Submissions Wanted: Acquisitions Editor Cheryl C. Malandrinos Shares Her Wish List

 

Earlier this year, the 4RV editing team connected over Zoom during one of their Between the Covers of 4RV sessions to chat with readers about what they would love to see for submissions. Here is my short list:

• Southern fiction - especially involving family secrets and the rich history of the South

Since 2007, Southern fiction has been one of my favorite genres. The rich history of the South lends itself to marvellous stories. I also enjoy stories involving family secrets. I'm not opposed to ghosts in these stories, but I am also okay if no ghosts are involved. 

Authors/books in this genre that I've read: Rhett DeVane, Karen White, G.K. Davenport (whose debut novel, Dust of Lies, I was blessed to edit), Property by Valerie Martin, and Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper.

• Middle Grade/Tween/Young Adult paranormal mystery-solving friends

I grew up a huge lover of Scooby-Doo, and mystery remains one of my favorite genres. Most of the mysteries I read don't include a paranormal element, but they are popular in these age groups. The most important thing to note is that these mystery solvers and their storyline must be uniquely you. I would love to see underrepresented voices in these stories. Some humor would be great, and a dabble of romance for older readers. 

Authors/books in this genre I've read: The Crypto-Capers series by Renee Hand, the Gus LeGarde Mystery series by Aaron Paul Lazar, The Case of the Haunted History Museum by Steve Brezenoff, and A Properly Unhaunted Place by William Alexander.

• Christian historical fiction featuring a fictional or Biblical female lead 

This is a broad idea, so let me see if I can focus it for you. The fictional lives of Biblical women intrigue me because they allow me to explore my love of Bible history and help me better understand these women of faith. Michal, the daughter or Saul and wife of David, featured in The Secret Life of Kings by Yochi Brandes and Mary, Called Magdalene by Margaret George, come to mind. 

However, I love Christian historical fiction set during almost any time period with fictional lead characters as well. Christian/inspirational romance also catches my eye. 

Authors/books in these genres that I've read: Kathi Macias, the Crossroads of Grace series by Allison Pittman, and The American Patriot Series by J. M. Hochstetler.

• Historical fiction set during Colonial America or the American Civil War

These are times in American history that I am most familiar with, having studied them in college. I also read more historical fiction set during these time periods than any other. For younger readers, I like a time travel element where the characters travel back in time to solve a problem. For adults, I enjoy a good spy story, characters whose stories unfold against the backdrop of battles, or escape to freedom stories. Attention to historical detail is a must. However, no graphic violence or intimate physical scenes should be portrayed.* 

Authors/books in this genre I've read: Revolutionary War on Wednesday (Magic Treehouse Series) by Mary Pope Osborne, George Washington's Spy by Elvira Wooddruff, The Civil War Trilogy by Michael and Jeff Shaara (*see note above), and Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. 

You can view the entire Between the Covers of 4RV - What Editors Want on Youtube at https://youtu.be/W7ITlUoImwo

Cheryl C. Malandrinos is a freelance writer and editor. She is the author of four children’s books including, A Christmas Kindness, released by 4RV Publishing. A blogger and book reviewer, she lives in Massachusetts with her husband and three adult children. Visit Cheryl's children’s book blog at https://childrensandteensbookconnection.wordpress.com

Submit S'more!

Wanna Get Published?

Submit—then Submit S’more!

You've heard how the novels of famous authors were turned down dozens of times before becoming household names? Have you submitted that article or manuscript dozens of times? How often do you submit? Every week? Fantastic! You are leaps ahead of the pack. This article is for the rest of us. The ones who let submission and contest deadlines slide. The ones for whom each rejection paralyzes our pens. The ones to whom our jealous muses whisper our writing is just as good. 

Put your writing in the way of success. The more I submit, the more I refine my craft. Query letters, first pages and synopsis get refined with each submission.View submitting like a game (or competitive sport, even!) and you will develop writing muscles and thicker skin--so each rejection won't feel so much like a personal setback. When you bite into that gooey s'more around the campfire this summer, remember to send out more submissions!

What do other writers do better?  

Submit S'more!

