Breaking into publishing today is harder than getting an advanced degree in neurology.
Back in the old days, a writer would submit a novel and, if the editor saw potential, she’d work with the writer thru several drafts until it was good enough to be published.
That doesn’t happen anymore. Sadly.
The big publishers have cut so far back on their staff that editors don’t have time for that kind of early career nurturing. If a manuscript is less than perfect when it comes in, it gets rejected.
Some agents have taken on the role of early editing, but you have to have an agent to get that treatment. A number of former big-publishing-house editors now freelance. They charge between $2,000 and $4,000 to work with new writers.
To raise money for RAINN, I am offering to critique up to a 300-page manuscript. We have set up an auction for this critique on E-bay. Right now (4/10, 4:30pm EST) the bidding is at a paltry $1,007. I know that’s a lot of money, but it is barely half of what you’d pay a freelance editor.
And if you are the winning bid on the RAINN auction, 100% of your bid goes to the charity that helps sexual assault survivors speak up and become survivors.
Plus, it’s a tax-deductible donation to a charity.
Think of this as money you are spending on professional development. Tuition. Dues. Think of it as a life-saving contribution to the best charity in America, because it is. Call your family and your friends – everyone who is supporting you as you reach for your writing dream – and ask them to help pay for this opportunity.
Bid now! Bid often! The auction ends at 6:30pm, EST, Thursday, April 11, 2013, aka TOMORROW!
PS – If you really don’t have the money to bid on this, please contribute $10. Those smaller contributions are just as important because they give one more victim of sexual assault much-needed support and hope. Thank you!