Simultaneous vs multiple submissions?

Q. What is the difference between simultaneous submissions and multiple submissions? Why do a lot of publishers not accept simultaneous submissions? Do you accept simultaneous submissions?

A. First off, the difference between multiple and simultaneous submissions is exactly what they’re called: simultaneous submissions mean submitting the same manuscript to multiple publishers at the same time. Multiple submissions means sending several different manuscripts to the same publisher, either at the same time or while still waiting on a response from the first submission.

So why don’t a lot of publishers like simultaneous submissions? Several reasons, actually. Number one being a time and money issue. Publishers don’t want to spend precious time and efforts reading a manuscript, liking it, checking their publishing schedule, sending it to another editor for a second opinion, and sending out an acceptance letter, just to find out that the author sold the rights to the book the day before. It’s annoying and frustrating, and it does waste a lot of time and energy that most houses – especially smaller presses – can’t afford (or, at least don’t want to).

While many houses have put in the phrase “simultaneous submissions accepted, if noted in the query letter” into their submissions requirements, not all authors follow those rules, and therefore has left editors high and dry on sales. So, to make things easier and take out risk on the publisher, many houses have adapted to the no simultaneous submissions rule. So, congratulations to all those authors who think they’re above following directions, you have wonderfully screwed up the opportunity for other future submitters in your blind arrogance.

So, on to the question of whether Leucrota accepts simultaneous submissions.

Yes, we do. Why? Well, because frankly all of the editors remember what it feels like to put one copy of our work in the mail, and wait seven months only to receive a rejection letter, and then grudginly repeat the process. I think it’s stupid, honestly. It takes a hell of a long time to write the damn manuscript, so why would any author in their right mind want to spend one to three, or maybe even more years sending out…what, seven submissions? A newbie author’s chance of being accepted by a publisher in this illustration is not one in seven – but rather one in 7,000. So, odds would definately be more in the author’s favor by the author sending out more submissions, correct? Yes, now let’s move on…

So yes, we remember what it’s like, and we sympathize with struggling writers. So we do accept simultaneous submissions. We do also ask that you mention – quite clearly – in your query letter and again on your cover letter that your manuscript is a simultaneous submission. It’s only courteous to comply, and shows that you’re honest and trustworthy as an author, an individual, and that you’re someone we want to work with. And no, to answer the itching question in the back of your mind that’s making you nearly twitch out of your chair, mentioning your submission is a simultaneous submission does not hurt your chances of acceptance.

Another reason why you want to be honest up front? Well, because you don’t want to screw yourself. While there’s no such thing as a universal “author blacklist” (if you’ve read my previous postings regarding the topic you’ll know what I’m talking about), that doesn’t mean that if you lose or betray our trust on our first meeting or interaction, that you won’t blacklist yourself from our press. Any other press would do the same, so it’s not just us being picky. We don’t want to deal with liars, tricksters, or sneaks. It’s bad for business, and our editors don’t get along with snakes well. In fact, I find that rattlesnake with ketchup tastes quite nice, so you can only imagine what I’ll do to a submission we find has been quietly submitted elsewhere.

Keeping track of submissions

Why is it important? For several reasons.

1. It helps you to keep track of what you sent out
2. It provides you a timeline in which to expect a response from publishers
3. A timeline that also gives you a date when to start resubmitting your work (if rejected or no response)
4. It saves you from embarrasing conversations with editors

…why the last point? Well, because I’m a little annoyed. I received a forwarded email from one of my editors today, an email response they’d received from a rejection they’d sent.

Dear Casey Ishitani,

I would like to thank you for looking at my query letter. I did not send a manuscript and for future reference if you must be critical and selective and please don’t take this the wrong way or personal but in order to be successful you must be correct and pay attention to detail. You stated that you read the first few pages in which I did not send but one so please in the future respond accurately and professionally, thank you.

