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Supanova
Manuscript Assessment
As
part of the Supanova World Building Master Classes,
you have an opportunity to have the first 1000 words
of your MS, treatment or script assessed by either Jennifer
Fallon or Sonny Whitelaw.
The
following should answer many of your questions. Please
email us at admin@jenniferrfallon.com
if you have any further queries.
Please
note, we will not respond to questions already answered
on this page. If your question is relevant to everyone,
then we'll add it here for others to reference.
Why
only the first 1000 words?
Because that's all it takes. Most editors/agents reading
unsolicited manuscripts will rarely read past the first
two pages unless the work grabs them from the first
line. It doesn't matter how good your second act, or
your 27th chapter is, if nobody gets past your boring,
badly written prologue. You need to get your first 1000
words polished enough to entice an editor, producer
or agent to read on.
Can
I send you my synopsis as well as my first 1000 words?
No. The authors will be assessing the first 1000 words
of your work for style and errors, not commenting on
your unquestionably brilliant idea. As it is with editors/agents
assessing your work, your unique plot, enchanting characters,
surprise ending, or fabulous plot twist doesn't matter
if the story is rejected after the second paragraph
(which happens 99.9% of the time). Most editors don't
even look at a synopsis unless the writing grabs them.
Can
I send you a story based on an existent character or
licensed work, for example, a novel based on a comic
strip, movie or television series?
No. Nor can the authors consider fan fiction due to
contractual issues regarding licensed works. Your work
needs to be entirely your own, using your own characters.
Manuscripts will be vetted by a third party and not
passed on to Jennifer and Sonny to ensure this condition
is not breached.
Can
I choose which author assesses my work?
No. Jennifer and Sonny assess the same way that they
write when working on a joint project: in consultation
with one another.
How
do I know you won't steal my idea?
If you're worried about this happening, the solution
is simple - don't submit your MS for assessment. Jennifer
and Sonny are professional authors who commonly workshop
with other professional writers, editors, and producers
to develop ideas. They have huge backlists and projects
lined up for the next several years.
The
purpose of the workshop is to empower you with the skills
to develop your ideas, while the MS assessment will
examine and evaluate explicit issues pertaining to your
work.
What
do I get for the money?
An opinion. Sonny and Jennifer are authors, not editors.
What you will get is their expert advice on what they
believe will help your writing, style, characters, etc.
They will also include comments on specifics, including
grammar, spelling, overall presentation and the "feel"
of the story. The more willing you are to re-evaluate
your work in light of their comments, the more value
you will get for your money.
I
have a very fragile ego. Will you be gentle with me?
No.
If you want a warm and fuzzy assessment of your work,
send the MS to your mother and get her to read it. Sonny
and Jennifer will tell you exactly what they think,
as they see it, without sugar-coating.
They
will be operating on the assumption that you have submitted
your MS because you want clear-cut information and directions
from people who know the industry. That's what you're
paying for - not bland, useless, 'it's nice but you
might like to re-think it' advice.
They
will mention the strengths of the work as well as the
weaknesses, but asking for reassurance when what you
really need is a major re-write is a waste of your money.
Writing is a savage business and the editing process
can be soul-destroying. If you can't handle the heat,
stay out of the kitchen (ask them how much they savage
each other's first drafts during the writing process.)
Why
isn't the cost included in the Workshop?
Not everyone will have an MS to submit. You may attend
the workshop and decide to go home and do a complete
re-write. We must charge a separate fee because assessing
manuscripts takes additional time beyond the development
of teaching modules for the workshop, specifically,
time away from their day jobs of writing for a living.
How
late can I submit my MS?
There
is a cut-off date 60 days after the Workshops, to allow
the authors time to assess the works. They will be assessed
on a strictly first-come-first-served basis. The authors
will endeavour to have all assessments done so they
can be handed back to students within a further 60 days.
I've
signed up with Ticketek and paid my fees - how do I
submit the MS?
You can submit the MS within the 30 day period following
the workshop to an email address that will be issued
to you at the workshop. This gives you time to put some
of what you have learned into practice.
How
should I format the MS?
- The
document must be saved as an .rtf file.
- There
is a limit on the file size, and an administrator
will be checking, so there's no point in trying to
sneak your whole MS through.
- All
manuscripts and treatments should be in Times New
Roman, 12 point, double spaced, with no justified
margins.
- Scripts
should be in Courier New, formatted as a script
- All
documents should be page numbered and have the name
of the author in the footer.
If
you think my stuff is really good, will you pass it
on to your agent/publisher?
No. Even if Jennifer and Sonny thought you were the
next JK Rowling, ALM (their agent) is currently not
accepting new manuscripts until the end of 2008. Their
publishers (they have multiple) generally do not accept
unsolicited material. A list of agents and publishers
are available through the Australian Society of Authors.
If your work is that good, you won't have any trouble
finding an agent/publisher.
Book
Now!
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