Sending manuscripts to publishers--Jami Macarty's workshop notes by Leanne Dyck

'Sure ways to avoid the slush pile' 

After reading that description of Jami Macarty's workshop--Get It Out:  A Writer's Guide to the Submissions of Literary Works for Publication--I knew I had to attend.

But really what could I learn? After all, I've been sending submissions to publishers on a steady basis since 2014 (a total of 242 to date). If anything this workshop would serve as a review of what I already knew.

But I'm so glad I did walk through that door. I gathered some very helpful information.

For example...

Before the workshop, if I had a question, after reading the submission guidelines, I'd keep them to myself. I mean I didn't want to bother the editor. She's too busy.

After the workshop, I realize it's far less of a bother to the editor if I ask the question and send the correct information.

Before this workshop, if I found a mistake in the submission I simply re-sent that page.

After the workshop, I know I have to send a letter of withdrawal and then send my revised submission.

Before this workshop, I downplayed my publishing history. Self-publishing? E-books? That's nothing, right?

After the workshop, I have newfound pride in my writing.

Jami Macarty's workshop was interactive, information-rich, empowering, and inspiring.

Photo by Leanne Dyck

Next post:  Sunday, October 9th (published around 5 pm PST) 
On October 10th this blog turns six. Thank you so much for helping me care for my baby. 
To celebrate, I've written an article titled What Did I Learn This Year? 
Like what?
Well, like the importance of LinkedIn (how it can help build your career).

Photo by Leanne Dyck

Picture books in Canada

'Pemmican Publications is a book publisher with a mandate to promote Metis authors, illustrators and stories. It is a not-for-profit company that operates as an arm's-length affiliate of the Manitoba Metis Federation. Pemmican publishes on average five to six new titles per year, with titles ranging from cultural studies and autobiographies to illustrated titles for children.' -from Pemmican's website

Photo by Leanne Dyck

Sharing my Author Journey...

Writers write. But what else do writers do?

Book review: Still Life by Louise Penny

Louise Penny is one of my favourite mystery authors and Still Life is her first published book in her award-winning Armand Gamache series of murder mysteries. 

 Photo by Leanne 

 creative assistance provided by my friend David

I was excited to find this copy in my favourite consignment store. 

Publisher:  First published in paperback in 2006 by Headline Publishing Group

Book blurb:  

As the early morning mist clears on Thanksgiving Sunday, the homes of Three Pines come to life -- all except one...

To locals, the village is a safe haven. So they are bewildered when a well-loved member of the community is found dead in the maple woods. Surely it was an accident -- a hunter's arrow gone astray. Who could want Jane Neal dead?

In a long and distinguished career with the Surete du Quebec, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache has learned to look for snakes in Eden. Gamache knows something dark is lurking behind the white picket fences, and if he watches closely enough, Three Pines will being to give up its secrets...

What did Ms. Penny have to learn and what came naturally to her?

What did Ms. Penny have to learn?

Craft

Dialogue tags...
For example, I found identifying the speaker in group difficult. This difficulty may be overcome by using more dialogue tags or by associating the speaker with an action. 

I.e. Simon reached for the steaming cup of coffee. "Boy, is it cold outside." 

Transition...
And transitions could be more clearly defined. One minute the characters are in a shop or a restaurant and the next the characters are in a car. 

What do I like about Ms. Penny's writing?

One of the reasons Louise Penny is one of my favourite mystery authors is that we share the same passion for rural life.

The only reason doors were locked was to prevent neighbors from dropping off baskets of zucchini at harvest time. (p. 5)

Life was far from harried here. But neither was it still. (p. 402)

Thought provoking...

"[F]our things lead to wisdom... I don't know. I need help. I'm sorry." (p. 106)

"I know at the end of a day I'll look at my work and think it's great, then next morning look at it and think it's crap. The work didn't change, but I did." (p. 353 - 354) 

After her murder Jane's friends find her art. This has convinced me that before I die I will set fire to all my unpublished work--I want to spare my loved ones that unpleasant discovery.

Turn of phrase...

She threw great logs of 'I'm right, you're an unfeeling bastard' on to the fire and felt secure and comforted. (p. 214)

Ruth's normally flinty voice was now as hard as the Canadian shield. (p. 220 - 221)

Photo by Leanne Dyck

Sharing my author journey...

September was a productive month I...