Angry Robot 2017 Open Door

Robinski

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Dec 29, 2017
Messages
64
Reaction score
7
Location
Glasgow, Scotland
IMO simply submitting a completed manuscript is a huge win to anyone that took the plunge. At least that's how I feel, because it is saying 'I believe,' and all those other good things, about our work. For that matter, IMO simply finishing a story, pulling it out of ourselves and getting it onto paper, is a huge win even if it's never submitted anywhere. Sometimes I think about the act of writing a novel length story, and I am amazed.

Totally agree. It was my first submission (although my 6th novel) and I learned so much about the mechanics just by going through the process. That will make it easier for me to take the Rejection when it comes, and to take that step again when the opportunity arises. It's another step on the path.
 

Harlequin

Eat books, not brains!
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Nov 21, 2010
Messages
4,584
Reaction score
1,412
Location
The land from whence the shadows fall
Website
www.sunyidean.com
*steps closer to the firing line*


MemberGenreSubmitted DateResponse DateOutcomeWord CountMCPOVPOVAliens?Genre 2
MARothmanSFNovember 1st??R
BlinkerBotSpace OperaNovember 1stJanuary 22ndR
AJ_WritesFantasyNovember 6thFebruary 27thR
ArcsWTFNovember 16thMarch 20thR
DJGuestWTFNovember 16thMarch 20thR
kaysaFantasyNovember 21st90,000Nonbinary1st pastSingleNoDark Fantasy
ByTXPFantasyNovember 22ndMay 3rdR111,000Female3rd pastMultipleNoEpic Fantasy
karlequinContemp SFFNovember 27thApril 7thR
DryadSpace OperaNovember 27thApril 7thR
Amal22FantasyNovember 29thApril 7thR80,000MaleMixedSingleNoFantasy
Anarchic QSFDecember 1stApril 8thR95,000Male3rd pastSingleNoSF Dystopia
SPBspecHist FantDecember 1stApril 20thR94,000Female3rd pastSingleNoSF
BlueLobsterSFDecember 3rdApril 20thR85,000Female3rd pastSingleYesSF Horror
CamariaFantasyDecember 4th
C.M. DahmerSFDecember 5th
RaindropWTFDecember 10thApril 30thR87,000Male3rd pastMultipleYesWTF (gaslamp)
ErinSFDecember 10thMay 3rdR92,000Female1st pastSingleYesSciene Fantasy
UsefulidiotSFDecember 12thMay 3rdR82,000Male1st presentSingleNoSF
chracatoaSFDecember 14thMay 16R108,000Male1st presentSingleYesSF
RemusShepherdSFDecember 14thMay 17R88,000Female3rd pastMultipleNo
AngryCumbrianFantasyDecember 15th
HarlequinWTFDecember 17th106,000Dual3rd pastMultipleYesScience Fantasy
SkyfireSFDecember 18th90,000Male3rd pastSingleNoScience Fantasy
Yorkie1SFDecember 19th103,000Dual3rd pastMultipleYesGOT AN AGENT!!
crystalizingWTFDecember 20th102,963Female1st pastSingleYesWTF - Alien/Elves
noranneSFDecember 21st
MandamonFantasyDecember 23rd129,000Dual3rd pastMultipleNoEpic Fantasy
joeycFantasyDecember 24th105,000Dual3rd pastMultipleNoFantasy
BelomarContemp FantDecember 25th
sideshowdarbWTFDecember 26th
Germanicus_CaesarFantasyDecember 27th121,000DualUnspecifiedMultipleNoEpic Historical
TSJohnsonMil SFDecember 28th
ClovitideSFDecember 30th
RobinskiSFDecember 30th88,600Male3rd pastMultipleNoSpace Opera
EnshantaWTFDecember 31st80,204Female3rd pastMultipleYesWTF
PattySFDecember 31st97,000Dual3rd pastMultipleNoSF
ChannySFDecember 31st
 
Last edited:

Harlequin

Eat books, not brains!
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Nov 21, 2010
Messages
4,584
Reaction score
1,412
Location
The land from whence the shadows fall
Website
www.sunyidean.com
that's very kind :) but I have strong doubts that it'll be this MS which sells (if any!); it's a different beast to the current one and suffers badly from Firstbookitis lol. We'll see.

At this point I think I'd almost rather than an R and move on, then revisit this MS later with the overhaul I'd like to do on it.
 

joeyc

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Apr 18, 2010
Messages
712
Reaction score
55
Location
Somewhere.
Sorry for the rejection.

Hang in there, Harlequin. (The waiting is the worst part.)
 

Woollybear

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Nov 27, 2017
Messages
9,724
Reaction score
9,708
Location
USA
Harlequin! People love your writing! Hang in there.

