At Killer Nashville, a trio of extremely knowledgeable publishing pros held a panel on the most common reasons why a manuscript is rejected by an agent. Below you’ll find part two of this post series.
Keep in mind that the panelists were discussing why a manuscript will be rejected, not a novel synopsis or query letter. They were talking about problems within the writing.
Panelist No. 3: Maryglenn McCombs
Editor at Oceanview; book publicity specialist
http://www.maryglenn.com
Maryglenn’s top reasons why
your manuscript can be rejected:
1. Not following the publisher’s (or agent’s) submission guidelines. The guidelines exist for a reason.
2. Early overpopulation—too many characters at the beginning of a story, especially when they’re introduced quickly. She said she received one submission that had 40 names in the first chapter. If the reader has to flip back pages to clarify who’s who, the writer is in trouble.
3. Not having consistent tense. Don’t start a story in past tense and then switch to present in the next chapter.
4. Sex scenes with lurid and unnecessary details.
5. (For the query letter or nonfiction book proposal) – Lack of touch with reality. Mentioning Oprah or saying that your work will be a bestseller shows you’re not a professional.
Want to pitch agents at a conference?
More than 50 literary agents will be
taking pitches at WD’s own conference
in New York, January, 21-23 2011.
I Will Be Speaking At These Great Writing Events in 2010-2011:
- Sept. 24-26, 2010: Wrangling With Writing Conference (Tucson, AZ).
- Oct. 2: Books by the Banks Book Fair (Cincinnati, OH)
- Oct. 22-24, 2010: Surrey International Writers Conference (Vancouver, Canada)
- Nov. 6, 2010: Vegas Valley Book Festival (Las Vegas, NV)
- Nov. 12-13, 2010: Writing for Change Conference (San Francisco, CA)
- Nov. 17, 2010: Ann Katz Festival of Books (Indianapolis, IN)
- Jan 21-23, 2011: Writer’s Digest Conference (New York, NY)
- Feb. 26, 2011: Carnegie Center Speech (Lexington, KY)
- March 18-20, 2011: Festival of Books & Writers Conference (Tallahassee, FL)
- April 9, 2011: Reno Writers Conference (Reno, NV)
- April 16-17, 2011: Writers Conference & So. KY Book Fest (Bowling Green, KY)
- April 30 – May 1, 2011: Muse & the Marketplace (Boston, MA)
- June 24-26, 2011: Jackson Hole Writers Conference (Jackson Hole, WY)
I like very much the writings and pictures and explanations in your adress so I look forward to see your next writings.
All of these things would annoy me too, Maryglenn, and I wouldn’t blame you for trashing them! Thanks for giving us your time
onna