Surviving the Submission Process

Writing the novel seems like the difficult part. And for the most part, it is. Trying to get your newly finished book published, however, is a whole different ball game.

In my opinion, writing the book is more fun—by far. But, if you want to see the words you slaved over in a nice hardcover book, just writing those words is only half the battle. You have to learn to move from the creative side to the business side.

This is not easy, if it was I would be published already! But I know that sticking to it will bring great rewards. You just have to remain motivated enough to see it through. I am struggling with this currently, so I thought I would share some tips that I’ve found to help you get through the submission process and all of the not so fun things that come with it. Author Karina Fabian says, “No one has the same submission process. It takes work and imagination—and perseverance.”

1.       Keep sending it! Keep finding agents and publishers to send it to, and send it!

As much as we would all like to crawl in bed and give up after the first rejection, you can’t give up! Cry a little, sure, but then send it again. Different people have different opinions. Just because one agent didn’t like your book, that doesn’t mean that the next one will think the same way. One day, you will find the perfect agent for your book. So you just have to keep sending it to people until you find them.

Literary Agent Carly Watters says, "But most of all you need perseverance and belief in your skill...keep on submitting. Because the offer might be around the corner and you’ll never know unless you keep pushing."

2.       Don’t stop writing.

But you’re done with the writing process, right? Wrong. Never stop writing. Tweak your book until its perfect, and when you’re finished with that, write something else. Start a new book, write a short story, try out poetry. Anything! Just don’t ever stop writing. Strengthening your skills can only make the submission process easier!

Author Robin McKinley says, "So if you think your manuscript is good, keep sending it out. But go on writing something else. Breaking into print is an enormous, glorious, intoxicating triumph, but the only, the only thing that makes you a writer, is writing."

3.       Stay positive

You’ve put enormous amounts of work…blood, sweat, and tears…into this book. Believe in yourself and the quality in your book, and never give up on seeing it published. It may take days, months, or years, but if you keep developing your skill and sending your work out, it will pay off. I promise.

Author Katrin Schumann says, "Writing can be a long journey. Are you learning and enjoying yourself along the way? Then keep at it."

4.       Have fun

Stop working every once in a while and do something you enjoy…besides writing! You finished an entire novel, you certainly deserve it! Getting your focus off of your work is important. And when you come back to it, you’ll have more determination and energy to get the job done. Win-win!

Digital publisher Nick Cross says, "Do find a new hobby to fill the tense weeks and months while the book is out for submission. Consider embarking on writing a multi-book series about wizards or vampires, or buy a really, really big jigsaw."

The submission process seems daunting, and it can be stressful at times, but if you keep working and continue to believe in yourself and your work, you can achieve your ultimate goal: your book in print. And who doesn’t want that?

 

Critique Partners

Critique partners. It is a difficult subject, one I am struggling with myself right now.
Should you get a critique partner?
Do you need a critique partner?
Can you trust your critique partner?

These are all completely valid questions. And do I have the perfect answers? Not really. But I will attempt :)

First of all, what is a critique partner? According to YA Author, Cindy Thomas, a critique partner is "someone who willingly reads your writing and provides honest feedback that will both encourage and push you to write better. They'll tell you what's missing and what's working, and will (hopefully) be someone you can go to time and time again to discuss writing with."
It's important here to stress on the word partner. Your critique partner will not just read your work. You have to commit to reading theirs, and working as hard as you can to help them make their book better-just like you know they will do for you.

The Positives

Having a critique partner, and taking the time and effort to find one that works best with you, will ultimately help your writing immensely. It is a fresh pair of eyes, one that is experiencing the same things you are experiencing in the road to perfecting their own book. They will be able to see the things that you are not able to see. And as much as we'd all like to think that we can find the flaws in our own books, it's not true. A critique partner will be able to see these things and point them out, which can be invaluable.

Beth Revis from goodreads.com says that you need a critique partner because...

