Snowflake-Like Fractal Cauliflower, Symbol of Fiction Publishing Methodology
The Snowflake Guy has a little quiz you can take to evaluate how far you are on your way to publishing fiction. (Is it just me or is pretty much everyone a novelist these days?) The five questions that determine your progress (with my answers):
- How long have you been writing fiction seriously?
Half a century, which is quite an accomplishment since I am only 39 years old. However, I double- and triple-counted some years that felt two or three times as serious as an average year. - How do your critique partners rate your level of craft?
I've received the following rave reviews: "Good job," "Nice story," "I liked it." Of course, I've received less favorable reviews, but I believe most of them were just perplexed by my out-of-the-box creative genius. - How long was the longest writing conference you've ever attended? 0
- How many editors and agents have you talked with in person?
In 1987, I received a mailer from a literary agent. I think that counts as communication. I can vividly recall the photograph of the agent as if I were meeting him face-to-face right now. - How many book proposals have you submitted to publishers or agents?
I don't write books. I write short stories. I suppose I could submit a proposal for a collection of short stories.
According to the Unpublished Guy answer key, I achieved a fiction publishing score of 80%. On most grading scales, that would be a B-/C+. Not too bad, but I think that I can do better. This month I am going to focus on attending a writer's conference and submitting a book proposal. After I accomplish these two tasks, I will be 100% publishable, and it will only be a matter of time before I transition from Unpublished Guy to Barely Published Guy.
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