Submitting #8 - Series names

We briefly touched on this in Submitting #7 but thought we'd better cover it a little better, heavy emphasis on "little".

This topic won't affect every author out there. Not every author writes serials after all. For those that do the second hardest part after picking a title, is choosing your Series name. Now, we say this is second hardest for a reason, mainly because once you've chosen the name it's there for the run of the series. Unlike titles, which you must agonize over constantly! We feel your pain, we do it a lot ourselves.

So, what do you need to know about choosing a series name. Pretty much a lot of the same stuff for a title but with a few added challenges.

• Must be 100% relevant to your first book and your second and each after that.
• Must be something unique and bold, catching the readers eye as well as sticking in their brain.
• Shouldn't be hard to pronounce. Seriously, the authors that pick out words for series titles that need the pronunciation included should be shot!
• Shouldn't turn a reader off by being too similar to other series out there. There is a caveat on this one, if you are writing for a Publisher that has a "house series" then this doesn't count.
• Should be carefully ambiguous should your stories be a bit general. For example, if all your stories are military based, go with something very precise. But if your stories are more toward a genre but with recurring characters, ie: a historical romance, give yourself a little leeway by keeping the series name "loose".

Now, if you are the sort of person that at least half of our team is -not naming names or nothing- then you write your book, get ready to sub and sit there panicking because you don't know what the hell to call it. And you know it will be a part of series because you already have books two and three running around in your brain. Best piece of advise we can give you is to walk away.

Yup, you heard it right, walk away. Get up from your computer and go do something else. Just like when you are trying so desperately to remember where the hell you put your car keys/that receipt for taxes/the tickets to the big game or whatever, you're just digging a mental hole by trying to force it. So, walk away. Get a drink, go tidy up, watch a movie or do something that will force your mind away from the task at hand. Just like when it comes to your car keys that you just had in hand, the answer will likely pop up at the damnedest of times.

Or you could be like the other half of the group and have a dozen of them in your head. Write them all down and look at them from a readers POV. Do the check list and see if any or all of them fit with the story you wrote and the ones you'll be writing. Then you just have to whittle them down. This can be tough, which can be made easier with friends willing to read your story or a beta reader who's read the story. Put the series names to these people and give them an idea of what's to come to get their take on your ideas. Do not freak if they toss them all out. They aren't biased like you may be, it's your baby after all, so listen to these folks.

But, most of all, make sure you like the damned thing. Nothing more terrifying than giving a series a name that you end up hating by book two or four or six.

The Moderator

Submitting #7 - Titles (and series)

So many may claim that writing the story is the hardest part. Others may claim that knowing just when/how to end a story is the hardest part. But we think, at least in our humble opinions, that choosing a book Title is the hardest part. Quickly followed by a Series name. We'll focus on the titles in this since we (meaning me) don't feel like typing out title/series every time.

Now, we're not saying this occurs all the time. Some book titles just come to you, a flash of something and BAM! there it is. Some titles you know before you've even started the book. Some titles even inspire you to write a story and who and where the characters will go all come from it as well.

Then there is the other 40-90% of the time. Sitting there, at the end of the story, staring at it and going "what the hell should you be called?". It sucks. Especially if it's your first book - this is the book that introduces you, makes your mark, announces you to the world! It's important to get it just right. We did a quick poll amongst ourselves, the four of us, to find out how many titles we thought of and tossed on that first book. On average, it was eight titles. Eight titles that we wrote down, thought about and quickly dismissed only to have to come up with something else. That doesn't sound like a lot, but it really is.

A title can make or break your book. A title has to catch the eye of the reader, draw them into reading the blurb and then make them buy it. Everyone says "don't judge a book by it's cover"? How true is that in reality?

Too short and it may not say what you need it to. Too long and people get bored just reading the title. Ambiguous and you'll lose the reader right off. Too pointed and they may think you're trying to tell them something - could go either way. So what is the perfect recipe for a title?

No, seriously, we're asking. What is the perfect recipe for a title?

Everyone has a theory but really, we don't know if there is a clear and concise answer. While we know that shorter titles tend to attract readers quicker, too short titles throw them off - or so the "experts" claim.

Our best answer to the title dilemma is this. Pick something that relates directly to your story. Don't write a book about vampires and name it "Pretty Pink Clouds". Unless these vampires live on "Pretty Pink Clouds", it's really not an appropriate title for your book. Especially if it's dark and dangerous in vibe. That title just made it sound all sunshine and rainbows with unicorns hopping about. A serious turn off for readers to be duped in such a way.

Good news is, your publisher will likely smack your fingers if you tried the above scenario. They don't want you naming it something inappropriate either, not when their name is attached to it.

