Comments on: Top 3 Submission Errors and How Authors Can Fix ‘em http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/10/30/top-3-submission-errors-and-how-authors-can-fix-em/ Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:21:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Tracey Devlyn http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/10/30/top-3-submission-errors-and-how-authors-can-fix-em/comment-page-1/#comment-2102 Tracey Devlyn Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:51:24 +0000 http://romanceuniversity.org/?p=1837#comment-2102 Ann Leslie, Thank you for answering everyone's questions. You've given us some great information on this topic. Have a great weekend! Tracey Ann Leslie,

Thank you for answering everyone’s questions. You’ve given us some great information on this topic.

Have a great weekend!
Tracey

]]> By: Ann Leslie Tuttle http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/10/30/top-3-submission-errors-and-how-authors-can-fix-em/comment-page-1/#comment-2100 Ann Leslie Tuttle Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:09:53 +0000 http://romanceuniversity.org/?p=1837#comment-2100 Good question and I really don't know the answer to that as it varies so much by editor. Maybe give it at least 45 to 60 days and then start checking. Good question and I really don’t know the answer to that as it varies so much by editor. Maybe give it at least 45 to 60 days and then start checking.

]]> By: Eva http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/10/30/top-3-submission-errors-and-how-authors-can-fix-em/comment-page-1/#comment-2099 Eva Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:03:10 +0000 http://romanceuniversity.org/?p=1837#comment-2099 Hi Ann Leslie, thanks for coming to RU. My question is about communication. I often find myself in the posoition of waiting to hear about submissions, but how long is too long to wait? I've had submission lost for 8 months, but I hate asking about them becuase I don't want to be a PITA, or, I'm afraid my sub will hit the round file. So, if an editor or house doesn't have auto reply, how long should you wait to hear before tapping someone's shoulder? Thanks! Hi Ann Leslie, thanks for coming to RU.

My question is about communication. I often find myself in the posoition of waiting to hear about submissions, but how long is too long to wait? I’ve had submission lost for 8 months, but I hate asking about them becuase I don’t want to be a PITA, or, I’m afraid my sub will hit the round file.

So, if an editor or house doesn’t have auto reply, how long should you wait to hear before tapping someone’s shoulder?

Thanks!

]]> By: Ann Leslie Tuttle http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/10/30/top-3-submission-errors-and-how-authors-can-fix-em/comment-page-1/#comment-2098 Ann Leslie Tuttle Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:58:01 +0000 http://romanceuniversity.org/?p=1837#comment-2098 It's actually disappointing but I just wait until the manuscript is ready and have the author submit at that point. I'd rather see the manuscript come in as polished (and complete) as possible. It’s actually disappointing but I just wait until the manuscript is ready and have the author submit at that point. I’d rather see the manuscript come in as polished (and complete) as possible.

]]> By: Tracy Mastaler http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/10/30/top-3-submission-errors-and-how-authors-can-fix-em/comment-page-1/#comment-2097 Tracy Mastaler Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:55:16 +0000 http://romanceuniversity.org/?p=1837#comment-2097 Hi Ann Leslie, It's really nice of you to take the time to give us some sage submission advice. I also found the questions on the thread regarding contests interesting. Many writers enter contests before their manuscripts are complete to get feedback as they move through the creative process. As a contest judge, if you request a full after reading a high-quality entry and learn that the manuscript is not yet complete, how do you handle that? Do you work with the writer on a deadline, or just pass on the project because it is incomplete, or something else? Again, thanks to you and the ladies at Romance U for bringing us great content! Have a nice weekend! Tracy :) Hi Ann Leslie,

It’s really nice of you to take the time to give us some sage submission advice. I also found the questions on the thread regarding contests interesting.

Many writers enter contests before their manuscripts are complete to get feedback as they move through the creative process. As a contest judge, if you request a full after reading a high-quality entry and learn that the manuscript is not yet complete, how do you handle that? Do you work with the writer on a deadline, or just pass on the project because it is incomplete, or something else?

Again, thanks to you and the ladies at Romance U for bringing us great content!

Have a nice weekend!

