Q is for Query

Aside from all of this editing, the other thing I need to do is rewrite and edit my query letter. Since my goal for finishing the edit is to submit to agents, the query is of great importance and makes for a good Q topic. Check out the other words used for Q blog here.

Query

The query letter is an important one as it's one of the factors that will make an agent/editor consider reading your chapter/novel. It has some basic elements and examples are easy to find online.

Some of the elements are pretty simple. Novel title, genre and word count should be something you already know (or have a vague idea of at least since they don't need to know the draft is exactly 87,565 words). Genre can be tricky at times but you do the best you can. I have this part down though I'm not 100 percent on the exact location as I've seen it in a couple of places in queries that worked.

Personalizing the letter with a sentence or two that shows you've done your research and why you've chosen to send to that person in particular is also helpful but can be tricky at times. Sometimes we are sending because they represent the genre but beyond that, it's a slight shot in the dark. Do try and do some research even though many are aware how some send out to many in hopes of finding one that requests a full or partial.

The hard part, for many are the bigger paragraphs of the letter. That is the part about the story (the most important part some might say) and the may be small bio. My bio is tiny because I have no publications at this time and in some cases the bio won't even be on the query. That makes the toughest part the one or two short paragraphs that in an attention getting, voice showing way, describes the entire novel. No pressure or anything, right? ;-)

I have a rough draft of a query but still working on the voice aspect and wording things the right way to convey the YA novel. Hopefully I can get it in the next couple of drafts.

Some links on query letters:
http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/how-to-write-the-perfect-query-letter
http://www.agentquery.com/writer_hq.aspx
http://janefriedman.com/2014/04/11/query-letters/


Have you written a query? How many drafts did it take you?

Submission Process

I'm getting to the point of jumping off a cliff... I mean, I'm going to be sending out stories and queries in 2014 so it seems fitting to dedicate a blog post to talk about the submission process.

Which means I can talk about the submission process. Yay!

After you have written the awesome story of amazingness and edited it to a shiny glean that rivals the sun, well then it's time to figure out where and how to submit the story. That is the fun part right? (I forget which part is considered the fun part at times...)

Finding Places
Time for some research. Internet has made it easier, or so I've heard. There are ways to search, google, and a few web sites dedicated to this endeavor that will come in handy. Check out the different publishers available and looked around their sites. Read some of the stories they have published. It helps to read more than a few because you want to see if what you write seems like a good fit for what the location looks for in stories. They also have the guidelines for that but seeing what already got the seal of approval will also help. Think they are right for you? Make note of that.

Read Guidelines
Yes, most have listed somewhere their guidelines. On this page is often some of the general things the publisher is looking for which includes genre, story lengths and even some little hints at what they either like or what will be a really hard sell to them. They also list exactly how to submit. Most have online submissions available through different formats (email or their own online form) but there are still a few that have a preference to the printed and mail out variety. Most also will list formatting tips, which is really helpful. Read them and then, maybe read them again just in case. We all make mistakes but it helps to try and put your best foot forward and really, having worked with a small publisher a little, it's amazing how many ignore guidelines. Don't let that be you.

Tracking Tools
These are great to have but like any tool have to make sure you use them as just that and don't obsess. I've only got one story out right now but must admit already within the last 10 days I have checked my email and the tracker site I'm using way too much.

Duotrope - This is what I think I first used a few years ago to find places to submit, back when the web site was free. But I never used the tracking aspect as I only sent out a couple things back then as that was all the way back in 2009. It still seems like a great site to use even though I don't have access to it at this point. Maybe someday I'll have the funds for such. It sure was a good search location for open publications to submit back then and I imagine there is much it offers now. (http://duotrope.com)

The Grinder - I am using this site now. It's a search place for finding publications to submit and has the option to track submissions. I signed up and have tracked the one story that I've submitted twice so far this year. It's nice. I like the layout, being able to see the different reports on the main page and the graph on each publishers page. Seems a handy place to keep track of things and bonus for me (and those using it), the site is free. (http://thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com)

Excel - And I have my own excel sheet for submitting just to make sure I don't lose track where I have submitted, when and what responses I receive. I even have the ones from 2009 on it still. I got mostly form rejections and the one personal rejection that came with a note was from someone that gave comments to all submissions. But I have the information still, which is good. I currently have a page for places I'd like to submit where I mark down how many stories I submit to them. Then I have a page where I list my stories, where I want to submit, what date I submit to them, when I hear back and what the result is (form, personal, etc). Might need a second sheet for that once I get sending a lot more out but right now it's small. I try to list at least 3 places to submit per story but that will also increase in the foreseeable future. And I might need a new page when I get to the novel query submission process with agents and such involved.