1. Research a wide variety of places and formats to submit work. 
2. Do it.
3. Go in-depth. What are specific interests of editors and agents? What do they want more of—or no more of? Find out by reading blogs, publisher websites, agents and editor interviews online, in magazines, on panels at conferences, etc.
4. Re-work the same idea to submit to different niche publications. For example, while writing historical fiction, can you write non-fiction articles on some of the lesser-known characters or fascinating facts you've unearthed while doing research? This doubles as building buzz for your book release!
5. Enter contests that give you a return on investment for your entry dollars. (i.e. actual writing feedback and getting your work in front of editors seeking what you write.) Pacific Northwest Writers Association annual contest is one that gives you two professional critiques for a reasonable entry fee.
6. Consider writing a business, not a hobby.
7. Keep track of submissions = it becomes more like a game = thicker skin = more submissions = improved chances of publication!

Submission Chart

Find a system that is quick and easy for you to create and use to keep better track of submissions. Make a simple chart, spreadsheet, or use a poster board and markers. A box of color-coded index cards is another way to keep track. Keep it simple and you will use it!

Put columns across the top of your chart such as:

Title   

Editor or Agent    

Pub/Agency House   

Source of Contact     

Date Sent

Date Reply Expected

Date Actual Reply

Comments/Follow-up Requested

BE OPTIMISTIC
Nobody said this was easy or fair, but thicken your skin and submit s'more. Add extra columns to the chart above for Income and #Sales. I printed several blank charts and three-hole punched them into a binder. I scribble with whatever pencil or pen is handy to jot down the details on the chart as I send them out and receive replies. You will see more rejections—but a golden ticket might be hiding in the Wonka bar, too!

QUESTIONS: 
How many times did you submit the same writing before it was accepted for publication? 
Have you found exceptional contests or other methods of getting your work out there?

How to insure a publisher will reject your manuscript

by Vivian Zabel  

          Are people more arrogant than in the past? Are "writers" so self-absorbed and blind that they can't see the words in front of them? What drives people who desire to be published to insult the person or people who will make the decision to accept or reject? Why do some writers "know" that they and their words are sacrosanct?

          What I've heard most of my life about writing and publishing is more manuscripts are available than slots for publishing. That means writers need publishers more than publishers need us. Publishers, for the most part, look for reasons to reject submissions, not for reasons to accept. Therefore, why do some writers make rejection so easy? Yes, some really do things that will guarantee rejection. 

          Here are a few examples of how to insure rejection:

1. Do not follow the publisher's submission guidelines. Usually an automatic rejection. Publishers (and agents) have particular guidelines for a reason, well, several reasons. One is to discover if a person can and will follow directions. Another reason is the company needs things a certain way to work in its scheduling, assignments, and process. However, whatever the reason, whether reasonable or not, the publisher has the right to set its guidelines the way it wants things done. 

          Telling the publisher (or agent) who informs you to follow the guidelines and re-submit, "I have decided to submit my work to only those companies in the publishing industry, whose rules for manuscript submissions, falls within the normal and well accepted guidelines for manuscript submissions. I don't change my policy for anyone that has no flexibility to work with a client." 

          Uh, you, yes, you with the sneer on your face, you are not a client unless and until the publisher accepts you and offers you a contract. You blew it, big time. 

2. Insult the person who nicely informs you of the status of your manuscript. For example, if a manuscript is rejected, either do not respond or respond nicely. Rudeness means no second chance for this manuscript or any others. Some publishers give suggestions for improvement and allow a re-submission. A writer should be grateful whether he revises and resubmits or not. Telling the  company that they are stupid not to recognize a best seller is not the way to respond. Publishers and agents have long memories, and word does spread in the small world of publishing.

3. Argue with the company representative. If the company gives you a decision and you argue, you lose. Remember, you need a publisher more than the publisher needs you.

4. If given areas to improve and given the chance to re-submit, refuse to make changes, insist your words are perfect.  All writers can improve, and not just once but many, many times. 

5. Don't assume that other publishers will be more lenient and accepting of your actions and attitude. Most publishers know how other houses work and what they expect. Very few major differences will be found in the basics. IF the company is a traditional publisher and puts out quality work, it will be nearly the same in decisions, actions, and expectations as other companies that do the same quality of work. Does that mean that "publishers" don't exist that expect less and have lower quality of work? No, because some "publishers" do not actually invest in authors or books and  do not want only high standards. If an author wants that "anything goes" type of service, it can be found easily. However, if an author wants the best possible product, he can't assume that someone else will give quality work without him doing his part.

          Just because a writer does not see extensive submission guidelines does not mean guidelines are not followed "in house." Often a submitter will receive a form rejection and never know why. Be glad if you find extensive guidelines to follow, and remember to follow them.

          The onus is on the writer to do all within his power to have his submission accepted, not up to the publisher to find reasons to accept. Want to insure your submission is rejected? Just do one or more of the preceding actions.

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