McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft

Steps to take?

(1/3) > >>

Darwinist:
Awesome feedback on my other post, it is MUCH appreciated. I've learned so much in so little time from you guys.

I'm another year or so away from really being ready to say I'm finished with my manuscript, but I'm wondering from a professional standpoint - what's a good order to go in once you feel you're done?

Is there a good place to safely shill out your work for feedback, editing, and suggestions? Do you submit directly to a publisher or should you find an agent first?

If it helps, my manuscript is going to work a lot like Ludlum's Bourne Identity - its all one story, but broken into three acts at strategic points in the story. It's told as three separate novellas that intertwine into one overall story arc.

EmmettSpain:
From my experience, it's much better to start with an agent. Publishers tend to treat the agents as a filtering process (i.e. if someone chose to put the time and effort into representing you, then you must have a bit of talent). I haven't met anyone who was successful in going straight to the publisher, but I suppose that's not to say it hasn't happened! I just figure that with everyone at these places (and any business for that matter) being so busy, they are less likely to pick up a manuscrpt from someone they haven't heard of, or have no professional connection to.

Beta readers are vital... friends and family are a great place to start. Make sure you choose people who are willing to be honest with you, though... they make your work better by pointing out the areas that didn't make sense or could be improved.

Only advice I can give you is that if you're going to get it professionally edited before you take it to a publisher (whatever happens, it needs to be professionally edited at some point, which = $$), make sure you get the person's qualifications up front, as you'll need to cite them to the publisher should things go ahead. Publishers tend to have their own editor's they work with and trust, so they might want you to fork up the cash to pay for their services, even after you have had someone else do the work (if they don't feel the other person's work is up to scratch)... so choose wisely.

Anyway... hope that's useful to you!

Oh, and my book just came out this week! Check out http://www.strategicbookpublishing.com/OldHaunts.html ... Ha! Shameless plug!

the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh:

--- Quote from: EmmettSpain on August 17, 2009, 11:45:02 AM ---From my experience, it's much better to start with an agent. Publishers tend to treat the agents as a filtering process (i.e. if someone chose to put the time and effort into representing you, then you must have a bit of talent). I haven't met anyone who was successful in going straight to the publisher, but I suppose that's not to say it hasn't happened!

--- End quote ---

I'm married to someone who did exactly that, so.  Also, these days, good agents are unlikely to look at you unless you already have an offer, so it's a bit of a vicious circle.


--- Quote ---I just figure that with everyone at these places (and any business for that matter) being so busy, they are less likely to pick up a manuscrpt from someone they haven't heard of, or have no professional connection to.

--- End quote ---

This is why one goes to conventions and is interesting. Editors are hyuman beings too, and will remember people who are interesting.

Darwinist:
tyvm for the replies, I went deep into the archives and found someone else asked a similar question a few years ago. Strangely, I think I remember seeing Neuro's name in one of the replies too. It's exhausting and time consuming, but there was a wealth of great info in some of the early board questions.

Namely, some people mentioned the vicious cycle with agents and publishers. The waiting game some guy went thru before getting his rejection notices. Another one I picked up was that people recommended having at least three bodies of work before actively marketing and soliciting.

Granted this was info that dated back to like 2006, but I'd assume most of it still applies.

EmmettSpain:
Mind if I ask you what your manuscript is about?

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page