Angry Robot are doing it again.

[Susan Boulton]

For all those of you with YA
http://strangechemistrybooks.com/2013/04/26/strange-chemistry-unagented-submissions-2013/

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Interesting that they didn't seem to get anyone from the last trawl, but are doing it again anyway. I'm not sure if I'll go for it or not. I do have something that could go in, but their process is very long - I think there are still some people waiting from the last Angry Robot window, let alone the later Strange Chemistry one - and the novel is tied up during that period. But it's a fabulous opportunity once again, and they're a great organisation.

 

[ctg]

Okay, I know that some of you have been waiting for a long while for this announcement! Strange Chemistry is once again opening to unagented YA submissions. We opened to unagented submissions last year and, although a number of novels came close, none of them completely matched what we were looking for, but this has not deterred us from trying again!

I don't want to say this, but I feel that they're on hunt for next JKR, as she has done her bit and she's now resting on her fortunes. And if I remember correctly from the that other thread, the submission editor was also looking for that "new" voice. So it all suggest to me that they do this because they believe there's some miracle makers out there that they've missed, while they have concentrated on serving the big guys.

 

[AnyaKimlin]

I'm going to give it a go. Mayhem is completely ready this time. And I think all my agents have come back with either no, or change it into past tense.

It says they are OK with submitting to others as long as they are informed if it gets picked up.

 

[ctg]

It says they are OK with submitting to others as long as they are informed if it gets picked up.

They won't be happy if it gets picked up because then it will give them a real headache. The worst kind, like for example: "Why did I say that?" - kind of throbbing pain between their eyes. But from me I think you're ready Anya. You know your game and you'll be ready if they say yes.

 

[Anisa]

They won't be happy if it gets picked up because then it will give them a real headache. The worst kind, like for example: "Why did I say that?" - kind of throbbing pain between their eyes. But from me I think you're ready Anya. You know your game and you'll be ready if they say yes.

They realise the process can take a very long time--as long as you tell them immediately if you have another offer, they will have no problem with this. It's the nature of the industry. In the first year, they lost a couple of submissions that were picked up by other people, and last year at least one or two pulled out because they got offers from agents and wanted to edit with them prior to a wider submission.

I got through the first year's Open Door and received a rewrite request. After editing, I received a publication offer and an agent offer the same week. Pantomime came out two months ago, and I just submitted the sequel, Shadowplay, to my editor.

The Open Door changed my life.

So if anyone has any questions about the process and my experiences, please feel free to ask.

 

[AnyaKimlin]

They are asking for social media information - I have a book but they need work. What are they looking for? Just the standard Facebook, Twitter, Blog?

 

[Jo Zebedee]

They are asking for social media information - I have a book but they need work. What are they looking for? Just the standard Facebook, Twitter, Blog?

I expect they're looking for evidence you can do some self-promotion. I think Marc Gasgoigne stated once that he wanted authors with promotion platforms. So outlets and numbers of followers, I expect, is what they're after.

 

[alchemist]

there's the thing. I avoid people on Twitter whose followers/followees number in the many thousands. With rare exceptions, their whole experience is automated and geared towards constant promotion, and gets on my nerves. I'm also not remotely convinced blogs and Facebook pages are of much use.

Anyway, I wasn't ready for this last year. I am this year, and rejection is already a treasured friend, so I'll get in early and then forget about it.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

If I don't have any joy with those looking at Inish at the moment, then I might think about it towards the end of the summer. Alc, I think they'll be more interested in how you're using social media; the ones who send multiple links to their books are not universally loved by publishers anyway. If you're interacting and your tweets aren't offending anyone (other than Scooby doo fans ), I think that'll count for more than having thousands of followers.

 

[AnyaKimlin]

I expect they're looking for evidence you can do some self-promotion. I think Marc Gasgoigne stated once that he wanted authors with promotion platforms. So outlets and numbers of followers, I expect, is what they're after.

I don't really have any - do you think I should just say I concentrated on the book but now this is what I will be doing?

I'm comfortable with public speaking as well which can be pretty effective and I know how to go about visits etc - it isn't social media but should I mention it ?

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I don't really have any - do you think I should just say I concentrated on the book but now this is what I will be doing?

I'm comfortable with public speaking as well which can be pretty effective and I know how to go about visits etc - it isn't social media but should I mention it ?

If it was any other publisher, I'd say not to worry too much. But Marc is on record - although I can't find the reference at the moment - as saying that he expects all his authors to have a social media presence. I can't remember if he definitively said he wouldn't sign an author without one (and google is bringing up so many interviews, it's impossible for me to go and and find it), but he certainly indicated it was a big part of the decision making.

If I were you, I'd get going on twitter, at the very least. I haven't done facebook yet - partly because, like Alc, I'm not convinced it's as effective a platform as twitter -- but I have a website (which needs updating, but at least it's there) and what not. Because, I think if push came to shove and it was between you and another writer with the platform, Angry Robot would plump for them.

 

[AnyaKimlin]

OK - I'll sit down with my best friend and work it out. He has a natural ability and proven ability with these things. His week on the library website always gets the most active responses.

I have a website and if I can link my blog, facebook and twitter that would be the easiest.

 

[Brev]

Because, I think if push came to shove and it was between you and another writer with the platform, Angry Robot would plump for them.

Sadly, it is starting to go this way. I've noticed that Agents/Publishers are asking for this more and more. I know it's about marketing, but can a good platform really be more important than a good novel?

 

[AnyaKimlin]

Friend is coming over tonight. I'll send them in something approaching a business plan relating to my social media because I want to send Mayhem in on the 1st. I have everything else.

 

[Glitch]

I expect they're looking for evidence you can do some self-promotion. I think Marc Gasgoigne stated once that he wanted authors with promotion platforms. So outlets and numbers of followers, I expect, is what they're after.

I was in the audience at BristolCon where Marc said something along these lines. I think I IM'd you about it.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I was in the audience at BristolCon where Marc said something along these lines. I think I IM'd you about it.

Ah, so that's why I couldn't find the google reference!

 

[Glitch]

I made a reference to it in the following thread.

http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/537948-authors-websites.html

Of the few things I picked up at Bristolcon was a comment from Marc Gascoigne, MD of Angry Robot.

He said he is looking to sign authors who already have an online presence. Website (blog) / twitter / facebook page etc...

The other comment that came up during the discussion was - never respond negatively to reviews or comments - i.e. don't point out that the reviewer misunderstood the theme/point of your writing. If you feel the need to respond you should limit yourself to thanking them for taking the time to comment/review your work.

 

[Anisa]

I didn't have any sort of social media presence when I submitted. By the time I had my rewrite request, though, I'd started a blog and Twitter. After I signed, I made a FB page and a Pinterest. I find Twitter works the best for promoting because you can just be yourself, and followers will dribble in. I think they want to see that you're willing to have a presence and promote yourself, and that you don't make an arse of yourself on social media (aka spout bigoted vitriol, etc, that you'll be the kind of person to freak out over negative reviews, what have you).

 

[Kissmequick]

Oh hello, fancy seeing you here!

that you don't make an arse of yourself on social media

That's me knackered then

One of my old editors made the point that when they get a sub, if the writer hasn't at least got a website under construction it just feels odd. But I don't think anyone expects you to do it all (Though I suspect they'd be glad if you did!). Blog, or tweet or whatever. Pick what's comfortable for you, and use that. I can rarely think of what to blog about, so I use twitter mostly.