Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Special Announcement from TWRP

Since everyone here is an avid reader, I wanted to post this message for everyone to see. If I wasn't trying to focus so hard on my writing, I'd do this in a heartbeat! I kick-ass at proof-reading. LOL It was always my job at the advertising agency. I guess that's why my inner critique is such a bitch to deal with. Anyway....here's what The Wild Rose Press is looking for....


Along with our Preliminary Readers who read manuscripts to help in the decision process of whether a manuscript should be contracted, at the other end of the process we have Final Readers.

We've all read that book where we find a mistake and think "oh oh" someone didn't catch that. This is what this department is supposed to catch.

These readers take a complete, final manuscript that is ready to be published and they read it for any glaring mistakes. They are NOT copy editors, it has already been through copy editing, these readers are simply doing a final read to ensure nothing glaring was missed. Some mistakes they might catch would be a dropped quote or a situation where the heroine has green eyes in chapter one and blue in chapter five. Simple catches, nothing big.

It doesn't require anything special in terms of skill other than the love of reading.

These readers are paid the same as preliminary readers, with a point system. If you have questions or concerns or are interested or have someone who is interested, please contact Spencer Glenn at spencer@thewildrosepress.com.

Please put FINAL READER in the subject line so she can sort accordingly.

Thank you.

Rhonda


OK....here's a second e-mail from her that has more clarification. Umm....I don't think Paula is going to like this. LOL There's no paper involved! :)

At The Wild Rose Press we have a department that is dedicated to reading manuscripts. This group of volunteers is an important part of our selection process. But is definitely NOT the only basis on which we decide whether a manuscript lives or dies.

When a manuscript comes in the door and an editor finds it promising, she will send it to the reading department to get two other opinions on it. The reader reads the manuscript and fills out a questionnaire/opinion page and sends it back. The editor uses this information to help in her decision process. If she thinks the manuscript is strong enough for a contract, she will then use those reader sheets to help her "sell" the story to her Senior Editor for a contract. IF the readers hate the story, then she will use their thoughts to help craft her rejection letter and offer opinions/suggestions to the author. This way a manuscript that is fairly strong gets a good solid 3 sets of eyes on it.

Readers are not paid. They are volunteers but they do earn points for every manuscript or partial manuscript they read and these points are redeemed for a variety of items such as amazon.com gift certificates, TWRP promo items, free books, etc.

If you feel you or anyone you know would be able to help us out and join this preliminary reading team, please contact Spencer Glenn directly. Spencer can be reached at spencer@thewildrosepress.com. Please put Preliminary Reader in the subject line.

While there is usually a timeline of 10 days on a full manuscript, there is no other pressure to take on more than you feel you can read at one time.

I should note that all of this is done via the computer. No hard copy is sent anywhere. You will receive the manuscript through email and send it back the same way.

If you or anyone you know loves to read and would like to be part of our garden, please contact Spencer and help us out. You do not have to be a writer for us to do this. In fact you don't have to be a writer at all, if you know someone who simply loves to read, this is a great chance for them to pick up some free romance reading.

Spencer can answer any questions you might have as well, but I am always here if you need to come to me.

Thank you.

Rhonda Penders

6 comments:

mslizalou said...

Thanks for the information. I'll email Spencer today.

Paula R said...

Hey Alannah, thanks posting this. You know what, I might do this. It sounds very interesting. I am gonna think about it for a couple of days though...LOL!!

You know me so well. I will have to figure out a way to work through the not liking to read on a computer screen thing. I think this is a great opportunity. Thanks again.

Have a great writing day Alannah!

Peace and love,
Paula R.

Unknown said...

Let me know what you guys find out from Spencer. I didn't even know they had these readers until this e-mail came out. Guess I'm not very well educated about my publisher, huh? LOL

Paula R said...

No worries, you are still learning...LOL!! Thanks again for the info. I am still thinking about it.

Peace and love,
Paula R.

mslizalou said...

I signed up to be a Preliminary Reader and have already been sent my very first manuscript to read. Very excited to give this a try.

Paula R said...

Wow Liza, that was quick. I am still thinking about it. That reading a ebook thing is my only roadblock...Alannah, what am I gonna do? I need actual pages in my hand...waaaaaa (picture tears falling down my face)...LOL!

Peace and love,
Paula R.