The Good Stuff http://stuffyoushouldread.posterous.com We've searched, read, linked and described The Good Stuff so you don't have to. We're interested in science, beauty, art, literature, language, gender, history, food, wine, music, the Web, the Mac, and travel. posterous.com Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:07:00 -0800 Making Light on Cover Letters http://stuffyoushouldread.posterous.com/making-light-on-cover-letters http://stuffyoushouldread.posterous.com/making-light-on-cover-letters

Your basic cover letter is such a simple thing: Get in, get out, and shut up. Here’s a no-frills model:

Dear Editor:

Enclosed are the first three chapters plus an outline of my 85,000-word science fiction novel, Voodoo Robot. It is [insert here a one- or two-sentence summary of the basic setup and story arc]. This is my first novel. [OR: I have the following publication credits.] [Optionally, and only if EXTREMELY pertinent:In addition, I have the following related credentials or experience. For example: This is my first SF novel, but on the other hand I am Geoff Landis.] I also enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. [OR: You need not return the manuscript.]

Thank you for considering my submission. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, 
[your name here]

 

From here.

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Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:32:00 -0700 On Agency Agreements http://stuffyoushouldread.posterous.com/on-agency-agreements http://stuffyoushouldread.posterous.com/on-agency-agreements

Literary agent Jennifer Laughran from Andrea Brown literary on agency agreements/contracts:

Here's are the big points an agency agreement should contain, and things to watch out for. NOTE: Some agencies have no agreements at all, it is all verbal/handshake. Some agencies will have more or less items, or have these worded in different ways, or in a different order, but these are in general items that should be covered either in your written agreement or in your conversation pre-"handshake" deal:

1. Scope of Representation

2. Commission

3. Termination:

More here.

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Sun, 06 Feb 2011 19:48:00 -0800 Anna Genoese on Demystifying Publishing http://stuffyoushouldread.posterous.com/76744.html http://stuffyoushouldread.posterous.com/76744.html
See her site here.

Follow the Rules (download PDF)
If you don't follow the rules of the playground, we won't let you play in our sandbox. (February 2006)

Genre as a Marketing Category (download PDF)
Publishers and editors do not think about genre the same way authors do. Here's an explanation. (March 2006)

How to do a Castoff (download PDF)
A step-by-step guide to getting an accurate character count -- and how to estimate how long your manuscript will be as a bound book! (March 2006)

How to Find an Agent (download PDF)
The basic steps to take to find an agent to represent your work. (April 2010)

Manuscript Formatting: Beyond 101 (download PDF)
What to do after you've put your manuscript in 12 point Courier New, double-spaced, with one-inch margins. (April 2010)

On Unsolicited Submissions (download PDF)
Unsolicited submissions are not junk mail. (March 2010)

Pitch Sessions: What they are & how to do it (download PDF)
Everythiing you need to know about pitching your book to an editor, and more! (February 2006)

Profit & Loss/Profitability & Liability : How Books Make (or Don't Make) Money (download PDF)
A basic outline of what happens when an editor buys a book and wants to publish it. This is very much a basic look at publishing and publishing finance, with some explanation of terms commonly used by the marketing and sales departments. (April 2006)

Publishing is Hard (download PDF)
Writing is an art, but publishing is a business -- and here are a few basic suggestions on how to navigate that business. Complete with explanations of various departments within a publishing company, and how they all work together to make your book. (March 2006)

Rejection Letters (download PDF)
Can't interpret your rejection letter? Here's a walkthrough of a real rejection letter, and what it probably means. (August 2006)

Selling Books with GLBTQ Characters (download PDF)
Having trouble selling your "gay" book to mainstream publishers? Here are some thoughts on why. (June 2006)

Submission (download PDF)
A look at submission guidelines -- what they mean, how to read them, how to find them, and much encouraging to follow them. (March 2006)

Things Authors Should Do (download PDF)
A list, written by two editors who are also published authors. (March 2010)

 

 

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