The Top Reasons for Manuscript Rejection by DorianHarper, journal
The Top Reasons for Manuscript Rejection
One of the things that the literary agency I work for does some weekends out of the year is teach seminars on query writing and the first 5 pages of manuscripts (which, basically just means the first page of the manuscript). The seminars last only a day or two, but aim to help writers improve their queries and start of their books so that they have a better chance of standing out in the ever-growing slush pile. Since I know many members of the literature community here aim to one day be published writers, I thought I would share our sheet of the top reasons for manuscript rejections. Please note: These are in no particular order.
Wrong genre
Copied and pasted from my blog since deviantART's been having this problem for a while now. I had meant to post something on this matter back in October since it was when I noticed more and more "publishers" like this popping up on the site, but never got around to it. Of course, with all of these unprofessional publishers coming out of the woodwork again recently, I thought I'd share what I shared on my blog here.
What is a scam publisher?
Essentially, a scam publisher is a press that cheats authors into believing that they are getting traditionally published by their rules and guidelines. However, if you read the fine print, you'll see
Name: Erich Richtor Current Residence: Seattle, WA (for school) * Richmond, VA (normally) Age: 19 D.O.B: December 14
I'm a junior history major focused in military history at Washington State University. I am very much interested in World War One and Two, though specifically Two and on the European Front. I am also attending college for a minor in Creative Writing. I have been published in a few literary anthologies (nothing big, but it adds to credentials) as well as working on my school's newspaper. Like my major, I mainly write war stories and short pieces. I'm big into research and think it's important for most everything, especially when writing historical fictions.
I DO NOT SUPPORT NAZISM/COMMUNISM IN ANY WAY. AS A HISTORIAN IN THE MAKING, WWII AND OTHER EVENTS IN HISTORY JUST INTEREST ME
Favourite Movies
Inglorious Basterds * Saving Private Ryan * Schindler's List
Favourite TV Shows
WWII in HD * How The War Was Won * Anything on the History Channel
Favourite Bands / Musical Artists
Sabaton * Pink Floyd * Ozzy Osbourne * Rammstein
Favourite Books
Any History Book * Rise and Fall of the Third Reich * E-Day * Redeeming Grace
Favourite Writers
Clive Cussler * Stephen King * David Miller
Other Interests
WWI * WWII * Military History * Reading * Writing * War Reenactments
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Hey everyone! Just posting a little journal stating that I'm going to be going away on vacation for the week. My mom and dad had some plans to before I went back to classes, so this will be my last outing of summer break. Have fun, guys, and I'll be in touch when I return home.