tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post7531892334261784493..comments2023-10-01T14:22:47.269+01:00Comments on A Likely Story: That's the way to do it!Teresa Ashbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15350697922935549188noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-62399995089707147182011-01-28T15:16:17.184+00:002011-01-28T15:16:17.184+00:00That sounds like a brilliant idea, Lynne, hope som...That sounds like a brilliant idea, Lynne, hope someone will get in touch - and it sounds hopeful for your other PF story :-)Teresa Ashbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15350697922935549188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-69788270681290904432011-01-27T10:25:16.952+00:002011-01-27T10:25:16.952+00:00Hiya all, I'm new here but really appreciate t...Hiya all, I'm new here but really appreciate the chat as I've just submitted two stories to People's Friend and had one returned, so I guess the other is being considered. <br />If anyone knows anyone who'd like a critique parter I'm looking for someone! I'm Lynne on lynnepardoe@hotmail.co.uk<br />and I'm very friendly! LynneUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17448753451860080421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-3746114747640901652011-01-26T20:13:30.804+00:002011-01-26T20:13:30.804+00:00Lol – well it was true, Geri! I know what you mea...Lol – well it was true, Geri! I know what you mean – I can’t type anything without indenting and have to change it when I’ve finished – if required.<br /><br />Thank you, Lydia. I have tried not sending covering letters, but it always feels as if I’m sending the story out naked if I don’t.<br /><br />Yes, penandpaints, I’d say so. They probably don’t read the covering letters half the time, but they need the info on a cover sheet. <br /><br /> I have huge indentations, Carol – about 7 spaces which is probably way too many. I hope it isn't too long before this all pays off for you - you're doing everything right. It's just a matter of time now.<br /><br />Interesting, Bernadette. I never send a cover sheet with an emailed story - I've never even though to! Perhaps I should. Good idea to add the footer (or header) with all your details. I do agree – a good (and crucially as you say legible) story won’t be rejected if the format is wrong.<br /><br />You’re welcome, Patsy. And as well as being dog eared and difficult to read it must be horrible to get stories with coffee stains, greasy marks and crumbs – I bet they do too!Teresa Ashbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15350697922935549188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-67458541238217025382011-01-26T12:22:55.007+00:002011-01-26T12:22:55.007+00:00Thanks for the plug for my blog!
I do some things...Thanks for the plug for my blog!<br /><br />I do some things your way, but not all. I do agre with your golden rules. A clear readable font and consistency in presentation are very important, I think. <br /><br />The main thing though is the story. I doubt a great story would be rejected because of a small 'error' in formatting, but editors might stop reading work from authors who regularly submit dog eared, difficult to read work. I wouldn't blame them.Patsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-70303066946469635792011-01-26T11:15:38.670+00:002011-01-26T11:15:38.670+00:00When I look back now at my first subs and how they...When I look back now at my first subs and how they were formatted, the indenting was all over the place, there were blank lines between paragraphs, the quotation marks were double or single depending on my mood at the time etc, etc.<br />It wasn't that long ago and I still had some of those stories accepted.<br /><br />Now I do what the magazine asks. If they are not specific then it's TNR 12 point, double spaced, indent all but the first para of each section, blank line between each section (but not between paras), single space after full stop, double quotes for speech, single for thought. Cover sheet but no covering letter on hard copy subs to mags I've been accepted by before, brief cover email on electronic subs with cover sheet as part of the story document. Name, email address, story name and page numbers in smaller font in the footer of each page, stapled unless asked not to.<br /><br />However, I still believe that a good story badly formatted, as long as it is neat and legible, is unlikely to be rejected because of it (though I can't speak for those editors who specify very detailed formatting requirements in their guidelines!)Sherrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18288574214855156268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-50626391712025501382011-01-25T21:50:53.860+00:002011-01-25T21:50:53.860+00:00Whenever I've submitted I've gone for the ...Whenever I've submitted I've gone for the simple cover letter principle, with the important information on the cover sheet attached with a paper clip.