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Submission and editing question

I have a question that maybe some of you published mamas can answer. I submitted a piece to Real Moms Speak and the editor got back to me saying this:

"I am going to post a new set of sample answers to the question "How has motherhood changed you?" on the Real Moms Speak website (www.RealMomsSpeak.com). I'd like to use your response on the site. Though this doesn't guarantee that your submission will be used for the book, it does mean that I've found your response to be insightful and will strongly consider it.

At this point, I just need you to look over the editing I have done below and okay it for use on the website."

This is a piece I have since considered reworking, into something longer, for submission to literarymama. It's a piece that was really emotional to write and i feel like her edits don't do it justice. they make it more short and cursory than i think the subject should be (ie death, drugs, mothering - it's a doozy). Something just doesn't sit right with me about this. But then, I have never had anything published so what do I know? Maybe i am just not used to the editing process and i should get over it. Is it weird that she use my heavily edited piece on her website as an example of what she is looking for, without agreeing that it is, in fact what she is looking for? Thanks for the help!

I will attach the original, in case that helps.

AttachmentSize
Moorings.doc26.5 KB
By jesebel at 02/06/2006 - 11:55pm | Writing Mama | previous forum topic | next forum topic

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dang!

I just realized you attached your essay - that is a neat function I havent' seen before.

Very poetic piece, I see how the whole thing goes together.

Yea I would try it TWO ways, two places, *if* you are personally ok with her edits. I bet she will publish it, I would think the odds are high if she expressed interest.

I wonder - is anyone else submitting to this project. Why not? You are all so wise. While i'm not fond of her knock-off type aproach, you never know this book could get around and mothers could read it and the more grains of goodness that go in it, the better. Plus maybe a chance to make money?

By China at Wed, 02/08/2006 - 9:44pm |

I submitted

I actually submitted a few pieces and they are up on her site as sample questions.
I actually wrote pieces in the style I thought she was looking for. It is not my usual style of writing but I thought that was a good exercise for me.
I got the exact same email when she requested using my pieces as samples on the site. That the use of the pieces on the site did not mean they would be selected for the book.
She didn't do much editing on mine because I tried to write them within the specifications she outlined on the site (i.e. word count, answers to specific questions she posed, etc.)

Regina
"Karma is a boomerang"

By Recoveringme at Thu, 02/09/2006 - 2:12pm |

do you mind if i ask, did

do you mind if i ask, did you say yes?

By jesebel at Fri, 02/10/2006 - 4:39am |

??

Did I say yes to putting them on the site as samples? I did. Actually, I only just now considered that might make it less likely that they will be chosen for the book. (I am not the brightest bulb on the porch, I guess!)
I kind of approached it like a writing exercise. I am not a terribly disciplined writer so I thought it couldn't hurt! I think I have a different problem than some other writers. I often seem to have writers constipation so 500 words is about my speed!! : ) The trick for me is writing longer pieces. I have been taking a stab at writing a book length piece and it is currently about 30,000 words and yikes, what a mess!!!

Regina
"Karma is a boomerang"

By Recoveringme at Fri, 02/10/2006 - 1:56pm |

i just looked at the website

i just looked at the website and i can sort of see what the idea of the book is now.

they are crediting submissions like this: (stacey, mom of a 2 year old boy and a 4 year old boy)

which to me, is not the same as having a chapter by stacey greenberg that i could use as a clip, yk?

but on the other hand, if you could crank out some really nice answers, like our friend regina, you could possibly get some cash, which is always cool.

www.fertilegroundzine.com

By staleyg at Thu, 02/09/2006 - 4:00pm |

Good point Stacey

I wonder if once the book does come out, she will credit the writer by using a full name. I wouldn't really want to maintain my anonymity if one of my pieces does make it into the book. I am an anonymous enough writer as it is! :)

Regina
"Karma is a boomerang"

By Recoveringme at Thu, 02/09/2006 - 5:10pm |

it seems like even though

it seems like even though they are soliciting writers, they are passing them off as "real moms." not that writers aren't real moms, but i there's a difference in terms of how we at least want to be credited!

www.fertilegroundzine.com

By staleyg at Thu, 02/09/2006 - 5:50pm |

I'm with Stacey on this one.

