Miss Snark,
why do you assume they (Sobol) must read the entire novel? Why not read it like slush and turn it down after a few pages? I would think that ALL contests do this - they can spot a non-winner right off the bat and just stop reading. Why would Sobol be forced to read whole novels, and who would ever know if they didn't?Do you think St. Martin's PI contest actually reads the entire novels that they receive? What am I missing?
Ahh...you're missing Sobol's own words on the web site: "Every entry will receive at least two readings, including those which do not pass beyond the first stage, and every writer will receive an evaluation." and "Manuscripts will be judged on plot, characters, writing style, setting, opening, dialog, and originality, with equal weight given to each."
St Martins does run a contest f0r Malice Domestic. They SPECIFICALLY say they do not offer comments. Here's the link to the contest rules and the exclusion is at the very end of the page.
I wonder why those guys at Sobol didn't ask the folks at Minotaur about how to make a contest run smoothly? Minotaur's only been doing it for...yanno.. longer. Maybe it's the same reason they didn't ask any agents about how to run a slush pile, or write an agency agreement.
These guys at Sobol are RIPE for a lawsuit from an unhappy writer. People were eager to jump on the bandwagon and sue Random House for the buying James Frey's "non fiction". Can you imagine what happens if someone pays $85 for two critiques and get's back "wtf " or "this is a mess".
I'm actually starting to feel sorry for these guys. They're about ready to find out that good intentions do indeed pave the road to hell.
Any more questions?
9 comments:
Oh scary... this reminds me of the days when I was still a moderator for Elfwood and checking the new Wyvern's submissions to make sure they followed the guidelines. Sometimes a single file--usually a 40-50p long "chapter"--took me a full two weeks to work through just because of how painfully crappy they were for the lack of storyline, character development, and clear presentation. I am starting to feel sorry for those kids.
Oh, this is the same "cudd" that's been commenting.
Thanks for having this blog.
With regard to St Martins' contest for Malice Domestic: they mention years 2004 and 2005. Does that mean that the contest is no longer on, or have they forgotten to update their site? Thanks
Hey, is St. Martin's stilling running that contest? That page is from 2005; I can't find a more recent entry form or deadlines.
Dang, that lawyer who recently sued that publisher will be all over this.
Did anyone mention the article on Galleycat Friday about Sobol? Check it out. "2nd Prize is a Set of Steak Knives"
http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/
Dang, that lawyer who recently sued that publisher will be all over this.
Did anyone mention the article on Galleycat Friday about Sobol? Check it out. "2nd Prize is a Set of Steak Knives"
http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/
How long before they cut a deal with Oprah?
Here's the link to the rules for this year's contest. Submission deadline is mid-October.
http://www.minotaurbooks.com/contests.html#malice
Well, when all this collapses and the contest is scrubbed due to the lack of entries and the outrageous logistics to put it on, we'll find out the real reason this was started...a marketing ploy to increase sales of "NETfold". It has only five star ratings on Amazon.
-the other rick
Nowehere in the criteria you quoted from their web site do they promise to read the entire manuscript or any specific portion. Nor do they promise to offr any critique, no matter ho brief or cryptic.
Anyway, as the whole contest appears to be a sham and a scam, they can purport to do any number of things while not actually fulfilling their obligations.
As the late Jim Garrison once said, when one of his dubious claims was challenged, "Who's gonna say different?"
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