Comments on: The never ending submission… http://richard-rowland-perkins.com/journal/the-never-ending-submission/ Managing a full time engineering career while being a part time writer, musician, and outdoorsman. Fri, 02 Apr 2010 16:49:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: richard-rowland-perkins.com » Submission impossible http://richard-rowland-perkins.com/journal/the-never-ending-submission/comment-page-1/#comment-129 richard-rowland-perkins.com » Submission impossible Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:26:58 +0000 http://richard-rowland-perkins.com/?p=256#comment-129 [...] . The submission also included an introductory cover letter and an 8-page synopsis, which was a new and different writing challenge to [...] [...] . The submission also included an introductory cover letter and an 8-page synopsis, which was a new and different writing challenge to [...]

]]> By: Richard Perkins http://richard-rowland-perkins.com/journal/the-never-ending-submission/comment-page-1/#comment-119 Richard Perkins Fri, 10 Apr 2009 23:03:24 +0000 http://richard-rowland-perkins.com/?p=256#comment-119 Tasha - No worries. My inbox isn't so overflowing with comments that I can't take the time to reply to my readers. Have a great weekend yourself! Tasha – No worries. My inbox isn’t so overflowing with comments that I can’t take the time to reply to my readers. Have a great weekend yourself!

]]> By: Tashabud http://richard-rowland-perkins.com/journal/the-never-ending-submission/comment-page-1/#comment-116 Tashabud Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:21:40 +0000 http://richard-rowland-perkins.com/?p=256#comment-116 Thank you for responding. Thanks also for your words of encouragement for me and for my daughter. I wish you the best and have a great weekend. Tasha Thank you for responding. Thanks also for your words of encouragement for me and for my daughter.

I wish you the best and have a great weekend.
Tasha

]]> By: Richard Perkins http://richard-rowland-perkins.com/journal/the-never-ending-submission/comment-page-1/#comment-114 Richard Perkins Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:32:18 +0000 http://richard-rowland-perkins.com/?p=256#comment-114 Thanks for stopping by Tasha! This is my first time through the writing/publishing adventure. Its surprising how much work is left after you've completed the first draft of the novel. That was in December for me, and revision and submission prep is still in process. I've missed so many of my own personally set deadlines already, but I'm determined not to miss another one. By the end of April, my submission will be sitting on Tor Fantasy's slush pile. How long it sits there is ultimately up to Tor's editors. But once I have this manuscript submitted I can focus on my next novel, which I plan to draft during <a href="http://julnowrimo.com/" rel="nofollow">JulNoWriMo</a> in July. That much is up to me. As far as structure is concerned, I think that depends on personal preference. I'm a very structured thinker; it goes hand in hand with being an engineer. But other writers prefer to let their draft work flow like a stream of consciousness onto the page. Then they revise, revise, revise until they end up with a finished product they're happy with. Wouldn't work for me, but who am I to judge? You just keep writing. The only way to improve your skills is to write. And best of luck to your daughter as she finishes her degree. Thanks for stopping by Tasha!
This is my first time through the writing/publishing adventure. Its surprising how much work is left after you’ve completed the first draft of the novel. That was in December for me, and revision and submission prep is still in process.
I’ve missed so many of my own personally set deadlines already, but I’m determined not to miss another one. By the end of April, my submission will be sitting on Tor Fantasy’s slush pile. How long it sits there is ultimately up to Tor’s editors.
But once I have this manuscript submitted I can focus on my next novel, which I plan to draft during JulNoWriMo in July. That much is up to me.
As far as structure is concerned, I think that depends on personal preference. I’m a very structured thinker; it goes hand in hand with being an engineer. But other writers prefer to let their draft work flow like a stream of consciousness onto the page. Then they revise, revise, revise until they end up with a finished product they’re happy with. Wouldn’t work for me, but who am I to judge?
You just keep writing. The only way to improve your skills is to write. And best of luck to your daughter as she finishes her degree.

