry, though. I'm pouring my efforts into my third book now, a more traditional story about 3 men and 30 women who have been kidnapped by aliens in a ship built by the lowest bidder.

If anyone else would like to read it anyway, just PM me your e-mail address.