[Soosaw]

How nice of you to chime in, Ms. Newman!  Your input is invaluable. 

Susie Sawyer
www.susiesawyer.com

[thunderingelephants Posts: 1,262 Status: Offline]

Yes, I second the comments from Soosaw.
I still cann't get synopses and cover letters right.  The bain of my life and probably why I don't submit half as much as I could.  Then again, that could be a confidence thing too.

[Abracabarbara Posts: 1,146 Status: Offline formerly AE aaa eee WWW]

Try to get your synopsis down to ONE sentence (maybe two). It is hard but fun, and you will learn whether you have a story with a conflict/resolution...maybe even a high concept. Don't repeat yourself at all in your pitch. Every sentence moves forward to a logical conclusion. And add voice. Your voice in your pitch should match the tone of the voice in your script. Relax and write it till it does what it is supposed to.

Absolutely research your publisher. Look at their line, read about individual editors' tastes, read what the CWIM says about what the house is looking for in a manuscript.
Read everything you can find on editors who are looking for the kind of material you write. And ask yourself hard questions about what the specific publisher publishes and how and to whom they market.

For instance Henry Holt: they look for pbs for trade with curriculum tie in for schools and also to the library market.

Then research what else is out there and try to make your book stand out/apart.You only have control over what your can see.

[MiriamN]

You're welcome, Soosaw! I'm glad to help.

Cheers,

Miriam Newman
Lee & Low Books
www.leenandlow.com | blog.leeandlow.com

[nickypicky Posts: 262 Status: Offline WWW]

Hi, Miriam!
So... let's say Lee and Low are on the very short list for a particular author's PB. Would now be a bad time to send it, as you may very well be snowed in under contest subs? Or is it "darn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" over there right now?

Just askin'!
Thanks.

[MiriamN]

Nicky,

With the caveat that I'm not in Editorial, I'd say go ahead and send it when you feel it's ready. Our submissions editor is very good about making sure everything gets looked at, even around New Voices time.

And, of course, you're a Blueboarder, so you've done your homework and are not going to send us talking animals, folklore, or anything else our submissions guidelines tell you not to submit. And you know that if we want it, we'll get in touch with you within six months but can't reply otherwise. (Not sending rejections is one of the ways we keep our submissions editor's desk clear enough that she *can* look at everything, even around New Voices time.)

Good luck!

Miriam Newman
Web Marketing & Sales Associate
Lee & Low Books
www.leeandlow.com | blog.leeandlow.com

[nickypicky Posts: 262 Status: Offline WWW]

Miriam,

Thanks so much! 

[RoyB]

  Very nice site, Miriam. 

Well organized, neat, and easy to navigate. 

[MiriamN]

Thanks, Grampy!

Cheers,

Miriam Newman
Web Marketing & Sales Associate
Lee & Low Books
www.leeandlow.com | blog.leeandlow.com

[Kathy Lawrence]

Hi,
I don't know if this is how you start a new thread. Some of my stories I have been writing for years. When I'm done polishing one I love it then I put away for a while, take it out and read it and am always having misgivings. When do I know when the right time is to send my work into a publisher.
                                                                  Kathy

[Kathy Lawrence]

Hi,
I can't decide when my work is ready to be sent into a publisher
                                                Kathy

[eecoburn Posts: 202 Status: Offline]

Kathy,

Here is a thread on that topic...
http://www.verlakay.com/boards/index.php?topic=28893.0

 

[ShirleyH Posts: 874 Status: Offline WWW]

Hi everyone,

The original question was from two years ago.  I have deleted a couple of new posts answering the original question.

So be sure to note the date of the post you are responding to.