I just stumbled across this – good advice! I’m a writer new to editing: I’ve been putting together an anthology series of SF & F novellas, and had a submission call out for 3 months now, and had to learn the ropes very fast.

Most people do seem to make the effort to follow the guidelines. Probably the most irritating thing I encounter is authors who include an odious ‘book blurb’, explaining their story to me, despite the fact that I clearly state I don’t want this on my GLs. It’s very irritating.

Now I’m patient, and will give a story a look over even if the writer has violated the GLs somewhat… you never know what’s in that slush pile. But the more stories I look at, the more I’m convinced a cover letter is really quite unnecessary. The truth is that if the story doesn’t cut it, it doesn’t matter who you are. The more terrible truth is that you really can tell in the first paragraph or two if the writer has a clue, and it’s very, very, VERY rare that one needs to read the whole story.

So the lesson here is lead with your best foot, people, and — as Angela says — read those GLs. And for heaven’s sakes, don’t provide an outline or synopsis unless you’re subbing a novel AND the market requires it!

Yep, absolutely – I believe there is also a Brisbane in California . So stating which country is an excellent idea.

Cheers.

Angela

I have one question though. If you’re submitting to international markets, would one mention the country one’s from. i.e. I am a Brisbane, Australia based writer of speculative fiction.

Cheers

Hang on…they have.

And I quietly live in hope that Tor DO release an antho on zombie goldfish. Because I have just the thing. It may or may not be titled “Carp Diem”…