Quit Rushing!

I have to really laugh at this. Writers have this weird trait. They rush and panic with their writing. Let me explain...

As you know, I am going to close the door to new submissions for a while starting on the 10th. Suddenly, my box if filling like crazy with authors "needing to get in" before the doors close. Please note, the doors have been open for the entire year, but now, people are acting like this is a STORE CLOSING special and if they don't get in now, they will lose EVERY chance of getting published.

We see the same thing when it comes to conferences. The list of editors and agents are posted and

suddenly, authors fight to the sign up sheets to get those coveted appointments. They all act as if this chance is like the rush for Cabbage Patch Babies the day after Thanksgiving. 

Here is a secret you might not have known.

Editors and agents are available 24/7/365.

Mind blowing, huh?

When authors rush to get a submission in like they are doing now with Greyhaus, or they jump to pitch to every editor and agent at a conference, they are seriously setting themselves up for failure. They are not thinking. They are rushing. 

Look, we might be closed to submissions now, but we will open again.

You might not be ready to pitch now, but take the time to make the work good and then submit it through normal channels.

Please note that publishing is not going away. Editors and agents will still be there. I promise. If you rush and make stupid mistakes, you have created your own rejection that you cannot get back.