Studio C

Since I really don't have anything new to say, I thought I'd share these favorite Studio C skits. They're my favorite for pretty obvious reasons. ;) Enjoy!

Yes, it's been too long

Wow, I'm embarrassed by the lack of activity on this blog. In some ways, it makes sense that I haven't spent time on it since I haven't worked on my manuscripts for months and months either. But if you periodically check this blog and are constantly disappointed by the lack of updates, I apologize!

A quick update: In the last year, I've moved, had a baby, started working from home reviewing manuscripts instead of managing the online submissions process for DB, and have only touched my manuscript two or three times since becoming a mom. Life has been busy, and priorities have shifted. I spend a lot of time on my family blog instead of this one because that's where my focus lies.

Someday I'd love to focus on my "becoming an author" dream again, but right now I'm pretty content being a mom and a wife. It's all encompassing, that's for sure!

And if you are actually reading this post right now because you follow this blog, thank you! I promise there will be more updates in the future...I'm just not sure when. But I appreciate the support. Writing is still important to me, and someday I'll finish my manuscript!

<3/Allison

Planning on submitting a manuscript?

I apologize for this much-neglected blog. My personal and work life has been VERY busy these past few months, and most of my writing focus has been elsewhere. But I'm still alive, working on new projects, and loving my acquisitions job at Deseret Book!

That brings me to my next announcement: Deseret Book / Shadow Mountain is transitioning to an online-only submissions process!! HOORAY!!

What does this mean exactly?

Well, let me tell you!

It means 1) Less work for me on the acquisitions/reviewing end, 2) Less of a wait for you as an author submitting a manuscript, and 3) Overall happiness due to such a smooth, easy process. A win-win, in my opinion.

Soooo, if you're planning on submitting a manuscript to Deseret Book or Shadow Mountain, please read our newly updated guidelines first:

Deseret Book: http://submissions.deseretbook.com/guidelines
Shadow Mountain: http://submissions.shadowmountain.com/guidelines

These sites will direct you to where you can submit/upload a query, synopsis, chapter samples, and/or a full manuscript.  They will also prompt you to give the intended audience and genre. After August 1, we will not be accepting any submissions by mail or email.

Now, I get lots of questions about distinguishing between Deseret Book and our imprint, Shadow Mountain. The guidelines are pretty clear, but let me elaborate. Although everything goes through the same review channels (aka me), it's helpful if you submit to the correct imprint based on the intended audience/genre of your manuscript. As a general rule, anything that includes LDS-content (fiction or non-fiction) should be submitted through Deseret Book, and anything geared towards a national, non-LDS market (fiction or non-fiction) should be submitted through Shadow Mountain.

If you have any questions, please let me know! (My work email can be found on the websites.) I'm happy to help and make this new transition run as smoothly as possible. I think it will pay off for everyone in the long run.

With that, happy writing and submitting, Everyone!!

[Note: this post is NOT an official message from Deseret Book or in any way legally binding. Please visit the websites linked above to learn more.]

Rejections with Humor

My husband found these for me, and I thought I'd share them with all you writers and editors out there. Of course, being one who sends out rejection letters, I found these especially funny. (Maybe I have a twisted sense of humor? ;))

 

 (Hopefully my rejections never sound this harsh!)

(Comics found at http://dilbert.com/strips/comic/1994-06-27/)

Got Marshmallows?

Getting Mail

I should feel loved because of all the mail I receive every day at work. Sometimes dozens of manuscripts arrive in five days; sometimes a dozen or more in just one day. It's quite exciting, really. How many times did I long to receive mail growing up? In fact, I still get thrilled when I receive packages or letters. Perhaps it's because the postal system is slowly becoming extinct, and this almost rare form of communication brings me back in time.

Anyway, it always excites me when I receive packages at work addressed like this:

 

It may be insignificant to some people, but to me it's a reminder of how much I've achieved over the past three years. I did the 5-year track in college so I could earn a minor in editing, and after a few months into the program, I realized I didn't really like editing after all. At least, the copyediting, Chicago abiding side of editing. It was too structured with too many rules (and too many mistakes to be made) for my more right-brained mind. But because of my love for writing, my editing classes helped me to fall in love with publishing, and I stuck with it. (Honestly, I knew I'd have a better chance of getting a job with an editing minor attached to my English/Creative Writing major.)

So after many tears and stressful days, I graduated with an editing minor and found an internship to help strengthen my skills. Again, I didn't love the copyediting side of editing, but I discovered there was more to editing than simply correcting punctuation or sentence structure. After a year working as an intern, I achieved another goal by getting a job at Deseret Book working in Publishing! But instead of the editing side of publishing, I work in the product development/manuscript reviewing side of publishing. My second official title is "Acquisition Editor," which means I achieved my editing goals and get to be part of the publishing process without having to spend time with Chicago every day! It really is the best fit for me, and I stand amazed at how much I was prepped for this position. I know Someone had this in mind all along, even if I couldn't see it in the beginning, and I'm grateful I felt prompted to stick with it to the end.

So although I now have this to wade through every day, I'm so grateful I'm still fulfilling my educational goals of becoming an editor while working in an area of publishing I love best. :)

Want to know how to send your manuscripts in for review? Click here.

The Rent Collector

Looking for a new book to read? Then I HIGHLY recommend this one:

It's a beautiful story of the faith, forgiveness, and healing. 

I literally couldn't put it down!

The writing is simple, yet profound, and you can't help but feel true love and concern for the characters.

READ IT!!!

And for your viewing pleasure, here is the book trailer: