Delacorte Press Contest for a First Young Adult Novel

[jenniemac]

I entered my second YA novel Chronically Skeptic into this contest for 2006. I am curious if anyone else has had any experiences with this contest, or any other contests.

Jennie Mac

[cuteshoes]

I entered Premature Evacuation into the contest and made it slightly less edgy than the version I sent out to agents.

Good luck!
-Shana
http://www.prematureevacuation.com

[Shalanna]

I entered, as well. We won't hear back until April, I think. Anyone else have any experience with the contest?

[SinkFulloDishes]

I entered last year and got my rejection letter at the end of April or beginning of May. This year, I just got my rejection letter about a week ago. Since I didn't win, I was thankful that they sent the letter out early this year so I can now move on to looking for an agent. A friend of mine made it to the final cut several years back, so apparently if you don't win, but make it close, they let you know.

[Shady Lane]

I entered this contest last year and this year, just for fun. I just got my rejection today. Good thing, too, since I just had my first YA published. It would be terrible to have to turn that down...

[Moon Daughter]

When's the next submission for the contest?

[Soccer Mom]

The YA contest starts in October and runs through December. The prize is awarded in April.

[myscribe]

From all the information I have, this is a very reputable contest and good opportunity. Delacorte has said that it considers all novels sent through this contest and has published from the entries. There is also a contest for MG.

Last year's winner was EM Crane and her myspace is at: http://www.myspace.com/emcrane.

[Soccer Mom]

It is a for real contest. I don't do contests, but I am entering this one. But read the rules carefully. There are a few caveats, but they are all things I can live with.

[NancyC]

I entered the contest this year. I received my rejection letter in February.

[Soccer Mom]

Too bad, Nancy. I think the deadline for MG is June 30th. I have an ms that I'm toying with entering.

[Soccer Mom]

Well, I've got two agents that I haven't heard back from, but their websites say that if you haven't heard from them in x weeks then consider yourself rejected, so I'm considering myself rejected just a wee bit early.

[Moonshade]

Anybody entered this years competition? I did, with my first novel. I got in the mail right before the 12/31/07 deadline.

[Hopcus]

What is the main prize?

[Moonshade]

The publication of my novel and prize money $2500 for the rights. $7500 for advance against royalties (according to their website). I've heard that the contract is very bares bones, but I figured it was worth a shot. Can't hurt, might help.

[ZsaZsa]

I entered this contest and also just got it in before the deadline date. Has anyone heard back from them in the form of a rejection letter or anything else?

[Camille]

I'm still waiting too. The website said rejections will be sent between Jan. and April (as they are read). I keep hoping I'm still in the running, but my always supportive (not) husband said maybe they haven't read mine yet. :rant:

[Moonshade]

I haven't heard anything. But then again, I recently moved, so my mail needs to catch up with me.

[garrett]

Sorry if I do this incorrectly - newbie to this.
re: Delacourte Press contest for YA - I submitted and was in by 10/15-07 - got a form letter rejection 3/15/07 - yes Ides of march. I thought that since it took them that long, maybe I'd hear from another editor. No soap. No disrespect, but has anyone else notoced that all of the contest winners seem to be women?

[triceretops]

I think this is a history of their middle grade winners. But...do you notice something a bit agitating about this list? I don't think I have to say it.
Okay, I'll say it--NINE years of no winners or prizes doled out. What does that say? That there was no viable talented entry in nearly a decade? And they call this a contest?



Previous Winning Titles and Authors
1992
Jackson Jones and the Puddle of Thorns
by Mary Quattlebaum1999
Some Kind of Pride
by Maria Testa

Honor Book-
The Victory Garden
by Lee Kochenderfer
1993
Seth and Samona
by Joanne Hyppolite2000
No Prize Winner1994
No Prizewinner2001
No Prize Winner1995
Follow the Leader
by Vicki Winslow 2002
No Prize Winner1996
No Prizewinner2003
No Prize Winner1997
A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt
by C. Coco De Young2004
Prizefighter en Mi Casa
by e.E. Charlton-Trujillo1998
No Prizewinner2005
No Prizewinner
2006
No Prizewinner

[garrett]

Tri - saw your post 4/01 re: delacorte and no winner for a decade. Have you noticed anything else? No disrespect, but the majority of the winners seem to be female. Maybe I've got some of this wrong, but by and large???? I submitted 10/15 and got a rej. ltr back 3/15 - 5 mons and a form ltr? I figured that if I got that close to their annouuncement deadline, something good was happening - and then a form ltr and notices re: the next contests. So sad! g

[Camille]

Did they enclose a sheet that listed the winners from previous years? I received my rejection yesterday (April 3). The sheet had "no prize winner" already listed for the contest year of 2007. I also received a form letter and info about the upcoming YA and MG
I'm disappointed, but it was a fun ride!

[bluntforcetrauma]

Are you people paying to enter this contest? Just curious. A decade? I'm not convinced that something great hasn't been entered in ten years. Wonder what gives?

[Camille]

There is no charge and it's a respected contest (Writer's Digest contest is respected too, but they do charge a hefty fee). Delacorte is a division of Random House; you can't get in without an agent. The contest is a good way to get your foot in the door - if you have a short YA or MG to submit. On the Delacorte website it shows 8 winnings in ten years for YA and 6 winnings in fourteen years for MG. I still think it's worth a shot.

[Moonshade]

Did they enclose a sheet that listed the winners from previous years? I received my rejection yesterday (April 3). The sheet had "no prize winner" already listed for the contest year of 2007. I also received a form letter and info about the upcoming YA and MG
I'm disappointed, but it was a fun ride!



Camille, your rejection stated there's NO PRIZEWINNER for 2007? I entered the contest and have yet to receive any notification. Does this mean No one has won for 2007?

[Camille]

For your sake I hope they haven't decided yet, but I don't know why they would have sent the list of winners. I tried to paste part of the page onto this message and it didn't work. I can email it to you if you want. At least I can start submitting other places now.

[carey93]

Just got my rejection letter today, 4/21. I believe the 2007 results printed on the flyer (no winner) reflects last year's competition.

Good luck to those still in contention!

[Moonshade]

Well, it's official, I finally received my reject letter yesterday. Dated 4/26/08. The back of the envelope was partially torn. Anyone else had a big old piece of tape stuck to the back of the envelope to seal it closed?

[KTC]

Sorry to bring up an old thread...but I thought it would make more sense to keep it all together than to create a new one.


DID ANYBODY ENTER THE 2009 FIRST YA NOVEL CONTEST? The deadline was December 31st, 2008.

[jmascia]

I haven't heard back either. My first time entering though. 4 months left to hear though. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[KTC]

The postmark deadline was just 2 days ago.

[Jillangill]

Hi :)

I entered the YA contest for 2009, but I was so eager that I submitted my ms during the first week of October. Waiting, waiting, waiting! Anybody have any idea roughly how many manuscripts get entered into this contest?

[adarkfox]

I submitted early November... no idea on the numbers... it'd be nice to know how many MS they received just for curiosity's sake

[dawnfields1228]

I went to the SCBWI-LA conference last year and sat in with Krista Marino, one of the editors at Delacorte and she told the group that they receive approximately 500-600 for the MG and the YA contest each. She did also say that they do pull MS out of the bunch and even if they aren't really right for the prize, the editors may be interested and choose to have you do revisions first. That was how Christopher Paul Curtis was discovered. He entered the contest with The Watsons Go to Birmingham. Wendy Lamb said that the main character was too young for the contest so it didn't work, but they loved the book anyway and wanted to work with him. Curtis of course went on to win the Newbery with that book :>)
Anyhoo, I sent in my MS right under the wire as well...hope we can all keep each other posted when we hear something! SO glad this forum was renewed!

[KTC]

Thanks so much for sharing the information you have on Delacorte. Interesting stuff!

[adarkfox]

Wow 500-600 MS a piece? *jaw drops* First of all I feel bad for the interns I'm sure are wading through those XD Second of all I wonder how my poor big MS is doing floating around in the gianormous sea of 600 MS.

Any clues yet as to why they haven't awarded a prize some years? It seems pretty disheartening to think out of 500 manuscripts they couldn't find a single one worthy of winning?

[KTC]

Anybody hear anything yet? The guidelines say: 5. Writers will be notified between January and April as submissions are evaluated by the editors. Final contest results will be announced on our Web site on or around April 30, 2009.

For those who have entered in previous years, do they send rejections or do they only notify winners?

