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This week: Novel Publication Tips from Pros Edited by: Cinn  
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Someone asked me recently if I was published because they had publication questions. As it turns out, I read about publication all the time because I find it interesting, particularly novel publication. Strange for a non-novelist, perhaps, but I'm interested in many topics.  Did you know that there are many agents and editors who give writer's advice, answer questions, and post about common headaches in their blogs? Well, now you do.
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Almost daily, I read editor and agent blogs before bed. It's interesting but not interesting enough that I can't put it down and go to sleep when I get drowsy. Some are written under real names and others under pseudonyms (e.g. Evil Editor, which I highly recommend for those who struggle to revise their work-- read enough of his edits, and you'll start to see issues in your own writing).
Regardless of how they choose to post, the information provided can be invaluable. Who knows better how to snag an agent or impress an editor than the professionals themselves? Because I read them so frequently, I have come away with many "absolutely not!" tips that could be helpful for my fellow WDCers. I thought that I should pass a few along.
1. When asked for pages (a partial manuscript), never ever send the prologue. Always send the indicated number of chapters or pages, beginning with chapter one and following chronologically from there (i.e. don't send chapters one, two, five, six, and eight). A prologue is backstory, and agents and editors appear to be far more interested in the actual "guts" of the story. Additionally, prologues are sometimes written from a different POV or with other stylistic differences that do not reflect the content of the novel itself. Some agents and editors view prologues as weak writing as well-- a home for extraneous information that isn't good enough or important enough to be in the novel, or perhaps compensation for a boring first chapter.
2. "Fiction Novel" is not a genre.  This one sort of amuses me, but I've read in several blogs that it is the mark of an amateur. Novels are inherently fiction. You can call it fiction or call it a novel, but calling it both is redundant.
3. Never tell an editor or agent what to think. This includes any descriptions of your writing style. "Well-paced" or "expertly crafted" or "thoroughly researched" (which they will assume anyway) or "creative" or etc... don't do it. No mentions of a "breath-taking romance" or any description of the sort that isn't a character's perception of events. Agents and editors are the experts, so let them decide what it is and what it isn't. Let your writing speak for itself.
4. When choosing a genre, ask yourself, "Where would I buy this in a bookstore?" That is what an agent or editor wants to know. How will they sell it? If they don't see the money, they're not going to take it because that is their job: making money. For example, saying that a novel is a mix of mystery, fantasy, and horror doesn't answer the question, so don't tell them that.
5. Never query an agent, submit a proposal, or otherwise contact these professionals for unfinished manuscripts. Ever. Not only should the novel be finished, it also should be thoroughly revised before you begin the process. If they happen to be impressed and request a full manuscript, they wont be happy to hear that you don't have it.
6. Follow the directions.  This should go without saying, but apparently, it doesn't. Industry professionals wont even read submissions that don't follow their precise directions, so why waste your time and theirs? Don't try to "make life easier for them" by... doing something not in their directions.  It happens every single day from what I can tell. Don't let your novel be one of the casualties of something so simple.
Alright. That seems like enough tips for one newsletter. Remember, I'm not an industry professional myself, but all of these tips/complaints appear in many blogs of those who are. I know that not everyone is as big a geek interested in research as I am and may never find their way to reading such things. And since I can't make use of the information myself (again, not a novelist), I figured that someone might as well benefit from my late-night readings. Cheers! 
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Here's a publication-focused group here on WDC. Looks like they could use some new energy in there too!
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Here are a few groups that may help with the revision process. I've never been a member of the novel workshop (obviously... no novels from me), but I can highly recommend WYRM from personal experience.
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A group for those dedicated to writing and reviewing speculative fiction.
#1142497 by WYRM  |
For members of the "Invalid Item" , there are some group-only publication links available. The group is open to all members of WDC to join and help or get help, so if you are not a member and want to check out these resources, request to be added to the group. 
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What is the best piece of publication advice you have come across?  Do you ever read industry websites and blogs? If so, which ones?
 
Here are the responses to the last newsletter I edited, "Action/Adventure Newsletter (December 7, 2016)" . Thanks for writing in, everyone!
I've not used VR as a story / plot element. But when I saw your "Evil programmers with an agenda" prompt, it made me think of various "brainwashing"-type stories, like the MK Ultra program supposedly used by the CIA. I could see it going in a lot of directions. While many of them would be nefarious, not all of them would. Could it be used as a type of mental counseling, for example? And what about the concept of someone using "VR Programming" for good, but then getting caught in the temptation to use it for their advantage? Some interesting ideas here. From SkyHawk - Into The Music 
MK Ultra... the stuff of nightmares. That is one Wikihole that I recommend to everyone. Interesting stuff. There are lots of super short documentaries about it on YouTube too. Definitely worth 15 minutes of someone's time for the creep factor. And hey... using VR for good?  Imagine that! Funny how our minds always go straight to things like MK Ultra. 
I love your thought process. It nudges mine back in to WHAT IF? From Quick-Quill 
Thank you, my dear! I suppose I didn't do much to nudge you this time around. But hey, practical information is good too, right? Next time, I'll be sure to focus on writing to keep those wheels spinning!
Great points Cinn in a fine News Letter. From Monty 
As always, thanks for reading and for commenting, Monty! Keeps me motivated! 
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Action/Adventure: January 04, 2017 Issue [#8063]
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