]]> By: Tashabud http://richard-rowland-perkins.com/journal/the-never-ending-submission/comment-page-1/#comment-113 Tashabud Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:31:39 +0000 http://richard-rowland-perkins.com/?p=256#comment-113 Hello Richard, I've enjoyed reading your journal. My daughter will be finishing her Electrical Engineering degree in May, but she doesn't like to work as an Engineer when she finishes. Most likely she'll probably get a job in IT. I heard that the Wind Technology is now very much in need of your kind of Engineers. I don't know if you've explored this one already. About your writing, it looks like you're so much closer than any of us to getting published. I'm just a novelist wannabee. I have no writing experience whatsoever. I'm writing blindly and unconventionally. I say these because I don't follow any standard writing structures. I'm just writing, winging it, more like it. If it feels right to me, then it must be okay. I don't even have a skeletal structure sketched or in placed. It's all in my head. My husband just reminded me today the importance of such a structure in order to give me a clear picture and direction. I still have a lot to learn in honing and polishing my writing skills. As I surf the blogosphere, I learn something new about the writing process. Therefore, I thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge about writing querries and about dealing with editors. Good luck to you, me, and the others who are trying our luck to break into the world of being successful published writers. Good luck also with job hunting. Tasha Hello Richard,
I’ve enjoyed reading your journal. My daughter will be finishing her Electrical Engineering degree in May, but she doesn’t like to work as an Engineer when she finishes. Most likely she’ll probably get a job in IT.

I heard that the Wind Technology is now very much in need of your kind of Engineers. I don’t know if you’ve explored this one already.

About your writing, it looks like you’re so much closer than any of us to getting published. I’m just a novelist wannabee. I have no writing experience whatsoever. I’m writing blindly and unconventionally. I say these because I don’t follow any standard writing structures. I’m just writing, winging it, more like it. If it feels right to me, then it must be okay. I don’t even have a skeletal structure sketched or in placed. It’s all in my head. My husband just reminded me today the importance of such a structure in order to give me a clear picture and direction.

I still have a lot to learn in honing and polishing my writing skills. As I surf the blogosphere, I learn something new about the writing process. Therefore, I thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge about writing querries and about dealing with editors.

Good luck to you, me, and the others who are trying our luck to break into the world of being successful published writers.

Good luck also with job hunting.

Tasha

]]> By: Richard Perkins http://richard-rowland-perkins.com/journal/the-never-ending-submission/comment-page-1/#comment-104 Richard Perkins Tue, 31 Mar 2009 02:41:15 +0000 http://richard-rowland-perkins.com/?p=256#comment-104 Luke, Yeah self publishing and independent publishing has made some inroads into the market, but pulp is still king when it comes to financial reward for your writing. If I can't get off the slush pile with one of the larger publishing houses (low probability of success for a first time writer), I'll try the independent and niche market route (only a marginally better chance of success than the big houses there). If none of the above work, I'm likely to try self publishing, just because I'm a real stubborn S.O.B. ;-) If nothing else, self publishing will at least get me a couple of print copies for the die hard fans (who I could probably count without removing my shoes and socks). Luke,
Yeah self publishing and independent publishing has made some inroads into the market, but pulp is still king when it comes to financial reward for your writing. If I can’t get off the slush pile with one of the larger publishing houses (low probability of success for a first time writer), I’ll try the independent and niche market route (only a marginally better chance of success than the big houses there). If none of the above work, I’m likely to try self publishing, just because I’m a real stubborn S.O.B. ;-)
If nothing else, self publishing will at least get me a couple of print copies for the die hard fans (who I could probably count without removing my shoes and socks).

]]> By: Luke http://richard-rowland-perkins.com/journal/the-never-ending-submission/comment-page-1/#comment-102 Luke Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:22:10 +0000 http://richard-rowland-perkins.com/?p=256#comment-102 Coincidence? Earlier today, Instapundit's Glenn Reynold linked to this EndUserBlog entry "Print On Demand Goes Mainstream" <blockquote> Earlier this week, I came across a post in my blog archives from September of 2002 where I said: <i>Remember how so many readers have been telling me to write a book? Well, I listened. Watch this space for details on how you can get it in about a week or so, maybe two.</i> I was talking about my book "Dancing Barefoot", which was created from material I cut out of "Just A Geek". I looked at that post and felt a little nostalgic, because that's where my journey as a published writer and champion of indie publishing began. In 2002, I was just another struggling actor and fledgling blogger. I figured that, since I was having such a hard time getting work as an actor - where I had a huge resume and a lifetime of experience - it would be nearly-impossible to sell my books to a publisher. I did some research, figured out that I was able to reach a few hundred thousand people with my blog, and decided to reject the "traditional" publishing route in favor of self-publishing. </blockquote> The rest of the article is here ... http://www.enduserblog.com/2009/03/2009-the-year-printondemand-goes-mainstream.html Coincidence? Earlier today, Instapundit’s Glenn Reynold linked to this EndUserBlog entry “Print On Demand Goes Mainstream”

Earlier this week, I came across a post in my blog archives from September of 2002 where I said:

Remember how so many readers have been telling me to write a book? Well, I listened. Watch this space for details on how

you can get it in about a week or so, maybe two.

