the drive to write and read inspiring Things...

[ampheebian]

Two weeks ago, I read a friend of my brother's - and now it seems my friend too... connections are so exciting - first novel. I can honestly say, it was gripping and exciting writing. The story itself was charming, as were the characters - whom I really did feel I wanted to continue to know and explore - but intriguingly it was almost like a dream

Comments

[manchester_red]

Maybe, hopefully, your friend will be persistent and lucky enough to find a publisher who recognises a good manuscript when they see one. In an ideal world that'd be the only basis for acceptance/rejection IMO - ie, is it a good book? Yeah? Let's publish it! I know I'm probably being simplistic and naive though.

[moon_happy]

Small press publication is growing strong on this side of the pond, happily filling those niche markets that corporate America disdains. I can't believe that small press is not also growing over there, too. If the manuscript is very good and if she's persistent, she'll find it a home. Is she submitting her work? Or just talking about submitting her work?
P.S.
Not at all surprised to hear your reading and comments were helpful to her; you're a good critic of the theater, and critiquing a ms is similar. Hmmmm, maybe you should become an editor for some niche publisher.

[ampheebian]

No no, she's submitted multiple times - but then again, she was right - the first 30 pages of her MS just wasn't working. A lot of critique she'd been given was from a more 'pedestrian' market, if one can say such things, and it was clear that she wasn't comfortable doing what they'd suggested. We neatened up the first 30 pages, and hopefully now that will be more fetching for those 'first page' submission sorts. She sounds tired of it all to be honest, but is persisting.

I don't think I really have the patience to be an editor... but it was just a funny thought ;)

[moon_happy]

I'm glad to hear she's submitting her work, and having the first 30 pages be as fetching or better than the rest of the book is time well spent. You might want to encourage her to get busy on the next one. If she sits around perfecting this one and waiting for it to sell she'll only get more frustrated. I can tell you too many stories of wonderful ms written by now famous people that were not sold until the 30th submission, or worse, never did sell (but a later piece did.) I'm glad you're encouraging her to stick to her guns and not turn it into a muddled down version. Nonetheless, writing for more pedestrian markets helps hone skills.

[ampheebian]

She sounds like she's well and truly sorted on the next MS too... seriously - this chick, inspiring. Nice to know that some young people in this world have got their shit sorted ;)