"Because you're not perfect. Because everyone needs help to write better. Because you cannot see the forest for the trees. Because you cannot identify your own mistakes--very few people can. Because critiquing other people's work will help you learn to identify your own mistakes, and because that will make you a better writer. Because it's a part of being professional. Because it's cheaper than hiring an editor--and you can rarely trust someone you pay money to be honest with your flaws. Because if you want to be a professional writer (i.e. published), then you have to learn to work with others on editing a manuscript."

And that pretty much sums it up.

The Fear

A common fear about critique partners is that if you send them your work, they will steal if from you. However, its highly unlikely that will happen. I've struggled with this fear as well, and I just have to keep telling myself that it won't happen. A critique partner will only have agreed to work with you if they have a work of their own that they are passionate about making better. So if they're so into their own idea...why would they take yours? Beth Revis says, "Don't be paranoid. Also? If I told you the idea of my next book, would you write it? Or would you rather write your own idea? We all have an idea of what we want to write--and writers are stubborn by nature and are unlikely to abandon their idea for yours. Also also? The key is the writing not the idea."

What I Think

I believe that a critique partner is a great idea in the long run. It may be extra time, extra effort, but the time you spend critiquing their work is so worth it. Just by reading and editing your partner's work, you will learn more about the craft of writing and how to edit your own work. The feedback you get from your partner will outweigh the extra time and effort a thousand times over. The viewpoint of just one set of fresh eyes will benefit your writing, and could even take your book from good to great. It is highly unlikely that anyone will try and take your ideas...but even so, the chance of finding a good partner is worth the risk of putting yourself out there. And you don't have to send someone your entire book! If you're nervous, try sending a chapter or two at a time, and see if you will work well with the person. But definitely find a critique partner, you will be glad you did!

Can't hurt...might help :)

So, the answer to the first three questions? YES.

Go find yourself a critique partner! And if you can't find one, I'm always willing!

Happy writing!

Les Misérables

Photo Credit:
http://thoughtsofasimplecitizen.blogspot.com/
2012/12/why-les-miserables-matters.html

The Original

Les Misérables, the novel, was written by Victor Hugo and published in 1862 in Brussels.

Although the novel was criticized and even banned by the government, it received immediate success and was enormously popular. The novel came with great excitement, and booksellers practically fought for the 48,000 copies of the book that were sold on the first day of its release. Hugo "observed the specific incident that triggers the novel's action on the streets of Paris in 1845." He saw a poor man arrested for stealing a loaf of bread, then watched as the man stared at a rich woman in a carriage who was completely unaware of him and his plight.

"Les Misérables has been translated into nearly every language and, during the past century, has become one of the best-selling books in history."

The Play

Charles Hugo, Victor Hugo's son, was the first to adapt the novel into a play in an attempt to "satisfy the ever-growing public fascination with his father's work." Many others followed after him, causing Les Misérables to become one of the most adapted works in history. Like the novel, the musical version of Les Misérables was widely successful. The play came with great anticipation, and the popularity spread quickly by word of mouth. The musical has been performed and remade countless times, and the popularity and excitement remains.

 

My Opinion



This Christmas, the movie adaptation of Les Misérables was released in theaters. I had not heard the story before seeing the movie, and I wasn't sure if I would enjoy three hours of nothing but singing. Not too long into the movie, however, my doubts were forgotten. The story was heart-wrenching; it caught my attention and kept it for the entire length of the movie. The singing was beautiful and I was incredibly impressed with the actors and their interpretations of the characters.
Les Misérables is a beautiful and complex story about life, love, and sacrifice. It is a story that will continue to be relevant, whether the story continues to be popular for another ten years, or another one hundred. Bradley Stephens says, "When more than 80% of the world's population lives in countries with ever-widening income differentials, when one in three women are physically abused, and where every second child on the planet lives in poverty, Les Misérables still sings a painful but powerful song."
If you haven't seen the movie or heard the story, I highly recommend it. It is one you will not soon forget!
Here is the trailer: