This week I was showing off the proof book for GRAVE. My friend has no writing or publishing connections, but had good questions about the process. The analogy that queries were like speed dating was made.
I have no experience with speed dating, but perhaps it is a good analogy of how books are selected. Then again, maybe not.
Judith and I read every query letter, synopsis, and sample chapters. We both have to agree on the merit of the work before we go forward with the project. We've never discussed our style, but this is how it looks for me to read the submissions:
The letter:
What's the tone? What does it tell me about the ms and the author? Does it look like they read the submission guidelines?
What's the tone? What does it tell me about the ms and the author? Does it look like they read the submission guidelines?
The synopsis:
Does it follow the industry standard for a synopsis? Those of you who know to put the character names in all caps get extra points. That tells me that you have done some research on how to write a synopsis.
Does it follow the industry standard for a synopsis? Those of you who know to put the character names in all caps get extra points. That tells me that you have done some research on how to write a synopsis.
The sample chapters:
There should only be three chapters. I'm looking for a quick hook that isn't a tease. I'm looking at style and voice. I'm looking at dialogue and whether everyone speaks exactly the same, or hopefully not. Good grammar and a working knowledge of punctuation is a plus. But, if everything else grabs me, I know that our certified proofreader Anita Beery will correct all of the errors.
There should only be three chapters. I'm looking for a quick hook that isn't a tease. I'm looking at style and voice. I'm looking at dialogue and whether everyone speaks exactly the same, or hopefully not. Good grammar and a working knowledge of punctuation is a plus. But, if everything else grabs me, I know that our certified proofreader Anita Beery will correct all of the errors.
This is where the speed dating comes in, I guess. I click "Show/Hide" (control and *) to look at the level of computer skills of the writer. This shows if there isn't a page break between chapters, it shows if things are centered with a million spacebar (or tab key) strokes, it shows if there are two blank spaces between sentences, and it shows the random spacebar stroke between words or at the start of paragraphs.
Besides the show/hide thing, I look at details like the backward quote mark (caused by a space between the word and the quote mark). This is just one example of the things the writer should have caught and corrected before they submitted the sample.
This makes me think that the writer did not look at their work before they sent it. Or maybe they think they are so wonderful, that they are exempt from doing a good job.
I don't know what that means in the big scheme of things. Are they sloppy? Do they rush through things? Are they not taking this industry seriously? Do they think small publishers have lower standards?
When you're asking a stranger to fund your book, do look at what you are submitting in the light of a business arrangement.
Write your best story. Give it every chance of success by taking the time to make sure that you submit your best sample of your ability and your ms. This is your one chance to impress us.
Besides the show/hide thing, I look at details like the backward quote mark (caused by a space between the word and the quote mark). This is just one example of the things the writer should have caught and corrected before they submitted the sample.
This makes me think that the writer did not look at their work before they sent it. Or maybe they think they are so wonderful, that they are exempt from doing a good job.
I don't know what that means in the big scheme of things. Are they sloppy? Do they rush through things? Are they not taking this industry seriously? Do they think small publishers have lower standards?
When you're asking a stranger to fund your book, do look at what you are submitting in the light of a business arrangement.
Write your best story. Give it every chance of success by taking the time to make sure that you submit your best sample of your ability and your ms. This is your one chance to impress us.
When Paul Fenton stops for breakfast in a small town, he gets more than he bargained for in the process.
When two-hundred-year-old human remains are discovered on one of Neptune's moons, Earth's history falls into question.
Emily's husband persuades her to try thalidomide to ease her symptoms as she is unaware of the devastating effects.
Who is the women's shelter bomber? Melissa Ryan suspects that her husband knows.
Further developments with the Wilder family.
A hidden past shakes the O'Donovan family to its core
A swirl of emotion and choice, set in Cape Town, South Africa
Love is a constant, but it comes at a price.
When the road ahead is unclear, sometimes you have to rely on trust.
The struggle between good and evil is ages old. It gets all the more complicated when the good guys aren't all good and the bad guys have redeeming qualities.
Story of a land mothering two races of people – the light-skinned and the dark-skinned.
A gifted Ukrainian ballerina comes into possession of a mysteriously coded address book.
Six passengers' lives change for better or worse after they arrive in Honiton.
Resilience and love in a harsh and unforgiving age
Kathryn's Beach
High Tide
Storm Surge
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