Writers, Don't Embarrass Yourselves
So, I'm sitting here at Travelers'Tales jamming away on setting up more events, and Krista called out to me about a submission that we just got in the mail. Not only were they pitching a novel, but nearly every sentence ended in an exclamation! I counted them, 33 in all. The only sentences that ended with a common period were from a quote, and in his bio. The icing is that the "query" was printed ALL in bold.
We felt sorry for him. And I almost picked up the phone to call him. How could he not know that is bad form? I guess he wouldn't. Instead of calling him, I thought it better to write to you all on Written Road.
People, do your homework. Get a book on sending in queries, proposals, or manuscripts. And none of you should be sending anything to a publication without first reading and abiding by their submission guidelines. I'll start looking at books and see if I can recommend a few.
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WHY? WHAT IS WRONG WITH EXCLAMATION POINTS! I THINK THAT ALL EDITORS LOVE IT CUZ I AM ENTHUSIASTIC!!!
;-)
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Isn't it a writer's rule of thumb to use an exclamation point only once a year, if you can help it?
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I wholeheartedly echo Jen's comments about the need to do your homework on the publication/publisher you're submitting to. It's a waste of everyone's time if you haven't, and you look like you don't know what you're doing/talking about. It's amazing the number of poetry or fiction proposals I opened up while working for a non-fiction professional publisher.
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?!?!?!?!!!!
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!?!?!?!?!?! as well!!!!
I know - you are both right - it is just fun todo!!!