Comments on: A Good Book Ain’t All You Need

By: Marsha Lyn

Marsha Lyn — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:31:17 +0000

Thanks for this post, love the advice! It’s sad how some people go into the writing & publishing experience with an additude that they have been imbued with some earth shattering talent. People who expect to get a publisher their first shot out the gate and to make millions as a result. They’re in for quite a shock..or some maturing, maybe both..
I’m surprised that you even had to include being a professional, it’s difficult for me to grasp the notion that there are people out there who are acting anything but professional. This is a job, just like any other job, and you’re inevitably going to be forced to do something that isn’t tons of fun but needs to be done. When you’re going for an interview (for a new job) or dealing with your boss and coworkers, you have to act professionally. I thought it was a given!
It’s sad that these points had to be said seeing how basic and common sense they are. You wouldn’t hand in an assignment to your teacher that isn’t properly done so why do people think they can get away with it when it comes to getting published? I’m shocked by the number of people, by the sound of it, who don’t use their brain when trying to be published. Wow!
Once again, thank you so much for the great post! Very eye opening.

By: Chloe

Chloe — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:57:10 +0000

Fabulous post with great advice.

“READ THE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES” is one of my most frequently-proffered bits of advice. Submission guidelines provide the rules of the game (but, of course, you still have to be a good player and be fluent in the rules of sportsmanship and etiquette).

By: eden tyler

eden tyler — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:48:50 +0000

I’m a girl with a pen, and one of the other girls blogged about this post today. (@ giveagirlapen.com)
And I’m so glad she did.
This is grand advice—and so true.

I feel sorry for all the people out there with just that one book they are dreaming will get published and they believe is so perfect that no one should dare criticize it.
That, along with everything else you said is what I’m shooting to NOT be like…

Thanks for posting this!!
-e*

By: jsprunk70

jsprunk70 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:31:16 +0000

Wise words to live by.

Good luck doesn’t just happen (to most of us). It’s backed by years of hard work. Blood, sweat, tears — the whole nine.

By: If You Give a Girl a Pen… » Blog Archive

If You Give a Girl a Pen… » Blog Archive — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:51:47 +0000

[...] http://www.lilithsaintcrow.com/journal/2009/06/a-good-book-aint-all-you-need/ [...]

By: [links] Link salad stumbles into Tuesday | jlake.com

[links] Link salad stumbles into Tuesday | jlake.com — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:59:55 +0000

[...] A good book ain’t all you need. — Lilith Saintcrow on writers and agents. [...]

By: Diana Peterfreund Blog | Lots o’ Links and a Video

Diana Peterfreund Blog | Lots o’ Links and a Video — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:27:21 +0000

[...] Saintcrow is off on another one of her exquisite rants about the publishing industry in “a good book ain’t all you need.” Check it [...]

By: Shadow_Ferret

Shadow_Ferret — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:20:03 +0000

Seems to me that a good book would win out. Because that, aside from the query letter and synopsis, is what the agents see first. They don’t see any of that other stuff, your people skills or ability to take directions until AFTER they’ve read a full.

The decision to represent is made on how good the book is. At least that’s how I think the industry works. It’s what gets your foot in the door.

Or am I way off base?

By: Rachel Caine

Rachel Caine — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:58:51 +0000

Lili — you ROCK. Wow, what an incredibly good post!

Sent over by the marvelous Lucienne … so glad I came!

Rachel

By: Russ

Russ — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:14:23 +0000

awesome