Like the subject says, I'm trying to get a class organized that will hopefully cover some of the basics of the writing business for new writers. I'm including an outline of the stuff I'm planning to go over below, and I would appreciate any feedback you folks can provide. Additionally, I'm still having a bit of a struggle with WHERE to teach this stuff. I'm leaning towards some manner of online venue (I'm not so good at public speaking), but I haven't found a way to do so yet. If anybody has any suggestions on how to go about setting up such a thing, I would be grateful. And do keep in mind how very broke I am.
The Basics of Preparing a Story or Novel for Publication
-When writing, make sure you are adhering to standard manuscript formatting, sometimes referred to as “Shunn manuscript formattting.”
-The writer’s contact information (actual name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address) should all be present on the top left-hand corner of the page, each on its own line.
-The word count should appear at the top right-hand corner of the first page. It should be rounded to the nearest hundred words for a short story and to the closest ten-thousand for longer work.
-A header should be made consisting of the author’s surname, a shortened version of the title (two or three words at most), and the page number. Each piece of information should be separated by a backslash. The header should appear on every page except for the first.
-The title should appear, centered, near the middle of the page; it does not have to be underlined. The writer’s byline should appear below. The name used should be the one the writer wants to actually appear in print.
-The margins should be set to one-inch and all text after the contact information should be double-spaced.
-The font used should be something easily readable. Times New Roman and Courier are considered standard.
-Underlining should be used for emphasis as it is easier for the editor to see. The lines will be removed and the text put in italics following acceptance.
-Scene breaks should be marked by three asterisks centered on their own line. Do NOT merely skip a line to mark a break.
-When writing a novel, a title page should be made. This should include the writer’s contact information and the title/byline in exactly the same place as in a short story. However, the rounded word count should be centered at the bottom of the page.
-The title or number of each chapter should be centered near the center of the page where it begins.
-Each new chapter should start near the center of a new page.
-Finding the right editor/publication to submit to is almost as important as writing the story itself.
-There are a number of resources available to writers that list potential publishers. The Writers’ Guide is arguably the most reputable print source. Meanwhile, websites such as ralan.com and duotrope.com constantly update their listings.
-When considering a publication, be sure to know what kind of work it wants. Most publications include fairly detailed submission guidelines. If your story does not match them, do NOT submit. However, if in doubt, you may contact the editor.
-Buying a copy of the publication is a good way to get a clearer idea of whether your work would be a good fit. Pay attention to the content and tone of the stories included.
-If you are considering submitting, ALWAYS run a search on the publication and the people associated with it. There are disreputable editors out there that will be more than happy to take your work without actually paying you. Fortunately, such incidents are reported with a fair amount of frequency by writers. There are websites, such as Preditors and Editors, that maintain detailed listings for this purpose.
-The publication should include details as to what payment they are offering and the rights requested in their contracts. Make sure you understand and are comfortable with these aspects of the contract before submitting.
-When you have decided to submit to a publication, ALWAYS be sure to double-check its guidelines before sending in your work. While standard manuscript formatting is indeed the norm, some publications do request certain deviations. The formatting of your piece should be a perfect match for what has been requested.
-There is a correct way to write a cover letter too, so make sure you are doing it right.
-The cover letter should be written in the body of the e-mail, not sent as an attachment.
-As with the manuscript, the writer’s contact information should be included. However, this time, center it and place it at the top of the message.
-Skip a line and align your text left. Write the date. Do the same regarding the name of the publication and the name/title of the editor.
- Skip another line and write your greeting. The individual you expect to read the story should be the one to whom the letter is addressed. If such information is not included by the publisher, or there is more than one editor, an ambiguous greeting such as, “To Whom It May Concern,” is acceptable.
-The cover letter should be concise. It should include your story’s name and its rounded word count. If the events in the story have some personal connection to you, you may mention it to add further interest to your work. However, be sure to keep any anecdotes brief. The cover letter should never take up more than a page. Usually, a short paragraph is enough.
-If you already have publishing credits, you may list them after providing the information on your story. Each credit should be listed on its own line and should include the story’s name, where it was published, and the date of publication. All credits listed should be relevant to the publication to which you are submitting.
-Be sure to thank the editor for his or her time before closing the letter.
-In the case of submitting longer work, other information may be required. This will likely include a synopsis which will probably run several pages in length. You may also include more background on yourself and your work. However, again, make sure you are concise and the information remains relevant.
-When submitting an unsolicited novel, most publications request that only the first two or three chapters be sent rather than the entire manuscript. If they like what they see, they will ask for the rest.
-Again, be sure to double-check the guidelines before submitting as they vary from publisher to publisher.
-Prepare to wait—a lot.
-Most publications will provide an approximate response time in their guidelines. If you have already waited beyond this listed time, you may want to consider writing a polite query letter as to the status of your story. However, double-check the guidelines for any additional information as to when it is acceptable to send queries first. Sometimes, a writer is not allowed to query before a certain amount of time has passed.
-Should your work be accepted, you will receive an e-mail or letter telling you of the fact.
-An acceptance letter should soon be followed (or even accompanied by) a contract. ALWAYS make sure you understand the details of a contract before signing it. They should match the rights/payment described in the guidelines. In addition, if the contract requests information that you are not comfortable providing (such as a social security number, etc.), you may contact the editor to ask if said information can be omitted.
-Eventually, your work will be sent to an editor who will be charged with correcting any errors it may contain. A manuscript pointing out these changes will be sent to you, and it will be your responsibility to update your story before sending the final product back. In the case of a short story, your work ends here. You have only to wait for your payment and your contributor copies (depending on what the publication provides by way of compensation).
-In the case of a novella, novel, or short story collection, there are still things left to do. While the publisher will take it upon itself to promote and advertise your work, you should do so as well. The more exposure you have, the better. Consider creating a website for the book (or even yourself), utilizing social media, setting up a signing at a local bookstore, hitting up book review sites, and arranging for interviews via podcasts, websites, and other media outlets.
-A few notes on self-publishing.
-Self-publishing means exactly that. You are taking upon all the responsibilities inherent in publishing a book. If you are not comfortable doing so, or don’t know how, this is a poor route to take. Additionally, while self-published authors are growing in acceptance, there are still publishers (amongst others) that look down on them. Should you self-publish something, be prepared for the stigma you may carry after the fact. Better yet, do all you can to produce something beyond reproach.
-Amongst the most common complaints cited by critics of self-published books are the editing, covers, and formatting. Take care that all of these areas are up to snuff before releasing the book. Furthermore, even if you are a talented artist or know how to do the formatting yourself, you WILL need to hire an editor. Be prepared to pay for one. You will likely have to pay for all three.
-Additionally, all the promotional and advertising responsibilities of the publisher will fall to you. In addition to using the strategies listed above, you may have to pay for ad space in publications relevant to the subject matter of your book, as well as on websites. It would also be wise to send ARC’s (advance review copies) to various review sites prior to your book’s release (after it has been edited, of course).