[adarkfox]

Haven't heard anything yet... I submitted mine beginning of November. I'm nervous every day I check the mail - one month down! LoL

[AKB]

I haven't heard back but I submitted my ms on 12/22; it's probably still at the bottom of the pile.

[jmascia]

Entered the contest. Got a nice note about my story, but unfortunately, nothing ever came of it.

[dawnfields1228]

jamscia,
When did you enter? Was it this year or last year?
Yeah, I entered right at the deadline as well...
Nothing yet.
Please let's keep everyone posted so I can know when to start stalking my mailman.
Dawn

[dawnfields1228]

KTC,
I have surmised from previous posts that they notify everyone of the status of their MS. Some people get form rejections and some get form rejections with a note about their MS and then some get rejections that are personalized, though that is very very rare. I have seen on other boards where people were notified if their MS made it to final rounds as well and then they get a form rejection letter and then I have heard from people where they are notified their MS is in the final rounds and the editor states that even if it isn't chosen, they are still interested in the work. (And even after that, they can still get a form rejection after they have sent in a rewrite :>)

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

[KTC]

Agreed, Dawn. Good luck.

James...you are talking about last year's contest, right?

[KTC]

Thanks, Dawn. We just cross-posted there. It's good to know something will come. I prefer an early rejection to waiting until the announcements and then finding out. I can't remember if email was involved in contact info??? Do they mail these or email?

[footloose]

I'm new on this site so forgive me if I'm confused here but from reading the posts chronologically I believe James entered the 2009 contest so if he's already received a reply then I guess we can all start checking our mailboxes now.

[Jillangill]

This is great info from everyone...thanks! 500--600 MS is a TON! WOW! I haven't heard anything yet about my MS, but I do have the list of other houses/agencies to submit to as soon as I do. I think it's cool the editors will occasionally grab other work from the pile to pursue, even if it's not right for the prize.

GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE!

[KTC]

I like that idea too, Jill. That they might take something on even if they don't award it a prize.

[Starfly]

I'm also waiting on news about my YA Fantasy entered into Delacorte's contest. I'm afraid I rushed it in an effort to make the deadline. I'm hoping I'll at least get some feedback.

Good luck to everyone who entered!

[KTC]

And good luck to you. And welcome to AW!

[Starfly]

Thank you KTC :D

[ks.samya]

In taking a year-long hiatus from my doorstop project, I'm working on a novel for the Dec '09 deadline. I've enjoyed reading this thread and wish you all the best of luck!

[ohcuriousjo]

I entered. Now I'm waiting for my letter. And I've resigned myself to getting back my SASE. But I still can't help hoping... :/

[AKB]

ohcuriousjo - I know what you mean. I used to run to my mailbox hoping to see that 'yes I did it!' reply only to come to avoid that dented metal doomesayer of a box, afraid that it held only another rejection. HOWEVER, I think it is true what all the form rejection letters say (at least the ones I've received) - this is a very subjective business and it's just a matter of finding the right agent, contest, whatever.

So, keep the hope alive as only good will come from it.
Best of luck,
Andrea

[adarkfox]

February's half over... two and a half months of fretting to go ;)

[KTC]

I'm not fretting. I have too many sticks in the fire to focus on only one. But I won't say I'm not anxious. It keeps popping into my head. I think it may be one of the sticks I most want to catch on fire. (-;

[AKB]

Just checked my mailbox. Unfortunately there was a 'you're not the winner' form letter inside. Oh well. Time to get on my stepper and pounce out a bunch of sweat before getting back to the keyboard.

I wish everyone the best of luck!

[KTC]

Sorry to hear that you weren't a winner. Now I know to be prepared any day now.

Thanks for checking in!

[dawnfields1228]

Yep, in my mailbox, too. Today...form rejection letter...it did state there were almost 600 entries....Good luck to everyone else though!

[KTC]

None yet for me. I just checked. Maybe tomorrow.

[ohcuriousjo]

Sorry, guys. (I am definitely empathizing right now. I guess I should just try not to think about it... :/ <-- I seem to be making that face a lot lately.) Thanks for the encouragement. It means a lot.

[adarkfox]

No rejection yet... we shall see what the mail carrier brings tomorrow... jeez over 600 submissions? Holy crap.
dawn and AKB- when did you guys send yours in?

[AKB]

I sent mine in on 12/22/08; that being so close to the deadline I really didn't think I'd hear back at least for a few more weeks. Of course, me being me, I started to analyze what such an early response could mean - you know, 'your ms really sucked so we got it out of the way as fast as we could'. But, me also being me, I then worked out on my stepper for forty minutes and after stinking up the whole basement went on to write another ten pages in the manuscript I'm currently working on. You gotta keep a positive attitude even when you're feeling anything but...

Good luck!

[ohcuriousjo]

And when it comes down to it, you write to write, right? Here's a site I came across (I don't remember if I was googling or what) talking about the contest. http://pubrants.blogspot.com/2007/03/status-tired-and-ready-for-bed.html

I was at a Chinese restaurant with some friends today and took the last fortune cookie:
"You have a charming way with words and should write a book."
Oh, fortune cookie, if you only knew.

[adarkfox]

curious - thanks for the link! I don't know whether to laugh or cry at the thought of my MS being read at a lunch meeting LOL

[AlabamaGirl]

Hello! I just found this thread and wanted to put myself in the mix--I entered the Delacorte contest for the first time with my one and only manuscript. I know, I know, longshot, but you've got to start somewhere, right?
Good luck to all who entered!

[KTC]

Absolutely right, you have to start somewhere. I wish you luck with your entry!

And welcome to AW too! You'll love it here.

[RoseColoredSkies]

So I was considering entering once I get my second YA novel written (which most likely won't be for some time) but then I realized...isn't one of the rules you have to be unpublished? I'm going to be shopping my current YA ms to agents starting in November of this year..oh well. It's a nice thought but not everything works out.

[AKB]

I think to enter you cannot have published a YA novel at the time of entering. So I would think if you're fortunate enough to have sold another post-entering it should still be okay. But I could be wrong - anyone know for sure?

[AlabamaGirl]

Absolutely right, you have to start somewhere. I wish you luck with your entry!

And welcome to AW too! You'll love it here.
Thanks!

[Jillangill]

Did anybody else hear back yet? I haven't...so tough to wait!!!

[KTC]

I'm still waiting too.

[adarkfox]

still waiting... waiting..

[ohcuriousjo]

I have this terrible fear that they never actually got my ms...

[adarkfox]

I sent mine certified mail.... yet I still have the fear that a rabid bear wandered through the office and made off with my MS....o.0

[ohcuriousjo]

I hear that happens frequently at RH.

[adarkfox]

It was those Charmin bears... they were out of TP

[asaxena]

Hello everyone. I entered the Delacorte YA contest for the first time this year. Haven't heard anything yet. I too fear that maybe it didn't make it to Random House (even though I have delivery confirmation from the post office) or that a charmin bear ate it.
It's great reading everyone's posts/updates. Wish everyone the best of luck.

[AlabamaGirl]

Has anyone heard anything lately?

[adarkfox]

welcome asaxena to the waiting game! I am scared to go to the mailbox and see my MS returned with bear maul marks with a kind note that it was unreadable and to try again next year LoL
I submitted mine beginning of November... from what I can gather from reading up on the history of the contest the winner isn't announced until the end of April typically on the website but rejections in years past have stated "no prize winner this year" before the end of the contest..
All speculation and hearsay of course. I'm betting on the bears.

[KTC]

I have not heard anything yet. Welcome to AW!

[ohcuriousjo]

I wish I had known to opt for the delivery notice.

KTC, I like this new picture better :)

[AlabamaGirl]

I agree on both counts! Wish I could be certain my ms got there, and am loving the new pic--last one was a little, um, SCARY!!

[KTC]

lol. Yeah. I could see how this one isn't scary. (-;


I too wish I had gone with the delivery method thing. Still waiting. Still wondering if it was ever received. Not long, now...though.

[ohcuriousjo]

yup. 72ish days down; 48ish days to go.

[kairos]

Hi! I found this forum when I was searching for information about the Delacorte contest. I entered at the end of December and did the delivery confirmation thing but haven't heard back either. Good luck to everyone!

[KTC]

Hello Kairos. Welcome to AW! Good luck!

