Weather is changing. Time is changing. The world is changing and, as writers, we need to change right along with it.
If your manuscript is being rejected time and time again, maybe you need to make some adjustments to your presentation or approach. Are you getting any feedback from editors or publishers? Some of them will tell you why they have decided to pass on your book.
Most editors and publishers specialize in some way. They have certain standards, requirements, agendas. It is your job to give them something that fits within their specifications. If you don’t adhere to their word count, subject preferences, etc., your piece will most likely be rejected.
Some of you are saying, “Well, duh!” But you might be surprised at how many would-be authors “reject” submission guidelines and just do their own thing.
This week, as Executive Director of SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network), I received three requests that were way off base for us. One woman wanted us to partner with her in some program that didn’t relate to our purpose here at SPAWN. And I received query letters from two hopeful authors who, obviously, didn’t do their homework. And both query letters were atrociously poorly written. Both authors made a lot of excuses for their shortcomings. One explained that he had no money and no means of helping with promotion. If I were a publisher I would have rejected both of them on the spot.
And this is what many editors and publishers do—they reject the author/writer rather than the story, article of book manuscript.
Particularly for an author, if you fail to show a bit of savvy with regard to the publishing process, if you indicate that it is difficult for you to follow-through (you use a friend’s computer and check email only once in a while), you are disabled and can’t get out much, you are aging or too busy and not interested in promotion, you love your manuscript the way it is and have no intention of making any changes, etc., you will be rejected. What publisher wants to work with someone who is not flexible, eager to do what it takes to get published, able to respond promptly and follow-through and capable of getting out and promoting the book?
That’s what I want you to think about this weekend—why you are being rejected time and time again. It may not be necessary, at all, for you to turn your back on traditional publishing and go with a pay-to-publish outfit. You may be able to land a publisher for your marvelous project if only you knew how to perfect your presentation and understand how best to approach a publisher.
Many of you already have a copy of my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. If so, I suggest that you read it from cover to cover again. If you are trying to pitch your project to a publisher as we speak, read Chapters Two and Eight. Study the section of how to write a successful query letter and book proposal. Reevaluate your query letter and proposal. Send them to me for evaluation if you like. PLFry620@yahoo.com
Recently, one of my clients was working on a query letter based on the suggestions in my book and wasn’t getting anywhere. He sent it to me. I tweaked it so it had a stronger lead and more emphasis was put on the aspect that mattered most to the publisher and he is now circulating a much more powerful query letter.
Don’t give up seeking a publisher too soon. It is harder than ever to land a publishing contract. It is going to take time. Just make sure you have the best presentation possible, that you are approaching the right publishers and then be patient.
If you don’t have a copy of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, check it out at http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html