Remus - I am sorry about the rejection.

Both of you - I want to read excerpts! :) I am certain you would both inspire me.
 

Shoeless

Super Member
Registered
Joined
May 18, 2009
Messages
2,308
Reaction score
295
that's very kind :) but I have strong doubts that it'll be this MS which sells (if any!); it's a different beast to the current one and suffers badly from Firstbookitis lol. We'll see.

At this point I think I'd almost rather than an R and move on, then revisit this MS later with the overhaul I'd like to do on it.

Firstbookitis is a rite of passage. Very, very few people actually have a huge hit, straight out of the gates on the first book they ever wrote, so if you're not in that tiny percentage, that's definitely not a knock on you, or your writing. Especially if you come out of it being a better writer anyway. Nothing is really wasted if it pushes you forward as a writer.
 

crystalizing

Registered
Joined
Dec 4, 2017
Messages
38
Reaction score
3
Well I am certainly glad to hear others were also in the mix with their first novel! It was for me as well. And there really is a part of me that wants to get back to it and do an overhaul. But I suppose the waiting is good because I have been focusing on short stories and trying to actually get some of them finished up so I can submit them places. Plus the distance from the submitted novel probably makes it easier to dig back into it more subjectively after the rejection rolls in :)

To those with recent Rs, virtual hugs your way. And as always to those still in the waiting game good luck!
 

llawrence

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Oct 27, 2015
Messages
92
Reaction score
13
Location
East of Eden.
Firstbookitis is a rite of passage. Very, very few people actually have a huge hit, straight out of the gates on the first book they ever wrote, so if you're not in that tiny percentage, that's definitely not a knock on you, or your writing. Especially if you come out of it being a better writer anyway. Nothing is really wasted if it pushes you forward as a writer.
I often wish my first manuscript hadn't been something I cared about, so I could just toss it aside and move on. But I'm actually attached to the story, so now I'm going through a slugfest of revisions. Sometimes I think I'll just start over and rewrite the durn thing from from scratch, starting on page one.
 

Shoeless

Super Member
Registered
Joined
May 18, 2009
Messages
2,308
Reaction score
295
I often wish my first manuscript hadn't been something I cared about, so I could just toss it aside and move on. But I'm actually attached to the story, so now I'm going through a slugfest of revisions. Sometimes I think I'll just start over and rewrite the durn thing from from scratch, starting on page one.

Well, that's kind of the tricksey tightrope that we writers have to walk, isn't it? On one the hand, of COURSE we have to care about the story we're telling, otherwise why tell it? On the other hand, I've met some people who've been working on the same book several years, and still can't let it go. At some point, if the book you're writing is the only book you'll be writing for the rest of your life, maybe it's time to think about being a different kind of writer. Especially if you can't bear to stop working on it ever.

Not saying that's where you're at of course, but it can be hard sometimes to know when to keep polishing a book and know when it put down and move onto something else. And sometimes, you NEED to put a book down, and walk away from it for a few years, THEN come back to it as a writer with more experience and skill, and finally tell the story the way it was meant. That can be particularly true if you deeply feel that story is The One, and you want to give it the best possible chance at publication, but aren't sure you're ready to do it justice yet. Everyone's got to feel it out for themselves since every book has different needs, depending on where you are in your writing journey.
 

llawrence

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Oct 27, 2015
Messages
92
Reaction score
13
Location
East of Eden.
Well, I finished the manuscript in early 2016, so I guess that does describe me. But I haven't been working on it that whole time. Perhaps I'll just rewrite one chapter from scratch, then compare the two to get an idea how different it would be on a second attempt.

The one I submitted to AR is my second finished novel, and it was significantly better out of the gate.
 

Saoirse

Mi verkas
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jun 16, 2010
Messages
2,624
Reaction score
338
Location
Michigan
Website
erinkendall.wordpress.com
Well, that's kind of the tricksey tightrope that we writers have to walk, isn't it? On one the hand, of COURSE we have to care about the story we're telling, otherwise why tell it? On the other hand, I've met some people who've been working on the same book several years, and still can't let it go. At some point, if the book you're writing is the only book you'll be writing for the rest of your life, maybe it's time to think about being a different kind of writer. Especially if you can't bear to stop working on it ever.

I actually did this with the novel I submitted to the AR Open Door in 2015. Rewrote it 4 times, revised it about a hundred times. It was strongly suggested by some writer friends to let it go for awhile and write something else. I'd lost the love of writing and needed to get it back.

