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Originally Posted by SJAB  I would say, either, or, if not stated. The important thing is to keep to the publishers/agents submission guide lines. Some give very detailed ones, others are rather vague, some not at all, so you fall back on the basics, detailed in the link Meadowhawk gave. |
Yes, I've noticed a huge diversity in how agents and, especially publishers, may wish to be submitted to. Makes it interesting (to say the least) when I have to reformat the MS or select chapters to fit different guidelines, since there is no concrete industry standard on MS formats.
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Originally Posted by SJAB Just be professional in your approach, you are in a way applying for a job/selling a product, and your submission is your CV/product list. Also remember a rejection is not personal, it is just business (Even if it makes you tear out your hair in chunks  ) |
Yep...that's what I've been doing and have been doing for some time. I don't take rejections personally at all, tho I am starting to consider breaking my novel into two novels due to the length. Maybe then I'll find more favourable responses since length seems to be a major issue.
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Originally Posted by SJAB To be honest the word count/formatting is the last thing I deal with. Getting the story written and edited to within an inch of its life is my first and main goal. The submitting of a manuscript is a long process, you can be sending off queries and requested sample chapters for a couple of years for just one novel. (I kid you not) |
It's the last thing I'm dealing with as well since the copy editing will be done tonight. I'm also not concerned about the length of time it'll take to publish. I know it will happen. Whether or not it'll be published through a traditional publisher or self publishing...that is what time and persistence will determine.
Thanks so much for your input.
Karen Dales