Tag Archives: Publishers

#IWSG – AI Rejection

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Another month has passed, so it’s time for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group post, and an opportunity to tweak my writing strategy.

First, it’s been over three months since I submitted my Snowdon Shadows police procedural, Fevered Fuse, to London-based publisher Joffe Books. As expected last month, I never received an answer, so that is a firm rejection. Their website says, ‘Do not be disheartened if you don’t hear from us. What is not right for us may be exactly what another publisher is seeking. We encourage you to look for other opportunities to publish elsewhere.’

I’m not disheartened, I’m just disappointed to wait three months for this rejection from my first choice. Months ago. I began checking out other publishers by listening to a few of their authors’ books, and I made a short wish-list of small publishers. The second on my list, based in New York, answers within two weeks (and the third, an LGBTQ+ publisher, in 16 weeks). Unfortunately, another UK small publisher only considers fiction from UK-based writers, not UK-based fiction.

However, before I submit ‘Fevered Fuse’ again, I need to know if the manuscript is unpublishable (as it stands). Or perhaps, I would be best to revise another novel, such as ‘Fates Maelstrom’, the second book in my Snowdon Shadows series, which reads better than ‘FF’. But not up to the same standard as the audiobooks I listen to.

I worry that I’m kidding myself about being a writer, even if I’ve just posted another episode of my Ukraine saga, Freedom Flights. If you manage to read Winter Warning, there’s a question to answer, but only if you want.

Obviously, I’m also still following the news from Ukraine.

Slava Ukraini

Heroiam slava!

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Every month, IWSG announces a question that members can answer in their IWSG posts. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or a story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional!

August 6 question – What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?

Last month, I wrote the following:

‘Has anyone kept up to date with the legal cases against AI companies, like Anthropic and Meta, that have used pirated books, ignoring copyright, to train their AI products? My debut novel, Spiral of Hooves, was one of thousands of pirated books. Latest news from the Authors Guild on the cases at: https://authorsguild.org/news/mixed-decision-in-anthropic-ai-case/ and https://authorsguild.org/news/meta-ai-ruling-meta-gets-technical-win-but-law-favors-authors/.’

Therefore, this abuse of copyright and the reasoning behind it, training AI, must rank as the most insidious and unethical practice. Closely followed by using AI to write books, thus flooding the market at the expense of real writers, depriving them of income.

‘Insecure’ colleagues have also pointed out other dubious practices like ‘price-gouging on ISBNs’ in the USA, ‘vanity publishers’, ‘false research’, ‘the predators’, and numerous other restrictions and traps. Plus, so many more unethical practices at: Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Jemima Pett, and the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.

I don’t think it’s unethical, as I realise publishers are overstretched, but knowing why a manuscript is rejected would be helpful. I guess multiple rejections mean ‘time for me to write something different’. Or stick to reading a book. 😉

Which reminds me of my May IWSG post on my writing fears: #IWSG – Writing Fears | Writing Wings

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The awesome co-hosts for the August 6 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Natalie Aguirre, Sarah – The Faux Fountain Pen, and Olga Godim

Finally, don’t forget to visit other writers via the IWSG site for their invaluable insights on writing:

Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG, and our hashtag is #IWSG.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!


Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group Day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!

WHERE NOW WITH SPIRAL OF HOOVES?

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My writing year has got off to a good start as I completed Stage 1 of my writing plans. Over the last month, I have managed to finish a re-edit of my debut novel “Spiral of Hooves” with the aim of getting it republished. For those that missed the original release, it was in December 2013.

So, I removed a subplot that didn’t work and garnered some negative comments. I also tidied up some strange sentence constructions, and corrected all the Americanisms, as it’s set in England, and I had a UK publisher in mind.

Then, everything went awry – I read more about the publishers including an interview with their main man and I concluded that my mystery was wrong for them – not gritty or dark enough. They also tend to go for writers with a few books to release at the same time.

The problem now is what next? Do I submit this novel to a UK agent, a UK publisher, a US agent, a US publisher, OR do I translate it into German or Martian? Joking…

Oh, in case you were wondering, it’s a mystery set against the horse world, but not a cosy mystery. It has action, darker moment, and a couple of erotic scenes, but it isn’t really bloody or violent except for a few brief moments.

A shorter version of this post first appeared on Facebook, and several friends made helpful suggestions, some of which I will mention here.

In the FB comments, and back on my January blog, several people talked about self-publishing. However, I know now that will require extra skills that I need to acquire or pay for – not just the editing services that I already use. I have been reassured that I am capable of learning to format but I’m a writer. I am aware that there are excellent companies out there that will help in that process.

My major concern is the money, as we face major health bills that look like a bottomless pit. When my wife spent two days in the hospital after her recent heart attack, the bills came to $30,000.

The logical alternative is to try to find an agent or a publisher in either the UK and/or the US. How many submissions should I do at once? Do I start with agents first? Does it matter where the agent/publisher is?

The big quandary: As I’m disabled, I’m very restricted in where I can go. Flying is out, so that leaves driving – well, someone else driving me. What happens if an agent in New York wants me to go there = 2+ days driving? Book tours would be a challenge.

Then there is the language – British-English and American-English. I changed the manuscript into British-English with a US address, but I’ve found a US agent that is interested in submissions on horses. Guess I need an American-English manuscript for US agents and publishers. Yikes. Back to Grammarly then.

That would then allow me to submit to publishers like Imajin Books when they open for submissions in April? Although they like to see reviews, Amazon deleted mine but my Goodreads reviews are still up. One of their star authors said, “I wouldn’t worry about it. You can do this.”

So, do I submit to agents first and then, come April, I submit to publishers?

Different World ~ Image courtesy of manostphoto at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Do I mention that I don’t stick to genre? “Spiral of Hooves” is a mystery with a sequel; then I’ve almost finished “Storms Compass”, Book I of my post-apocalyptic saga; then comes “Fates Maelstrom”, first of the Snowdon Shadows mysteries; and my alternative history, “Eagle Crossing”, is flying along.