Comments on: Submissions Open for Authors Attending This Year’s Worldcon…

By: Ged Maybury

Ged Maybury — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 04:25:12 +0000

Sorry. Felt like I was rushing after the omnibus and frantically waving my ticket, but may that was unneccesary. Expect something very soon.

By: John Berlyne

John Berlyne — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:21:29 +0000

Thanks Ged – though this is a classic case of “Show, Don’t Tell” – rather than telling all about how you’re going to be sending your submission along, why don’t you… er… just send it?

By: Ged Maybury

Ged Maybury — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:08:43 +0000

John, here’s a heads-up that I’ll be sending you a submission shortly. After a bit of wife-related negotiation and a last-minute surprise I’m not only going to AussieCon 4, but I will also be IN AussieCon 4. On a panel regarding writing for Young Adult. (I think I’m getting called in as the token Stemapunk!)
So, until my next communique:
Ged.M, Esq.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ged_Maybury

By: Janette

Janette — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 03:35:10 +0000

Oooh, sounds fantastic! I’ll be emailing my pitch for Kindred Spirit, and hoping I’m not too late. So looking forward to Aussiecon 4

Janette

By: Damon Cavalchini

Damon Cavalchini — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:51:38 +0000

Hi there,

Thanks. I just wanted to make sure I didn’t miss the opportunity by messing up the rules.

Something will be heading your way soon.

I look forward to seeing you at the WorldCon.

Cheers,
Damon

By: John Berlyne

John Berlyne — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:00:13 +0000

Hi Damon -

Sorry for the delayed response. Those guidelines have it about right! Please follow the steps exactly as you’ve laid them out.

By: Damon Cavalchini

Damon Cavalchini — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 05:03:03 +0000

Hi there,

Just a quick question about the submissions – are you just looking for the elevator pitch in the first instance or are you looking for the first 50 pages as well (heck – you can even have the full novel if you would like)?

The way the submission guidelines read it is:

step one: elevator pitch
step two: first 50 pages (if requested)
step three: full manuscript (again only if requested)

Cheers,
Damon

By: Ika Nurain

Ika Nurain — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 06:14:07 +0000

Hi Mr. John Berlyne,

I live in Malaysia, but I will be attending Aussiecon this year. I’m sending you a submission right now Hope to see you in Australia soon. Thank you for this opportunity.

Have a wonderful week,
Zulaikha Nurain Mudzar

By: Helen Stubbs

Helen Stubbs — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:57:21 +0000

Thanks

By: John Berlyne

John Berlyne — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 09:34:54 +0000

That’s a good question Helen and one I get asked a lot. My response? Well, think about it…. anyone can say they’re writing a novel, or have started a novel or are planning a novel, but actually finishing one is not something that anyone can do!

I don’t sell rights to partly finished novels, and publishers are not interested in projects from new writers that exist only in their heads. With Non Fiction it is different as projects are often bought on proposal – but with fiction, – unless you’re an established author – no agent or editor wants to read a partial manuscript, call excitedly for the whole thing and then find they have to wait for a year before it arrives.

So – in short – yes, your manuscript should be complete before you submit it. And complete or not, you shouldn’t ‘pester’ me under any circumstances