Fire One! -- First Novel Submission Launched

[dr_phil_physics]

I Made The Deadline

At the beginning of July I posted about a first novel contest out of England via Tor UK. First three chapters and a complete synopsis were to be received "on or before the closing date of 20 August 2009 17:30 GMT." That's 13:30 EDT here in West Michigan.

I sent the e-mail with both RTF attachments at 13:18 EDT. What? I still had 12 minutes.

A lesser person might have been nervous or upset. I kept on double-checking the files, proofing the synopsis and the e-mail text until I was happy. Or as happy as I was going to be. (grin) But see, I have plenty of experience with deadlines -- like end of semester grades. (double-trouble-grin)

So Is This Contest A Good Deal?

I haven't decided. But because Tor UK is involved, I didn't think they'd like the publicity of really screwing over new writers, so that was the deciding factor. Besides, one of the goals of my sabbatical was to complete a couple of novels and we've done one now. And at worst, I'll be free to send it off again at the end of November, which is pretty fast for a novel rejection.

On to the next project. After I clear up some loose files and take a breath. (triple-word-score-grin)

OAS Project

Due Date: Thursday 20 August 2009

Dr. Phil

Comments

[charyvna.livejournal.com]

Congrats on getting it completed and submitted in time.

And great gobs of luck your way.
:)

Valya

[dr-phil-physics.livejournal.com]

Thank you. You know part of the hardest thing to do was get up the nerve to write the Synopsis. (grin) It's not the same as a story, you aren't trying to hold anything back. You're trying to get an editor or an agent to understand where it is all going.

Dr. Phil

[charyvna.livejournal.com]

Ugh, the synopsis.

Yes, I know that arduous process well (I've had to find an agent three times.) I found it really difficult to reveal everything in such a way, because the book is crafted with such care and often in a nonlinear fashion. It's a challenge.