I always appreciate these query posts - is it hard to compile them? (if it's a secret, no worries!)
I will hopefully be starting to send off query letters and all the other stuff, but the revisions are a slow, arduous process.
I've seen other newsletter writers mention bypassing agents altogether and submitting directly to smaller presses that are open to submissions - what are your thoughts on that?
One more question if I may - I'm up to chapter 13 with my serialisation (out of 36+) and I've put it on hold for the past two weeks (I doubt any readers have even noticed or care, haha!) because of all the revisions. I knew this was a risk going in, but it looks like its needs a lot more revising, earlier chapters too, which means continuing with the serialising is going to be a mess - I'm not going back to edit earlier chapters on Substack, only on my draft. I wonder too about the wisdom of continuing to serialise if I'm going to try submitting it.
It's not too hard to compile them when you know where to look! Each one is a compilation of updates from Query Tracker, MSWL, and agent tweets.
Choosing to submit directly to smaller presses is completely up to you! It normally depends on whether your goal is to be published by a large house (requires an agent) or a smaller house (doesn't always require one).
Serialization is a little tricky. I would make sure to check the guidelines of each press/agent you are considering submitting to—some refuse to take work that is published online (even on Substack). Others will only allow a certain percentage to be online. However, since your serialization is pre-revisions, your final submission will likely look a lot different, and the fact that the first draft was published may not be as big an issue. Double-checking with each press/agent can be tedious, but it's important to know before you reach out to them! Usually, that information can be found on their websites under submission guidelines.
Thanks for such a detailed response, Abigail, always appreciated 😊
Re: serialisation, this makes me feel a lot better and I know how to approach this now (I think) - luckily I have 4-5 of my most loyal readers who are eager to be my beta/ARC readers and so I'll get this polished and sent to them and re-consider the rest of the serial - it gets far lower engagement than my usual posts anyway, no one is likely to miss it 😂
I always appreciate these query posts - is it hard to compile them? (if it's a secret, no worries!)
I will hopefully be starting to send off query letters and all the other stuff, but the revisions are a slow, arduous process.
I've seen other newsletter writers mention bypassing agents altogether and submitting directly to smaller presses that are open to submissions - what are your thoughts on that?
One more question if I may - I'm up to chapter 13 with my serialisation (out of 36+) and I've put it on hold for the past two weeks (I doubt any readers have even noticed or care, haha!) because of all the revisions. I knew this was a risk going in, but it looks like its needs a lot more revising, earlier chapters too, which means continuing with the serialising is going to be a mess - I'm not going back to edit earlier chapters on Substack, only on my draft. I wonder too about the wisdom of continuing to serialise if I'm going to try submitting it.
Hi Daniel!
It's not too hard to compile them when you know where to look! Each one is a compilation of updates from Query Tracker, MSWL, and agent tweets.
Choosing to submit directly to smaller presses is completely up to you! It normally depends on whether your goal is to be published by a large house (requires an agent) or a smaller house (doesn't always require one).
Serialization is a little tricky. I would make sure to check the guidelines of each press/agent you are considering submitting to—some refuse to take work that is published online (even on Substack). Others will only allow a certain percentage to be online. However, since your serialization is pre-revisions, your final submission will likely look a lot different, and the fact that the first draft was published may not be as big an issue. Double-checking with each press/agent can be tedious, but it's important to know before you reach out to them! Usually, that information can be found on their websites under submission guidelines.
Thanks for such a detailed response, Abigail, always appreciated 😊
Re: serialisation, this makes me feel a lot better and I know how to approach this now (I think) - luckily I have 4-5 of my most loyal readers who are eager to be my beta/ARC readers and so I'll get this polished and sent to them and re-consider the rest of the serial - it gets far lower engagement than my usual posts anyway, no one is likely to miss it 😂