tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post512912919639832597..comments2024-01-12T00:00:04.996-05:00Comments on The Paper Wait: Mission: SubmissionEileen Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03147679493619958932noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-46513270021427388892008-10-08T15:18:00.000-04:002008-10-08T15:18:00.000-04:00We've ALL sent out manuscripts before they were re...We've ALL sent out manuscripts before they were ready. I'm embarrassed to recall all the "newbie" errors I made when I was a newbie. Now I'm an oldbie! I still make errors, but not that one.Meg Wiviotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16178051434999444739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-23062646051530636242008-10-08T09:54:00.000-04:002008-10-08T09:54:00.000-04:00And then we go back to examples I've seen from edi...And then we go back to examples I've seen from editors of submissions that were far from perfect, but accepted for publication. They loved the idea, and the writing was competent. So they worked with the writer to make it shine.<BR/><BR/>Yet we all strive to make our work more than shine before submitting. We want it to positively sparkle.J.A. Palermohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18325616361174334630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-52830625054665969142008-10-08T08:08:00.000-04:002008-10-08T08:08:00.000-04:00I totally know what you're saying, Kelly. Believe...I totally know what you're saying, Kelly. Believe it or not, I've actually erred in that direction too. In fact, it's some of those same manuscripts that went out on that first round too quickly that now make me hesitant to send them out on again. If I managed to make them so much better between round one and round two, will I be able to find even more ways to make them better, I wonder. But I know I have to remember that my manuscript is never perfect. I can just make it as good as I know how to make it and send it on its way!Brianna Caplan Sayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10137299043891966903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-25798588978124805112008-10-07T22:12:00.000-04:002008-10-07T22:12:00.000-04:00I think I have the opposite problem...I'm so excit...I think I have the opposite problem...I'm so excited that I want to get it out there. I did this at first but when I really should have sat on the manuscript a while, revised a little more then sent it out. I'm slightly more careful now, but I do just want to get my stories out there!Kelly Polarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-89938535465250719722008-10-07T19:02:00.000-04:002008-10-07T19:02:00.000-04:00Hey Guys, Very fun to have so many responses to re...Hey Guys, Very fun to have so many responses to respond to...<BR/><BR/>Judy-- I know what you mean about wanting "fairy dust" to sprinkle on that "oh so close" manuscript. Aah, if we could market that, then we'd have a besteller, wouldn't we?<BR/><BR/>Meg-- I do think I've gotten better at not getting crushed by rejections, bu maybe I'm still too much of an optimistic worrier. (What a combination! :o) )<BR/><BR/>Robin-- Harold Underdown's point is exactly what scares me. After careful research, it just seems that there are so few possible options for some manuscripts. But you're exactly right, it won't get published unless I send it out there.<BR/><BR/>Gale-- Good luck finding the time to find the magazine you can send that poem to!<BR/><BR/>Stephanie-- So neat to make a connection with someone who has illustrated my words!Brianna Caplan Sayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10137299043891966903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-50453450047919242162008-10-07T16:56:00.000-04:002008-10-07T16:56:00.000-04:00I didn't know that was you! (I should have, but I ...I didn't know that was you! (I should have, but I didn't put it together until you said something.) I still have your wonderful poem with my snowman picture!!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for saying something. :0)srublehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09258955808195282768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-92167619369178659892008-10-07T16:02:00.000-04:002008-10-07T16:02:00.000-04:00Oh, yes, this disease runs wild among writers. I w...Oh, yes, this disease runs wild among writers. I was just fretting today about a poem I wrote and submitted in hopes of matching a magazine's "wish list." Well, it was rejected and now it sits.<BR/><BR/>I've done some looking at guidelines for other print and online magazines, but that takes time! I'd rather be writing.<BR/><BR/>So who knows when that poem will be submitted again!Gale Sypher Jacobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06316827256622168039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-47653709590837520322008-10-07T15:30:00.000-04:002008-10-07T15:30:00.000-04:00I heard Harold Underdown speak at a conference a f...I heard Harold Underdown speak at a conference a few years back and he said something to the effect that if you really research the publishers, your submission list would be fairly small. I know it doesn't sound awfully hopeful (kind of like a balloon leaking helium...) but that's what I've done. <BR/><BR/>As for getting an agent vs. getting an editor...eeek, think that's like What came first the chicken or the egg? <BR/><BR/>I guess it all comes down to the fact that a manuscript won't be published unless it's out there...so get it out there!Robin Constantinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12702857007702547325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-84347531072121394752008-10-07T14:56:00.000-04:002008-10-07T14:56:00.000-04:00Speaking as the Queen of Doubts, I have discovered...Speaking as the Queen of Doubts, I have discovered that my lack of faith has actually helped me with submissions. I have lowered my expectations, so I don't get as upset when the rejection comes. I just do a bit more research to find that "perfect publisher" or agent (never expecting that they will be the "perfect" publisher or agent) and send it out again. <BR/><BR/>I do identify with Brianna's quandary of which manuscript represents my best writing for which publisher/agent. And then I remember that I have low expectations anyhow so I just wing it - while always remaining profession, of course.Meg Wiviotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16178051434999444739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-58600772125858587002008-10-07T14:34:00.000-04:002008-10-07T14:34:00.000-04:00I know just what you mean. My MG that came close w...I know just what you mean. My MG that came close with a major publisher has been languishing on the sidelines since, waiting for me to sprinkle fairy dust on it, or whatever it takes to make it perfect.<BR/><BR/>I NEED to send it back out again.J.A. Palermohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18325616361174334630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-37956975949154951552008-10-07T14:23:00.000-04:002008-10-07T14:23:00.000-04:00Thanks for responding, Stephanie! I definitely kn...Thanks for responding, Stephanie! I definitely know what you mean about even rejections being a move in the right direction. I might as well find out that doesn't meet their needs and move on to the next possible publisher... who just could be the perfect fit!<BR/><BR/>P.S. You illustrated my very first published poem several years ago for Dragonfly Spirit. I still have your wonderful illustration of "My Snowman" in my clips folder!Brianna Caplan Sayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10137299043891966903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-88555095223803662712008-10-07T13:59:00.000-04:002008-10-07T13:59:00.000-04:00Me too! Sometimes I don't sub things, and sometime...Me too! Sometimes I don't sub things, and sometimes I just force myself to send it out there, and I'm always glad I did. Even if it's a rejection, I'm doing something and moving in the right direction. I need to do that more. When I get my new WIP done, my goal is to send it out!<BR/><BR/>Good luck getting your manuscripts out the door too!srublehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09258955808195282768noreply@blogger.com