<br />I've never been too sure on how much to indent by, so go for four spaces.<br />But following the magazine guidelines is the essential I follow.<br />My stories may have been rejected so far, but at least the editor won't complain about bad formatting...:-)Carolbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-17172945770394900702011-01-25T21:23:48.023+00:002011-01-25T21:23:48.023+00:00So, a cover sheet is more important than a letter?...So, a cover sheet is more important than a letter? That's interesting. I'm glad you've told me that's okay because I do think editors must be so fed up with reading virtually the same letter over and over! <br />Thank you!penandpaintshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17273388732451042663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-29091943642266425502011-01-25T18:58:03.953+00:002011-01-25T18:58:03.953+00:00What a useful and detailed post, Teresa! (Note exc...What a useful and detailed post, Teresa! (Note exclamation mark - which I persoally only use to indicate someone is shouting!).<br />I used to send covering letters but don't now as I think editors are increasingly too busy to read them, but I always send a brief cover email with email attachment subs.<br />Formatting can be a very personal thing. I'm with Geri - not indenting paragraphs brings me out in a rash!<br />Best advice is definitely to read guidelines BUT as you say - if the story's good enough bad fornatting won't stop it being bought - it's just following guidelines is basically good manners isn't it? xLydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15580243616937466192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-80798462301162427212011-01-25T17:21:41.450+00:002011-01-25T17:21:41.450+00:00This was such a funny bit, Teresa:"Was I miff...This was such a funny bit, Teresa:"Was I miffed? Yes I blinking well was. Did I stop using so many exclamation marks? Yes I blinking well did."<br /><br />I think I've finally got the single quotes/double quotes sorted. I'm afraid I do 2 spaces after a full stop which I've just read is WRONG. I use paper clips. No covering letter. I always indent - makes me shudder not to. The only time I don't is when I jump from one scene to another in a serial, for example. Then, I leave a line and don't indent as that's the way I've seen it in Woman's Weekly.Geraldine Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01575892095296317266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-28491695493388188362011-01-25T11:25:56.598+00:002011-01-25T11:25:56.598+00:00Thanks, Rosemary. You can’t go wrong really if you...Thanks, Rosemary. You can’t go wrong really if you follow the guidelines can you.<br /><br />That’s a very good point, Marian. I always write a covering email if I submit that way. My first computer was an Amstrad too – I hated it at first, but learned to love it.<br /><br />Ah, I didn’t cover staples and paperclips did I, Elizabeth. I must admit I’m a stapler too, unless the story is too fat for my stapler to cope with, then I use a paperclip.<br /><br />Best way to do it, Helen. I was just about to email a story off just now and realised I’d forgotten to set it up properly for that particular market – phew!<br /><br />I’d advise to always use a cover sheet, penandpaints. The letter seems to be a matter of personal preference, but I think a cover sheet with all your details is essential.<br /><br />That’s how I feel, Diane, but then I suddenly find out I’ve been doing it wrong all these years! Interesting about the fonts. I don’t like the serif ones so much, but I think courier is another acceptable option for those that don’t, but it is interesting to have your opinion as an editor – thank you :-)Teresa Ashbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15350697922935549188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-21020639621915104892011-01-25T10:34:56.921+00:002011-01-25T10:34:56.921+00:00Basically, I find out how a market likes it and I ...Basically, I find out how a market likes it and I tend to do it that way. But after more than 25 years in the business, unless they've had a change of policy, I pretty much know how they like it now without checking.<br /><br />However, as an editor and someone that's worked with lots of editors, the use of any serif font, plain or not, interests me because I prefer a sans serif font like Arial, and so do lots of friends and colleagues. So my standard is Arial, unless I find out they prefer Times.<br /><br />I always include a cover letter - I think it's basic good manners - AND a cover sheet for stories (for accounts purposes), but not for articles ... unless I know they want one.Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06430125606844410229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-21466875372329711552011-01-24T22:37:19.208+00:002011-01-24T22:37:19.208+00:00Great advice, thanks Teresa.