But it's all exciting. And I'm a little more productive in other aspects so far this year too. I've gotten together a schedule for the week so I can work on short stories, novels and editing. It's working out even with my works schedule being a bit unreliable (people calling in sick and such). While I only have one story out so far, I have 4 that I'm getting ready and hope to have out by the end of the month. And I'm using a google doc excel thing someone else created (Thank You) to keep track of words written each day. 2014 is looking promising.


Have you submitted any stories recently?
Do you use any tools to track submissions?
If so, which do you prefer?

E is for Ezine

Today I am happy to showcase a special Ezine that started not that long ago. It is one that started from a special project and has just exploded from potential into this amazing free work for people to send writing to in hopes of publication.


Shadows Express

About the site from the home page: a magazine presenting new voices to discerning readers. In a demanding, fast-paced world, we need time to relax and feed our minds. Finding quality short stories, poetry, and articles that can be read in one sitting and shared with family members is becoming increasingly difficult.

At Shadows Express, we strive to bring that quality to the reader: fiction both engaging and entertaining; poetry that speaks to the heart; and helpful, inspiring non-fiction. This is writing you will be eager to share with your spouse, parents, children, and friends. All of these are designed to be read at your leisure, without tying up too much of your time.

Main Page: http://www.shadowexpress.com/




What does Shadows Express publish?

Fiction (up to 2500 words)
Non-fiction (up to 2500 words)
Poetry (up to 40 lines)

However, they will also consider other works that are 2500 to 5000 words. Longer works, novel excerpts, graphics and columns require queries first.


Reading Periods (when they are open for submission)
December 22nd - February 15th
March 22nd - May 15th
June 22nd - August 15th
September 22nd - November 15th
 

What do they look for?

"Our mission is to bring emerging writers into the light. In order to do that, we look for quality fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. We hope this publication will be a springboard for the authors into the published world.

We aim for family-friendly content. These are stories and poems you will want to share and discuss. For this reason, we do not accept items with gratuitous sex, violence, or gore. We understand that within the scope of a story, it may be necessary to use some swearing to indicate character or the situation. This, however, must be kept to a minimum. The acceptability of this usage will be determined on a case-by-case basis." - Shadow Express Guidelines Page

For more detail check out this page: http://www.shadowexpress.com/for-writers/guidelines/


They have also added a new weekly section this month called Contemplations. Make sure to check that page out too. http://www.shadowexpress.com/contemplations/


I hope to submit to this Ezine some day too, once I can find something that is family friendly, but I recommend it to anyone who has short work they want to submit. While it is currently a free zine, and unable to pay for submissions, it is a great stepping stone for many.


Do you submit to Ezines?
Do you read Ezines?

Publisher Requirements

While the submission process is something that I don't have much experience in, I thought that this would be a good topic. After my last rejection, I found a new magazine to send the story out to only this one isn't an online submission. But what spurred this topic is that the publisher had more than a postal requirement. They wanted the stories to be printed on bond paper (50lb +). I went to an office supply store and even the people working there had never heard of bond paper. People I tell the requirement too have actually asked me why and for that I don't have an answer because the truth is we don't need to know why it is required, just have to find a way to follow the rules. I found linen cover stock (65lb) and printed out the story. It is in the mail now.

Make sure to check what the publisher requires in a submission. A few things to check for:

1. Word Count or Line Count requirements

2. Email submissions allowed or not

3. Do they want a cover letter with it or no

4. Are multiple submission accepted (more than one by the author to the same location)

5. Do they allow simultaneous submissions (meaning same story to different publishers)

6. Are they even accepting submissions at that time. (not all will be)

There are so many reasons a publisher can reject a story. By making sure to follow their requirements that at least gets your story into there hands and gives it a shot. Because if their rules aren't followed there is little chance the story/poems/etc will even be considered. It pays to pay attention.