The Moderator

Submitting #6 - Submitting do's and don't's

This is a topic that has a few hard and fast "rules" we'll call them and then a bunch of "guidelines" as well as a few "never hurts to do" points. We're going to focus on the hard and fast "rules" or the do's and don't's about Submitting in this post. The others were already covered, to a degree, in the previous posts under this topic so we won't harp on them.

The Do's:

• Spell & Grammar check - You won't catch everything so don't freak, but at least give it a good once over read to ensure that you haven't used a word that makes no sense in the midst of a sentence. Again, you won't catch it all but at least if you've done your best you've provided a good first impression.
  
• Follow their guidelines - Publishers ask for a very specific list of items to be part of your submission. Follow the list to the letter and if you have a question, ask - especially if this is your first submission, you'll pick it all up as you go so don't freak.
• Don't be too "wordy" - When they ask for something like a brief synopsis or a page synopsis or blurb or whatever it might be they are asking for keep it tight. This means to hit on all your key points of the story and not get lost in a retelling. Names, conflict, danger(s), trial(s) and resolution(s) are the best ones to put in. You're trying to sell your story in under, roughly, 300 words OR LESS. Think it through and then write it out. Once you have it written go back and edit and whittle it down to whatever their count requirement is. If you're over a word or two - DON'T FREAK. We've cheated and squeezed in a couple here and there a time or two, it's not a deal breaker
• Re-read your email - Before you send off your submission ensure you read the email or, if you have someone there with you, have them read it. Check the spelling of your name, your pseudonym if you're using one, your mailing address and phone number for contacting you. This is VERY important and we often overlook the simplest of errors especially when it comes to an address and phone number. Then you can quickly breeze through the other stuff with an eye to the details.
• Double check - Have you put in every single thing the publisher requires? ie: Name, Pseudonym, Address, Phone Number, Synopsis, Blurb, and so forth. Have you attached your manuscript? This is a biggie, you would not believe how often an author has sent off a submission only to realize, mere milliseconds later, they forgot to attach the most important piece - the manuscript. This is embarrassing since you now have to resend the entire email - just don't forget it a second time. Cause if you do you might as we just go into a closet and lock the door behind you.

The Don't's:

• Mass email - You may have a series written. You may have them all ready to go at the same time. What you may NOT do is mass email. This will just piss off your publisher and, if you're lucky, have them stick everything at the bottom of the received pile for the month. Unless you have specifically talked to and discussed it with your publisher, send no more than one email a week - just our guideline. If you HAVE talked to the publisher and s/he says to send them through one after another - do it. Do NOT take the initiative upon yourself.
• Play the field - This means submitting the same story to multiple publishers, don't do it. Submit to one publisher and if they refuse it then you can move on but if you do submit to two or more at the same time you have to think, what happens when two or more want it? Play it safe and don't be a douche bag.
• Oversell - Every author wants to believe their story is the next big thing to make or break the industry. But in this day and age, with so many publishers out there and so many dedicated e-book authors, it's doubtful. So don't be one of "those" authors that gets all cocky and oversells their story. Be honest, be sincere and let it speak for itself.

There you have it, some more stuff for you to consider when you send in a story. The above holds true for new authors and seasoned vets. No matter how many books you have under your belt, no matter how many publishers you write for, keep yourself humble in all your dealings. The publisher doesn't care that you sold 5, 500 or 5,000 on your last book. All they are looking at is what you've sent them in the now. Be in the now and not in the clouds.

The Moderator

Submitting #5 - The wait

You've submitted your book and now one of the worst things possible begins... The wait.

This is the time period between submitting and getting word your work has been accepted, or rejected, by the publisher of your choice. If this is your first book it is a terrifying time of second guessing yourself and wondering what all else you could have done to maybe give your work a boost over all others. Question after question will begin to pour through your head as you go back to look at the email you sent in. Did I spell everything correctly? Did I mention something I shouldn't have? Did I not mention something I should have? Did I forget one of the steps that's a must to get this accepted? Did I even remember to send in the manuscript?

The questions will rattle you but, remember, this is normal and every author had this happen that very first time. It's a terrifying experience. More so because you know, for a fact, that some nameless, faceless person on the receiving end is now deciding your potential fate in the world of published authors. But have faith. If you followed your list of must do's (Submitting #2 - Create a check-list) then you are as well off as you possibly can be.

Get your mind off the wait, it is going to take a while no matter how polished and amazing your story is, how concise you were in your synopsis and cover letter. 

Do the only thing you can, occupy yourself. Pour all that nervous tension and energy into something productive, like another story. Any time your mind starts to wander and you start looking at the calendar to calculate the days, hours, minutes and seconds since you emailed the publisher, push it aside and write. Focus everything you are on a story to get out of your own head.

Or you could clean, if you really wanted to, but who really wants to clean? Cooking is also good or baking, but do something to keep yourself busy and otherwise occupied mentally.