[AlabamaGirl]

Verla Kay's boards has a thread on this, too. Seems like a lot of people are still waiting. Hope I am not breaking any kind of board etiquette to supply this link...

http://www.verlakay.com/boards/index.php?topic=31360.60#bot

[ohcuriousjo]

I follow that one too; they haven't posted anything in awhile though.

[AlabamaGirl]

I know. Kinda makes you think that there might be a mass-mailout in the near future, huh?

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!! Maybe this is the year for one big winner and twenty or so Honor Books!!!!!

[ohcuriousjo]

that made me smile. that would be wonderful.

[Jillangill]

I got a form rejection today...sad! Good luck to those of you still in the running! :)

[asaxena]

Sorry to hear that Jillangill. I guess we should all start checking our mailboxes for form rejections. Happy St. Patty's Day everyone!

[asaxena]

Got a form rejection in the mail today. Best of luck to everyone else

[adarkfox]

nothing yet... my sympathies to those that have gone before me I hope no one is too discouraged and keeps at it!

[kairos]

Sorry to hear about the letters asaxena and jilliangill. Nothing yet here, but I am looking nervously at my mailbox every day...

[KTC]

For those of you who received a rejection, sorry to hear it. I'm still waiting. It's almost announcement time, so I am wondering if I maybe sent mine in too late and it didn't even make it in to the running. I should have received my rejection by now. )-: Oh well. I was going to send it in sooner, but I noticed that the deadline was a POSTMARKED date...so I sent it in at the very end. I want my rejection, dammit!

[AKB]

KTC - hopefully it just means you're the winner!! And if that's the case I'll be first in line to buy a copy!

Best of luck!

[Horseshoes]

Um, isn't their promised announcement date April 30th?
Isn't that another 40 days or so away?
Aren't you not at all due a rejection?
Aren't you going to get a phone call late next month?

Yeah, that's the spirit.

[Starfly]

Hello all. Just wanted to update everyone. I got my SAE returned to me last week. *SOB* :cry: After staring at it for the first hour, I finally opened it. It was the standard rejection w/information about next year's contest. I had entered my MS in mid December. Oh well - I know it was a rushed attempt and am excited to continue the revision I started about two days after entering.

Good luck to all of those still in the running!!!! :hooray:

[ohcuriousjo]

sorry starfly :(
You know, the strange thing is, even though I obviously don't want a rejection letter, I'm still checking every day. I'm waiting for it. I never thought I would come to resent my mailbox so much.

[adarkfox]

maybe it's because the odds of a favorable letter are slim and I'm expecting the epic fail of a rejection letter that's making the mail check so thrilling... I was ill last week and didn't get the mail for four days and it was sickly exciting to sort through the mail looking for my forlorn SASE (which I haven't gotten yet, knock on wood)... once the contest is over I won't have any fun with my mailbox anymore :(

[KTC]

Sorry to hear it, Starfly. Make sure you stick around AW...it's a great place and a great resource. Maybe next year!


I still didn't get anything. I too am looking everyday. A rejection letter would let me know that it was received. I keep thinking mine didn't even get in to the contest. (-;

[Horseshoes]

*makes note to send KTC the sixty-odd pennies for delivery confirmation next time*...

[KTC]

*makes note to send KTC the NINETY FOUR pennies for delivery confirmation next time*...


lol. I thought you were going to send me a rejection. Damn.


I put $1.26 on my SASE...I only had sixty-three cent stamps from USA...it's been a while since I smuggled them into the country. I think it's ninety-four cents for a stamp now??? I changed your post accordingly. (-;

[Starfly]

Sorry to hear it, Starfly. Make sure you stick around AW...it's a great place and a great resource. Maybe next year!

- Ahhh thanks KTC. :D Empathy - my favorite thing.


I still didn't get anything. I too am looking everyday. A rejection letter would let me know that it was received. I keep thinking mine didn't even get in to the contest. (-;

Excellent! No news is good news. Maybe by this time next year, I'll be picking your book up from Amazon. Good luck!!! :)

[AlabamaGirl]

I am waiting too!!!! And, of course, wondering if my ms ever reached its destination!!

Good luck to all the mailbox watchers out there!

[yanewbie]

Silly question. Did we enter the 2008 contest (which appears to have no winner) or are we waiting for 2009? (I am asking because the spacing on the list of winners on the website looks different than it did a few days ago.) Guess I'm just anxious to get the waiting over with.

[kairos]

I'm pretty sure I remember looking at the website when I entered in December and thinking, "Hmm, no winner for the past two years." So, I think we're waiting for the 2009 results to be posted (soon, I hope!). Anyone else remember something different from the website?

[yanewbie]

I am confused about the date of the contest because of this letter on EM Crane's site. (The 2006 winner.)
The title on the current home page also states it is the 26th annual contest.(???) However, if EM Crane won in 2006, and the entries were submitted in 2006... our entries were submitted in 2008... (Wish I had printed a copy of the page!)

Letter from the editor
Dear Reader:


The Delacorte Press Contest for a First Young adult novel has been around for twenty-six years. In 2006 we received over 400 submissions to the contest, and for each of the judges, the winner was clear. Skin Deep stood out to each of us for different reasons, but we all agreed that E. M. Crane’s writing has a simple elegance that speaks straight to the heart. We’ve all heard the saying that beauty is only skin deep. This is a book about what lies beneath the surface. It’s a multi-faceted story about loss and rebirth, about rising from the ashes, about self-discovery. About friendship and inner strength. And about looking beyond the superficial for the hidden beauty all around us - something that I think most of us forget to do in the glossy world we live in, and something I think is important to remember as we search for our own happiness.


K. Marino Editor, Delacorte Press

[ohcuriousjo]

I'm pretty sure it's the 2009 Contest.

[yanewbie]

Thanks! I am anxious and dreading the end of the contest.

[KTC]

i'm waiting too.... i wonder if there are 'finalists' or how it works....?


They can choose to offer writers contracts whether or not they win.

[KTC]

Oh...and welcome to AW, Penny and Newbie! Enjoy your stay.

[yanewbie]

Thank you. This is my first attempt at a YA manuscript. (Only had time to complete it because I am one of the 8 million unemployed.) I was a freelance writer for most of my career, and I am trying to get back into books and magazines, except the economy doesn't seem to be cooperating! Good luck to all of you.

[prairiewolf]

I forgot to include the SASE this time. I entered the MG contest two years ago. I figure they'll call the winner. All my good writing news has come with a phone call or email, not a letter. Anyway, hope you all will keep this thread updated about the results so I'll know when to start querying agents. :)

[yanewbie]

I have been trying to line up several agents to query, based on published works that are similar to my submission. Anyone have any other suggestions for picking an agent to query, or know of any receptive agencies?

[prairiewolf]

I have been trying to line up several agents to query, based on published works that are similar to my submission. Anyone have any other suggestions for picking an agent to query, or know of any receptive agencies?

Try exploring http://www.querytracker.net/

[Momento Mori]

Hi, yanewbie, and welcome to AW.

yanewbie:
Anyone have any other suggestions for picking an agent to query, or know of any receptive agencies?

Basically most agencies are receptive to queries - the key is to research a list of possible agencies to submit to and then check their submission requirements.

For research purposes, most folks here would suggest Publishers Marketplace (which I believe requires a subscription) or Query Tracker in the first instance. If you're worried about potential scammers, then you can verify agencies on Preditors and Editors or on the Bewares and Background Check Forum here on AW.

If you're in the UK, then the Children's Writers & Artist's Year Book is an invaluable starting point - your local library should have a copy, or it's about £13 from any book store. It lists UK and overseas agencies interested in YA and children's and is well worth a look.

Failing that, if you Google authors who've published work similar to yours, then you should be able to find out who their agent is. Although this can be a good tool, be aware though that some agents may not be as receptive to your project on the basis that they don't want too much of the same thing, which is why it's always best to query well and query widely.

MM

[pennymichelle]

thanks.
i guess i got a little disenchanted & bored of waiting around to win a contest or hear something positive from an agent so i decided to self-publish. it's actually amazing what you can do with self-publishing, and amazing to see all the people that will be excited to buy a copy & support a d.i.y. project. i used lulu.com to do it & then made a website to sell it. check it out if you want.. www.lefthanded.bigcartel.com (http://www.lefthanded.bigcartel.com)
: )

[yanewbie]

Lots of good advice, thank you! Too late I learned about the Amazon.com contest -- probably meant to promote their self-publishing venture. Might be something to think about for the end of this year http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/features/amazonbreakthrough/index.html

[Momento Mori]

Hi, pennymichelle, and welcome to AW.

pennymichelle:
i guess i got a little disenchanted & bored of waiting around to win a contest or hear something positive from an agent so i decided to self-publish.

