From Behind the Publisher's Desk

What a Publisher Probably Wants From You

Guest Post by C. Maggie Woychik, Editor for Port Yonder Press

Much of what I write or read about, I do so because I want to, I like the subject, and it’s what I feel I need to do at the time. My topics of choice are a purely subjective matter. 

But what does that really mean? I make subjective choices based on individual personal impressions, feelings, and opinions rather than external facts. Every single publisher (and possibly editor) makes subjective choices with every single manuscript that crosses their desk.

What this means for authors is that the very slim chance you have of getting published by a traditional publisher is made even slimmer by a publisher’s or editor’s whims.

Okay, so how can we give ourselves the very best chance for publication within that very narrow slice of possibility? I can think of all the usual ways, ways which you’ve probably heard ad nauseum but bear repeating: write well, have a great proposal and opening chapters, have a spectacular marketing plan, platform, and social networking presence.

Well, is that it? Yes and no. You also want to know the specific genres a given publisher deals with, any nuances they may favor (such as our love of the sea at Port Yonder Press, our love of the unique or literary, our love of the bold and brazen without wallowing in the grimy smut of reality’s seamy side), and it certainly doesn’t hurt to know the editor / publisher on a somewhat personal basis (writing conferences are good for that).

Those are the basics.  Now for the specifics of one publishing company, the only one I can address with any authority: mine. And these aren’t “how-to’s” as much as some of this publisher’s whims mentioned above.

1)      "Write quickly and you will never write well. Write well, and you will soon write quickly." -Marcus Fabius Quintilianus  (i.e., take your time and sculpt that manuscript until it’s worthy of our time and our readers’ time)

2)      "I have made this letter longer, because I have not had the time to make it shorter." -Blaise Pascal (i.e., a repeat of point #1)

3)      "The ill and unfit choice of words wonderfully obstructs the understanding." -Francis Bacon (i.e., a repeat of points #1 & 2)

4)      "There is no great writing, only great rewriting." -Justice Brandeis (i.e., a variation of points #1-3)

5)      "There are three rules for writing the novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are." -W. Somerset Maugham (i.e., a separate but similar point to those above: format/method is one thing; good writing is another)

6)      “To any aspiring writers out there — write for love, not money.  Only a small percentage of writers will ever be published but that should not deter people from pursuing their dream of writing a book. There is a great sense of achievement to be had from writing one's own book regardless of whether it becomes a commercial success [or not].” –Philip Tatham (i.e., write from your heart; write when you feel no one will read it; write not to impress but to do what you must)

We are looking for the best books we can find. Period. If you write a good story but won’t take the time to make it better than just good, don’t submit to us.

If you’re finicky, hard to work with, have unresolved relationships around you (believe it or not, this *does* show up in the subtleties of a manuscript), find another publisher. We want authors we can live and work with, authors who have shown themselves disciplined and pliable.

Lasso your artistic temperament and funnel it into busting the bronco of mediocre writing: train it to produce works of lasting merit, works which will outlast all of us.

For the specifics, visit our comprehensive site at www.PortYonderPress.com and contact me if you still have a lingering question rolling around in your brain.  Contact@PortYonderPress.com.

Liberty, thank you for the opportunity to visit your fine blog.

Maggie, thanks so much for sharing with us today! 

Until next time,