SANFORDEDITORIAL

Anyone who has any dealings with the publishing world knows about the slush pile - to writers, it's the abyss from which their manuscript strives to escape; to editors, it's an eternal time sink. Maybe I'm strange, but I love reading the submissions from the slush pile. Every story, even if it's built around a theme or idea that's been retold a thousand times, is unique, because every writer sees the world differently. And it's a thrill unlike any other to be the first to discover a story that you know others will love.

 

Of course, open submissions are a small part of the publishing world, which is built on personal connections, but the skill to know what's salable and what's captivating is applicable whether it's a submission from a friend or a submission from a stranger.

 

Ooligan Press Acquisitions

Ooligan Press has a tiered system for their acquisitions process. Queries are sent through Submittable and judged by the Acquisition Leads as to whether they fall in our general submission guidelines. If a submission does seem relevant to what Ooligan seeks to publish, the leads request a proposal. Two Ooligan students read the proposal and vote as to whether or not the press should read the full manuscript. Two yesses are needed for a manuscript to be considered; if need be, a third student will be brought in to be the tiebreaker. This voting process is repeated for the manuscript. Only after the manuscript is selected, and any developmental changes requested by the department leads are made, will the title be brought before the press for an official vote to acquire.

 

Novelty

I fell in love with this book right away and started talking about it to anyone who would listen, which is always a good sign when thinking about acquiring a title. Novelty is currently going through a developmental edit. I have high hopes for this YA novel.

 

Stranger than Fiction

This is an example of a submission that I voted to accept despite the manuscript's need for more attention. While the organization of the manuscript is a bit messy, the writing on the level of the line was quite compelling, and the combination of the narrator's own story, fascinating and moving news stories, and the behind-the-scenes look into one of Portland's institutions will prove marketable, with the right encouragement.

 

Moby Dick Blues

Some stories just don't fit our needs, but are written by authors we'd love to work with. This submission had an interesting premise, but the characters were a little rough, and the book wasn't as focused on the Northwest as we wanted.