Johnny ray

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): If you do a search on this blog for “slush pile,” you’ll find the kind of information you are looking for. Here’s just one posting that should help: 

Manuscript Rejected Repeatedly? Find a Fresh Eye to Review Submission Package

You have any experience with African American Authors? That’s what we specialize in - the AACM.
Thanks.

Pam Perry

I just recently pitched in person for the first time, using much of the material you procured from me during our back and forth exchanges regarding the synopsis. The agent asked to see the first 40 pages, and this was after declaring to the whole room that she wasn’t interested in hearing about any new fiction, unless it was award-winning stuff. I had just gotten the news that it made finalist in Heart of the Rockies, and I made sure that got mentioned first–something else I learned from you.

By the way, I heard from Heart of the Rockies yesterday…I won first place.

Thanks again, Lynne!

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing ™: Wow! I’m so thrilled for you, Krista. This is great news. And…you are very welcome!

Once again you’ve nailed your point. As a small publisher, we love it when an author comes to us with a marketing plan. Any author who has thought about his or her market and what it will take to sell books, is saying, “I know my job is only half done when the book is published.” We suggest, rather than putting time into a synopsis (we don’t read them), put your time into a marketing plan and include it with the cover letter and sample chapters. Show us you can write (first 25 pages of your manuscript) and then show us you are willing to continue working (marketing plan) to help us sell your book. Apples are very nice, but I’d rather have apple pie.

Kevin Watson
Press 53

I got my second rejection, but the agent said it wasn’t due to any flaw in my work. “On the contrary, I found your presentation compelling.” That’s thanks to you.

I think if I get this to someone very pointed, like you suggest (finding similar successful novels and get it to their editors/agents), I might just be on to something….

Krista

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing: Krista is on her way! I’m delighted!

Nicole

Thanks for reworking [the covering letter] for me. LOVE the improvements–especially the bold sections! I will be heading to the bookstore this evening to continue my assignment. You are the best!!

Thanks for showing me how to approach this career from more than one angle. Your advice has been so liberating–break the rules when you need to, approach publishers directly while querying agents. Instead of the Wicked Witch of Publishing, you should call yourself the Robin Hood of Publishing. You benevolent vigilante you.

Krista

It’s one thing to consult reference books for models and templates of proposals and cover letters, but it’s a different matter entirely when someone with your expertise goes through the material line by line, offering comments and suggestions.

There are a few things I found most helpful in your edits: first, your insistence on directness and clarity of expression. In writing about this project, it seems I myself knew what I wanted to say, but too often I was being vague. I appreciate the consistent call toward specificity and examples.

Secondly, I find I’m not always the best judge of the “tone” of my writing. In parts of my proposal where I thought I was being funny, you were clearly not amused: that compelled me to drop the lounge act and just state my case, clearly and effectively.

Finally, I appreciated your comments directed at the most effective placement of what information I already had: e.g., “move this paragraph to your marketing section” or “put this higher on your cover letter.” A true lesson in leveraging strength.

You’re very generous to offer a service like this for free! Thank you again, and if anything breaks with this new project, I will be sure to let you know.

All best,

Tim Lemire