3 answers
Zoe
Student
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What kinds of things are publishers not going to like?
If I gave a publisher my fantasy story, what kinds of things would he like or dislike?
#writing
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3 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
745
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Hi Zoe:
I have been a writer for two decades, and I think I can provide some insight into this subject with some of my own personal experiences about what my publishers have not liked. This is a general overview, and can be applied not only to creative writing, but also to research writing and other documents.
1. Publishers do not like spelling errors and other mistakes and typos.
I have had some of my transcripts and written materials returned because I made a mistake on it. It is somewhat humbling to receive an email and have the publisher tell you that it is rejected or to do the whole thing over again. So, definitely edit and make sure that your manuscript is correct and in the right order.
2. Make sure your written item is understandable for the audience.
What makes sense to you may not make sense to an editor. They are the first line that you must get through in order to get something published. If the English you are using is not understandable to them, you can be sure the audience will not understand it either. I have been told to learn how to write English in a clear, descriptive and understandable way for the audience you wish to reach.
3. Remember to punctuate your documents. If you do not, I guarantee that the editor will not like it. I developed my skills in punctuation by reading documents and other books and attempting to find areas online where I could improve this skill. You would be amazed how many mistakes you will find if you look for them. Yes, I even rewrote this narrative a few times.
4. Make sure that your format is correct.
I have attempted to put things into one paragraph, and have an email waiting for me the next day telling me that I am attempting to cram too much into that one paragraph. They have told me that it should flow, and be easy to read. The editor is the one who determines the format, and if you do not follow the documented instructions, I guarantee you will have the story rejected.
5. Don't put things into all capital letters.
I have known individuals, who use the all caps method. I have seen it used in creative writing to excess. Not only is it extremely irritating, but it gives the editor or publisher the impression that you are yelling at him or her. So turn the Caps Lock off.
6. Do not send the written document in the body of an email.
Use another method. Save the document on a flash drive and send it in an attachment. Emails do not reflect the correct format and it can come out very uneven when it is received by the editor. Sometimes everything is not always completely received in email messages. Play it safe and save your work and send it in attachments.
7. Watch your language.
If the editor is offended by the language you are writing, I can definitely tell you that the audience will be offended too. Do not write anything that could end up in a libel lawsuit or may be seen as obscene by others.
8. Check your sources and don't rewrite someone else's story.
Make sure to document and check your sources. Publishers are always on the alert for similiar elements in written documents. I have been told that stories can be written in at least five different ways, but it is always the same story as the first one. They like original works.
Note: I must tell you that editors and publishers are a lot like blood hounds, if they sniff even a little plagiarism or the retelling of another story, it can end a career. So do not take something from another novel, television or the movies. I have had the experience of individuals taking my written documents and presenting them as theirs in college classes. Believe me, there is nothing more offending to a writer or an editor as that.
Creative writing can lead to rejections, this is the nature of the occupation. It took me a while before I found an audience and publisher for my work. Definitely keep at it, because the more you practice and develop your abilities and writing skills, the more likely you will get published. Develop a large and diverse vocabulary for using words. Follow the publisher instructions and ask for peer reviews and ways in which you can improve. I hope this has provided some insight to answering your question. Good luck in achieving your future goals.
Paul
I have been a writer for two decades, and I think I can provide some insight into this subject with some of my own personal experiences about what my publishers have not liked. This is a general overview, and can be applied not only to creative writing, but also to research writing and other documents.
1. Publishers do not like spelling errors and other mistakes and typos.
I have had some of my transcripts and written materials returned because I made a mistake on it. It is somewhat humbling to receive an email and have the publisher tell you that it is rejected or to do the whole thing over again. So, definitely edit and make sure that your manuscript is correct and in the right order.
2. Make sure your written item is understandable for the audience.
What makes sense to you may not make sense to an editor. They are the first line that you must get through in order to get something published. If the English you are using is not understandable to them, you can be sure the audience will not understand it either. I have been told to learn how to write English in a clear, descriptive and understandable way for the audience you wish to reach.
3. Remember to punctuate your documents. If you do not, I guarantee that the editor will not like it. I developed my skills in punctuation by reading documents and other books and attempting to find areas online where I could improve this skill. You would be amazed how many mistakes you will find if you look for them. Yes, I even rewrote this narrative a few times.
4. Make sure that your format is correct.
I have attempted to put things into one paragraph, and have an email waiting for me the next day telling me that I am attempting to cram too much into that one paragraph. They have told me that it should flow, and be easy to read. The editor is the one who determines the format, and if you do not follow the documented instructions, I guarantee you will have the story rejected.
5. Don't put things into all capital letters.
I have known individuals, who use the all caps method. I have seen it used in creative writing to excess. Not only is it extremely irritating, but it gives the editor or publisher the impression that you are yelling at him or her. So turn the Caps Lock off.
6. Do not send the written document in the body of an email.
Use another method. Save the document on a flash drive and send it in an attachment. Emails do not reflect the correct format and it can come out very uneven when it is received by the editor. Sometimes everything is not always completely received in email messages. Play it safe and save your work and send it in attachments.
