The Final Words
The mss for the Valki story went via a submit to a trad. publisher. I do this occasionally; okay, once a year I submit to one of them. Two competitions and one sub to a publisher.
One thing is a constant with these things. It happens after it’s sent. I do a re-read about a week after the sub. Guess what? You know, don’t you?
[image error]A small error. In the mss, it was a missing word. A whole word and the full stop that designated the end of sentence. How could I miss that? Well, I did. Do you think it’s deliberate? Maybe. Self-sabotage just so I can continue to snap-publish as I go, because I don’t really have time to wait for the publication process that comes with the big houses? Who knows? I don’t. I’ll try again next year (no, I haven’t had a response yet, but … and here’s the next bit).
There’s also a synopsis submitted. This one was very short – 300 words. Now, if you know me, 300 words is an introduction to a character (in action, of course) and can’t tell the whole story. But I did it, sort of, and it went out with the mss with the missing word. And what do you think I saw when I checked it after the gaff with the mss?
An error. Not a spelling or grammar mistake, nor was it a missing word. It was a missing milestone. This is where I rolled the eyes and blatted the forehead on the desk (sans keyboard, which is already in a state of dereliction). And stayed that way for a few minutes while the mind spun in opposing vortices.[image error]
Is it deliberate? If I went back to all the subs, would I find the little errors that editors hate, that deplete (as in lessen) the chances that they may finish the sub? Isn’t that what they do when they find those things?
The big, scary editor probably doesn’t even get to see them, is what I tell myself. It’s the readers of the slush pile, and they are the hardest of taskmasters. Much more discerning than the average reader (if such a thing exists). These readers are usually aspiring writers, and therefore … yes, I stuffed myself. Did it to myself. No excuse.[image error]
Except it means The Valki of Three Salt Springs won’t be published until I hear back from them.
The new story is on its way. I’ll tell you about it in 400 words on Wednesday.
All pics from Pixabay (because I don’t seem to have any of my own on WP anymore!).