There's nothing wrong with self-publishing if you have specific goals or are writing to a particular niche (and Lulu is one of the better self-publishing outfits out there). However if you're looking to achieve high sales and eventually support a career as a writer, then it's usually best to keep sticking at the commercial publishing route (including querying agents) as the returns are usually better.

Best of luck for your book.

MM

[writerfromtheledge]

Well, I've been reading this forum over the past few months and thought I'd join in with the rest of you in sharing the angst of that lonely walk to the mailbox.

It's been eerily quiet. Too quiet, from the Delacorte camp. I've been trying to figure out some rhyme or reason as to how the rejections have been going out, but I'm lost. It seems like a lot of us have not heard a peep yet, which could point to a mass mailing in the near future.

I was lucky enough to land an agent shortly after submitting my manuscript in late December. But, as all of you know, the manuscript can't be shopped around while it's under consideration for the contest.

So, over the past few months I've gone back and forth between wanting/not wanting a rejection in the mailbox. I suppose waiting four months is not that long relative to the publishing world... things seem to move slowly. But in the eleventh hour of this contest, I'm getting a bit antsy.

[yanewbie]

"April is the cruelest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain."

Sitting by the mailbox is cruel, but rejection is worse -- because then all hope is dashed. These are the final three weeks that try our writing souls.

[kairos]

I actually had a dream last night where I found not only a form rejection in my mailbox, but my entire manuscript stuffed in there looking in sad shape. I felt pretty bummed waking up. It's definitely hard looking at the calendar and knowing there are three weeks to go. It'll be nice to have a clear answer by this time next month. There's gotta be a mass mailout coming up relatively soon...

[AlabamaGirl]

Thanks for chiming in, Writerfromtheledge!! Congratulations on the agent--that bodes well for your entry--it must be very good!!

Unfortunately I agree with the mass-mailout prediction, which is at odds with my ever-so-slight allowance of hope that I might actually be in contention. There. That should do it--the last nail in my coffin...

Thanks for the updates--I love coming to this thread and seeing the additions!

[writerfromtheledge]

lol, AlabamaGirl... One of the reasons I waited so long to post something is because of my superstitious nature when it comes to contests and such. I just knew the moment I posted to the forum that SASE would be lurking in the mailbox. So, I'll join ya with that "last nail in the coffin" notion.

[adarkfox]

*eerie music starts*
I feel like we're all in a dark attic lit by candles eating cheetos, waiting for the word from the Powers That Be.... ;)

[KTC]

my mailbox is laughing sardonically at me every day...but it has not yet spewed any Delacorte replies at me. There's always today....

[yanewbie]

Current mood: anxious. Was submission lost on someone's desk and never read? Will deadline to hear extend past April 30th? Or worse, will I hear something today? Vow to keep working on manuscript this afternoon...

[footloose]

I read on an old SCWBI thread that the winner does not typically get the call until the contest's scheduled end date, i.e. April 30, and it's not uncommon for non-winners to receive their rejection letters well into May. I know the latter is definitely true. The former may be speculation on someone's part since the winner is not posted until May.

In any case, I find assuming I'll hear nothing before May has really taken the pressure off.

I hope everyone has a relaxed and non-obsessing Easter. Eat lots of chocolate. You'll never have a better excuse!

[yanewbie]

Thanks for the information. Current mood: resigned to waiting. Vow to stop thinking about contest ....

[KTC]

Thanks, footloose. And welcome to AW.

The only thing I wonder about is whether or not it made it there on time. I have another manuscript with an agent and two others with publishers...I'm used to waiting. (-;

[AlabamaGirl]

Way to go, KTC!!!!!!

[pengwinz]

Just registered. Submitted my ms near end of December and still waiting (who knew one could sit on pins and needles so long?). It's getting to be that time; anyone else heard yet?

[yanewbie]

I submitted mine in October -- six months is a very long time to wait!

[footloose]

Thanks for the welcome KTC and congratulations on having so much out there. I'm sorry you're anxious your ms might not have arrived. I'm not sure what to say to that. The Canadian postal system is pretty good and it sounds like your work would be given serious consideration, so there's probably a very good reason you haven't heard yet.

Yanewbie, I think it's impossible to totally put this contest out of your mind, particularly with the end approaching, but look at it this way, if you do get rejected your work truly went the distance. How cool is that?

And if all other sunny rationalizations fail to reduce our collective stress level we can always take solace in that fact that we have only 3 more weeks left, max. ;-)

[AlabamaGirl]

I am so sad. I got my SASE today.

Good luck to all of you still waiting. I'll keep checking the thread to see if I "know" the winner!

[kairos]

Oh no! So sorry to hear that AlabamaGirl. Thanks for keeping everyone updated though. I will be watching my own mailbox with a close eye for that familiar SASE envelope.

[pengwinz]

Funny thing, every time I check the mail, I'm actually thrilled to see bills and junk mail - anything but a plain white standard envelope. Of course, paying the bills is another matter, but each day that passes without the SASE seems to balance it out.

[KTC]

Sorry to hear that, Alabamagirl. In Canada, there was no mail yesterday...holiday. I'll be checking again today.

[writerfromtheledge]

AlabamaGirl- Sorry to hear about the SASE. I plan to creep a bit more slowly to the mailbox today. Take Care.

[yanewbie]

You are correct, footloose, it is not possible to stop thinking about the contest or approaching the mailbox with dread. Still torn between wanting the waiting to be over, but not wanting to hear that hope, for this year's contest at least, has vanished. Are there any other contests like this one?

[AlabamaGirl]

Thanks, guys. I haven't cried...yet, but your kind words did put some tears in my eyes...

BIG SIGH.

Looks like I'll have to do it the old fashioned way. Query letter, here I come!

[pengwinz]

Thanks, guys. I haven't cried...yet, but your kind words did put some tears in my eyes...

BIG SIGH.

Looks like I'll have to do it the old fashioned way. Query letter, here I come!
So sorry, AlabamaGirl. I have a feeling there'll be flood of like posts over the next few days. Just bills in the mail yesterday, but when I woke this morning the sky had that dreary look to it. Be dusting off my query pen too, I think, real soon.

By the way, I have this fear that the winner and runners up were already notified and are revising. Anyone know if this might be true, or have the same thought? One of the earlier posts said something about a runner up working on revisions before it was announced there wouldn't be a winner. I guess we'll know when we know.

[yanewbie]

Well, I have joined AlabamaGirl; my mailman brought my SASE back today. Good luck to all of you who are still waiting!

[footloose]

I am so sorry AlabamaGirl and yanewbie. My stomach lurched when I saw you were both out of the running. I think our prediction of a mass mail out was actually true. I dodged the bullet today but...

[AKB]

I received my rejection a while back so my heart is out to all of you who received one too! And I do wonder which is worse...waiting for contest results or writing the dreaded query...

Everyone should keep their chins up, though. After I got my rejection I sent my ms to some agents and after getting a fairly consistent reply of "good writing but too hard to break out in literary fiction..." I sent it to a few publishers. So far I've only heard from one - it was bittersweet. The editorial director sent me a letter saying how much she loved the ms and recommended it to her publisher but their editorial needs shifted and they will only be publishing Canadian authors in the near future. BUT, given her praise and her great edit suggestions - which I'm almost done incorporating - I'm feeling pretty good about its potential.

Bottom line, this contest is just one avenue to publication and what everyone says is true - this business is totally subjective! What one person thinks sucks another thinks is a masterpiece!!

Best of luck to everyone!!

[adarkfox]

No word yet... repeating yanewbie's question, in the event of a returned SASE.... are there any other contest similar to this one?

It would be cool if Delacorte let you know like "you MS was rejected second round" or "oh you were a final round cut, better luck next year"..... I'm curious if my MS actually made it this far (sent it in early November) or if it was axed in December but no one's gotten around to the rejection yet, LoL.

[adarkfox]

LMAO I got a rejection letter in the email today. From an agency I submitted a query to almost 11 months ago.

The humorous part is that they already sent me a rejection 10 months ago on the same query.

My chances aren't looking too good for Delacorte if I'm getting multiple axes for one submission LoL. Just thought I'd share the humor.

[KTC]

Sorry adarkfox and yanewbie. Sorry to hear it. Please...the time is ripe to get down and dirty with your manuscripts and get them ready for the market. Go to http://www.agentquery.com/ to find an agent who seems like a good fit and query them.

