Advice from the Horse's Mouth.

pdr · Jul 14, 2008

Just doing my monthly markets' column and found this advice from a publisher.

Get published somewhere else. We love new authors, but some sort of track record helps a lot. If you've finished a brilliant novel and have never been published anywhere else, keep your shirt on and start sending short stories or excerpts to literary magazines; most of them accept unpublished authors, and we'll look a lot more closely at authors who have been in print before. (If you have a truly stunning non-fiction proposal, however, you might be able to bypass this step.)

Memnon624 · Jul 14, 2008

Well, I'm glad I didn't follow that advice

I can't write a short story to save my life . . . and I've tried (37 times). I didn't get anywhere until I gave up shorts and went long-form. Sold the very first book I wrote, sans previous credits.

Previous credits can't hurt, but -- IMHO -- don't let a lack thereof stop you from marketing your work to every genre-appropriate agent you can find (I'm in the "get an agent first" crowd).

Best,

Scott

donroc · Jul 15, 2008

A well-known publisher told me years ago that he preferred to "steal" disgruntled authors from other publishers rather than publish unknowns.

It did not stop me from continuing to write and query.

Ol' Fashioned Girl · Jul 15, 2008

I bet that advice cuts down their slush pile quite a bit.

funidream · Jul 15, 2008

I'm with Memnon - happy I didn't follow that advice.

I don't like or want to write short stories - I need 400+ manuscript pages to tell the stories rattling around in my brain. I think especially when writing historical fiction, a writer needs the room.

For what it's worth, I asked my agent and editor what is most important when they considered submissions. Both of them said they could care less about previously pubbed work in literary journals, or educational degrees:

Agent looks for:
a - a great story concept followed up with
b - great writing - "I know it when I see it"

Editor looks for:
a - submissions from quality, trusted agent that result in
b - a manuscript she can't put down - "it's a visceral reaction"

DeleyanLee · Jul 15, 2008

pdr said:
Just doing my monthly markets' column and found this advice from a publisher.

Get published somewhere else. We love new authors, but some sort of track record helps a lot. If you've finished a brilliant novel and have never been published anywhere else, keep your shirt on and start sending short stories or excerpts to literary magazines; most of them accept unpublished authors, and we'll look a lot more closely at authors who have been in print before. (If you have a truly stunning non-fiction proposal, however, you might be able to bypass this step.)

(bold underline mine)

Sounds to me like a publisher I wouldn't want to submit to anyway, since I can't imagine anything I'd ever write being of any interest to a literary magazine--but that would cut down on their slush pile because I'd know that much about them. Assuming I knew which publisher/editor that was who said it, of course.

JenNipps · Jul 15, 2008

Theoretically, it makes sense. And it seems like the assumption is that if someone can write a novel, they can write a short story. Unfortunately, that's not the case. I have had absolutely no luck with short stories, though I try. (Just got a rejection in this morning. *s*)

Some people think bigger/broader than a short story allows for. Then again, sometimes stories grow larger than expected.

pdr · Jul 15, 2008

Interesting to note...

that the publisher actually says: short stories or excerpts so you could publish your novel extracts in the journals.
It's something I've heard editors say at conferences and in classes. You get off the slush pile if you've a relevant publishing record.

Last month I was doing a round up of UK Small Press publishers for an editor and noted just how much more detailed and definite they are in their guidelines.

The successful small presses - several of which are becoming writers' first choices for their decent attitude to writers and writing - didn't take unsolicited subs, wanted a writer's CV and wanted a manuscript which had been checked by another pair of eyes!

Doogs · Jul 16, 2008

This reminds me of the pressure to do community service and join clubs you could care less about to make yourself look better to colleges. I'm sure there are people who spend a lot of time on it...but does it even matter in the end?

Speaking for myself, I'd much rather focus what time I can devote to writing to refine my draft, perfect the query letter, and plan the next book. Writing short stories and trying to get them published for the sole purpose of making my query letter look maybe a tiny bit better? Unless you already have a bank of short stories ready to go, it just seems like distraction from the real goal.

the publisher actually says: short stories or excerpts so you could publish your novel extracts in the journals.

Why would anyone want to publish an excerpt of their unpublished novel? I imagine there would have to be legal complications involved with republishing material previously published by another publisher.

lkp · Jul 16, 2008

I think most of the markets that take historical fiction stories are so small, they'd be unlikely to impress a major publisher. I do think it make sense for people writing literary fiction though --- they all seem to have short story credits. And SF also still seems to have a decent market.

pdr · Jul 16, 2008

Don't knock the...

messanger! I am merely reporting what I have recently found. In the words of the publishers!

You may complain all you like and find ways round it, but this is what publishers are saying.

Deleted member 42 · Jul 16, 2008

pdr said:
messanger! I am merely reporting what I have recently found. In the words of the publishers!

You may complain all you like and find ways round it, but this is what publishers are saying.

Umm, no, actually it's what one editor of one very small press is saying.

Deleted member 42 · Jul 16, 2008

Doogs said:
Why would anyone want to publish an excerpt of their unpublished novel? I imagine there would have to be legal complications involved with republishing material previously published by another publisher.

There's the first rights issue, and yeah, that can be messy.

JenNipps · Jul 16, 2008

pdr said:
messanger! I am merely reporting what I have recently found. In the words of the publishers!

You may complain all you like and find ways round it, but this is what publishers are saying.

Asking honest questions and raising legitimate concerns is not complaining or "knocking" the messenger.

I do wonder, though, if perhaps it's a UK trend and not so much in the US?

pdr · Jul 16, 2008

Sigh!

Nope!
one small press N American publisher I quoted.

Last month I found similar comments in 5 UK small press publishers.

I've heard the comments: 'Getting something relevant published before approaching a publisher can/does help.' made by editors and publishers at 2 or 3 SF Cons and every NZRW conference I've been to.

It is something to think about if you're new to writing and are wondering how to get off the slush pile.

waylander · Jul 17, 2008

pdr said:
Nope!
one small press N American publisher I quoted.

Last month I found similar comments in 5 UK small press publishers.

I've heard the comments: 'Getting something relevant published before approaching a publisher can/does help.' made by editors and publishers at 2 or 3 SF Cons and every NZRW conference I've been to.

It is something to think about if you're new to writing and are wondering how to get off the slush pile.

It can't hurt but the effect is marginal
Here are John Jarrold's views http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/10900-personal-question-s-to-john-jarrold-77.html (see post 1150)

Doogs · Jul 24, 2008

Another point of view courtesy of agent Nathan Bransford:

If you don't have publishing credits: do not worry. They're not necessary. The ranks of people who have been published without a single credit to their name are legion. Just say "This is my first novel" and say it proud. Don't apologize, don't spend two pages telling about how much you love to write. Heck, you could hate writing more than life itself and if your book is good I won't even care. Whatever it takes you get the job done.

Advice from the Horse's Mouth.

pdr

Memnon624

A Boy and his Orc . . .

donroc

Historicals and Horror rule

Ol' Fashioned Girl

Hand? What hand?

funidream

DeleyanLee

Writing Anarchist

JenNipps

Have you JHS today?

pdr

Doogs

lkp

pdr

Deleted member 42

Deleted member 42

JenNipps

Have you JHS today?

pdr

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

Doogs