Remember, just because you haven't heard back from the publisher within 8 minutes 42 seconds of sending the email, means NOTHING. Most publishers have a huge waiting list of works to look over. Check the submission section (or the FAQ) of their site and you will likely find what the "average" time for word back on a submission is. On average 2-6 weeks is relatively standard. Some will give longer time frames depending on the time of year. Remember, these people get holidays too. So, chill!

The Moderator

Submitting #4 - Getting an edge, the Synopsis

We will state straight off the top, this is not a guaranteed method but it doesn't hurt either. Unless your publisher specifically tells you NOT to do it. But really, anything that gives them insight into your work is not likely to be refused.

What are we talking about? Well, much like when you send out your resume you need to have a cover letter. This cover letter gives a general and slightly less formal overview of what your resume has in it as well as letting you expand on your goals for the short and long term.

In the world of writing it's called a Synopsis. A synopsis is, according to Merriam-Webster: a short description of the most important information about something; a summary or outline. In other words, it's basically a condensed version of your book. And no more than one page unless they specifically ask for more. But, like a cover letter, you do not want to be long winded. You wrote the book, you should be able to summarize it onto one page without too much stress and pain.

Our best advice is to think of your book, start to finish and remember all the high points and key details that make it amazing. Which, if you've been doing up your lists and such, you should have all that info right at your fingertips. Next start to write. Don't panic if you are suddenly on page two, you will be going back to whittle it down more. Write out the start, who your characters are very briefly, your pivotal moment and any conflicts. Write about the push and pull of the characters and what they must overcome and always end with a hint as to what the book tells. In other words, is it a HEA (Happy Ever After).

Now you have it down on paper, all two to who knows how many pages. You need to get it down to one. That is 1, uno, singular. Yes, scary, daunting, you're freaking out - take a deep breath. Read through it. Did you go off on a tangent about a section of the book that you're excited about? Why? You don't need to. You just want to point out this exciting point not tell them it in detail. Thin it the hell out. Did you put in descriptions of places and people? Why? Get rid of that stuff - they'll be reading it when they go through the manuscript. Did you get wordy because you were fighting to remember a single term? Not good, sit back and try to remember the word or, if you're stuck, ask a friend. It's not just for game shows you know, you can call up a friend who knows you're an author and say... "I'm trying to think of a word that describes this and this and oh! this too." And there's no time limit. Talk to them, bat the idea around, maybe you don't really need to have it in there in the first place.

Now that you've weeded this down you should be closer to a single page. If you still don't know what else to cut and are over the limit, send it to your friend and have them read it. Nothing else, just that synopsis. We will bet you good money that friend will a) come back with questions or; b) have some serious suggestions to thin it out for you.

There you go folks, our two cents of the evening. Hope you're having a good night and we'll chat again soon.

The Moderator

Submitting #3 - The dreaded edits

This is a step that all authors, no matter their claim to fame, get to do on their books. It has a number of purposes, the main one being that you've stared at your work for so long you can no longer see anything but the world you've created. Again, this is true of all authors out there from beginner to professional.

A few things to know about the editing process:

The Editor - You will either love or absolutely despise your editor. What they say about love-hate relationships are most true about this person. This person or persons has read your story and now they have begun to pick it apart. That first time you get edits is exciting and terrifying, you have no idea what to expect or what may have happened to your story all because of this one person, or in some cases, multiple people.

Edits - These are corrections to grammar, punctuation and general layout that you missed or just didn't know how to do. There will be things like bubbles in your edited work with comments in them. Depending on the editor and your genre these can be anything from helpful to devastating comments. We all pray for a smooth edit with the editor making cute comments and saying wonderful things. Sadly, more than not, this does not occur. Some editors are animals out to rend your flesh from bone until you are a pile of pulverised goo on the floor.

The Process - Each publisher and their editors have their own way of doing things. There is usually a FAQ page or something like it to help you understand their "house standards". Not that will always help you figure out what the editors are talking about but it is a general guide for you to better understand some of their comments. Your editor will read your story, start to finish and, generally, make punctuation changes in the document itself without much mention to you about them unless it screws up the construction of a sentence/paragraph in which case they will generally give you a solution - especially when you are new. It will be along the lines of "This may confuse readers as it is, why not something like this... or perhaps this instead...". Take such help to heart and work to understand just why they are telling you this and how their suggestions make the sentence/paragraph flow better and are more comprehensive to a possible reader. They are helping you to grow, use them for such.

Second Round - Not all publishers do a second or third round of edits. It's kind of a crap shoot which publisher you will end up with so ensure you know going in just how many chances to fix things you will get. Some only do one round, better make it count. But, if you do get a second or third round, in a lot of cases you will have a separate editor than your first. This person may have a different view on your story and on the publisher "house standards", learn to go with the flow on this, you're merely the author and these people are educated in the art craft that is the English language.

