Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Have any of us published a novel?

This is topic Have any of us published a novel? in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by benskia (Member # 2422) on :

How hard is it?
I mean, how many novels ever get finished anyway?

Posted by Rahl22 (Member # 1411) on :

I heard once that Tor accepts for publication less than 1% of the novels they receive as slush.

Whether or not that number is right... I feel safe in saying its right up there with climbing Everest. Unless you have a really great novel. Then it's nothing at all

Posted by Christine (Member # 1646) on :

A few things. As I understand it, a STAGGERING percentage of the novels Tor receives are not professionally presented. That is:

1. Failure to format correctly.
2. Improper manuscript preparation (using staples instead of paper clips, yellow paper, not typed...)
3. Failure to enclose a professional, coherent cover letter and summary.
4. Gross spelling/grammar errors.

So, forget whether your story is any good or not. If you edit it for grammar and spelling, write a professional cover letter, double and triple-check manuscript preparation and formatting instructions, well then, as I understand it, you're ahead of about 89% of those submissions. Those 1/100 odds don't sound quite as dounting then.

Posted by Shendülféa (Member # 2408) on :

Well, I've tried (although not too hard) to get my novel published and so far no luck. It is difficult, I won't lie, but like Christine said, if you format correctly and follow all the other rules, you're already ahead of most people.

On a slightly different note, as I understand it, Tor and other fantasy publishers get TONS of submissions a year. You wouldn't believe how many people want to get their books published. In fact, I've known many other writers in my life who are still currently working on their novels. I thought that I was one of the very few people working on a novel for a while. How wrong I was! But unlike some of the many writers I know, I make sure to check my grammar and spelling first and to format my MS correctly . I've read through and edited some of my writing friends' MS's and oh the grammar and spelling errors I see! If they want to get their books published, they're going to have to fix those errors first and foremost! They won't be going anywhere until they do, no matter how original the ideas they have.

Posted by Spaceman (Member # 9240) on :

Just imagine how many people never finish one they start.

Posted by KatFeete (Member # 2161) on :

I'm about to start submitting my second novel - the first is unpublished and liable to stay that way. The odds look good to me, but then, they looked good the first time too.

Because both times I've thought I have a really good book on my hands, and the stuff I've heard on odds unanomously goes something like this:

For very good books, the odds are excellent. For books we don't like, the odds are abysmal. No other measurement is meaningful. (The Tor Books FAQ)

If you'd like a better - and for me at least heartening - idea what the slushpile really looks like, check out Teresa Nielsen-Hayden's Slushkiller post. We have met the competition, and they are dumb.

[This message has been edited by KatFeete (edited July 31, 2005).]

Posted by MaryRobinette (Member # 1680) on :

Wow! That's brilliant. Thanks for sharing the Slushkiller link.

[This message has been edited by MaryRobinette (edited July 31, 2005).]

Posted by mikemunsil (Member # 2109) on :

ditto

good link

Posted by djvdakota (Member # 2002) on :

Great link!

Very heartening, AND hilarious.

Posted by DavidGill (Member # 1688) on :

Here's another good link for new writers.

Posted by RagDoll (Member # 2757) on :

Terrified now. How likely is it that I'll ever recieve the attention I crave for my work?

Posted by Jeraliey (Member # 2147) on :

Depends. How hard are you willing to work for it?