Comments on: Submission impossible

By: richard-rowland-perkins.com » A copy for myself

richard-rowland-perkins.com » A copy for myself — Tue, 26 May 2009 05:38:47 +0000

[...] submission package for The Renegade’s Door has been in Tor’s in-box for 39 days, according to my delivery [...]

By: richard-rowland-perkins.com » Preparing for a novel marathon

richard-rowland-perkins.com » Preparing for a novel marathon — Sun, 10 May 2009 22:22:50 +0000

[...] my first National Novel Writing Month last November, and submitted The Renegade’s Door to my first potential publisher in April after four months of [...]

By: Richard Perkins

Richard Perkins — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 21:54:00 +0000

Jena – Thanks for the encouragement. And good luck with your own book. Let me know when it’s ready for prime time!

By: Jena Isle

Jena Isle — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:13:54 +0000

Good luck Richard. I know you’ll succeed!

By: zorlone

zorlone — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:35:03 +0000

A few years is okay.. unless you want to send me the pdf version… hehehe. oh, and include the pictures too. At least i can directly ask the author about the book. How cool is that?

By: Richard Perkins

Richard Perkins — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:18:25 +0000

Let me save you some time. This is the page you're looking for. Cheers!

By: Chinaren

Chinaren — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:14:37 +0000

Well damn! I didn’t know that! Thanks for the info.

~zooms off to find Tor’s site~

By: Richard Perkins

Richard Perkins — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:49:23 +0000

jakill – Thanks!

By: jakill

jakill — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:41:07 +0000

Best of luck with all that, Richard.

By: Richard Perkins

Richard Perkins — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:35:14 +0000

Chinaren – It is certainly true that most major publishers don’t accept unsolicited submissions. Tom Doherty Associates (Tor) is different. They have an open submission policy and every proposal they receive is reviewed by at least one member of their editorial staff (which is why it takes 4-6 months for a response).

They publish submission guidelines on their website specifically for authors who don’t have agents. Presumably, previously published authors with agents go through a shorter process and don’t risk having their submissions lost in the slush pile.

As far as getting an agent, similar challenges apply. Some agents accept unsolicited submissions from previously unpublished authors and others don’t. You have to do some homework to find out which agents are looking for new talent before you submit. The Writer’s Market publications are a good place to start.
Cheers!