I always include a co...Great advice, thanks Teresa.<br />I always include a cover letter, but not always a cover sheet. I suppose you could get away with one or the other, but never neither! Maybe. :/penandpaintshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17273388732451042663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-43846861743049738852011-01-24T20:48:31.159+00:002011-01-24T20:48:31.159+00:00Lots of good advice there. Like you, I tend to wr...Lots of good advice there. Like you, I tend to write things my way to start with and then tinker for individual magazines as needed.HelenMWaltershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16182100572365505905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-34178713569385288722011-01-24T14:50:21.891+00:002011-01-24T14:50:21.891+00:00I have letters saved for each magazine so all I ha...I have letters saved for each magazine so all I have to do is change the title of the story. It's very basic - 'Please find enclosed... I look forward to hearing from you in due course.' I also staple my manuscript instead of using paperclips, which I gather is a great sin, but no-one's complained so far!Elizabeth McKaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-11195246755420766712011-01-24T11:25:08.017+00:002011-01-24T11:25:08.017+00:00Teresa, I tend to think, for the post, how would I...Teresa, I tend to think, for the post, how would I feel if I got a story back without even a bit of a compliment slip? And for emailing, can you send an attachment without a covering letter? I am the world's worst so there may be a way. Incidentally, my first typewriter was a Corona but how I loved the Amstrads when they cam along.I just wish Lord Sugar would stop faffing about with apprentices and make some more.marian hnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-61500090604413800262011-01-24T10:55:42.877+00:002011-01-24T10:55:42.877+00:00Great post, Teresa, and a good reminder. I always ...Great post, Teresa, and a good reminder. I always try and slavishly follow the guidelines and tend to send a cover letter. But I might change my mind now, Lynne!Rosemary Gemmellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09311840205603508422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-37329306761084983902011-01-24T10:07:59.052+00:002011-01-24T10:07:59.052+00:00I'm glad I'm not the only one to send thin...I'm glad I'm not the only one to send things off in haste, Joanna!<br /><br />Argh Lynne - I'd never thought of it like that "burdening them with letters", but you're right. The covering letter IS redundant. Will I stop sending one? Well it is also a waste of paper isn't it, so perhaps I will. Thank you - and it just goes to show we never stop learning :-) And yes, turn your comment into a blog!Teresa Ashbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15350697922935549188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-58035213704553829462011-01-24T09:55:04.905+00:002011-01-24T09:55:04.905+00:00I never send a covering letter because it always t...I never send a covering letter because it always took me longer to compose a letter than to write the story. What to put in it? Please will you buy this story, or this story is called 'The Cat on the Mat' I hope you like it.<br /><br />A cover sheet has everything an editor needs to know and saves them scanning through a letter. They have enough stories to read. Why burden them with letters too unless you have a relationship with them or there is something you really need to tell them.<br />At a workshop I gave on writing short stories another writer sat at the back shaking her head at everything I said. She did the exact opposite to me and we both got published.<br />A good story will make it every time, unless it's tiny font and colured ink. I reckon anyone with half a brain would thrown one of those out without reading.<br />Hey, I should have blogged this, not used it as a comment.Lynne Hackleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11584150621973821344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-18744676176456191532011-01-24T09:27:02.124+00:002011-01-24T09:27:02.124+00:00Thank you for the really useful advice. I really w...Thank you for the really useful advice. I really worry about getting it right and double-check the guidelines every time. I fret about it when I send something off and then realise too late I've made an error with the presentation.<br /><br />I haven't ever sent a covering letter, as I tend to be too wordy and gushing in letters. I just send the cover sheet with all the contact details, title and word count.Joannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10346863303904973315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-26942527427194982022011-01-24T09:06:57.909+00:002011-01-24T09:06:57.909+00:00Thanks Julie. When My Weekly started bringing out ...Thanks Julie. When My Weekly started bringing out their detailed guidelines I mis-read them and thought they wanted single quotes. They must have thought I was being fascetious suddenly changing from the doubles I'd always used to singles. <br /><br />Yes that's all I put in my covering letters, David. It would be different if you were trying to sell a novel or an article, but for magazine fiction just the bare basics.<br /><br />I never used to worry, Suzanne, but I do now! It can spoil the creative flow when you're worrying about tabs and spaces etc. Best to write as you feel comfortable then alter it when you've finished - but then you have to remember to actually alter it and not be so pleased to have finished it that you send it off - like what I do sometimes ;-)Teresa Ashbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15350697922935549188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-57810326828723602932011-01-23T18:53:01.753+00:002011-01-23T18:53:01.753+00:00Thank you for the great advice, Teresa. I always w...Thank you for the great advice, Teresa. I always worry if I'm setting things out right.<br /><br />XXSuzanne Ross Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08561888635304578484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-32272037530289290352011-01-23T17:07:52.761+00:002011-01-23T17:07:52.761+00:00Thanks for this Teresa. I've never been sure ...Thanks for this Teresa. I've never been sure if I should include a covering letter as they must all look very similar to editors (although I always do just in case). Well, it's better to be safe than sorry I suppose! The temptation is there to jazz it up and start telling them lots of interesting details eg the name of your pet but I know they are just not interested so I resist and stick to a standard 'Please find enclosed...'<br /><br />DavidDavidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13420282305471393579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328996877751363067.post-37061634454303279142011-01-23T15:43:54.515+00:002011-01-23T15:43:54.515+00:00Hi, Teresa,
Cracking advice as ever. I just follo...Hi, Teresa,<br /><br />Cracking advice as ever. I just follow the magazine's own guidelines and hope for the best! As you say, if you ignore their guidelines on presentation then the editor will assume that you haven't read them. The guidelines are there for a reason so a writer would be shooting themselves in the foot if they ignore them, when they should be giving their stories the best chance they can.<br /><br />Julie xxJulie Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06546678603569056691noreply@blogger.com