Nothing yet in my mailbox. Seems like they must have just did a mass mailing, though. Good luck to those who still have not heard anything.

[yanewbie]

It is a subjective business. Many times I have had manuscripts returned and (although I have never dusted for fingerprints) it is obvious that the pages were not turned or even disturbed from the staple or paper clip.
My manuscript wasn't really "fiction," I was hoping to get someone to read it! I will take KTC's advice and start querying agents, today! Keep trying -- I was lucky a number of years ago, and had a non-fiction book published from a query that came in over the transom. And, I had another published that had been rejected previously. Keep writing; someone out there will be interested!

[pengwinz]

My sympathies go out to those who got their SASEs today. Still nothing in my mailbox, but I'm sure it's the vagaries of the postal service and I'll get mine tomorrow... or Thursday...

Going offline now to get some Pepcid.

[ohcuriousjo]

I'm sorry to hear about the rejections, guys--though it's encouraging to hear about people who have had success through other avenues. I keep randomly bringing up the "percentage of error of the US postal system" in daily conversation, and even though people reassure me it's low, I can't help wondering.

[adarkfox]

Whew, got the mail today... no reject today.

I know *obviously* we all sent in YA fiction MS... just curious what age/topic or sub-genre everyone's MS were?

[pengwinz]

Mine's mainstream, coming-of-age, male MC; perhaps not edgy or unusual enough I suppose. Used the full page allotment, so maybe somebody's using it for a doorstop somewhere. Hate to think a sapling somewhere may have sacrificed itself for this.

[KTC]

I really don't know how I would classify mine. I guess that's probably a bad thing.

[pengwinz]

KTC, turn it on its head: your story's so novel it can't be pigeonholed by a (sub)genre. Market to the buyer's sense of adventure or curiosity.

[KTC]

lol. I am just not good at placing my stuff within a genre. It's not coming of age...it only spans maybe 3 weeks. It's about 3 boys who get into trouble and then get into more trouble and then try to work their way out of it. Not really action, but it has lots of action in it.

[tiger-lily]

Sorry if I do this incorrectly - newbie to this.
re: Delacourte Press contest for YA - I submitted and was in by 10/15-07 - got a form letter rejection 3/15/07 - yes Ides of march. I thought that since it took them that long, maybe I'd hear from another editor. No soap. No disrespect, but has anyone else notoced that all of the contest winners seem to be women?

That is probably because there are more women who write YA/MG/Kids. It's a matter of probability, not discrimination.

I am working on a mss for the MG contest. A $7500 advance is actually a lot higher than standard 1st book. Not bad if you win. Same chances as getting picked out of the slush pile.

[yanewbie]

Like garrett, I mailed my manuscript in October. Heard back on April 14, thought there would at least be an inkling that someone had "considered" it... but maybe it was merely on the bottom of the pile! In some ways, I feel better knowing.... the waiting was killing me.

[footloose]

I also firmly believe what someone said earlier that it is not a reflection on your work but a matter of timing and the needs of that particular publishing house. I have read so many accounts of writers finding a home for their work within months, even weeks, of a Delacorte rejection.

It does mean you have to start again putting your work out there, which is inevitably disappointing, but for the vast majority of us that's the reality of the business.

[KTC]

That is probably because there are more women who write YA/MG/Kids. It's a matter of probability, not discrimination.

I am working on a mss for the MG contest. A $7500 advance is actually a lot higher than standard 1st book. Not bad if you win. Same chances as getting picked out of the slush pile.

I am polishing my MG too. Might as well give it a shot.

[kairos]

You are correct, footloose, it is not possible to stop thinking about the contest or approaching the mailbox with dread. Still torn between wanting the waiting to be over, but not wanting to hear that hope, for this year's contest at least, has vanished. Are there any other contests like this one?


Sorry to hear the bad news yanewbie. Checked my mail today and so far no SASE....getting nervous though. I was looking for other contests, and couldn't find anything for YA. It looks like there's a Milkweed contest for Middle Grade though. http://www.milkweed.org/content/view/23/32/

Anyone know if there are any other reputable YA contests, or if the best bet is to query agents after the Delacorte YA one is over?

[AlabamaGirl]

I am officially (and pathetically!) addicted to this thread...

Sorry to hear about the letter YaNewbie. Good luck with your querying. And to all of you still waiting, I really am pulling for you!! I am itching to read your novels!!!!

Which leads me to asking for help. I posted a query and could use some advice. I think my character description might be cumbersome. Help!!

[pengwinz]

...It looks like there's a Milkweed contest for Middle Grade though. http://www.milkweed.org/content/view/23/32/
...
Kairos, Milkweed is great if you can get it. $10,000 upfront against royalties. Looks like no deadline (MSs submitted for publication are automatically entered into the contest, and since they accept unsolicited MSs, this may be right in case the Delacorte is not a possibility (like all houses, they make it a point to remind you to check their lists for appropriateness). I've got this on my list of possibilities for MSs.
They also have a National Fiction Contest...

[pengwinz]

I am officially (and pathetically!) addicted to this thread...

Sorry to hear about the letter YaNewbie. Good luck with your querying. And to all of you still waiting, I really am pulling for you!! I am itching to read your novels!!!!

Which leads me to asking for help. I posted a query and could use some advice. I think my character description might be cumbersome. Help!!
AlabamaGirl, not sure what I can do, but I'd be happy to lend an ear, maybe help parse the CD. For what it's worth, I've been told my own writing's a bit stiff sometimes...

[AlabamaGirl]

Eeks, Pengwinz--don't even look for my query--it's horrible and I'm embarrassed! I am getting lots of help, though!

[pengwinz]

No worries, AlabamaGirl. The offer stands, of course (we gotta help each other out, right?).

No rejection today, but it being tax day is almost as bad.

[ohcuriousjo]

I am officially (and pathetically!) addicted to this thread...

Ah! Same here! Sometimes (should we start a pathetic club?), when I'm trying to avoid other work, I just sit and google Delacorte YA Contest. That's how I came across this site. I feel dread driving home sometimes thinking about what might be waiting for me.

[KTC]

I feel dread driving home sometimes thinking about what might be waiting for me.

hehe. I hear ya. There could be any number of rejections or acceptances in my mailbox every day...but this damn thing is the only thing I ever think of! No Delacorte mail today for me.

[yanewbie]

Take a look at this "contest" of sorts, that includes 50 real and fake query letters. It helped me understand what not to say in a letter:
http://nathanbransford.blogspot.com/2009/04/thats-it.html

[MissKris]

Take a look at this "contest" of sorts, that includes 50 real and fake query letters. It helped me understand what not to say in a letter:
http://nathanbransford.blogspot.com/2009/04/thats-it.html

Yup, this is a fun contest. And eye-opening. There's a whole thread about it over in the Roundtable. :Sun:

[yanewbie]

I'm new -- please help! Where is the Roundtable? Can you paste a link? thanks

[KTC]

I'm new -- please help! Where is the Roundtable? Can you paste a link? thanks

If you click on NEW POSTS across the top, you will get all of the current posts since your last visit. If you look to the far right of these posts you will see the FORUM that they are posted to. Quite often AW ROUNDTABLE will be in the list...as it is frequently posted to. Here's a direct link to the forum:

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=123

But if you use NEW POSTS you will see a large mix of different posts in various forums, ROUNDTABLE included.

[yanewbie]

Thank you, KTC.

[prairiewolf]

Sorry to hear about the returned rejections. I'm still living in blissful denial since I forgot to include my SASE with my submission. I thought I remembered my MG novel rejection included the name of the winner, but maybe I'm mixing that up with some other submission? What was included in the rejection?

[prairiewolf]

Kairos, Milkweed is great if you can get it. $10,000 upfront against royalties. Looks like no deadline (MSs submitted for publication are automatically entered into the contest, and since they accept unsolicited MSs, this may be right in case the Delacorte is not a possibility (like all houses, they make it a point to remind you to check their lists for appropriateness). I've got this on my list of possibilities for MSs.
They also have a National Fiction Contest...
Milkweed is a wonderful press. I had a story in one of their anthologies and was thrilled with the quality and how they treated the writers. Sadly, they haven't wanted my novels. I entered my MG novel there too. It took forever to hear back...

[kairos]

Thanks for the info about Milkweed! Glad to hear you had a good experience with your story, prairiewolf.

