Friday, January 21, 2011

Oh Fudge!

I just looked carefully at the rules for the Amazon Breakout Novel contest.  I thought that I didn't have to submit the entire manuscript unless and until I reached the semifinal stage.  But they want it up front.  Probably to prove that the thing is actually written and complete.

Oh, fudge! The contest opens Monday and they are taking submissions for two weeks, but the number of entries is limited. I just know that the slots will fill up fast.

So now I'm debating what to do.  Should I go for it anyway, and hope that a) I can finish it by the deadline and b) there are still slots left when I'm done, or should I let it go and wait for next year?

The importance of preparedness cannot be overstated, my friends.  Nor of keeping track of these things so that one doesn't find out at the last minute.

4 comments:

  1. Ohh that's a tough one. I guess how much are you finished and do you feel confident that you can finish the rest in a polished form.
    I know I'm not helping. Sorry. Good luck with your decision and in the contest. I'm sure it's awesome.
    Hope to see you on Sunday. I'll show up at B&N. I can't make it to the brunch.
    Have a great weekend!

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  2. i think my advice is to ask Kristal. she's been through this madness once before.

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  3. well, here's what you have to decide. Will you be more disappointed if:
    1) you submit it and it wasn't ready
    2) you don't submit it at all.

    Good luck!

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  4. Hi Sarah, Definitely #1.

    Michelle, I think I do remember Kristal saying something about how wild it was that Amazon was collecting 10,000 unpublished manuscripts. I have to admit, that makes me a little leery.

    Since I am working on stuff for my job this weekend, there really isn't any question of me entering the contest. I've also come to the conclusion that, since my book in no way resembles any of the previous winners, it really isn't worth entering. I honestly don't think they'd be interested in it.

    However, having a deadline is still good, so I'm going to try to have my manuscript done by Feb. 24th as planned.

    Christine - I hope I can make it tomorrow. I really should either work on my manuscript or work on my job, but I'm trying to convince myself that it's "networking" and therefore essential that I go (to the Philly writer's meet-up).

    On a side note, I find it hard to believe that people actually read the books that publishers seem to want most. To me, they're really boring! I don't know how to describe them except as "modern, hard-luck sagas" or "disease/divorce/disaster of the month." Look at Jodi Picoult, for example. My friend can't keep her hands off those books and to me they are so utterly depressing.

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