Business

Friday, June 25, 2004

We only had a couple of stories to crit this morning, so afterwards Nancy spent some valuable time on the business side of writing.

The good news is that talent will find a place. Editors and agents are looking for good, new writers. The problem for new writers is that your name has no drawing power. You have to be better at the beginning of your career than at the middle or end of it, PLUS you have to be better than people already published. If you and Harry Turtledove both send an editor an alternate history novel about WWII (even if yours is very good), guess who'll get published? True, you're not always in competition with established writers, but sometimes you are. But once you're established, it's easier to sell your stuff.

Hand-written notes from editors constitute a huge step up from the form letter rejections. If they take the time to write you, you're close. If they write "We'd like to see more," DROP EVERYTHING and send them another story!

You don't need an agent for short fiction, only when you've FINISHED a novel.

If you send it to an editor, it may take a looooooong time before you hear back from them. They're looking for a reason to send it back. They aren't being intentionally cruel, they've just got too much to go through.

If you send to an agent, it's easier if you've sold some short fiction first. Tell the agent your publications. Find out who represents the writers who you think you're close to in your writing style. Send cover letter with credits, the first three chapters and a synopsis.

Postscript: There's much more, far too much to list here, but you get the idea. One day I'll type up all my notes.