I'm with Stacey on this one. She (Ms. Real Moms) contacted me after my piece in Brain, Child came out, asking me to submit, and when I looked at the site it just seemed a bit odd. The book itself will be a good read, I'm sure. But as a writer who wants to be published, this isn't a project that really appeals, since it's not really an anthology, but more like a very informal forum for sharing experiences. From my understanding, last names won't be used and as Stacey said, I don't want to be referred to as,"Kate, mom of two boys." You know? Plus, I also find it very hard to stick to 500 words.

I think if you worked this hard on your piece you should hold on to it and submit it elsewhere.

Miranda: a zine about motherhood and other adventures

By Miranda at Thu, 02/09/2006 - 6:28pm |

yeah, it's like a message

yeah, it's like a message board on paper.

www.fertilegroundzine.com

By staleyg at Thu, 02/09/2006 - 6:31pm |

and you know what, keeping

and you know what, keeping the word limit in mind, i cranked out a few answers for her last night (thinking some cash, any cash might be nice) and she emailed me today saying that she thinks i am searching for the voice i think she wants to hear. well, no shit. that did it for me. i told her it was hard to keep my raw, real, f-bomb self to 500 words. i will let her do as she wants with my three new answers but i am going to withdraw the other piece - and what is that bs about what makes your family situation unique. can you say diversity quotient? maybe if i put down that i live with another woman she'll print whatever i say...it got us into a preschool, why not publishing?

By jesebel at Fri, 02/10/2006 - 4:45am |

thank you all for your

thank you all for your comments - i think i am going to withdraw it and rwork it for a submission elsewhere.

By jesebel at Tue, 02/07/2006 - 10:03pm |

you don't have to withdraw

you don't have to withdraw it ...

you could tell her your concerns, and dialouge with her and still work on the piece for another submission elsewhere.

I think often stories evolve like this, like a chapter of a book starts in a magazine, or someones interest - they write about it one place - then elaborate on it in more detail the second place.

I'm just saying you don't *have* to withdraw it - the more places you put your eggs the better - unless you want to.

The fact she likes it, I don't know, I would try to work with her. Explain just like how you did to us - the subject matter and the gravity of the subject - you don't feel it should be turned to brief and you actually *dont'* feel comfortable with it being on the website because you submitted it to the book and that is what you are interested in. Perhaps she could use a few sentences of yours for promotion but you don't want to give away your blood, sweat,and tears.

OR whatever - I mean - your actual concerns, I just put in my words for example.

I think its good to go with it - go with it before you are even ready - when you have the oppurtunity. We can fine tune something forever. But ellaborating on, well thats another matter. And this is still an oppurtunity to be in print. If they wanted your essay and wouldn't work with you on the edits (not editing so much) than to turn it down then, down the road, thats another story.

I would deffinately explain your concerns to the person.

By China at Tue, 02/07/2006 - 10:12pm |

okay, i sent her an email

okay, i sent her an email and then reviewd the submission requirements and i am totaly lame. i sent her a piece that is about 1500 words when she said no more than 500 words. loser. anyway, she already sent my piece, with some others, to her publisher as samples. i told her my reservations. i think i might also sumit something else, something smaller.

another question - if i let her go ahead with the edits and then expand on it later, can i turn it in somewhere else? i am still learning all of the publishing rules. thanks, china

By jesebel at Wed, 02/08/2006 - 5:40am |

this is a little off topic,

this is a little off topic, but that whole project seems bizarre to me--they are actively soliciting mamas to write for them, but asking everyone to submit 500 words. i just don't *get* putting everything into 500 words. 500 words isn't enough to go in depth about anything imo. too choppy. it's like they want quotes but are asking for essays. whatever! sorry! i just wonder what the finished product is going to look like.

www.fertilegroundzine.com

By staleyg at Wed, 02/08/2006 - 6:32pm |

i think it is a little weird

i think it is a little weird too but, I my goal is to submit something somewhere once a week. i am trying to be serious about this whole writing thing. kind of a shit or get off the pot scenario in my life right now. so i'm trying to put myself out all over. i guess i'll be more discriminating if i ever get published:)

By jesebel at Wed, 02/08/2006 - 9:56pm |

good point

that is strange. I didnt' think about that - 500 words is too little
----

WELL - not really! I went over and looked at the call for submissions, and it makes sense. Its not an anthology so to speak, but it must have different chapters on subjects with different moms chiming in to talk about it. In a way this is kind of like a survey.

