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From: psc@lzwi.UUCP (P.S.CHISHOLM)
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: Re: Wanted: Publisher and Editor reviews
Message-ID: <149@lzwi.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 22-May-85 13:44:32 EDT
Article-I.D.: lzwi.149
Posted: Wed May 22 13:44:32 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 23-May-85 04:08:16 EDT
References: <2051@topaz.ARPA>
Organization: AT&T Information Systems, Lincroft
Lines: 55
Summary: Get off your duff and submit!

In article <2051@topaz.ARPA>, pduff%ti-eg.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa writes:
>                                          Does anyone have any advice
> concerning which publisher an unknown author should contact?

In the November 1984 SCIENCE FICTION CHRONICLE's Market Report, Bluejay
says, "Only looking for published authors".  Donning/Starblaze says,
"Willing to review material by new authors":  is that supposed to be
encouraging or discouraging?  (No matter, this month's SFC would seem
to indicate they haven't been publishing as fast as they're buying,
anyway.)

ALL of the other major publishers will buy a good novel.  If you and
Asimov sent them good novels on the same day, they'd buy both.  (Note
that for a novel, you should send a query with an outline and sample
chapters, *not* the whole novel.  You don't even need to have the novel
finished.)

>                                                               How much
> difference could it make if I waited to submit my book material until after
> I've had a short story or two published somewhere?

A dozen stories, published mostly in a single magazine over a period of
a few years, *might* make a difference.  However, most book editors don't
read SF magazines.  Don't wait.

As to advice on what magazines to submit to:  send your stories to the
places you'd like to be published in.  ASIMOV'S is pretty clearly the
most respected magazine in the field today.  ANALOG is hungry for stories,
especially but not exclusively hard SF.  F&SF is a bit slow.  AMAZING
seems to be barely surviving, but responds promptly, and is better than
most magazines at giving you some comments on what's wrong.  PLAYBOY and
OMNI don't buy much fiction.  There are some other small magazines, too,
and origninal anthologies looking for stories on a given topic; check
market reports in SFC or LOCUS.

Keep your manuscripts moving.  One trick I've discovered is to address
the "next" pair of envelopes when you address the first.  For example,
when you type up the envelopes to ANALOG, also type up a pair to AMAZING.
Then, if the manuscript happens to come back, stuff it RIGHT AWAY in
the next set, ship it out again, and prepare another set.  Don't wait
for one story to sell before starting (or even submitting) the next one.
If you don't have a next one, write it.

For more information:  SFC and LOCUS are valuable sources of information,
not the least being the occational Market Reports.  WRITER'S MARKET describes
manuscript mechanics, e.g., self-addressed stamped envelopes, a guide to
estimating postage, suggested waiting times and pay scales.  Once you've
sold you first story, you can join the Science Fiction Writer's of
America, which has a Handbook and a newsletter.

Good luck!
-- 
       -Paul S. R. Chisholm       The above opinions are my own,
       {pegasus,vax135}!lzwi!psc  not necessarily those of any
       {mtgzz,ihnp4}!lznv!psc     telecommunications company.