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Hello, everyone! Welcome to this edition of the For Authors newsletter.  This week's topic is focused on taking the final step of submission, but first off, I'd like to share a few quotes with you. Enjoy!
Quotes:
“Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.”
~ E. L. Doctorow
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“Write without pay until somebody offers to pay”
~ Mark Twain
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“Writing only leads to more writing.”
~ Sidonie Gabrielle
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The Step After Completion
I'm not sure why, but taking that final step of sending out a manuscript is difficult for many writers. It was difficult for me, too, until I finally did it.
There is no chant or magic wand to make you send your writing out. You've just got to do it.
One day last spring, it hit me hard. I knew then that I had to start sending out my manuscripts if I was ever to be published. None of us are getting any younger and publishing houses are slow to respond. Many times you have to wait four to six months for a response. Now, many publishers request you not send a SASE because they don't have the staff or the time to mess around with it. So, as with Houghton Mifflin, if you don't hear back within four months, figure they aren't interested in your manuscript. If they are interested, they will contact you within that time frame.
The longer you delay sending your writing out, the longer it's going to take for you to possibly get published. And if you get published, there's no guarentee you will receive a payment right away. Many book publishing dates are a year or more down the road once accepted. If your book is a picture book, the illustrator will need time to come up with illustrations. This is not a snap-your-fingers-and-I'm-a-published-author world. It's a long, drawn out process. That's why it's recommended you don't quit your day job right away when you begin writing. It's important to become established first. You've got to love what you are doing to be in this business. 
Okay, so now you've got a few items sent out. What now? You're going to go stir-crazy waiting for the next four to six months to pass by. And you'll start checking your mailbox about a week after you've sent your manuscript out, along with your email ( I know this for a fact!). It's called wishful thinking!
Instead of pacing around waiting, make sure you have a record of where you sent what. Include the date sent and date received. You can add other options, too, but this will give you something to look at now and then to remind yourself it could be another month or so. And, when that four months is up at HM, you know you can send that same piece somewhere different.
I also highly recommend you continue polishing your other writing and get more manuscripts sent out. I keep a folder for each month with all my submissions inside. If you begin to send manuscripts out monthly, you will have something to look forward to more often than when you first started. Even if it is a rejection slip! Yes, it's a lot of work with typing cover letters, addressing envelopes, finding the right editor to send it to. etc. But once you get the hang of it, it'll get easier and easier. Treat it like a job.
If you want to be published, take that final step. Do it now... Today! You won't regret it.
 Now for a fun prompt... (or not so fun...  ) I challenge you to send out at least one manuscript to a publisher this month! I'd be happy to hear from anyone who follows through! Just do it! DO IT!
May you have an inspiring week and...
Keep on Writing!
Cubby ") |
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For Authors: October 14, 2009 Issue [#3324]
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