The book I wrote next became my debut novel. I self-pubbed it. And I am so happy I took that advice. I will be self-pubbing the AR novel in a year or so. And I feel good about it. :D
 
Last edited:

Harlequin

Eat books, not brains!
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Nov 21, 2010
Messages
4,584
Reaction score
1,412
Location
The land from whence the shadows fall
Website
www.sunyidean.com
The one I've subbed has been rewritten a lot, starting from July 2016 through till Dec 2017, and needs one last overhaul to fix all the plot problems. That's part of why I'd kind of want a rejection because it's not suitable as is anyway.

I haven't given up on it but I have put it aside to get some space and write something new. Hopefully start querying soon.
 

Raindrop

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jun 29, 2009
Messages
1,498
Reaction score
409
Location
London, UK
The one I've subbed has been rewritten a lot, starting from July 2016 through till Dec 2017, and needs one last overhaul to fix all the plot problems. That's part of why I'd kind of want a rejection because it's not suitable as is anyway.
Yes, I'm kind of glad I got rejected. I *thought* my manuscript was ready, but it really wasn't... So now I get to make it better. Better-er. :hooray:
I'm really glad I went through the submission process, though. It's a great learning experience.
 
Joined
May 17, 2018
Messages
3
Reaction score
1
Hi all—

What a great forum to come upon in the midst of the waiting game. I suppose I'll submit my data for the table:

Word Count: 103,000
MC: Multiple M, multiple F (ensemble)
3rd person past
Humans (near-future)
SF
Submission date: Dec. 18

Judging by the table it looks like someone may be reading my submission soon, or perhaps even now.

Good luck to everyone still waiting!
 

Harlequin

Eat books, not brains!
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Nov 21, 2010
Messages
4,584
Reaction score
1,412
Location
The land from whence the shadows fall
Website
www.sunyidean.com
Welcome, sebastian!

I've put a couple names in red to highlight that those posters no longer seem to be active (and so differentiate those who are awol, from those who are active but haven't heard back.)


MemberGenreSubmitted DateResponse DateOutcomeWord CountMCPOVPOVAliens?Genre 2
MARothmanSFNovember 1st????
BlinkerBotSpace OperaNovember 1stJanuary 22ndR
AJ_WritesFantasyNovember 6thFebruary 27thR
ArcsWTFNovember 16thMarch 20thR
DJGuestWTFNovember 16thMarch 20thR
kaysaFantasyNovember 21st90,000Nonbinary1st pastSingleNoDark Fantasy
ByTXPFantasyNovember 22ndMay 3rdR111,000Female3rd pastMultipleNoEpic Fantasy
karlequinContemp SFFNovember 27thApril 7thR
DryadSpace OperaNovember 27thApril 7thR
Amal22FantasyNovember 29thApril 7thR80,000MaleMixedSingleNoFantasy
Anarchic QSFDecember 1stApril 8thR95,000Male3rd pastSingleNoSF Dystopia
SPBspecHist FantDecember 1stApril 20thR94,000Female3rd pastSingleNoSF
BlueLobsterSFDecember 3rdApril 20thR85,000Female3rd pastSingleYesSF Horror
CamariaFantasyDecember 4th
C.M. DahmerSFDecember 5th
RaindropWTFDecember 10thApril 30thR87,000Male3rd pastMultipleYesWTF (gaslamp)
ErinSFDecember 10thMay 3rdR92,000Female1st pastSingleYesSciene Fantasy
UsefulidiotSFDecember 12thMay 3rdR82,000Male1st presentSingleNoSF
chracatoaSFDecember 14thMay 16R108,000Male1st presentSingleYesSF
RemusShepherdSFDecember 14thMay 17R88,000Female3rd pastMultipleNo
AngryCumbrianFantasyDecember 15th??????????
HarlequinWTFDecember 17th106,000Dual3rd pastMultipleYesScience Fantasy
SkyfireSFDecember 18th90,000Male3rd pastSingleNoScience Fantasy
diminutive_sebastianSFDecember 18th103,000Multiple3rd pastMultipleNoScience Fiction
Yorkie1SFDecember 19th103,000Dual3rd pastMultipleYesGOT AN AGENT!!
crystalizingWTFDecember 20th102,963Female1st pastSingleYesWTF - Alien/Elves
noranneSFDecember 21st
MandamonFantasyDecember 23rd129,000Dual3rd pastMultipleNoEpic Fantasy
joeycFantasyDecember 24th105,000Dual3rd pastMultipleNoFantasy
BelomarContemp FantDecember 25th
sideshowdarbWTFDecember 26th
Germanicus_CaesarFantasyDecember 27th121,000DualUnspecifiedMultipleNoEpic Historical
TSJohnsonMil SFDecember 28th
ClovitideSFDecember 30th
RobinskiSFDecember 30th88,600Male3rd pastMultipleNoSpace Opera
EnshantaWTFDecember 31st80,204Female3rd pastMultipleYesWTF
PattySFDecember 31st97,000Dual3rd pastMultipleNoSF
ChannySFDecember 31st
[/QUOTE]
 
Last edited:

Robinski

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Dec 29, 2017
Messages
64
Reaction score
7
Location
Glasgow, Scotland
Sorry, the engineer in me (so, most of me) was going crazy with the empty cells. I've taken the liberty of 'dashing out' where no info has been provided. I'm sure we'd still be happy to populate those cells, if peeps still around wish to provide the info.