Well, the email was forwarded to me, and I went back through our records so that I could clear this matter up. Like I’ve said before in previous posts, all of our editors keep track of their in and outgoing responses and submissions, so it wasn’t hard for me to find. I did find this particular writer’s submission, along with his submission packet – and yes, his manuscript. I also went back and read my editor’s rejection letter to our friend, and saw that it had been rejected because the “plot did not interest us, and we were not hooked by the first few pages of the manuscript.”

I then replied to his email, as well as attached his manuscript for reference:

Mr. ________,

Thank you for your response, and for thinking of Leucrota Press.

According to our records, along with your query you sent the prologue and first two pages of chapter one – the first 15 pages of your
manuscript, _____________, for us to review. We did indeed read the first few of these pages, as we make sure to read each and every one of our submissions. This is not to point out a mistake on either party, just to reassure you that we did give your manuscript the proper attention that it deserved.

I apologize if you felt otherwise, and wish you the best in your publishing future.

Thank you,

Hmm. So, yes, I was a little annoyed. This just goes to show how important it is to keep track of all your submissions; when you sent it, what you sent, and to whom you sent it to. This way you don’t look like an ass…

Do you need to put a copyright notice before submitting your manuscript?

I got an email the other day from a potential submitter, and I thought that it would be wise, and time-saving of me, to post it here on the blog.

…do I need to put a copyright notice on the cover page? Or should I put it in the footer of the document? Which do you prefer?

Well, to tell you the truth I don’t prefer either way. Because, really, I don’t like seeing it on the manuscript anywhere. Period. And it goes the same for the majority of publishers. Why? Because it shows a lack of professionalism, a lack of knowledge in the publishing industry, and a lack of trust for the publisher.

Trust me, no publisher in their right mind would steal your work. None. If an editor really likes your work that much, they’ll contract you. It’s too much work and hassle to try to steal someone’s work – especially when you’ve got a stack of a hundred other willing writers who will do the work for you with their own story.

Below is an excerpt from the U.S. Copyright Office:

When is my work protected?
Your work is under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form that it is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device.

Do I have to register with your office to be protected?
No. In general, registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section “Copyright Registration.”

Another excellent article was written by Brad Templeton, titled “10 Big Myths About Copyright Explained.”

What’s in a name? – Titles for your novel.

So you’re finally finished writing it – the thing that has taken up all of your free time for the past two years (or more), the monkey on your back that wouldn’t let you sleep, that had you pulling out your pen and paper while on vacation with your family because The Idea came to you…

Well, you’re finished. You want to print it out, slap on a title, and send it off.

Hold up, there partner! Pause, breathe, put the the manuscript down. Easy! There you go….

What’s the big deal with a title?

Everything! It’s the first thing that a potential reader will see, the line that will either catch an editor’s attention or send it straight to the trash can. Just as your name represents you, the title of your book must be representative and catchy for your novel.

The good, the bad, and the ugly…

There are three distinct groups of titles.

The first is the good: the ones that catch attention, make a reader pick the book up, scan the front, turn it over and read the back, and then on to the checkout stand. Examples: Empress, Boiling Point, Crown of Thorns, Slaughterhouse-Five, A Feast for Crows.

The bad: have a hit and miss chance of grabbing a reader, with good enough cover art and some fantastic quotes from the New York Times or Publisher’s Weekly, they may be read. They probably won’t be the first book a reader picks up, but it’s possible. Examples: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, War of the Gods, Secrets of Droon: The Hidden Stairs and the Magic Carpet, Maximum Ride: the Angel Experiment.

Then the ugly: get the response “how did this ever get onto this shelf?” “What was the editor/author thinking?” Examples: World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl…

So how do you name it?

Unfortunately, while there is a plethora of baby-name books flooding the market and internet, there is no “novel-name book” for authors. So, you must be creative. Which really shouldn’t be that hard – hell, you wrote a book, didn’t you?

