Comments on: Question: (I Have 20 Projects!)

By: Dennis Lang

Dennis Lang — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:53:04 +0000

Thanks for the encouragement bets. Of course I’m now at a point where receiving the occasional personal note from the editor with any favorable comment, rather than the typical thanks but no thanks canned three by five rejection slip, has become kind of an achievement. Sad.

By: denniscass

denniscass — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:02:18 +0000

I have two things to add to bets excellent point:

1. Nonfiction can also help you build an audience, establish that you’re a professional, improve your writing, etc.

2. Publishing any kind of short work also gives you crucial business experience. You’ll start learning how to read a contract, how to talk to an editor, how to connect with like-minded peers, etc.

There is so much to learn, and there is no shame in starting small.

By: bets

bets — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:42:22 +0000

Keep at it, DL. I reckon I submit my short stories from 5-12 times before acceptance, so far. Most magazines acceptance rates are about that (ours is slightly higher) but it’s still easier going than selling novels.

By: bets

bets — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:40:23 +0000

Disclaimer: I’m a short story editor and writer with short story sales, as well as a novelist.

More light scolding: I don’t know why people insist they must break into publishing with a novel. For decades, great writers have broken in through the short story markets, of which there are thousands (Ralans.com for markets) . Just think of the difference between two letters: cool novel written by someone with a bunch of short story credits at the bottom of the query vs “This is my first novel.” It tells an agent you’re striving to make it a profession, that you’re persistent enough to sell your writing, that other editors had faith in you, and that you’re probably willing to revise and be edited. (Trust me, there are a ton of writers out there with good books who are NOT willing to be edited.) BIG difference between those writers and the untested.

Besides, writing short stories teaches people how to write.

By: Dennis Lang

Dennis Lang — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:59:03 +0000

Half-time Pitt and Nova, thought I’d revisite “Book Launch 2.0″. “That dream I had twenty years ago to become a writer”!! Very, very funny and just the way it is, isn’t it? Check out Dec 14,08 comment from Beth Harpaz. Makes you wonder about this activity.

By: Dennis Lang

Dennis Lang — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:57:23 +0000

Enlightening dialogue. Book projects way too daunting for me. I’ve been trying nonfiction, 3500-8000 words and discovered the literary quarterlies to be a potential market–after the queries to “The Atlantic”, “Sports Illustrated”, “Harpers” etc, etc. come up empty. Just noticed this morning that the very fine “Missouri Quarterly” accepts less than one percent of its submissions. Of course I’ve already learned that the odds to get anything published are excessively long, still seeing this in black and white provoked a new wave of sudden discouragement. Empathy and moral support to all of you aspirants out there!