I was talking about my book “Dancing Barefoot”, which was created from material I cut out of “Just A Geek”. I looked at that

post and felt a little nostalgic, because that’s where my journey as a published writer and champion of indie publishing

began.

In 2002, I was just another struggling actor and fledgling blogger. I figured that, since I was having such a hard time

getting work as an actor – where I had a huge resume and a lifetime of experience – it would be nearly-impossible to sell my

books to a publisher. I did some research, figured out that I was able to reach a few hundred thousand people with my blog,

and decided to reject the “traditional” publishing route in favor of self-publishing.

The rest of the article is here … http://www.enduserblog.com/2009/03/2009-the-year-printondemand-goes-mainstream.html

]]> By: Richard Perkins http://richard-rowland-perkins.com/journal/the-never-ending-submission/comment-page-1/#comment-101 Richard Perkins Sat, 28 Mar 2009 22:35:44 +0000 http://richard-rowland-perkins.com/?p=256#comment-101 Thanks for stopping by Luke. I'm actually considering a short print run with CreateSpace who gets excellent reviews among POD services on <a href="http://www.hipiers.com/publishing.html" rel="nofollow">Piers Anthony's review of self publishers</a>. They partnered with NaNoWriMo to offer a free proof copy to every author who completed the latest competition. So even if no traditional publishers pick up this manuscript, I'll be able to order gift copies for the handful of friends who helped me with revisions and feedback. Thanks for stopping by Luke. I’m actually considering a short print run with CreateSpace who gets excellent reviews among POD services on Piers Anthony’s review of self publishers. They partnered with NaNoWriMo to offer a free proof copy to every author who completed the latest competition. So even if no traditional publishers pick up this manuscript, I’ll be able to order gift copies for the handful of friends who helped me with revisions and feedback.

]]> By: Luke http://richard-rowland-perkins.com/journal/the-never-ending-submission/comment-page-1/#comment-100 Luke Sat, 28 Mar 2009 12:25:23 +0000 http://richard-rowland-perkins.com/?p=256#comment-100 A Tor author by the name of "Rudy Rucker" (http://www.tor.com/bios/authors/rudyrucker) has a generally positive write-up of his Amazon self-publishing experience ... http://www.selfpublishingreview.com/2009/02/19/interview-rudy-rucker-on-the-present-and-future-of-self-publishing/ Jerry Pournelle's Chaos Manor also reports on self-publishing ... http://www.jerrypournelle.com/reports/Hamit/epublishing.html (wish he'd redesign his website ;-) Annoyed that I can't find the blog article of the story I'm sure you may have heard/read before; a well-known author who abandoned the publishing houses, going the Amazon route. Although he had previously been overjoyed (ego-stroked) with the revenue the traditional published books generated; he became horribly offended by how little cash was ending up in his pocket. A Tor author by the name of “Rudy Rucker” (http://www.tor.com/bios/authors/rudyrucker) has a generally positive write-up of his Amazon self-publishing experience … http://www.selfpublishingreview.com/2009/02/19/interview-rudy-rucker-on-the-present-and-future-of-self-publishing/

Jerry Pournelle’s Chaos Manor also reports on self-publishing … http://www.jerrypournelle.com/reports/Hamit/epublishing.html (wish he’d redesign his website ;-)

Annoyed that I can’t find the blog article of the story I’m sure you may have heard/read before; a well-known author who abandoned the publishing houses, going the Amazon route. Although he had previously been overjoyed (ego-stroked) with the revenue the traditional published books generated; he became horribly offended by how little cash was ending up in his pocket.

]]> By: Ravyn http://richard-rowland-perkins.com/journal/the-never-ending-submission/comment-page-1/#comment-99 Ravyn Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:32:30 +0000 http://richard-rowland-perkins.com/?p=256#comment-99 Email's good. I'll keep an eye on the inbox. Email’s good. I’ll keep an eye on the inbox.

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