7. Watch your language.
If the editor is offended by the language you are writing, I can definitely tell you that the audience will be offended too. Do not write anything that could end up in a libel lawsuit or may be seen as obscene by others.
8. Check your sources and don't rewrite someone else's story.
Make sure to document and check your sources. Publishers are always on the alert for similiar elements in written documents. I have been told that stories can be written in at least five different ways, but it is always the same story as the first one. They like original works.
Note: I must tell you that editors and publishers are a lot like blood hounds, if they sniff even a little plagiarism or the retelling of another story, it can end a career. So do not take something from another novel, television or the movies. I have had the experience of individuals taking my written documents and presenting them as theirs in college classes. Believe me, there is nothing more offending to a writer or an editor as that.
Creative writing can lead to rejections, this is the nature of the occupation. It took me a while before I found an audience and publisher for my work. Definitely keep at it, because the more you practice and develop your abilities and writing skills, the more likely you will get published. Develop a large and diverse vocabulary for using words. Follow the publisher instructions and ask for peer reviews and ways in which you can improve. I hope this has provided some insight to answering your question. Good luck in achieving your future goals.
Paul
Thanks Loads.
This will definitely help.
Zoe
angie azur
Writer | Artist | Death Doula | Yoga | Meditation | Psychology | Philosophy
78
Answers
Weaverville, NC
Updated
angie’s Answer
Hello, Zoe,
Paul answered this questing very thoroughly…but I will add a few things from my POV. I worked for a literary agency and during those years I would hear from publishers that they do not like unsolicited manuscripts sent to them. They want you to have an agent. They want you to go by the rules and the steps for traditional publishing. They don’t like it when the writer is too pushy about the book cover or artwork on the jacket. They know how to sell your book, so let them do it. Authors that argue over the book artwork are not highly regarded in meetings. They also do not like it when the writer is not available to travel for book signings.
And lastly, they don’t like it when the writer does not have a social media account which is active and in-line with what the writer writes. Meaning, if you write fantasy, your Facebook account should be about writing fantasy, not swimming in Florida. You should have a brand and a voice the publisher can promote easily that matches your work and who you are. Whatever your social media accounts are now - lock them and make them private. Because as soon as you send your manuscript off and someone likes it, they will check your social media. If it is too much of anything or not what the publisher or agent was thinking according to your book, they will not work with you. So, be private on social media, unless you have a great presence that is in-line with your work.
My advice to you is to write your book. Get it out on paper. Then revise it at least 3 times and find yourself good beta readers - these are readers who will read your whole book and let you know what they thought. Then get an agent. The best way to do this is to go to conferences and meet them and enter your work to be reviewed by them. Then query the agents you liked and who liked your work. Once you get an agent, they help you get the publisher.
Good Luck!
Paul answered this questing very thoroughly…but I will add a few things from my POV. I worked for a literary agency and during those years I would hear from publishers that they do not like unsolicited manuscripts sent to them. They want you to have an agent. They want you to go by the rules and the steps for traditional publishing. They don’t like it when the writer is too pushy about the book cover or artwork on the jacket. They know how to sell your book, so let them do it. Authors that argue over the book artwork are not highly regarded in meetings. They also do not like it when the writer is not available to travel for book signings.
And lastly, they don’t like it when the writer does not have a social media account which is active and in-line with what the writer writes. Meaning, if you write fantasy, your Facebook account should be about writing fantasy, not swimming in Florida. You should have a brand and a voice the publisher can promote easily that matches your work and who you are. Whatever your social media accounts are now - lock them and make them private. Because as soon as you send your manuscript off and someone likes it, they will check your social media. If it is too much of anything or not what the publisher or agent was thinking according to your book, they will not work with you. So, be private on social media, unless you have a great presence that is in-line with your work.
My advice to you is to write your book. Get it out on paper. Then revise it at least 3 times and find yourself good beta readers - these are readers who will read your whole book and let you know what they thought. Then get an agent. The best way to do this is to go to conferences and meet them and enter your work to be reviewed by them. Then query the agents you liked and who liked your work. Once you get an agent, they help you get the publisher.
Good Luck!
Thank you for this. This information will probably be of great use to me in the future.
Zoe
Fernando Iriarte
Freelance Writer & Editor
151
Answers
Puerto Rico
Updated
Fernando’s Answer
A lot of the things publishers don't like is usually when authors don't follow the basic rules. Things like grammar, story structure and good use of punctuation are a must for any submission. Before sending any application to a publisher please be sure to look up the format they ask of you. While some publishers use the same format, others have their own. Whatever work your sending make sure it's the most polished version of that work. Revise, proofread and revise again until it's ready for submission.
Be mindful of the genre of writing you're looking to get into. For some you can just follow the guidelines of the company and submit, but for others you're gonna need an agent. Thankfully you don't have to worry too much about getting an agent, since that's usually for script writers.
Be mindful of the genre of writing you're looking to get into. For some you can just follow the guidelines of the company and submit, but for others you're gonna need an agent. Thankfully you don't have to worry too much about getting an agent, since that's usually for script writers.