[writerfromtheledge]

Received the dreaded SASE today. Good luck to those of you who remain.

[pengwinz]

So sorry, Writerfromtheledge (BTW, what a great user name! So true...).
I'd been thinking (read that: obsessing) that maybe Delacorte is sending out SASEs in bunches on Mondays, but it seems that's not the case.

[KTC]

Sorry, ledgewriter. Keep putting yourself out there!

My mail isn't delivered until just after 4pm...still waiting.

[yanewbie]

Who is still in the running? (I need to dream vicariously!)

[footloose]

Friday mail has come and no SASE yet, though I've joined KTC in questioning the reliability of the mail service.

[Horseshoes]

I've just this week rcvd my 2nd Sorry note...oddly, neither wqs in my SASE, but in a d/ctr env. w/ their metered mail.

[pengwinz]

Bummer days, Horseshoes.
Did you enter 2 MSs? Or are they rubbing it in?
No SASE yet in my mailbox, but I'm quickly running out of Pepcid.

[kairos]

No SASE today... but I could use some of that Pepcid too.

[yanewbie]

I've just this week rcvd my 2nd Sorry note...oddly, neither wqs in my SASE, but in a d/ctr env. w/ their metered mail.


Both from Delacorte?

[AlabamaGirl]

No worries, AlabamaGirl. The offer stands, of course (we gotta help each other out, right?).

No rejection today, but it being tax day is almost as bad.
OK, I MIGHT be ready for you to take a look at my query. If you click on my name you should see an option to see my posts...
Thanks Pengwinz!

[ohcuriousjo]

I skimmed a bit of what was there. QLH is harsh! But I think that if/when I write any queries, I will submit them into QLH; it looks highly helpful. btw, AG, I was very intrigued by the plot info you included. I would read that book!

[pengwinz]

OK, I MIGHT be ready for you to take a look at my query. If you click on my name you should see an option to see my posts...
Thanks Pengwinz!

Hey AG,
I replied on the query thread with my thoughts- more general than specific, since it looks like all the salient points have already been made by others. I'm afraid I was a bit effusive.

Just one other thing: don't try to summarize your entire story and introduce every character in the QL. I know, this is your baby and you want to show off all ten fingers and all ten toes, but sometimes a peek at the chin does the trick. Remember, you want to hook the agent. It's the manuscript that's going to reel them in or not.

[AlabamaGirl]

OK, enough about me. I rather write a novel than craft a query, and that is saying something powerful. (Thanks for the support, by the way!)

I am going on vacation and NOT taking my laptop, so I fully expect to come home next week and read that one or more of you have been named finalist/honor book/winner of the Delacorte contest!

Good luck! I am rooting for all of you!

[KTC]

My mailbox was empty again today.

[yanewbie]

I guess no news is good news!

[KTC]

My mailbox was empty again today.

[kairos]

Same here.... nothing from Delacorte in the mail. The suspense is killing me! At least we only have about a week to go!

[footloose]

I found this interview interesting. Something else to think about while trying not to think about what isn't appearing in the letterbox.

http://www.scbwi.org/faces/getting_to_know/lane.htm

[yanewbie]

Very interesting interview. Now I know why my manuscript was rejected -- it's nothing like the books she likes!

[pengwinz]

Well, I'm off the Pepcid and moving on to the uppers. Got my SASE back today. Form letter, no comments. They were kind enough to send along announcements for the MG contest (I actually just today finished the MS I was planning on submitting) and the next YA contest.

All the best of luck to those of you remaining. Just one week to go...

[footloose]

Sorry to hear that pengwinz but it sounds like you have the right attitude - focus on getting your MG ready and start querying that YA. Best of luck with both.

[ohcuriousjo]

That was a very interesting interview--another way to get my Delacorte fix. I'm really curious about the judging process. I found that editor/writer blog awhile back about how they all get together with their manuscripts over Friday lunch, but there's supposed to be only a week left! What are they doing now?

Seriously, call me paranoid, but I read an article this year (I can't remember where) about this person who was a "substitute" mail person. S/he got so behind s/he rented a storage space to store all the unsent letters. !!

[kairos]

Sorry to hear about the SASE, pengwinz. Best of luck with querying and with your MG manuscript though!

ohcuriousjo, I remember reading the same article about the mail. I think this is it http://www.slate.com/id/2204823/pagenum/all/. Hopefully the mailmen carrying Delacorte mail are happy and well-adjusted. :)

I've googled a bit myself searching for info about the judging process but couldn't find much. The interview article posted earlier today was interesting though!

[yanewbie]

Last three days.... Good luck to all remaining...

[KTC]

I didn't get anything in the mail today. Do you think everybody who enters on time gets a rejection letter, or do they just send out some??? I really believe that the winners--if any--would have been notified by now. I just wish I knew that they got it. If they didn't I'd want to send it in to next year's contest. Oh well. I guess I will never know. C'est la vie.

[mjwashere]

I've been following along with you all, but never received anything in the mail either.

I think not hearing anything can be one of three options: 1. you are the winner or an honor winner; 2. they like your MS and want to work with you; 3. they are cruel and unusual and didn't notify all of us waiting because they like it.

I wouldn't worry about not hearing, because it is good no matter what. I can't imagine it got lost in the mail.

If people don't hear by Thursday, then we are all FREE of waiting. The contest is over and they cannot stop us from submitting! Purgatory over! Personally, I can't WAIT (can you tell?). I've been polishing up my draft and crafting queries and researching agents, and I'm practically going nuts waiting for Thursday.

Good luck to everyone! I hope there IS a winner.

[kairos]

I'm wondering the same thing as KTC. I think, from what I've read online, that the winner gets a phone call sometime in April.
http://courtneysummers.ca/2008/03/interview-with-em-crane-author-of-skin-deep/

If you scroll down a little bit, you'll see a question in the interview where E.M. Crane talks about getting a phone call informing her she'd won. I guess it's possible they could call the lucky winner on the very last day? I'm wondering if they send out some rejections into May though, since the contest website says the winner (if any) is announced "on or about" April 30th. It would be nice to have some closure on this contest soon!

[footloose]

I've definitely read posts from people who didn't receive their rejections until mid-May so I don't think the fact that we haven't heard is particularly significant. I think the editors are dealing with increased volume every year without the commensurate increase in staff. In the current recession they may even be dealing with less staff.

I am inclined to concur with KTC that to have heard absolutely nothing at this point is not good news. There was a post on Verla's thread from someone who said she was a "named finalist" two years ago. Even though she didn't win and ultimately wasn't published, she was given the opportunity to resubmit a revision. That begs the question of how and when they notify "finalists."

While I'm inclined to think the winner would have been notified by now, I did read one post that suggested the winner is notified on the day the contest ends. Someone needs to fire off an email to E.M. Crane. I'm sure she'd be thrilled to get drawn into our anxiety-fest.

In any case, my tortured compatriots, we have only three days left.

[pengwinz]

While I totally understand kairos' mindset that it's nice to have closure, in this case (at least coming from the POV of someone having received my SASE), it's probably overrated. Waiting sure beats facing reality, even if it is only for a few more days. For those of you who still haven't heard, there is yet a glimmer of hope that you will get that coveted winner or finalist spot, or maybe even a "non-winner-whose-MS-we-want-to-buy" offer...

As for me (and I may be speaking for everyone who has submitted and been or will be rejected), it would be absolutely devastating if Delacorte doesn't select a winner. In that regard, I'd like to hear from others who submitted in years past when there wasn't a winner: Did you eventually get your work published? What did it take? Did you think your submission was of very good quality? C'mon, be honest.

[mjwashere]

Pengwinz--agreed. I think we should all have a positive mindset about not having heard back. Something something THE SECRET something something.

I really do think they notify the winner at the last possible moment, and they keep a lot of manuscripts to look at it because it is a lot cheaper than working with an agent, and in this market, that's what people want. Cheer up, all. It's good to not hear back, even if it's torture. Think of it as a good kind of torture: It's like EDWARD and BELLA!

Anyhow, I really do feel it would be good either way, in a Pollyanna manner, to have Friday come and me be able to fire off all those queries, or get a magical call on Thursday. This week is going to be good.

Now all we have to do is survive through it.

(and Pengwinz, I have no clue at all if my MS is good; how can you ever really know?)

[ohcuriousjo]

mjwashere, I like your attitude! And your Twilight allusion... :) Raise your hand if you're jealous of Stephenie Meyer...