Now being more educated, ha, I really do think that is perfectly fine to have 500 words here and elaborate that 500 words into 2,000 or whatever, somewhere else.

By China at Wed, 02/08/2006 - 7:09pm |

I really think that you can.

I really think that you can. Perhaps change a little bit of the 500 words, but basically use that in your expansion.

It was a surprise to me, how you can re-print the same essay in places that don't have the exact same cross over audience - how you can submit pieces that aren't exactly the theme called for - and stuff like that.

I think publishing is a little bit more flexible than I figured and the motto is basically "just go for it". Submit everywhere you can, get your voice out there. Unless it really strikes you as OFF. Then no.

but if the material is close to you, it can be emotionally difficult. Pick it up after a few days, fresh, and look at it with fresh eyes. Is this new , edited form, good in its own way??? Would it be good to share it - rather than the alternative which is to not share it -in this publication?

By China at Wed, 02/08/2006 - 5:33pm |

I agree with what others

I agree with what others have written. You need to be comfortable with the edits. Some editors will enter into a dialogue with you but if not, it is your piece and if it stops reading the way you intended it to, then you should decide if you want to withdraw it.
And by the way, the piece is great. You captured mourning and grieving so powerfully. And your reference to home no longer being there was so touching. Loss is such a powerful and, in a way, empty experience. I related to my own somewhat recent experience of loss, in my case the death of a relationship, not the death of a person.
I didn't see how your piece was edited but perhaps the publication isn't the right one for the piece.

Regina
"Karma is a boomerang"

By Recoveringme at Tue, 02/07/2006 - 7:23pm |

if it doesn't sit right with you

then don't do it.

There will be other places that you can submit your piece to and you don't have to agree to have it be published (on-line or otherwise) if the editor is going to chop it up enough that you feel unhappy with it.

I agree with China: if your instincts are saying no, then go with them.

Sometimes paper is the only thing that will listen to you.

By PhoenixRising at Tue, 02/07/2006 - 1:59pm |

yes, I think , *trust* your

yes, I think , *trust* your instincts.

from how you described this - that you put alot of yourself into it, want to elaborate on it, and feel the edits make it more short and cursory than you would like -

no that doesn't sound good. It *is* kind of Giving it away to put it up on the website - but not promised to be published. I can see havin a few sentences from your piece on the website, you know? But your whole edited piece?

IN a way - its a complement. BUT you don't have to do anything you dont' feel comfortable with!

That is how the editing process goes if it goes correctly - it can be a back and forth thing. SOME things are cut more and changed more than you like but it seems to make sense - like the editor is wise. AND other things you just stick with. I've only been published once, in the Breeders anthology by Ariel and Bee on Seal Press. They ran by edits with me, and helped me put some of the poetry I wrote into the story and not as stand alone sections. Most of the edits I thought, "yes this is good" but Ariel wanted to cut the part out about their being Monkeys in the back yard in Florida. it was just one small line. I was like "NO - the monkeys must stay. Its so much of that memmory to me" and she was like "OK!"

All and All - I felt very very positive about the editing experience. So that is what I know of it, as a give and take.

These are *your* words and really, searching your own feelings - that is the ultimate thing you must answer too.

From the depth of the subject matter and feelings you expressed, that is what makes me a little warry of putting it up on the website. This was a submission to the book - who would want to read it IN the book when they already read it on the website.

Maybe you can come up with a compromise you would both feel good about?

By China at Tue, 02/07/2006 - 12:26am |

that is very helpful - thank

that is very helpful - thank you. i am going to think on it some more and maybe offer her a compromise. i was just doing some editing with susan:) and also some editing for another project on HM and in both situations i felt good about it, just like you said. not defensive. so maybe this is not the right forum for this piece. hhmmmm

By jesebel at Tue, 02/07/2006 - 5:40am |