Show notes
Hello Writers and Crafters! I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 88 of the podcast and it's October 19, 2022 as we record this. Main Topic: Submissions PATREON: No new patrons this weeks, but a big squeezy hug and Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast. This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a shout out on the podcast and we can make announcements for you on the podcast. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. Comments: Re: Ep87: planning for and staying balanced during a busy season, Nicole says: Cool. I've been wanting to write a poem or essay about this, several part-time jobs, exercise, physical training, my neglected garden, housework, friends, etc. I have good hopes to write, exercise, spiritual study, etc. Sometimes morning appointments too. Mary says: it was helpful to hear how you meet your goals, regardless of what else is going on in your lives. I'm envious (LOL), but working on this. Thank you Just finished: ARC Weyward by Emilia Hart (out in March). Totally my jam. Strong woman. Different time lines. Hint of natural magic. I'M READING: Confessions of a Bookseller Up Next::Wintering by Katherine May or Wildwood by Colin Meloy Erick's Reading: Interview with a vampire Shadow over innsmouth h.p. Lovecraft Update: Valerie's new author website is finished, if you want to take a look. Announcements: Writer Craft Writing Retreat is scheduled for next August 24-27, 2023. Tickets are $900 this year and include all lodging and gourmet meals, plus instruction and coaching and retreat time on the river, in Marcola, OR. Payment plans are available, and registration opens November 1st, 2022. Patrons receive a hefty discount AND can buy early, making their monthly payments even less expensive. Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information. Show Notes: 3-5% acceptance is a reasonable acceptance rate Poets and Writers DuoTrope Submission Grinder ralan's Solicited manuscripts vs Slush Pile What's your system to log? Where do you find submissions? (DuoTrope, Submission Grinder) Where do you log/track your submissions? Story title, summary, word count, date completed (of writing it), rejected, date submitted, publication, editor, contact name, what they said. ALWAYS follow the Submission guidelines. The whole thing. Even if you are a solicited submission. 30-40% are rejected without reading because they don't follow the guidelines. How many submissions a week/month? (Erick circulates nine at all time.) When get a rejection, resubmit to another place. New magazine or anthology is best chance to get in because they don't have a slush pile. Some mags have windows for submission times. Next Episode: celebrating successes Resources: Contact Erick for business-starting advice. Contact Valerie for book coaching for help writing your book. Other Resources: Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Productivity for Creative People: How to Get Creative Work Done in an "Always on" World by Mark McGuiness Essentialism by Greg McKeown The Anatomy of a Bestseller by Sacha Black Writing Scenes.: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/three-story-method-writing-scenes The Author Life Community Passion Planner: https://bit.ly/3AUiJUx (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIEO866 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link) Find Us: Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Writer Craft Facebook Group Patreon: https://patreon.com/valerieihsan Some of the Books We've Read This Year: The Cloisters Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor Death Masks by Jim Butcher Drinking Games A Prayer for the Crown-Shy. How to be a Good Creature Billy Summers by Stephen King The Dude and the Zen Master How to Write Light Novels and Webnovels by R.A. Paterson The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu by Tom Lin Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ní Ghríofa Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir The Anatomy of a Bestseller by Sacha Black The Many Daughters of Afong Moy Summer Night by Jim Butcher The Strange Bird by Jeff Vandermeer The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey Newsletter Ninja 2)