I’m running around like a crazy Daphne this morning, trying to get stuff done before my flight to NYC. Contracts to mail, manuscripts to upload to my Kindle, emails to answer, and blogs to post! So please forgive this bare bones list of links, and I promise I’ll be better soon.
Heather writes, “I realize that many agents use portable electronic devices to review manuscripts they are considering. Is there any benefit for an author seeking representation to offer their manuscript in formats compatible with these devices? I recently discovered how to use Palm Markup Language to format my manuscript for ereader (.pdb file), so I can keep it on my palm pilot. Is it worth mentioning to an agent that this format is available if they prefer or does that seem geeky and/or overly ingratiating? I’m technologically inclined, so I could probably learn to convert my manuscript into any desired format.”
BEA was hectic, of course, and after getting through the most pressing follow-up I needed to do, I’m left with a giant (metaphorical) pile of reading to do. Here’s the problem, though — the more material I have on a project, the longer it takes me to read. Well, sure, that only makes sense. But follow along with me here for a sec — a query which contains a letter and about three pages of text takes about five minutes to read, roughly. At the moment, I have about 80 unread queries after clearing them all out just last week. Then I’ve got the partials I requested — the first five chapters of books that intrigue me, which each take about 45 minutes to an hour to read, sometimes less. Say about 45 of those. Then there’s the full manuscripts — either the first time I’m seeing a full, or a revision of a full that I requested that I need to give my full attention. I’ve got about ten of those waiting patiently for my eyes.
Off to Seattle for the SCBWI conference, with Kindle in hand. Lots of lovely delicious time to read on the way out, and lots, I’m sure, to report when I get back! Until then — be good. Or rather — Write well!
Still loving my Kindle, and yet still very interested to hear what others think about their high-tech reading devices. On No Want Decaf!, an editor shares her thoughts about her Sony Reader, and how it has basically changed the way her publishing house does business.
