Anyway, I get so many submissions that, unfortunately, the first thing I’m looking for is a reason to reject so that I can narrow down the choices. Here are some things that make for an almost instant rejection:
- The author is obviously not familiar with Heartsong or our guidelines.
- The proposal does not include one or more of the following: cover letter, chapter synopsis, and first three chapters.
- The cover letter is poorly written.
- The story is over the maximum Heartsong word count of 50,000 words.
- The story is not set in the U.S. or is set in a state that is already taken. (But occasionally if the proposal sounds really great, I’ll take a second look to use for future or as a “wildcard” slot.)
- The first few chapters are full of too much narrative and backstory and not enough action, dialogue, etc. to draw my attention.
- The story seems more like women’s fiction, romantic suspense, or some other genre than straight inspirational romance.
- The proposal is for a multiple-book series about the same hero/heroine. (Each individual Heartsong should have its own hero/heroine with their story clearly ended in one book.)
- The story is a historical that takes place after World War II.
- The story is contemporary but is “dated” by a specific current event (For example, I wouldn’t want to see a hero/heroine falling in love in the aftermath of specific natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina.)
- The story is set in the future.
- The story does not have a clear inspirational message.
- The story sounds too much like other proposals or other Heartsongs we’ve done. (“There’s nothing new under the sun” but there can always be a new twist and something unique about characters, setting, and/or plot events.)
- The cover letter mentions if the author has met and talked with me about the story at a writer’s conference, and I've asked him/her to send the proposal.
- The cover letter briefly mentions the author’s writing experience, published works, membership in organizations such as ACFW, etc.
- The cover letter briefly tells me why the author is qualified and/or passionate about writing on the subject matter in the story.
- The proposal includes a blurb (pretend you’re writing your own back cover copy) that “sells” the book to me.
- The hero and/or heroine have unique occupations or plot events.
- The story is built around little-known facts or events from history or around unique geographical locations.
1 comment:
These are great, solid, common sense directions for protential Heartsong authors, JoAnne. Thanks
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