Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: Best Method for Handling Rejections (and getting p...

Originally posted at:
http://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/
Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: Best Method for Handling Rejections

Erica Verrillo has written seven books and published five. She doesn't know why anyone with an ounce of self-preservation would ever want to publish. But, if you insist on selling your soul to the devil, learn how to do it right: marketing, literary agents, book contracts, book promotion, editors, rejections, pitching your book, how to get reviews, and ... most important of all ... everything she did wrong.

Best Method for Handling Rejections (and getting published)

Nobody likes to be rejected. Even the most seasoned, thick-skinned, successful writers hate getting rejections.

Unfortunately, for aspiring authors rejection isn't just a passing disappointment - it's a way of life.

As a writer, you can count on getting hundreds of rejections. And - I hate to say this - your hundredth rejection will sting just as much as the first.

At some point, you will be tempted to throw in the towel.

Don't do it. Try my foolproof method instead.

The method

Before I explain my tried-and-true method for handling rejections, I have to preface it with the admonition that it will take a little organizational work on your part. Ideally, you should do this before you start submitting your work. After all, you want to avoid as much pain as possible. Of course, if you have already started submitting your work and are in the throes of an existential crisis, it still isn't too late.

1) Make a 'top 50 list.' Find 50 places to submit your work and rank them in order of desirability. (For example, if you are submitting a story, the top slot could be the New Yorker.)

If you are submitting a short story, go here, and find 50 literary magazines. 

If you are submitting query letters to agents, go to Agentquery and make a list of 50 agents for your genre. (Be sure to check the Agents Seeking Clients page.)

Resources for Science Fiction/Fantasy writers are here.

Resources for Children's and YA writers are here.

Resources for Romance writers are here.

Resources for Mystery/Thrillers are here.
Read the whole post on Erica's page:
http://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/

Book Reviews (IX)

Book Review:  

How to Write a Novel in 90 Days by Conrad Jones

As a published author myself, I was interested to read another fellow author's opinion. I have read a number of How to Write/Publish/Advertise/Market your book guides. How to Write a Novel in 90 Days is another one on a long list.

The main idea here is that you have to be diligent and keep reading and writing. That you have to understand that once you write the words The End on the first draft of your book the task is not over. I agree with the concept that rewriting is a difficult discipline to master. Patience and a great deal of luck are also necessary.

While I agree with many things the author shares with the readers/ budding writers there are others I don't see as being a must. Shakespeare never visited Italy and it was no obstacle to write The Merchant of Venice. So I don't think you should write only from your personal experience. Imagination plays an important part and don't forget there are so many sources of information nowadays. But I absolutely agree with the concept of 'using hooks.' You should never end the chapter without a hook. You should keep the readers interest alive and make them want to keep reading.

Nowadays publishers advise you not to start your book with landscape/ weather descriptions. That's way many present day novels plunge readers in the middle of the action. It has become a sort of requirement, though some readers may find it confusing.

All in all, Conrad Jones's "How to Write a Novel in 90 Days" is an interesting guide and many may find it useful. It deserves Five Stars.