Saturday morning I opted for Scott Pack's talk- How to Perfect Your Submission.
Very good choice. He is funny, knowledgeable and interesting. We didn't need to take notes as he sent a script to us- It is published now so you could buy that and not bother to read my next few blogs.
Not taking notes means I do not have as many memories of the talk, except - Scott does not want to know how many cats you have, how cute they are or if they have helped you write your story. (More about this in a later post)
He was brutally honest about the process of publishing and asked us to think hard about if we really want the stress, hassle and hard work it entails. At the moment I am saying yes.
Questions to consider-
Why are you writing? Is it for fun or do you want a new career? For when you submit your work, you are applying for a job.You will need to set time aside for research and be as professional as possible in your approach.
Who are you writing for? Yourself, your children? Are you content with a few people reading your work? Or do you want to aim for the bestseller market? Only choose the submitting to publisher route if you are strong, patient, and believe you have a fantastic story. (Which, of course, we all do.)
Do you have a strong self-esteem? I pretended I had one of these and managed to hear the publishing route as challenging, rather than depressing.
Can you cope with changing your story to create something marketable? I nodded, but it is hard to change your beloved story, to dare to make it different, when you thought it was fine as it was. I know, that is what I am doing with The Finder.
Pinch your arm - How thick is your skin? The route to publication is paved with rejection and littered with criticism.
Not a pretty street. Do you want to continue?
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