Jim, Could you list certain points that need/should be covered in a query letter, and those points one should stay away from?
James D. Macdonald said:Titles can't be copyrighted, but songs may be special cases if, for example, the title is also one of the lines.
Ken Schneider said:Jim, Could you list certain points that need/should be covered in a query letter, and those points one should stay away from?
James D. Macdonald: Happy Twelfth Night!
Those of you who are playing along at home now have a manuscript for a Frankenstein Mystery Short Story, one that doesn't contain any trademarked/copyrighted characters.
Your next assignment is to get your usual group of beta readers and have them read and comment on your story. Don't tell them anything about this story other than "Here, please scribble all over this" or words to that effect. No mention of the background of the story, why you're writing it, or what you expect from it. If you don't have a usual group of beta readers, get some.
Between now and 05FEB06, you are required to find the addresses of five paying markets that might possibly publish the story you've written. Print publications are definitely preferred.
The next part of the assignment comes on 05FEB06.
James D. Macdonald said:Offsite backup is a good thing. But you really don't need to worry about people stealing your manuscript.
James D. Macdonald said:Offsite backup is a good thing. But you really don't need to worry about people stealing your manuscript.
(grasshopper) said:I've heard this said before, but I'm not sure of the reasoning. Could you expand on that?
(grasshopper) said:I've heard this said before, but I'm not sure of the reasoning. Could you expand on that?
James D. Macdonald said:The workshop organizers usually send the first batch of submissions to the instructors in mid-March, then every month thereafter until we've filled the class.
James D. Macdonald said:When it comes back (and it will), THAT SAME DAY put it in an envelope and send it to the next place on your list.
blacbird said:Okay. I've made a vow to myself to be less negative, so this is not intended to be so. But I have to question the "and it will" here. My return rate, of any sort, on short fiction submissions is only about 50%. I've had many many many submissions simply disappear into the ozone, even with follow-up letters after several months. And, before anybody asks, yes, I ALWAYS send a proper SASE.
Which again brings up the question of simultaneous submission vs. sequential submission. Comments?
caw.
Only do this if the market clearly states that they accept simsubs, and clearly mark that this is a simultaneous submission in the cover letter.