I know, lost mail theories are probably overrated, but still--not only could my ms have been lost on the way there, the rejection could be lost on the way back! oh my. I am looking fwd to putting my ms back out there though.

[pengwinz]

(and Pengwinz, I have no clue at all if my MS is good; how can you ever really know?)

Of course it's good! They're all good. Mine was good... I think. ; )

Actually, it's funny how different things look with a few months of perspective. I look at my submission letter and cringe. Not to forget that, after cutting my 110,000-word masterpiece down to ~65,000 to fit the Delacorte guidelines, I realized how much much garbage was in there. I look at it now and realize there's much more I can trim. A few more revisions and I may even be able to publish it in a Twitter post.

Anyway, kairos was onto something. After the initial despair wears off, it does help to get back into an active stance.

[mjwashere]

Thanks jo and pengwinz. Attitude is everything, right? And Stephenie Meyer is a freaking (rich) genius, isn't she? Now to just figure out a way to put some sexy vampires in my manuscript. Hmmm...

Also, I just checked the verlakay thread and there are a few people waiting there, too. Color me puzzled about what's going on with the contest; they are obviously holding back on a LOT of people, which makes me shifty to send things out NOW, especially since I will be working until the wee hours on Thursday and probably won't get to it until the weekend. If I weren't such a rule follower, I would be rebelling and submitting things already.

Hopefully everyone here has some good books or good jobs or cute kids or, you know, alcohol, to tide them over. I just finished my last library book and am out until my next hold comes through.

Please entertain me and tell me what the last entertaining book you read (YA or not). Mine happened to be YA and was Looking For Alaska by John Green. Yours?

[KTC]

Nothing today. Again.

[ohcuriousjo]

John Green! He is one of my favorite authors. If you haven't, you should check out his two other books, An Abundance of Katherines and Paper Towns. I am currently reading Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison.

I agree. They are obviously holding out on a lot of people. I do hope they announce on 4/30 though, rather than "around" then. They say they will do so on their site--does anyone know where? And has anyone emailed E.M. Crane? Though, I suppose we theoretically have less than two days left to wait.

[kairos]

Checked the mail and nothing for me today either. Like everyone said, it does seem like a lot of people are waiting. Hopefully April 30th will be the decision day for Delacorte.

Right now I'm reading King Dork by Frank Portman and I'm really loving it. I haven't read John Green yet but I'll have to check him out.

[pengwinz]

Best of past two months:

Leif Enger's Peace Like a River was absolutely fantastic, beautiful. I wasn't so thrilled with his So Brave, Young, and Handsome though.

For YA, I enjoyed Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games and Neil Shusterman's Antsy Does Time (better than The Schwa was Here).

[pengwinz]

And Stephenie Meyer is a freaking (rich) genius, isn't she? Now to just figure out a way to put some sexy vampires in my manuscript. Hmmm...


I haven't read her yet, but it's interesting to watch the phenom develop around her books and movies. Apparently Stephen King doesn't think she writes well, but compares her to JKRowling (who he does think writes well) in terms of reaching the masses. If true (and again, I can't say, not having read her books), what does this say to those of us struggling to write well? Does this really mean that the story itself can overcome poor technique? Compelling characters? Premise? Can good writing really be dispensed with?

Any other thoughts?

[pengwinz]

In that regard, I'd like to hear from others who submitted in years past when there wasn't a winner: Did you eventually get your work published? What did it take? Did you think your submission was of very good quality? C'mon, be honest.

Just found a post over on Verla Kay from Saundra Mitchell who just published Shadowed Summer (Delacorte, looks like it's doing well on Amazon). She mentions not winning the Delacorte YA contest when she submitted but after extensive revisions sold the same story to Delacorte. I assume it's the same one. For whatever it's worth, it just reaffirms that a non-winning entry can still find a home after outright rejection, even with the same house!

[mjwashere]

<soapbox>
Pengwinz, IMO I think Stephen King is wrong. I think Meyer writes her story well. I also think King is judging people for liking Meyer more than he is judging Meyer, and I think it comparable to saying that people should only read "the classics" or some such garbage. People should read what they want, be it smut or mass market or classics.
And then, a caveat. I do think JK Rowling does a better job and is a better writer (even though I'd rather gouge my eyes out than read about another freaking quidditch match) but she's also writing a very different story. I've only read Meyer's first book in the series, though, so that's what I'm judging on. Vampires aren't quite my "thing," book-wise, but I was curious, and I do think she does a very good job with her intended audience--it's a good romance, and even though by all accounts it should be creepy, gross, misogynistic, I see past all of it and it just seems entertaining and good and I was sucked in immediately, and that, to me, is what good writing is. King is obviously using a different rubric, but he also probably doesn't think like a teenage girl (and I, shame-facedly, do, despite being (grumble grumble) age.) I am happy that Meyer is out there and making the publishing industry even more open to women, to mothers, to those who write a good story. Also, I think there is room for everyone, as there should be. Write the story that you're given, and write it well, and there will be room for you, even if it is just for you to know that you are a good writer. </soapbox>

Uh, anyhow, good luck to everyone. I hope one of you very deserving people wins the contest. Also, I am being undermined by my life and stupid RESPONSIBILITIES (sheesh!) so I won't have any queries out by Friday. I hope someone else will be canvassing all the agents in the universe in my stead. Perhaps all of the unwinningest authors here could have a pact to send our queries all out to some agent we would def. be rejected by anyhow, like Nathan Bransford? That would be fun. And also, thank you for all the good YA reads so far. My library queue is building!

[mjwashere]

PS in case I didn't say it, like KTC, my mailbox was empty again, too.

[AKB]

Can I be first in the agent query pact list? I sent mine out to Nathan Bransford and just over 24 hours later got my rejection. Darn, and I thought...

[mjwashere]

Excellent, AKB! Nothing like an expected rejection to get the juices flowing, huh? I like this plan already. I am an evil genius!

Despite work and kids and a filthy house, I will do my best to send something out to him on Friday, and will likely report back here a few minutes later with my rejection. :) I probably won't be able to check the thread again until Friday, so please, if someone gets The Call, shout it from the rooftops so I hear, OK?

[yanewbie]

Can I be first in the agent query pact list? I sent mine out to Nathan Bransford and just over 24 hours later got my rejection. Darn, and I thought...

I was also rejected by NB, but I do appreciate his prompt reply. He is the BEST. Other agents take weeks, sometimes months, to respond to a simple query... I give NB an A+ for his time management skills (even if he doesn't like my ideas!).

[pengwinz]

Can I be first in the agent query pact list? I sent mine out to Nathan Bransford and just over 24 hours later got my rejection. Darn, and I thought...
Me too. Maybe we can just form a special elite, member's-only unit of the agent reject club just for us (probably millions) who have been rejected by NB :) But, that's why we sumit to him, of course, because he is good and can afford to pick the cream of the crop.

[danseuse322]

It's pretty tacky to make your first post April 29, but I just signed up.
My mailbox was empty too... so HOW many of us are there? I was excited for a while, but if a hundred people are left we are not all going to be Honor Books either... And of course there is the "on or around." I did do delivery confirmation on mine and know it arrived Dec. 28.

[Starfly]

These posts cracked me up as I'm totally a part of the Delacorte Contest / Nathan B. reject club. NB sent me a rejection within - are you ready for this - 2 hours. I was crushed. I think it wouldn't have hurt nearly as much if it had been 24 hours but will give kudos for at least inviting submissions via email and responding back.

[AKB]

I think the biggest crack up would be if one of the Delacorte/NB rejects lands a nice deal with another agent and sells a gazillion copies! Hey, I want to be that reject...

[pengwinz]

I submitted at 10:22pm on a Tuesday night and got my reject at 8:59 the next morning. Does the guy not sleep?!

[KTC]

Nothing in the mailbox today.

[ohcuriousjo]

Who is this NB agent? I could google him but that would be less interesting.

I've read all of the Twilight series; I loved the first one, but ended up pretty stuck-up toward it in the end. Part of it is probably because I'm insanely jealous of Stephenie Meyer's success, and part of it is watching select John Green youtube videos talking about the unhealthy unreality behind Edward Cullen. By the way, there was an interesting Newsweek article about Jodi Picoult and reading (the whole escapism vs. "nutritional value" issue) a few weeks ago. http://www.newsweek.com/id/193475 --It mentions Stephenie Meyer as well as Stephen King.

Please, if anyone finds the announcement on the Delacorte site / gets the call, let us know!!