Most authors have trouble with punctuation, it's just a fact of life. Even if you majored in English and took writing classes and all that to ensure you craft a perfect story, your editor will pick that shit apart until you want to tear your hair from your head. Or plot the perfect crime with them in a staring role. Either case is just bad for you, one leading to ulcers and the other to an orange jumpsuit. And really, orange was so 2007.

We all have to deal with editors and the editing process during our tenure's as published author's. Best to just suck it up and learn as much as you can from these people to limit the number of bubbles and comments on your work. You won't ever learn it all so don't try, but do listen to the advice they give, 95% of the time, it's actually damned helpful.

The Moderator

Submitting #2 - Create a check-list

While you may or may not be the sort who creates an Outline for their stories as mentioned in Helpful Tip #4 (above), you should always create a check-list. It doesn't need to be elaborate but it should cover a few important details of your story that you need to check off while you are writing and then during the read-through prior to submission.

It should include things like the below. Note, these are just suggestions and, depending on your story, you may need to do different ones or adjust them to suit the genre you are writing in and the book you've created.

• Character names - Are they spelled the same from front to back of your book?
• Character descriptions - Did you provide any and are they consistent throughout the book?
• Location descriptions - Did you, at any point, provide a specific location or locations and give details appropriate of the setting? Are these consistent - especially in any place repeatedly visited like an office or home?
• Story building - Do you have a plot twist or conflict to resolve?
• Resolutions - Were your twists and conflicts resolved? Did the resolution make sense for the book world you just created?
• The end - Did your story have a good solid ending? Are you going to leave your readers satisfied or frustrated and annoyed?

There you go, the most basic of check-lists for your story. You will likely have others that will make it on the list, and well you should, this shows that you are growing as an author and finding your stride.

But there are a couple other things you should do before submitting and these - oh boy are they ever - are a must.

• Spell check
• Grammar check
• Read through front to back to ensure the story flows and there are no odd leaps in time or changes in location. For example - you started a scene in bed but they suddenly end up in the bathtub halfway through the scene.
• No use of Trademarked (TM) or Registered Trademarked (R) product or item names - things like the Internet don't count, things like Pepsi and Coke do count and are no-no's to most publishers. Again, if you're unsure of your particular publishers restrictions on such things - ask. Some will put in disclaimers at the beginning/end of a book about the use of such Trademarked and Registered items for the purposes of the story. If this is a case you will need to make them a list of all of these items so they can properly cover their legal basis.
• No use of song lyrics, but the mentioning of a song name with the singer/group given mention in the same line is usually permissible - again, ask your publisher their stance on this to be safe.

That should, for the most part, cover a lot of things you need to attend to prior to your submission. It will also reassure your publisher that you are serious about your work and generally make them a little happier to deal with you. After this all you have to do is wait for the dreaded edits. The point in every author's life where they discover that they know next to nothing about the English language.

But that is a different subject for a different post.

The Moderator

Submitting #1 - Things to know

Whether this is your first book or your fortieth, you have to submit it into your publisher. Unless you are a professional author by trade with different ways of doing things, in other words highly paid and among the ranks of Stephen King, Sue Grafton, Truman Capote or Nora Roberts, this is a fact of life.

If this is your first book you are submitting to a publisher ensure you check their website for their Submissions Guideline. They all have one and it has to be followed to the letter. Information most include will be your legal name and physical address -this is for tax purposes for you and them- as well as a daytime phone number and a few other details about you. Then they want to know about your book, including the name you want to write under, the title of the book, your best guess at the genre -this is just to give them an idea so do not stress too badly if you're not 100% sure-, word count, brief synopsis and some character details. Now, each publisher is different so these details will vary slightly, these are the ones that are most common between them all to give you an idea of what is required of you.

Some publishers also require a full page synopsis or story board (something we've also heard it called) of your book. This gives them a better idea about what they are getting and whether they want to offer you a contract and proceed with editing and publishing. These are very hard to write for some authors. After all, you just pumped out a book of, for example, 50,000 words and they want you to break it down into approximately one to three hundred words? Are they insane? The answer is no, they do this for a purpose and usually it's to see if you can break your story down into such a tiny amount of space for them. Plus, it allows them that twenty seconds of reading to figure out if it's a story that will fit into what they already sell.

Read their Q&A or FAQ pages as well, this will often help you figure out what it is they need and want from you. And, if you get really stuck and confused, email them at the appropriate email address with your question. But ensure it is the right email as publishers tend to have a great many of them and, if you send it to the wrong one, you'll end up with a deleted message and no answers. Plus it shows you can't follow the simplest of directions which puts up warning flags at their end.

The Moderator