Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Dude. Read the Guidelines

I can't believe how many authors fail to read submission guidelines.

I am a niche publisher. If the next Dean Koontz blockbuster fell across my desk today, I'd reject it.

Believe me, after the author got over licking the wounds from my "no thanks", the author would thank me for my rejection later.

I have no expertise in marketing horror. I would not be doing a writer any favors by attempting to market such work, unless the story's action miraculously made it fall within the realm of my established "niche".

The content I am seeking is narrow in it's scope. Save yourself some from needless rejection dejection.

Read the guidelines.

We do not make exceptions. No matter how good your book or writing is, the content we publish is selected to appeal to a very specific audience.

Repeat after me: niche publishers do not deviate from their niche.

No, there is no wiggle room.

Trust me on this.

4 comments:

Sean Lindsay said...

It's truly terrifying that people who can't read think they can write. Surely the inability to comprehend written instructions virtually guarantees their submission is abysmal.

I think they should stop writing, but I'm biased.

Anonymous said...

So...want to chip in for next year's International Slushpile Bonfire Day?

Anonymous said...

Anon #1-

Does April 31st fall before or after the 12th of Never?

Anonymous said...

(whispering) There's a problem with your sidebar link to Agent, Nephele Tempest. It's missing the final "l" in "livejournal" and consequently misdirects.