Guest Post:
Please welcome our guest today, A L Jackson (loud and wild applause)Her topic:
How to Avoid the Slush Pile
Hi everyone. I’m A. L. Jackson, author of Pulled and Take
This Regret, and I’m excited to share with you all today my tips on avoiding
the slush pile. As an author and the co-owner of a small publishing house, I
know submitting a manuscript can be one of the most nerve-racking steps we ever
take as authors. We sit in front of our computers biting our nails, refreshing
our email hour after hour, waiting to hear something back.
All the while, our submissions are sitting on someone’s desk
waiting to be reviewed.
So how do you keep your manuscript from hitting the slush
pile once someone does look it?
First, be sure you follow the publisher or agent’s
submission guidelines to a tee. If you miss something or ignore instructions,
your manuscript will most likely be rejected before the editor or agent even
reads the first line. Be sure that you
don’t come across as someone who doesn’t know how to follow instructions or
someone who just doesn’t care about them. Both are red flags.
Second and most important in my opinion is ensuring your
book immediately hooks the reader. The writing should be strong and raise
questions that make the reader want to continue on to get those answers. Don’t
start with backstory on your main character or over-describe the setting. Get
right into the conflict and then weave those other details in later. Be sure
the first few pages are both clear and interesting. The reader should be intrigued, but not
confused, and most definitely should not be bored.
Be sure the portion you’re submitting has been carefully
proofed and is formatted correctly (again check for submission guidelines to
find out if a specific format is requested). Taking these small steps show
you’re serious about your submission and are committed to your writing. If an
editor is spending more time noticing typos or wonky formatting, it will
distract from your writing.
Take the time to ensure your submission stands out from the
masses. These three points above can mean the difference between opening an
email with a rejection letter or one asking to see your full manuscript.
Contemporary Romance
Title: Pulled
Author: A. L. Jackson
Date to be Published: 4/5/12
Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing
Synopsis:
Melanie Winters and Daniel Montgomery shared a love most only dream
of, a love they believed bonded them together for life. When their
world is shattered by the tragic loss of their daughter, overwhelming
grief and misguided guilt distorts the truth, and their relationship
ends in uncertainty and unanswered questions.
For nine years, they drift through life, each unable to forget the
one who holds the strings to their heart. In an attempt to escape the
pain of her past, Melanie finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage,
while Daniel loses himself in a career that means nothing without
Melanie by his side.
Now, when their lives again intersect, neither can deny the connection they felt so long ago.
But will the power that drew them together be enough to heal the
wounds from their past, and will they have the courage to overcome the
insecurities and fears that threaten to keep them apart?
Pulled is a story of attraction and separation, of destiny and
duty, of a love so strong it refuses to give up even when all others
have.
Author Bio:
A.L. Jackson first found a love for writing during her days as a
young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried
with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the
difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.
Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her
two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her
first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern
Arizona where she lives with her husband and three beautiful children.
Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves.
Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three beautiful children. Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves.
My Review:
Amazing. Pulled was romance at it's finest. And I loved it. Sometimes teen age love fades, but sometimes it is so strong and holds a future for both the boy and the girl. Daniel and Melanie had a special kind of love....one that entwined their very souls and pulled at their hearts for nine long insufferable years. Ever pulling them back together despite the lies and despair that had kept them apart, each of them speaking to the other across many miles and heartache. I could not hope for less than a happily ever after ending!Ms Jackson wrote a heart rending love story. Her characters were young and touching and oh so full of life. Their drama was born of misunderstandings and deceit from those around them. Their hearts were always linked. As the story progressed we saw growth in both main characters and healing. The writing was smooth and inviting as well as riveting....I certainly could not put the book down. I would give this story...a GREAT read!
4 winks
....................................................
For additional Reviews and information, follow the tour:
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September 4 - Insomnia of Books
September 5 - Wonderland Reviews
September 6 - Dive Under the Cover
September 7 - LovLivLife Reviews
September 8 - I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read
September 10 - Just Bookin' Around
September 10 - My Escape
September 11- Literature Lovers Labyrinth
September 12 - Books and Needlepoint
September 13 -The Book Maven
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September 17 - A Date With a Book
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September 18 - The Story of a Girl
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September 22 - Paranormal Wastelands
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September 28 - Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews
4 comments:
Thanks so much for having me on Beth!
Love the tips AL and another great review of Pulled! It's an awesome book!
Mandy
Great advice, A.L.! :)
You are welcome back anytime! Loved your book!
Thanks for commenting ladies! Much appreciated!
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