tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post3439238856869644472..comments2024-03-15T09:26:02.796-05:00Comments on PROJECT MAYHEM: IS IT READY TO SEND OUT? by James MihaleyProject Mayhemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342399869089664noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-35503300754330341122014-11-04T08:05:18.355-06:002014-11-04T08:05:18.355-06:00Churchhill is absolutely right. Sometimes we hold ...Churchhill is absolutely right. Sometimes we hold unto things too tightly. Let it go writers, let your manuscript fly. After you're done editing it of course.Sheena-kay Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17712661419116636671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-79693031412690080872014-11-03T11:27:34.796-06:002014-11-03T11:27:34.796-06:00Maybe there's a bit of self-interest at work h...Maybe there's a bit of self-interest at work here, but if you want to make the best impression on those three agents--and with most agents, your manuscript only gets one shot--it often pays to bring in an editor *before* you submit. That way, you have a far more precise understanding of the issues in your manuscript, a clear direction for your revisions, and a much better shot at getting a favorite agent's attention.<br /><br />Harrison Demchick<br />Self-Serving Developmental Editor, <a href="http://ambitiousenterprises.com" rel="nofollow">Ambitious Enterprises</a>Harrison Demchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18341713037648122172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-72787909807094522242014-11-03T11:22:53.591-06:002014-11-03T11:22:53.591-06:00I made the mistake many years ago of sending out t...I made the mistake many years ago of sending out too early. Now I hold onto my three completed manuscripts and protect them like a father. I agree with Michael - find someone who will be critical of your work. The more eyes the better. It takes time, but eventually the rewrites become less and less. Thanks for the interesting post.Greg Pattridgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05761872776035591138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-47085960066960159902014-11-03T11:19:51.337-06:002014-11-03T11:19:51.337-06:00Good advice, James. I started querying my third MG...Good advice, James. I started querying my third MG novel manuscript in its 7th draft. I got a few form rejections (or worse, the dreaded no response) and one request for a full. So you never know. Joanne R. Fritzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08076959910493197255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-77852065597496134762014-11-03T08:59:05.308-06:002014-11-03T08:59:05.308-06:00I used to have the opposite problem. No patience, ...I used to have the opposite problem. No patience, hence sending things out way too early...even after they'd been pulled apart.Caroline Starr Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04597510685273079757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-19590681318776692272014-11-03T08:27:20.674-06:002014-11-03T08:27:20.674-06:00I agree with Dianne!
As for receiving feedback fr...I agree with Dianne!<br /><br />As for receiving feedback from queried agents/editors--in my experience if they even send back a non-form reply, you've struck some sort of goldish metal. You're much better off finding a trusted critique group who are not afraid to pull punches about your work.Michael G-Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07947421844294471304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-45232443853964711982014-11-03T07:38:31.447-06:002014-11-03T07:38:31.447-06:00Great advice! Personally, I would never send out a...Great advice! Personally, I would never send out anything less than a 4th draft -- but that's a far cry from hanging on to it while you do the 12th round of "tweaking." If the changes you're making amount to fiddling with individual sentences ... it's ready to go!<br /><br />On the other hand: DO NOT send out a NaNo manuscript in December. Just don't. :)Dianne K. Salernihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16459839567235304842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-11150026022482763172014-11-03T07:06:34.087-06:002014-11-03T07:06:34.087-06:00I agree that it's so important to work on new ...I agree that it's so important to work on new projects! But I think that sometimes it's so hard to know whether a manuscript is "ready". There's always something more that can be done to improve it. I am definitely guilty of wanting to make it perfect.Andrea Mackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15250681746122381149noreply@blogger.com