Opportunity Knocks

By Holly Dee Dashnaw

As they say in the military, we're at T - 3 ½ (months) or 106 days until the RWA ® National Conference commences in New York. For many of us, this means it's time we got down to serious writing. We have this interim left to prepare a MSS to pitch to an agent or editor, for there's no better venue for presenting yourself and your writing talent to those with the resources to get your work in print. And after your pitch, should you be invited, you may
send off your requested MSS or proposal to the agent or editor's office, bypassing the morass of the dreaded "slush pile".

Why is this an advantage? As told to me by an editor, it's because publishing houses only publish so many books of a selected genre per month. To fill these slots of opportunity, the editors first look to their writers under contract. Then they focus on MSS they may have been considering purchasing for some months or those sent to them by an agent trusted to know
what the editor likes. And, if the writer has established writing credentials (published before, contest winner), so much the better. Should there still be a slot or two left, they will look for a MSS among those they requested to read, and it's more than likely they'll zero in on a MSS from a name they recognize, someone they met at a conference perhaps. Finally, they will
search through the piles of unsolicited MSS, the slush-pile, a daunting and never ending task. But by this time, it's more than likely they've already filled the available slots for that month's publication list.

Now this doesn't mean an unsolicited MSS will go unread. No, sooner or later the editor's readers will take a quick look over every proposal. If you've written something that catches their attention-usually in the first page or so-they may read on, looking for that special something they know the editor wants, whether it's a particular story line that month, a specific setting, an intriguing character, a strong writer's voice, or just a MSS they can't put down. Eventually it gets to the editor and she, in turn, goes through the same process of elimination. But even if she loves the characters and plot, there's still some hurdles to cross for she must first "sell" the
MSS-and the writer-to her senior editor or publisher. There must also be an available slot.

An unknown writer is a big gamble for a publishing house.  When a publisher decides to buy a MSS, they know they are also in essence "buying" the writer. And they want talented, easy to work with, dependable, productive employees. Will the writer be willing to work with the editor? Will she meet deadlines on time? Will she be willing and able to continue producing new and better MSS? Most importantly, is there even a full MSS to buy?

While these questions may seem silly to us, they are of vital importance to an editor and publisher.  For every MSS that makes its way into print, several people are involved in the process: readers, editors, artists, printers, marketers and publicists, just to name a few.  At stake is money, a lot of money, and careers, especially the editor's. All those people must be
paid, and all those salaries are dependent on how well that book does on the shelves. If the editor makes a mistake, her reputation to pick sellers is in jeopardy and so may be her career.

Sounds depressing, doesn't it. With so much working against them, it's a wonder any writer ever gets published. So what can a writer do? Write, write, write and continue to place your work in the path of every agent and editor you can. It's a fact that the more you write, the more likely you'll have just the right MSS in the right place at the right time. It's a lot like playing craps. If you play the game long enough, the odds will eventually be in your favor.

Writing often will also improve your writing skills and strengthen your voice. Humans are creatures of habit. We are always looking for a niche in which to conserve our energies but still get the job done. As writers, in our perseverance to find that niche, we develop a voice unique to ourselves, a way to tell our story our way. And that is what will capture an editor's attention.

Finally, writing frequently and steadily will develop your professionalism. When your MSS sells and your writing suddenly turns from what you do out of love to what you do to support yourself, a professional attitude and work ethic are all that will stand between you and a very bright and prosperous future. The ability to sit at your computer and produce even when you can't think of a single new character or plot or would much rather be doing something else will be your lifesaver. Otherwise you'll go supernova. Your star may burn very bright, indeed, but burn out just as quickly.

Opportunity knocks. Your critical situation is at hand and you've been presented your call to adventure. Over the next 3 ½ month will you accept the challenge and cross the first threshold into the brave, new, unknown secondary world? Or will you be the reluctant hero? This is the beginning of your writer's journey. Only you can decide when and where you feet will go.

A transplanted-Yankee, and proud of it, Holly Dee Dashnaw lives in Charleston, SC with one very patient husband, four kids, three finger-eating turtles, one gerbil-escapee, and one very loud parakeet. Published in non-fiction, she started writing romance when she got fed up with the ending of a book she was reading. Currently President of Lowcountry RWA, Holly has consistently served on the board and/or as a committee chair since helping to found that organization in 1993. 

Used with permission of the author and  the Jasmine, the Lowcountry RWA  Chapter newsletter. 

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