Sending off the novel - SOON.

1. Get a second opinion. Edit that puppy until you feel nauseated by it. That means finding YOUR editing method (Which should have a defined termination point, whatever you choose). I use critique circle for this (http://www.critiquecircle.com), but there are others. And do yourself a favor. Don't call it your baby, your child, or whatever. I hope you don't have dreams of giving birth of your children and hacking and changing them... Calling it your baby will only lead to the temptation of calling it "perfect" and that "I can't edit this." You are doing well when people tell you repeatedly that they would buy this and its from total strangers who don't want anything back from you. Like an edit or a critique or a good opinion of their own work.
2. Submit with an expectation of rejections. (It's more fun if you think of collecting them.) I play a game, aim for 100... or aim for wallpapering a room, etc. (If you choose to wallpaper, don't use a bathroom... they will get crinkled... *cough)
3. Be willing to edit it even when you are sick of it. After a rejection go back and look at it.
4. Write new stories in the meantime.
5. Be willing to let go of the manuscript after you've exhausted ALL possibilities.
6. Don't give up on the idea of being published. Keep trying with new stories new ideas and put in your very best effort to always improve, published or no.

You don't need a pen name. You don't have to worry about your age (You will need a guardian to sign). It's probably best to start looking for an agent first. Research the market you're selling for. Research the agent you plan to pitch to. Oh and don't submit a story until you know its the very best it can be. There is no more you can do to the story.
----
Telling someone you're a writer is like telling them you're an obsessive compulsive bipolar schizophrenic that goes to AA meetings once a week.

Telling someone you're a writer is like telling them you're an obsessive compulsive bipolar schizophrenic that goes to AA meetings once a week.

Hi Kimberly, thank you SO much. What would I do without people like you!!

'07: Reflection (Won)

I agree with everything Kimberly has said. I'll just expand a bit on the agent thing. I think an agent is very necessary because they have the contacts with publishers, and they understand contracts. I think unless you know the business well, you're more vulnerable without an agent. The websites I've spent many, many (many) hours on, researching agents are:

www.querytracker.net
www.publishersmarketplace.com
www.agentquery.com/

There are also good articles on developing a query letter to agents on some of these sites. After you find out info on the agents, you would want to tailor each letter to the specific agent. No agent wants to feel you've sent out 50 To Whom It May Concern letters. For example, I'm querying one agent because I emailed an author and told him I really loved his book, he emailed back was really nice, and told me to use his name to query his agent. (!) Another agent, I've read a book she wrote and thought highly of it. Or because I read a novel by an author who is represented by the agent I'm querying. Or because I've read their blog and liked what they said. The more personal and specific you can make it, the more they might think you would be a good match for them.

Good luck!

With Anticipation

2005 "Two Truths and a Lie" literary fiction
2006 "Slipping the Tracks" literary fiction (Winner)
2006 "Exit, Pursued by Bear" literary fiction (Non Nano novel)
2007 "The Dream of Safety" literary fiction

I'm fifteen too, so I know what you mean. This is what I've researched on publishing:

1) You need to know how to pitch your novel well (in other words, you need to learn how to write a good query letter)

2) You need to have a lot of good luck

3) You need to enjoy writing

That's pretty much all I know, but it's not too bad, is it? I'm sure that you'll get it published if you persist!

Good luck!

NaNoWriMo 07: A Circlet of Stones (won!)
NaNoWriMo 08: Donnovan's Redemption (???)

Goodness, thank y'all so much! You have no idea how much this helps. I'll have to take a look at those sites and take the advice.

What good people here!

..syd

'07: Reflection (Won)

One of my guidebooks that I take very seriously is a book called Your First Novel. It is cowritten by a published author and an agent. It had alot of helpful tips for how to go about editting and polishing your book and then even more tips on how to find a great agent. The thing I took from the book was that once you start to send out those query letters to agents, start your next piece. Don't wait around for destiny or fate to drop a publisher in your lap.

If you want to be a writer, then write. And expect the rejection letters. If you have your list of publishers or agents,that is wonderful Just don't get your hopes up. Go and start working on a second list of agents and publishers and keep writing.

Furthermore, avoid people who try to charge you for things up front. Reading fees, and sending you to professional editors is not the way to go. Check out http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/ to make sure you aren't getting in with any fishy folks and use the resources recommended in Your First Novel. They list great websites and places to check out and verify the honesty of agents and publishers.

Best of luck to you and I hope it works out in the end. Just keep writing and you'll find that you grow as an author, and truly that's what we are all in it for isn't it? The writing?

Here's a link to that book.

http://www.amazon.com/Your-First-Novel-Author-Achieving/dp/1582973881/re...

-Debby Jensen
Newbie

Hey, Debby!

Thanks for the book, I'll be sure to check it out. :)

I am very much expecting rejections, and planning to frame the first one! Wahoo! Ha. My list of publishers has gotten at least twice as big since I last posted, so I suppose that is good!

Preditors and Editors is an amazing site, I go there all the time. Found it a few months ago.

Thank you so much for your advice! It means a lot!

Hope to catch you soon...syd

'07: Reflection (Won)