Tracy :)

]]> By: Ann Leslie Tuttle http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/10/30/top-3-submission-errors-and-how-authors-can-fix-em/comment-page-1/#comment-2096 Ann Leslie Tuttle Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:49:57 +0000 http://romanceuniversity.org/?p=1837#comment-2096 It depends on the project. If it is for one of the Harlequin series, it should only go to one editor at Harlequin. If it is for single title, we certainly recognize that authors and agents will be shopping the project around. We only ask that it not go to multiple editors at Harlequin as it would be unfair to have several editors spending their time considering the same project and then have the very awkward situation of two editors competing for the same project. It depends on the project. If it is for one of the Harlequin series, it should only go to one editor at Harlequin. If it is for single title, we certainly recognize that authors and agents will be shopping the project around. We only ask that it not go to multiple editors at Harlequin as it would be unfair to have several editors spending their time considering the same project and then have the very awkward situation of two editors competing for the same project.

]]> By: Keri Ford http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/10/30/top-3-submission-errors-and-how-authors-can-fix-em/comment-page-1/#comment-2095 Keri Ford Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:30:58 +0000 http://romanceuniversity.org/?p=1837#comment-2095 thank you, Ann Leslie! this just tickles me silly. (I'm the coordinator for NOLA's contest). I enjoyed your post and look forward to hearing more from you as others come in and ask questions. thank you, Ann Leslie! this just tickles me silly. (I’m the coordinator for NOLA’s contest).

I enjoyed your post and look forward to hearing more from you as others come in and ask questions.

]]> By: Ann Leslie Tuttle http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/10/30/top-3-submission-errors-and-how-authors-can-fix-em/comment-page-1/#comment-2094 Ann Leslie Tuttle Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:01:16 +0000 http://romanceuniversity.org/?p=1837#comment-2094 That's another good question. Personally, if I am interested in a submission--even if I think it requires more work--I will let the author know he/she can contact me directly and make sure the contest coordinator forwards my contact information. Every editor works differently but I suppose you could send the manuscript to the editor, noting that you followed the comments she provided. That’s another good question. Personally, if I am interested in a submission–even if I think it requires more work–I will let the author know he/she can contact me directly and make sure the contest coordinator forwards my contact information. Every editor works differently but I suppose you could send the manuscript to the editor, noting that you followed the comments she provided.

]]> By: Ann Leslie Tuttle http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/10/30/top-3-submission-errors-and-how-authors-can-fix-em/comment-page-1/#comment-2093 Ann Leslie Tuttle Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:58:40 +0000 http://romanceuniversity.org/?p=1837#comment-2093 That's an excellent question and, unfortunately, without your project in front of me it is a bit hard to answer that in the abstract. In general, though, your protagonists should try to meet as close to page 1 as possible and reveal as much of their backstory through their dialogue and actions (spoken and unspoken). Their motivations/personality etc. should be clear to readers from the choices they make and the things they reveal about themselves. You're basically just trying to get away from large chunks of narrative detail that set up the story and describe one or both of the protagonists. I hope this helps. That’s an excellent question and, unfortunately, without your project in front of me it is a bit hard to answer that in the abstract. In general, though, your protagonists should try to meet as close to page 1 as possible and reveal as much of their backstory through their dialogue and actions (spoken and unspoken). Their motivations/personality etc. should be clear to readers from the choices they make and the things they reveal about themselves. You’re basically just trying to get away from large chunks of narrative detail that set up the story and describe one or both of the protagonists. I hope this helps.

]]> By: Ann Leslie Tuttle http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/10/30/top-3-submission-errors-and-how-authors-can-fix-em/comment-page-1/#comment-2092 Ann Leslie Tuttle Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:54:42 +0000 http://romanceuniversity.org/?p=1837#comment-2092 Based on the quality of past submissions and success in acquiring authors, editors do have favorite contests. Aside from judging the Golden Heart, I haven't judged contests in recent years but have always been impressed with the submissions from the NOLA contest. Based on the quality of past submissions and success in acquiring authors, editors do have favorite contests. Aside from judging the Golden Heart, I haven’t judged contests in recent years but have always been impressed with the submissions from the NOLA contest.

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