[Starfly]

Who is this NB agent? I could google him but that would be less interesting.
NB = Nathan Bransford. He is a literary agent who kindly answers questions for AW forums.

I've read all of the Twilight series; I loved the first one, but ended up pretty stuck-up toward it in the end. Part of it is probably because I'm insanely jealous of Stephenie Meyer's success, and part of it is watching select John Green youtube videos talking about the unhealthy unreality behind Edward Cullen. By the way, there was an interesting Newsweek article about Jodi Picoult and reading (the whole escapism vs. "nutritional value" issue) a few weeks ago. http://www.newsweek.com/id/193475 --It mentions Stephenie Meyer as well as Stephen King.

Please, if anyone finds the announcement on the Delacorte site / gets the call, let us know!!

I hear you regarding the Twilight series. I finally read the first one and have the others ordered via Amazon. I was quite surprised to find that Stephanie's writing didn't exactly amaze me nor did her description of the vampires. Their characteristics are based on the folklore we've always heard from books and movies. Nothing new. However, the relationship between Edward and Bella is intense and why this series, in my humble opinion, has been succesful. Perhaps I'll change my tune after I complete the next three books.

[kairos]

My mailbox was empty too... so HOW many of us are there? I was excited for a while, but if a hundred people are left we are not all going to be Honor Books either... And of course there is the "on or around." I did do delivery confirmation on mine and know it arrived Dec. 28.

Welcome danseuse322! I was thinking about how many people are left too. This is totally idle speculation, but it seems like there are about ten of us still waiting on this thread, and a few others on the verlakay website. So... I'm wondering how many other waiters haven't posted, or how many are more patient than me with waiting and didn't find this thread on google. Maybe five people for each of us who have posted? That would be about 75 people still waiting--a pretty big number! On the bright side, that probably means that the letters didn't just get lost in the mail. I hope someone gets The Call tomorrow!

I also wanted to throw in my two cents about Twilight. I felt the same way as ohcuriousjo--absolutely loved the first book, but grew disenchanted with the rest of the series. Still worth reading though, to know the end of the story.

[ohcuriousjo]

I've decided that I'm interested in joining the NBReject Club (NBRC?)--just kind of test the waters? I've never sent a query before, aside from the Delacorte cover letter.

NB sent me a rejection within - are you ready for this - 2 hours.

I read that he responded to one in nine minutes. So...don't sweat it? I feel kind of nervous about this. But why not?

[mjwashere]

Jo, you aren't the only one--I haven't sent a query in a long, long time. Before there were blogs, so pretty much never. And I'm pretty sure I was one of those jerks who just didn't know what she was doing and agents hated.

Despite my futile efforts to distract myself with work (that I am still not done with! because I can't help working on stuff that I don't get paid for! stupid? yes! still here? yes!) I have a query all ready to send to NB after I know the contest should done and over with (exact time: 'on or around' when I feel like it). I will report back to the NBRC ASAP.

[pengwinz]

Best of luck, MJ and Jo. if you've followed Nathan's Agent for a Day contest blog, it just proves submitting a query is like throwing papers in the air and seeing which one sticks. Maybe if you attach a wad of ABC gum to your query? Hmm, how to do that online...

[yanewbie]

http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/writingcontests/
I checked the website at 10 AM ET, no winners yet!

[mjwashere]

So, WHEN do those of us left in the dark right now call defeat? Seriously, I need to know what the rest of y'all are doing, because despite working until the wee hours last night, I shot up like a bolt early this morning with butterflies in my tum knowing that it was, so to speak, all over. My inner Pollyanna would like to be put to sleep right now, so tell me--can I send out those queries now?

[danseuse322]

Everyone, I keep thinking about that interview posted with the winner getting her call. Do you remember that she said she was late to be in her best friend's wedding? That was most likely a Saturday. I don't know what day April 30 was that year but the majority of April/May weddings would probably be on a Saturday. They may have taken that last Friday lunch to decide and then had someone call Saturday? I won't even think anything until Monday--or until I check the mail?

[Laura B]

I just found this thread two days ago. I convinced myself that no one was going to be mailed a rejection letter and that a winner would be announced around April 30 and that everyone else could just consider themselves rejected from there.

That was until two days ago when it occurred to me that maybe there was something - anything- on the internet about this maddening wait. Four months is a long time. I sent my MS certified, so I KNOW they got it. Now I'm waiting to see if my rejection letter was lost in the mail, or if by some lightning strike miracle I made it as a finalist. I didn't even know there were finalists until two days ago.

Great. Now it's even worse than before. Before I just thought I was a loser until otherwise notified. Now there's pressure. I either stunk so bad that they burned my rejection letter instead of sending it to me, they are waiting until the end of the whole thing to send me the big RL, it got lost in the mail, or .... yeah, right. I wish.

[pengwinz]

Welcome, Laura B. Sometimes ignorance is bliss and knowledge torture. I hope everyone still waiting gets an offer by Delacorte to go on to the next level with your MS. It'll be a good sign that the YA market is still alive and well and kicking! Okay, so maybe there can only be one winner, who says there can't be a few runners-up and ??? I just know the quality of the submissions this year has to be excellent.

So, if you get good news (or great news) let the rest of us know!

[kairos]

Everyone, I keep thinking about that interview posted with the winner getting her call. Do you remember that she said she was late to be in her best friend's wedding? That was most likely a Saturday. I don't know what day April 30 was that year but the majority of April/May weddings would probably be on a Saturday. They may have taken that last Friday lunch to decide and then had someone call Saturday? I won't even think anything until Monday--or until I check the mail?

After I read your post I clicked back on my Outlook calendar to April 2006--and April 30, 2006 was a Sunday. So, I guess E.M. Crane could have been at a Sunday wedding and received The Call. I suppose the Delacorte people could be running behind this year... but I feel like the winner would get a call today. My own phone has been silent though, not home yet to see the mailbox...

[prairiewolf]

Though it is likely that the winner (if there is a winner) already knows, I do know that when I've placed in two national short story contests, I received a phone call up to two weeks after the "official announcement date." In both cases, I'd pretty much forgotten about entering or at least had told myself I hadn't won or placed. So I don't think the date is set in stone. Since I forgot my SASE and could already be out of the running for Delacorte anyway, I'll probably think about querying next week. :)

[danseuse322]

Just got my mail. Nothing. But I am not at all set on April 30. Too many people have commented hearing in May, and the last two years there was no winner. I don't think anyone knows yet or it would be out. They know once they tell it gets leaked. I think we have to assume they meant on or AROUND April 30. I would hate to know my own deadline could never be extended by a day or two if I got additional information to make my work stronger!

[mjwashere]

Oh, I could kiss you ALL for being as obsessive and crazy as I am (wait, that was meant to come out as a compliment).

Uh, anyhow, you all have more self-restraint than me, for I am declaring WAR on this contest (in my head, of course). I am sending my first query...NOW.

[icerose]

I have a question (good luck to all you who are still in the running btw) does decorate press publish fantasy type books? I have a middle grade reader that's fantasy, originates in North America then sort of goes to another world that I would like to enter in the middle grade reader contest. Would mine even be something they would consider?

[mjwashere]

Count me as part of the NBRC and possible new title holder--got mine back in AN HOUR! That was really good; now I can look at what I (may have) done wrong and fix the mistakes!

[pengwinz]

Wow, MJ. Only in this wacky business of querying agents can instant rejection be almost as satisfying as (but never as rewarding as) instant gratification. Did NB provide any comments?

[yanewbie]

I got the standard: "I regret to say that I don’t feel that I’m the most appropriate agent for your work. However, opinions vary considerably in this business, and I wish you the best of luck in your search for representation."

[mjwashere]

Yes, I got the exact same letter as yanewbie. No feedback (nor should this be expected, given the floodgates of queries he must receive). He was not my dream agent, so even though it stings and he is obviously missing out on a MASTERPIECE (!!!), it is OK. And yes, it was really nice to receive something instead of being left hanging and wondering (i'm talking to YOU, delacorte). My plan is only to query a handful of agents now and then stop, and move on. I have a good job and a good family and it is actually sunny and warm outside (miraculous where I live), so I'm kind of done with the self-mutilation on my ego after this. Phew.

[KTC]

YAY!!!!!! I got my rejection today. Now I KNOW they received my entry. (-;

[yanewbie]

Well, congratulations (sort of) KTC. At least the waiting is over, now you can move on and find an agent! Good luck.