frustrations / roadblocks to getting published?

[dbonvillian]

Q: How do we remove inefficiencies and obstacles in the selection process (the 'slush pile') and provide a better way for new (or overlooked) writers to become published?

[Oldtimer]

Wish I could help you there, dbonvillian. That's a question for which millions of us would like to know the answer.

[dbonvillian]

So, here's my idea. We could have an online forum where authors could upload their work and leave feedback for each other, and each work would get a score based on the feedback it got. When the score gets high enough, the work is automatically submitted to agents/editors who are a good match for it. Basically, we would crowd-source and automate the slush pile. Sort of a Facebook meets E-harmony kind of thing.
Thoughts?

[williamadams]

[williamadams]

[Alice Clay]

Agents really do read the slush pile. I can't count the number of rejections I got with comments in the margins and coffee stains on the queries. My book was good enough to generate some interest but not to snag an agent. But they're reading. To borrow the above phrase, they don't want to miss the next Rowling or Patterson.

[williamadams]

[williamadams]

[Oldtimer]

Questions about how to get out of the slush pile have been asked on this forum for EVER. There was a thread in October, 2012, labeled "Don't Self-Publish Garbage" (Take it Outside). You might like to take a look at that thread, dbonvillion. It's only three pages long, but you might find the posts interesting.

[williamadams]