tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post2806313375843147959..comments2023-10-21T11:44:45.588+01:00Comments on ResidentAlien: Perfect SubmissionMary Witzlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-23906990098537381082010-03-10T19:02:03.860+00:002010-03-10T19:02:03.860+00:00MG -- Just look at Marcia's post! I think we&#...MG -- Just look at Marcia's post! I think we'd better brush off those manuscripts and send them out again. I'm in awe of everyone who has tried and tried again -- and made it. <br /><br />Marcia -- Reading your comment made my day. There is so much about this business that is utterly dispiriting, but the kindness and good example of writers who have made it never fail to make me push back into the ring.Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-66177711436160798342010-03-09T19:24:29.519+00:002010-03-09T19:24:29.519+00:00Going by your alphabet count, my first book took U...Going by your alphabet count, my first book took UU submissions to sell.Marciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10006966091789130047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-84653630016628894152010-03-09T16:11:02.270+00:002010-03-09T16:11:02.270+00:00Thank you! You made me laugh (and cry). I get to a...Thank you! You made me laugh (and cry). I get to about L or M and put my poor little manuscript (and bruised ego) away. Maybe I should keep sending. Your post is giving me courage.MG Higginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03584010470283038023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-54606813872136480752010-03-08T15:18:43.395+00:002010-03-08T15:18:43.395+00:00Falak -- Thank you, my dear. The way things are go...Falak -- Thank you, my dear. The way things are going now, I'm not all that sure I'll get published. But I'm very sure I'll keep on trying. <br /><br />Kara -- Whatever Stephenie Meyer is or isn't, her books are definitely a huge hit. And hits are respected in this business, so my hat's off to her. But I'm with you on the books -- they just don't do it for me. I've read Bram Stoker and I've read Anne Rice. After them, if I never read another vampire book it'll be too soon.<br /><br />But I'll keep on striving, for sure!<br /><br />Nora -- Thank you, my fellow pilgrim. We're all in this together and that really is some comfort.<br /><br />Robin -- It's a little sad, isn't it? Just like dancers and gymnasts go around stretching and talking about their screw ups and callouses, we ought to be able to talk freely about our failures. And many of us do, but it's frowned upon. I think we should turn it into bragging: look at me, look at all these rejections I've accrued -- am I something or what?<br /><br />Pat -- Ooh, she's not on my list! I'll have to look her up. (Just kidding, partly, but who knows? I may well end up querying her at some point; one day my own memoir should be ready to roll.)Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-88477967737324031952010-03-08T09:10:35.168+00:002010-03-08T09:10:35.168+00:00She's American - from Ohio - but based in Lond...She's American - from Ohio - but based in London.Pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01529798893653033970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-66632137664982350962010-03-08T02:26:09.131+00:002010-03-08T02:26:09.131+00:00That was awesome!!! Why is there a weird conspira...That was awesome!!! Why is there a weird conspiracy of silence about rejections? Of course writers get rejections! It's like a gymnast on the balance beam. If they never fall, that means they're not trying.<br /><br />I find the lingo around agents and writers really amusing. Imagine a friend asking, "Do you like my dress?" and replying, "Nah. It doesn't do it for me." <br /><br />I think you're da bomb, and I can't wait to read your first novel with a cup of tea and a bowl of Cheez Its.Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12396540555696283171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-75304861297652582452010-03-07T22:10:13.386+00:002010-03-07T22:10:13.386+00:00That was fun! ...and I'm living it with you.That was fun! ...and I'm living it with you.Nora MacFarlanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00575333078760106784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-52642782690881957512010-03-07T18:01:34.558+00:002010-03-07T18:01:34.558+00:00and then...you read something like Twilight...whic...and then...you read something like Twilight...which not only got PUBLISHED but became a CRAZE and it makes you want to punch something in the face, right? well it should. keep at it. if that fruitcake can get published, so can you!<br /><br />(please note: not implying you are also a fruitcake)karahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01690274092026593186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-47164856515414069762010-03-07T16:11:20.060+00:002010-03-07T16:11:20.060+00:00The best part about ypur posts are that I always g...The best part about ypur posts are that I always get to learn a new word! This post was such an eye opener for am amateur writer like me. One day your work will surely get published:)Falakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08321524864693512771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-21335803774981165272010-03-07T10:39:26.320+00:002010-03-07T10:39:26.320+00:00Victoria -- When you do this, give me a nudge and ...Victoria -- When you do this, give me a nudge and I'll join you, if you like. I'll even get my daughter to SHOW me, once and for all, how to paste in a link (as opposed to grabbing the keyboard and doing it for me). Glad you found it!