What is it? I hear you ask. It is nothing ground breaking. It is nothing that difficult or complicated. Firstly please when thinking about submitting your manuscript anywhere ensure it is the best it possibly can be. Don't think, it's ok you'll make it better once they've taken it on. It doesn't always work like that. You may not get a chance and you may have blown an opportunity. I would like to hope with Golden Egg Academy you want to submit the best thing you can. If you submit something half hearted it often comes across in the writing. If you don't care about it why should we?
Submission guidelines are there for a reason and yes we do notice and mind if you flout them. What happens is we probably just won't bother reading that extra chapter that you have tried to squeeze in on the end of the third chapter. Or the three chapters you have included in each chapter submitted on line so you appear to have actually submitted six chapters. I know there are going to be people saying 'but my story doesn't get going until chapter 4 or chapter 5'. Well I know a lot of readers (children in particular) who will not wait until chapter 4 or chapter 5...The story needs to grab our attention early on.
If it asks for a synopsis make sure it does the job. Tells us the age range you are aiming for if you are writing for children. I often get the feeling if someone doesn't include that it is because they don't know and they probably don't really understand their story because of it. It shows. We will know.
Most importantly (and again) follow the guidelines on what sort of synopsis is required, if there aren't any don't use that as an excuse to put a ten page breakdown in. Be professional, show what a great person you would be to work with. Don't waffle and don't worry about giving away the ending that's what you do in a synopsis. Quick tip: Read Nicola Morgan's excellent book on how to write a synopsis.
That's it, that's all I have to say. ADHERE TO THE GUIDELINES. DO WHAT IT SAYS. Yes they do apply to YOU.
Slightly drug filled post this week as am now truly bionic having had my second knee replaced. Perhaps that is why I am feeling so intolerant of people and their inability to adhere to guidelines. However it has been a good week with lots of good news for people I know and I was sent this song by the wonderful Eggers while I was in hospital and it is certainly true. Such a great community to be part of
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Well I know a lot of readers (children in particular) who will not wait until chapter 4 or chapter 5...The story needs to grab our attention early on
ReplyDelete>>> Absolutely ! I'm an avid reader of YA literature and I do feel the need (as for all other books) to be engaged at the start of the book, to feel hooked by the story, to care about characters and so on.
You're spot on with that post. And I do hope you'll be better soon !
Thank you. I am sure I will be bouncing around again very soon. I am glad you found the post useful too. I love YA too
DeleteOh - well said, Vanessa. Nicola Morgan's synopsis ebook is worth every pound (about £2+ as I recall!). Perhaps Nicola should do one for submission guidelines too - or at least a publishing industry guide to stress. Get well soon! (Bionic women must make speedier recoveries.)
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue! Nicola's book is worth every penny. Submission guidelines are not that difficult if people just bother to read what it says on the website and not make up their own. I was hoping bionic women would make a speedier recovery but it doesn't seem to be so :-(
DeletePerfect timing! Just thinking about my submissions later in the year. *rushes off to change synopsis*
ReplyDeleteLOL damn sure your synopsis is spot on Sue x
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