Coming up with the name of your novel should be a process started at the same time you write the firs paragraph, and honestly, will and should go on until you’re done with your final edit. It’s not an easy task – parents may argue and pine over it for nine months – why should your naming process be any different?

Following are several tips to help you come up witht the ideal name for your “baby.” These are merely brainstorming techniques to hopefully help something click in that creative cavity you have sitting between your shoulders:

Make a list

1. the names of your main characters
2. the major places in your book
3. any special talismans/objects that play a specific/important role (ie. The Sword of Shanara)
4. creatures, animals, aliens, names

Your plot

1. what is the point of your book?
2. is there a journey? To where? For why?
3. are you writing about a deeper meaning?
4. can you tie in your book with current events or popular topics? (ie the Davinci Code)
5. what are your characters trying to do?

Google is your best friend

1. search for pictures of a theme, character, creature, place, etc. that you feel represents your book. You’ll come across some cool (and weird) things, and may give you direction.
2. see what others writing about similar topics are using for titles. Make sure your title isn’t too close to another’s.
3. get some more backstory on an item, relic, place, or animal in your story. Again, think muse…

Have fun

1. play up on words and items in your book (ie One of our newest books due out next summer is “Of Quills and Kings,” in which the villan is a demonic and sadistic hedgehog that overthrows the crown…)
2. be witty. You are trying to grab science fiction/fantasy/horror/etc fans, not collegiate professors that enjoy spending all of their waking hours with their pet rock. Uh…
3. be original. You want to stand out, but don’t be too off-beat that you scare people away.

Writing Classes

Are they worth it? Besides college credits, which ones are recommended?

Well, really it depends. Mostly on what you want the classes for. In my opinion, rather than classes, you’d be better off joining a writer’s group, or going to a retreat, in order to interact with others and to get feedback, commentary, critiques, etc. from others that are interested and write on items/topics similar to yours.

While taking a writing class for a crash course in writing: such as background on the novel, understanding fiction, history of fiction, or a marketing class with emphasis on book marketing, the problem really (and don’t take this personal if you’re a teacher) is the professor.

Why? Well, because whether the class is online or in a classroom, you are learning from one person. One person who has their own particular interests, style likes and dislikes, genre preferenes, etc. When you’re experienced with writing, and have finished your book, short story, etc., it’s fine to work with someone one on one (like with an editor or agent) because you already know what you want in your story. Yet if you’re getting prodded into a specific direction when you’re first starting out, then many times you don’t learn to create your own voice or style, and tend to be more restrictive on your writing style and even your plot.

On the other hand, with writing groups or communities, you can write what and how you want, and then post it or bring it to the meeting looking for critique from several writers. This way, you’ll get varying opinions and suggestions, and you can pick and choose what to take into consideration for your next draft and which ones to ignore.

Though don’t get me wrong, not all classes are bad, and some really can be helpful if you’re looking to delve into a new genre or style that you’ve never experienced before. They’re also a nice refresher if you’ve been out of the loop of literatue for a while.

Below are a few links to both online writing communities, as well as courses that you can take online in the traditional one-on-one setting.

Classes:

http://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/
Hosted by Writer’s Digest, this is a very legitimate writing school and has a large variety of classes and workshops available.

http://www.writers.com
Listed as one of Writer’s Digest top 101 sites for 2006. Site has been hosting online classes since 1995.

http://www.writingclasses.com/
Gotham Writers’ Workshop, teaches more than 6,000 students a year. Breaks classes up into different genres, styles, and lengths.

Writing Groups:

http://www.writing.com
An excellent writing community with free author portfolios, forums, and a nice critiquing system.

http://www.thenextbigwriter.com
Another nice community, not sure on whether they charge for memberships.

http://www.firstwriter.com
A forum-style community that allows posting of work and critiques.

http://www.deviantart.com
Not only a writing community, per se, it also includes artwork, but it has a nice posting and free portfolio, and a simple to use critique and comment system.