<br /><br />Charlie -- It's not all the published crapola that really bums me out, it's the GREAT stuff that makes me see how far I have to go. But you can't stop writers from producing stellar work, oh no. When I read crappy stuff, I just marvel the authors had the guts to send it out, and the persistence to stick with it. Nowadays, I'm in awe of just about anybody who has published, good or bad. <br /><br />Don't worry, I'll never do vampires. Or, for that matter, werewolves, dragons or fairies. But I do witches and talking turtles...<br /><br />e -- Thank you! The fact that I get cool, published people cheering me on gives me a real boost. I can't imagine there are that many super polite people out there who are just trying to make me feel better. <br /><br />Pat -- Gulp. One hundred thousand copies? That many? Was this a U.K. agent?<br /><br />My target audience is young teenage misfits and nerds (and, fingers crossed, adult crossovers). I'm pretty sure they aren't in short supply, but one hundred thousand seems like a tall order. <br /><br />Good luck with L, M, N and O!<br /><br />Postman -- Keep on keeping on, that's my motto. One foot ahead of the other. (I've even got one of my characters repeating that like a mantra whenever times get hard.) <br /><br />Writing isn't easy by any means, but it's definitely the easiest part of this whole business. Writing for a discerning audience, for people who know what sells and doesn't sell, with one eye on plot, character development, setting, etc., and the other on the ever-evolving zeitgeist, all while trying to produce something that is coherent and cohesive and compelling -- that's tough. But hang in there -- you've got a lot of comrades. And all that alphabet ahead of you!<br /><br />Jacqui -- Thank you. You're published and polished -- you've been there and done that, haven't you? <br /><br />AnneB -- Oh, tell me about it! All of that stuff we don't even know about, the sharks that look like dolphins, the goalposts you manage to squeeze through, miraculously, only to have them moved forward -- that is another matter and I can't even bear to think about it. <br /><br />If I see you aiming for the rapids, I'll let you know. And I know you'll do the same for me!<br /><br />Kappa -- Aw, thank you! <br /><br />I have close to a whole chapbook of writer angst poetry; writing it is one of the little things I do to keep myself sane. A few years back, I did get one of these poems published in Flashquake, but others have not met with success. But I'll keep on churning it out whether I like it or not.Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-773310075940322322010-03-07T03:36:11.158+00:002010-03-07T03:36:11.158+00:00This is perfect and true and every writer needs to...This is perfect and true and every writer needs to read it. And, have you sent the poem out? I bet it would get snapped right up. Oh, the irony. ^ ~Kappa no Hehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00909580462578058631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-23050698213834968272010-03-07T02:53:56.403+00:002010-03-07T02:53:56.403+00:00Me, I'm still waiting to hear from I, J, and L...Me, I'm still waiting to hear from I, J, and L. BTW, I read in PW that K and N are starting their own agency repping Swedish manga only, and R is being sued six ways from Sunday for siphoning off considerably more than her 15% from the pass-through.AnneBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14353297751372957745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-73068931134792704332010-03-07T01:37:02.265+00:002010-03-07T01:37:02.265+00:00I love it.I love it.Jacquihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08277260387578439327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-55283582914591515892010-03-07T01:07:13.919+00:002010-03-07T01:07:13.919+00:00I needed that.
The publishing process is, at tim...I needed that. <br /><br />The publishing process is, at times, even more daunting than the writing. It's got its own ups and downs and trials and heartbreaks and depressions. I guess the only thing is to keep plugging away, come what may (ad nauseam and zzzzs notwithstanding).A.T. Posthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03987529687181431843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-51989943971453180562010-03-06T23:45:28.639+00:002010-03-06T23:45:28.639+00:00Got the tee shirt:)
The last thing my agent said :...Got the tee shirt:)<br />The last thing my agent said :<br />'Unless they are sure tha tthey can sell 100,000 copies they aren't interested. Sad sad sad!'<br />I've nearly finished my latest revised version and after writing an epilogue will tackle L and M and N and O.Pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01529798893653033970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-31143665082999475672010-03-06T23:42:31.464+00:002010-03-06T23:42:31.464+00:00You've captured the process perfectly...Keep g...You've captured the process perfectly...Keep going...I did a book on spec for a YA publisher and then was able to get other things published, so don't give up.<br /><br />I'm coming back to writing after a bit of time and hoping to do some different things. Best of luck to you.ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11376645220662546020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-75041127453028311462010-03-06T22:18:45.868+00:002010-03-06T22:18:45.868+00:00How frustrating it must be for you, Mary, especial...How frustrating it must be for you, Mary, especially since all of your blog friends know you can write and write well.<br /><br />And it's doubly frustrating when you read some of the pure crapola that <i>is</i> being published. Throw in a vampire and you'll be all set.