Surviving the Slush Pile: Tips for Aspiring Authors
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Chapter 1: Understanding the Slush Pile
New authors often find themselves caught in a frustrating cycle: submit work, receive rejection, repeat. They take solace in stories of famous authors like Frank Herbert and J.K. Rowling, who faced numerous rejections before achieving success. However, the reality remains that rejections are a common experience. Here are some practical tips to help you survive the slush pile, drawing insights from agents, publishers, and slush pile readers.
The current landscape isn't filled with towering stacks of manuscripts; instead, it's dominated by a daunting number of unread emails. Slush readers monitor these numbers from their screens, understanding the workload they face before lunch.
The true gatekeepers are these slush readers, tasked with filtering out submissions before they reach agents or editors. This role is often a temporary position, executed with a mechanical mindset. Therefore, knowing the rules and guidelines for getting noticed is crucial.
Section 1.1: The Essential Ingredients
Creating a great pizza requires three key elements: sauce, cheese, and crust. In publishing, the equivalent ingredients are Language, Story, and Audience. Missing any of these components means your submission will be dismissed. Even if you have a groundbreaking story, poor grammar or sentence structure can prevent you from moving forward.
A slush reader's primary goal is to ensure that each submission contains all the necessary ingredients. With the sheer volume of submissions they handle, they will quickly reject anything that lacks effort or clarity.
Subsection 1.1.1: Format Matters
Most publishers have specific formatting guidelines. While this can be frustrating, it serves as an initial test of your attention to detail. Failing to adhere to simple requests, like sending your manuscript in the correct file format, signals to the reader that you may not be the right fit for their team.
Section 1.2: Tailoring Your Submission
Different publishers often request varied materials. Some may ask for three chapters and a synopsis, while others may only require one chapter. It's crucial to customize your submissions rather than sending the same documents repeatedly.
If your story only picks up at chapter four, consider revising it to engage readers sooner. Crafting an effective query is essential; it should succinctly articulate why your work stands out. Avoid lengthy character descriptions; instead, use concise phrases that are easy to digest.
Chapter 2: Importance of Presentation
This video discusses the Writers of Kern meeting on April 18, 2020, focusing on the insights shared about navigating the publishing world.
Section 2.1: The Role of Spelling and Punctuation
Always proofread your work. A simple spell check can prevent immediate rejection. If a slush reader encounters a glaring mistake, like "Once upon a tmei," it can lead to an instant dismissal, no matter how compelling the story might be.
Understanding basic punctuation is essential. Slush readers are trained to find errors, so it's vital to present your work in the best light possible. Whether you’re great at grammar or not, take the time to improve or seek help.
Section 2.2: Maintaining Structure
Avoid jumping between points of view or changing tenses. Consistency is key to keeping your readers engaged.
Section 2.3: Adapting to Conventions
Publishing conventions can shift over time, and what was once acceptable may no longer be. While some bestsellers may defy the rules, it’s wise to stay informed about current trends in the industry.
Prologues, for instance, have fallen out of favor. Instead of relying on them, weave essential background information into your narrative.
Chapter 3: Final Thoughts
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By following these guidelines, you may not guarantee acceptance, but you can improve your chances of getting your work read. Remember, persistence is key. If one reader doesn't connect with your work, don't be discouraged; keep submitting until you find the right match.