Do you pros think it's better to
make a submission via mail or in person? (Convention, etc.)
Chuck: A convention is the
absolutely WORST place to hand over a submission.
Conventions are for meeting editors and establishing a rapport. Lots of
guys hand me folders and such to look at during a convention. They'll hand
it over and walk away and hardly speak to me. They'd have done better to
have a conversation and make a personal connection and mail me their
submission later.
Also, I cannot tell you how many wannabes I meet who spend the moments
they share with me talking about themselves. I'm not a god, I'm not the
Alpha and Omega of writing... but I AM a successful writer and if they
wanted to get into my game then they should ASK QUESTIONS and listen the
answers not tell me their (mostly incorrect) views of the industry.
When I was breaking in I LISTENED. I was Fly On The Wall Man. I asked
questions and sucked up the responses. I offered an opinion when I was
asked and only with the disclaimer that I might be talking out of my hat.
I NEVER pretended to admire anyone's work unless it was heartfelt. I tried
valiantly not to geek out to those I idolized. I was polite even to those
whose work I did not care for.
Hey, maybe I should teach a comic book etiquette course.