I used blue for those that I gather are still active and we think are being held-over for further consideration (and who might still provide summary info?), and left blanks only where we think the reading has not yet reached (as far as we know).

Hope that's okay :)

I've put a couple names in red to highlight that those posters no longer seem to be active (and so differentiate those who are awol, from those who are active but haven't heard back.)


MemberGenreSubmitted DateResponse DateOutcomeWord CountMCPOVPOVAliens?Genre 2
MARothmanSFNovember 1st????------
BlinkerBotSpace OperaNovember 1stJanuary 22ndR------
AJ_WritesFantasyNovember 6thFebruary 27thR------
ArcsWTFNovember 16thMarch 20thR------
DJGuestWTFNovember 16thMarch 20thR------
kaysaFantasyNovember 21stpending?90,000Nonbinary1st pastSingleNoDark Fantasy
ByTXPFantasyNovember 22ndMay 3rdR111,000Female3rd pastMultipleNoEpic Fantasy
karlequinContemp SFFNovember 27thApril 7thR------
DryadSpace OperaNovember 27thApril 7thR------
Amal22FantasyNovember 29thApril 7thR80,000MaleMixedSingleNoFantasy
Anarchic QSFDecember 1stApril 8thR95,000Male3rd pastSingleNoSF Dystopia
SPBspecHist FantDecember 1stApril 20thR94,000Female3rd pastSingleNoSF
BlueLobsterSFDecember 3rdApril 20thR85,000Female3rd pastSingleYesSF Horror
CamariaFantasyDecember 4thpending???????
C.M. DahmerSFDecember 5thpending???????
RaindropWTFDecember 10thApril 30thR87,000Male3rd pastMultipleYesWTF (gaslamp)
ErinSFDecember 10thMay 3rdR92,000Female1st pastSingleYesSciene Fantasy
UsefulidiotSFDecember 12thMay 3rdR82,000Male1st presentSingleNoSF
chracatoaSFDecember 14thMay 16R108,000Male1st presentSingleYesSF
RemusShepherdSFDecember 14thMay 17R88,000Female3rd pastMultipleNo
AngryCumbrianFantasyDecember 15th????------
HarlequinWTFDecember 17th106,000Dual3rd pastMultipleYesScience Fantasy
SkyfireSFDecember 18th90,000Male3rd pastSingleNoScience Fantasy
diminutive_sebastianSFDecember 18th103,000Multiple3rd pastMultipleNoScience Fiction
Yorkie1SFDecember 19th103,000Dual3rd pastMultipleYesGOT AN AGENT!!
crystalizingWTFDecember 20th102,963Female1st pastSingleYesWTF - Alien/Elves
noranneSFDecember 21st------
MandamonFantasyDecember 23rd129,000Dual3rd pastMultipleNoEpic Fantasy
joeycFantasyDecember 24th105,000Dual3rd pastMultipleNoFantasy
BelomarContemp FantDecember 25th------
sideshowdarbWTFDecember 26th------
Germanicus_CaesarFantasyDecember 27th121,000DualUnspecifiedMultipleNoEpic Historical
TSJohnsonMil SFDecember 28th------
ClovitideSFDecember 30th------
RobinskiSFDecember 30th88,600Male3rd pastMultipleNoSpace Opera
EnshantaWTFDecember 31st80,204Female3rd pastMultipleYesWTF
PattySFDecember 31st97,000Dual3rd pastMultipleNoSF
ChannySFDecember 31st------
 
Last edited:

Harlequin

Eat books, not brains!
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Nov 21, 2010
Messages
4,584
Reaction score
1,412
Location
The land from whence the shadows fall
Website
www.sunyidean.com
Sorry to hear Sebastian - though hope you stick around anyway, as it's always great to have more writers on the forum x

Can't update table as out on my.phone ATM (perhaps Robinski or someone else can if they're around).
 
Joined
May 17, 2018
Messages
3
Reaction score
1
Thanks, everyone!

I'm in the middle of a fourth draft—now for the first time with the readership of a local writing group—so I feel good about keeping the momentum going.