73
votes
Accepted
What's the least distracting method to inform editors I'm a woman?
If you are submitting to a professional journal that (like many) puts a short blurb about the author(s) somewhere in the article or journal, you could provide a suggested blurb and ensure that there ...
- 839
60
votes
What's the least distracting method to inform editors I'm a woman?
As a person of color, I've sometimes had a version of the same dilemma. Is there a professional organization for people of your gender and expertise? If so, you could join the organization, and then ...
- 56.5k
36
votes
What's the least distracting method to inform editors I'm a woman?
I also have a confusing first name. When I want to clarify, I sign email as "Firstname Lastname (Ms.)". That conveys my gender as effectively as "Ms. Firstname Lastname", but by putting the title at ...
- 361
33
votes
What's the least distracting method to inform editors I'm a woman?
I once saw someone in your situation address the problem by adding a (gendered) middle name to signatures. This could either be your real middle name if you have one, or a nickname that you're ...
- 21.4k
27
votes
What keeps most authors writing after receiving multiple rejections?
Welcome to the world of writers. That isn't sarcasm, by the way, that's truth.
Let me tell you about my own tale, with a novel (series) called Altar of Warlords. This story has gone through a dozen ...
- 5,441
26
votes
When do you stop "pushing" a book?
The most likely explanation is that your queries are poorly written, or the agents you are querying are poorly suited to your work (or feel they are after reading your query).
If you are getting ...
- 100k
24
votes
What's the least distracting method to inform editors I'm a woman?
Use a courtesy title which reflects your gender. Sign your submission as "Ms. Morgan Meredith." Subtle but unambiguous.
19
votes
Is it true that stories get rejected simply because the stories are not appealing enough and not because of the quality of the writing?
Those are two different questions!
Yes, stories get rejected because the stories are not appealing enough.
No, if the writing is bad, the story premise probably doesn't matter, the writing will be ...
- 100k
14
votes
What's the least distracting method to inform editors I'm a woman?
This answer may be controversial and it hinges on you having stated that your "work speaks for itself"...
If you assume the tech industry has a bias towards men, then not stating you are a woman ...
- 249
13
votes
What keeps most authors writing after receiving multiple rejections?
What keeps writers writing is the utter impossibility of not writing. Tolkien had no hope of ever publishing The Silmarillion, yet he kept writing and rewriting and editing and re-editing it ...
12
votes
Accepted
Should a short story be submitted to a publisher in order to know if they would be interested in a book based on it?
Alas, no.
As an unpublished writer, you absolutely should not submit anything less than a complete novel.
A few quotes to this effect:
You have to have a finished novel.
There are no exceptions ...
- 28.2k
11
votes
What's the least distracting method to inform editors I'm a woman?
Another option you may want to consider is to add your preferred pronouns to your email signature. I'm in academia, and I'm starting to see this more frequently. It's particularly useful for trans or ...
- 119
11
votes
Accepted
Submitting a partially complete draft?
Do not try to query with an unfinished manuscript.
Dear Query Shark,
I have an incomplete fantasy novel
here's where I stop reading and send a form rejection letter
-- Janet Reid, http://queryshark....
- 28.2k
10
votes
What keeps most authors writing after receiving multiple rejections?
There are three ways of answering your question:
Professionalism: Some people recognize that frequent rejections are simply an intrinsic part of this particular job, and don't take them personally,...
- 56.5k
10
votes
When do you stop "pushing" a book?
Answer: You stop when you are ready to stop. You begin again when you wish to begin. New agents come on the scene every month or two. New publishers too.
Part of the answer, which complements the ...
- 23.8k
10
votes
Why aren't literary magazines more honest in their rejections
There is nobody who would write an obviously poor quality story and then throw a tantrum when kindly told that it isn’t perfect.
This is incorrect for two reasons. First, people who write stories don'...
- 56.5k
9
votes
When do you stop "pushing" a book?
My answer is a little broad and maybe even opinion-based… so here goes.
I think you can divide your decision process into 3 "problem areas" – it's a little difficult to say these things in a neutral ...
- 27.2k
8
votes
What keeps most authors writing after receiving multiple rejections?
I suggest you find, buy and read the book "Get a Literary Agent" by Chuck Sambuchino; (on Amazon or Barnes & Noble) it is a good start and also a good antidote to much online advice. If your ...
- 100k
8
votes
Sending manuscript to multiple publishers
Most publishers are fine with simultaneous submissions and understand that it could otherwise take years for a manuscript to be accepted. What's important is to read the publisher's guidelines before ...
- 32.4k
8
votes
Page count conversion from single to double-space for submissions
To me, the answer has always been pretty clear: fifty pages that happen to be double-spaced, i.e. an amount that would be about 25 otherwise. What would be really confusing is if they expected people ...
- 9,577
8
votes
Is it unprofessional to criticize competing works in a cover letter?
Keep it Affirmative:
I think Amadeus is fairly solid in the advise they give. I would add that your presentation of your book should center on why your book is great. So if you do criticize other ...
- 13.6k
8
votes
Accepted
After submitting a "complete" manuscript, what role does the author take?
This will vary by publisher, but you can expect some or all of this to happen:
they will give you their word template (or equivalent) so you can tag/style paragraphs and the like according to their ...
- 3,711
7
votes
What's the least distracting method to inform editors I'm a woman?
Your work should speak for itself. If they address you in an incorrect formal manner, such as Mr, Mrs, or Miss, then just respond with a thanks with the correct or preferred title. Your appearance, ...
- 203
7
votes
Should a short story be submitted to a publisher in order to know if they would be interested in a book based on it?
A very good short story --or better yet, many of them --can definitely lead to a publishing contract for a novel. (In fact, that's been the classic path for generations of science fiction writers.) ...
- 56.5k
7
votes
Querying a book that already has public exposure on Wattpad. What do agents think of this?
Ultimately, agents and publishers are interested in what will sell. At one time, it was considered that prior publication online would cannibalize print sales, so writers needed to choose one or the ...
- 56.5k
6
votes
What keeps most authors writing after receiving multiple rejections?
I see two questions in your question. One, why do writers write.
I don't need to write, but I do need to contribute to my society, in order to have a sense of meaning about life. Writing is how I do ...
- 23.8k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible