Re: how to get published
Colin (colin@cpink.demon.co.uk)
Sat, 25 Sep 1999 04:24:05 +0100
In message <002501bf069b$9a118440$27927dc2@elite-customer>, Scottie
Bowman <rbowman@indigo.ie> writes
>
> All we see, of course, Colin, is what you publish
> here. You tell us it was infinitely worse 20 years
> ago.
>
> Have you considered those 38 agents might still
> have a point?
>
> Scottie B.
>
>
Naturally, the whole experience has shattered the little confidence I
had to begin with, to the extent that it has prevented me continuing
with the next novel I had started. It's hard to write with no hope.
I'm sure you'll be overjoyed to hear that since you are obviously the
sort of person who takes delight in other peoples' pain.
The point I was making, which seems to have escaped you in your sad
desire to merely say something wounding, was that 20 years ago it was
much easier to get people to look seriously at unsolicited submissions.
But you needn't take my word for it. A number of experiments have been
undertaken where a famous writer's work (I think Doris Lessing allowed
this to be done recently with one of her new novels) has been submitted
under another name and met the same fate in the slush pile. So my point
doesn't rest solely on the quality of my work. I was merely sharing my
experience (even though I know it doesn't make me look good, and idiots
will jump to the conclusion I must be talentless) so that others may
benefit from my mistakes/misfortunes.
--
Colin