It's the first Wednesday of the month so it must be time for a post from all the folks in the Insecure Writers Support Group. What is IWSG?
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
After visiting here, please take time to hop over to other blogs and hear their voices. You can find a list at Alex's IWSG page.
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What DO Publishers, Editors, and Agents Want from a Writer? by J.Q. Rose
If I could discover the secret to that mystery, I would be a rich person! I have talked with editors and read many articles on the subject, so I made a list about what I've learned...so far. I'll bet you can add some more.
- Correct grammar and spelling
- A hook that gets the editor's attention
- An emotional connection with readers
- A unique plot with unique characters
- A satisfying ending with all the loose ends tied up in a neat package
- The writer follows the publisher's guidelines
Sprinkle all this with a good dose of luck and you may get a contract. Yes, luck. Oprah defines luck as opportunity meeting preparation. When an email arrives saying a pub is looking for a certain kind of story, you may have the exact one they’ll want. You will be prepared to submit your book because it’s been discussed with a critique partner, edited for grammar errors and spelling, and written in the format the publisher lays out in their guidelines. You're lucky you received the notice and you're ready to send in the story. So you see, I still believe in luck and a few prayers too.
Thanks for stopping in today. Have a great day!
Thanks for stopping in today. Have a great day!