<br /><br />Sad, but you're the determined sort [cough], so we know you'll keep at it.Charliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00722567671925063706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-62118120775573716592010-03-06T20:45:17.315+00:002010-03-06T20:45:17.315+00:00Thanks, Mary! I contacted her about doing a new ch...Thanks, Mary! I contacted her about doing a new challenge. That one was a bit old. ;DVictoria Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14012092208934951963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-5294170794619261492010-03-06T20:04:33.540+00:002010-03-06T20:04:33.540+00:00Victoria -- Forgive my cluelessness -- when I past...Victoria -- Forgive my cluelessness -- when I pasted this in, I thought the link was there, but I've since learned otherwise. I keep meaning to get my daughter to show me how to do this, but inertia has kept me from doing the necessary. <br /><br />Here's the link: http://dolcebellezza.blogspot.com/2008/07/japanese-literature-challenge-2.htmlMary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-32326590889789438002010-03-06T19:05:18.508+00:002010-03-06T19:05:18.508+00:00By the way, I clicked on your Japanese Literature ...By the way, I clicked on your Japanese Literature Challenge logo, but there doesn't seem to be an active link there?Victoria Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14012092208934951963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-4460786680640037622010-03-06T19:04:30.708+00:002010-03-06T19:04:30.708+00:00Hi, Mary. Yes, I enjoy Japanese Literature (I noti...Hi, Mary. Yes, I enjoy Japanese Literature (I noticed you also follow Thersa Maatsura) and I read even more Chinese literature than Japanese. My blog is oriented around Asian Books and Writers of Books with Asian settings. ;DVictoria Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14012092208934951963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-61168451951614237552010-03-06T17:32:40.035+00:002010-03-06T17:32:40.035+00:00Bish -- Speak for yourself; I've just outed my...Bish -- Speak for yourself; I've just outed myself! :)<br /><br />Mary -- I sure do. I've got a couple of Zs too, somewhere. <br /><br />Thank you for commenting!<br /><br />Victoria -- Are you also interested in Japan and Japanese literature? I keep meaning to post what I've read -- it can be anything -- haiku, manga, novel, etc. -- but I haven't done this yet. But I've got the goods.<br /><br />Miss Footloose -- You're an established pro, aren't you, since you've already published so much? It's mind-boggling that you have to go through this all over again, but having done this before, you probably take it in you stride.<br /><br />I've really only worked my way to P, but I'm betting I'll hit Z soon enough at the rate I'm going. Can't wait to hit my tungsten.<br /><br />Blythe -- Ooh, you'll have to talk to my husband and kids -- they know otherwise! I'm (modest simper) a whining virtuoso. But thank you for that nice compliment!<br /><br />Tabitha -- Thank you. I've got the routine down now, at least. So different from the days when I barely knew my ABCs.<br /><br />Robert -- You have to pony up $75 and they don't even have the courtesy to tell you that you haven't won? Jeez. I could NEVER be a film producer; I'm too much of a cheapskate. Thanks to the internet, writers can now submit their work without having to shell out for paper and postage. I can't even begin to imagine what writers like William Golding must have gone through (he sent Lord of the Flies out to 20 publishers, the old-fashioned cost-you-a-ton-every-time way).<br /><br />Most agents are really good about getting back to writers; some even tell us why they don't choose to accept our work. They know better than anyone else what will and won't sell, so it's about a lot more than personal preference. But of course, it still sucks.<br /><br />Actually, I think I'm wearing down a couple of agents. Keep your fingers crossed one of them will crack.<br /><br />Andrea -- Welcome to the club, and thank you for commenting here!<br /><br />Some writers do manage to get around this process by being phenomenally lucky (and VERY good). Michael Morpurgo scored a hit almost immediately and there are others who've done this. There's always hope!Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-77390555057230267402010-03-06T17:19:36.451+00:002010-03-06T17:19:36.451+00:00Your poem captures the process exactly. I haven...Your poem captures the process exactly. I haven't made it through the alphabet yet, so I guess I'll have to keep submitting.Andrea Mackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15250681746122381149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-68470251317555783042010-03-06T17:09:16.557+00:002010-03-06T17:09:16.557+00:00Your struggle is very similar to my experience of ...Your struggle is very similar to my experience of submitting my film to festivals, except that they all require an entrance fee of $75 and up.<br /><br />Most never even bother to notify that your film was rejected, you find out by it not showing up on their web site. Occasionally you "might" get an e-mail rejection. One rejected my film because it was too long - but accepted two other documentaries that were the same length and longer.<br /><br />Maybe you should end run around these publishers and publish the book yourself. There are a lot of resources out there now for authors to circumvent the establishment. Do you want to be a highly paid author or do you want your work to be read and appreciated? Don't let others deny your talent, Mary.Robert the Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10863488312604865183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-10875552894264068332010-03-06T16:31:25.275+00:002010-03-06T16:31:25.275+00:00LOVE it!! :)
I think you've captured the ess...LOVE it!! :)<br /><br />I think you've captured the essence of submitting perfectly. :)Tabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.com