Christina Hollis: How To Submit Your Writing...

From This... (Pic via Pixabay)

Whether you’re sending off your novel, or entering a writing competition, the first thing to do is RTFM. That’s customer-service-speak for Read The Flipping Manual.

As part of my day job, I’m a Reader of Manuscripts. I love helping other writers—especially the ones who make my job easier by following the rules for submission. These are designed to ensure a writer's work is easy to read.  

Generalisation is usually a bad thing, but after reading hundreds of  manuscripts in my time here's one I've found to be true:

People who can't be bothered to follow instructions can't be bothered to write a good book.

Well-presented work suggests a writer who pays attention to details. They're more likely to put into practice the things they've learned from writing workshops, courses, and how-to books. 

Make sure your Reader smiles rather than groans when they pick up your work by following these tips!

Overture and Beginners

Once your work is as good as you can make it, go through it again. You want to be absolutely sure there are no spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. 

Then check the requirements of its destination, whether that’s going to be a publisher, agent, or competition. Remember—these are instructions, not an invitation to improvise. 

You’d be amazed how many people see clear instructions as a challenge, rather than rules. Their online entries are deleted straight away. If they’ve sent in a paper copy their work will be shredded without being read, unless they’ve included return postage. The same goes for those who either forget to include their contact details when submitting to publishers or agents, or conversely make their competition entries identifiable. That’s tough, but fair on all those who have taken the time and trouble to do as they were instructed. 

...To This! (Pic via Pixabay)

Be the One in Ten...

...who gets it right. If a competition has a thousand entrants, up to 90% of them may have sent in work that’s unreadable, poorly formatted or exceeds the required word count. No matter how brilliant their work, it won’t be considered.

That means a perfectly-presented piece will make it straight into the Top 100 before any judge has picked up their marker-pen. 

Give yourself the best possible chance of being on that initial long-list by using an easily-readable font and type size (Times New Roman 12 Point is a good starting point). Unless otherwise instructed, give your work a good margin all the way round, and use double line spacing. Whether you’re submitting on paper or online, number the pages consecutively. 

There—with hardly any effort on your part, you’ve made it onto a professional reader’s desk. How much further you get depends on your writing talent, and that one little thing nobody can guarantee.

Luck!

Christina Hollis writes contemporary fiction starring complex men and independent women. She has written more than twenty novels, sold nearly three million books, and her work has been translated into twenty different languages. When she isn’t writing, Christina is cooking, walking her dog, or gardening.

You can catch up with her at https://christinahollisbooks.online, on Twitter, Facebook, and see a full list of her published books at christinahollis.com

Susan Sands: Should I Tell Them My Age?

Dear Friends,

I have a confession to make:  I'm turning fifty this week. Yes, I know, we all have to do it sometime, but as a woman really just getting my feet wet in a career where agents and editors might be checking for an expiration date, I wonder if I should admit that to everyone so freely?

I'm proud of every year that I've lived. Every struggle, heartache, and accomplishment. I've got three grown, or nearly-grown kids, and they are my pride and joy. I'll be an almost-empty nester this time next year, with my youngest getting ready for college.

But for all my lack of shame in turning fifty, does it come with a price in this industry? Are we seen as past our prime by those who might consider investing in our career for longevity as storytellers? I really hope not. I feel I've just opened my eyes as a human, as a woman. My ability to absorb and empathize is stronger now, and my perception of things around me is keen--much more so than when I was completely immersed in seeing to my children's every need. I have less busy static in my brain that frees me to think about my writing now, which allows me more introspection.

Sure, I'm still busy, but life is busy. I'm looking forward to some pretty exciting things on the horizon this year. Fifty is looking pretty fantastic right now!

Again, Alabama is free right now, and should remain so until mid-June! Love, Alabama has made its way onto the NetGalley home page, which is very exciting for me, and for Tule. More fun announcements to come!















Please connect with me on social media!

Susan

Susan Sands: Take 'Em to the Liquor Store!

This is for anyone who's ever been to a writer's or reader's conference. I haven't shared the following story with many, though a few were present and involved in the shenanigans I'm about to lay out before you.

Authors often attend conferences here, there, and yonder. For an unpublished author, one tends to go a bit farther yonder to track down editors and agents with whom to share the golden manuscript. The goal at these conferences is to get as much face time as possible with the industry professionals so they will remember your name--in a good way. Usually, these moments occur during cocktail mixers or, if you're really lucky, a bang-up pitch session.

I'm originally from Louisiana. It's a fine state with lots of interesting characters and Napoleonic code on which its law is based. I was at the NOLA Stars conference in Shreveport, Louisiana a few years ago. This is all public knowledge and there was no unlawful or really bad behavior, so I'll share a few details. No names though to protect the almost innocent.

My BFF since second grade (she writes too) and I happened to mention during dinner, to a couple of agents and editors, that Louisiana is unique because it has drive-thru liquor stores. Like, a drive-thru lane similar to fast food windows to purchase frozen drinks. Not just for package items like beer and wine, but actual styrofoam cups filled with frozen daiquiris, pina coladas, Swamp Water, mango, white Russian, and so many many more flavors that range from small to gallon jug sizes. The way to prevent arrest for open container is to place a piece of Scotch tape across the straw hole and not put the straw inside the cup.

The New Yorkers were stunned. They didn't believe us. So, like any good writers, we showed instead of just telling, which is always more effective. We loaded them up in my girl's Suburban and headed two blocks over to the nearest purveyor of fine headache-inducing sweet and sour alcoholic beverages. Let's just say, we were a hit. No, they didn't offer to publish our books, but we won't be forgotten. It's likely the story has been repeated among the decision-makers in the industry.  We took photos. How I would love to post them! But I will refrain to avoid unintended consequences. What's funny is that I hardly drink due to terrible migraines brought on by alcohol. So, I'm the best DD.

That's my writer's conference share for today. Everybody who's been to a few conferences has a funny story or two. I'd love to hear yours!

Have a great November!  

Susan