T. M. Gray, horror writer (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} tmgray) wrote,@ 2004-06-23 13:31:00 |
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Envelope Hell
'White Meat', the novel I co-wrote with Mark West is now on its merry way to a NYC publisher. I spent the entire day yesterday making sure everything was perfect: manuscript formatted in the manner they preferred, labels printed, synopsis intact, stamped postcard, SASE, cover letter, the works. Got the package all together (the manuscript was 318 pages, kind'a thick)...then I found I couldn't fit it into the damned envelope. (Mind you, I'd all ready paid postage on the thing, ugh.) Why wouldn't it fit? Bubble wrap glued on the inside (this doesn't come out no matter how hard you tug on it, I know I tried.)
So I had this idea, see...if I popped all the bubbles, the manuscript would fit. I only needed a quarter of an inch leeway. Thing is, though, there are hundreds of the little bastards, and I do mean hundreds. So I started popping. Funny, how something like popping bubbles used to calm my nerves--and now it doesn't. In fact, it had the opposite effect. So I popped and cursed, and popped and cursed some more, until my fingers turned numb, then I gave it to my kids to pop. I didn't let them curse, however. Share the joy, right? The two of them didn't last as long as I did before their fingers went numb, too. (maybe because I didn't let them curse, lol)
Then my hubby had a great idea. (God, I love that man!) He took a rolling pin, put the envelope down on the kitchen table and tried rolling out the bubbles. That didn't work, so he pounded the bubbles out by slamming the rolling pin down onto the envelope, which worked like a charm! (And no, it didn't harm the envelope at all.) After he got done with it, the MS slid right in, slick as you please, and I'm thinking I owe him big time.
Now why would anyone spend so much energy on a stupid envelope?
Because in the post office where I live there's only a handful of envelopes to choose from. You can get x-large ones (almost big enough to pack my dog into), medium-sized ones (they come with the bubble wrap glued on the inside) and regular ones for letters and such. The great big envelopes are padded with shredded paper/pocket lint material, which I've heard editors abhor...don't blame 'em--you tear the envelope open and it goes everywhere. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, least of all someone who's about to see my manuscript.
I've heard they have nice, manuscript-sized envelopes and boxes at several stores (Mail Boxes Etc.), so I may check them out on my next trip into the big city.
But the main thing is this: 'White Meat' is on its way to Tor Books...and I am sooo relieved!
* * *
Oh yeah, before I forget, I watched the remake of 'Salem's Lot. [No Spoilers Ahead]
There were things I liked about it: namely, the new Kurt Barlow who was more like the vampire in the novel. I'm not a David Soul fan. Rob Lowe is prettier to look at, I'll give him that. The updates were good; the movie very fast paced. (I would have slowed it down in a few spots, but then again, I'm not a director.) It was refreshing, at least for me, that none of the actors tried talking with a Maine accent. If you're not born with it, there's no way you can get it right. I enjoyed Donald Sutherland's performance. Can't help it, he was my very first crush...waaaay back when the movie M.A.S.H. first came out. Sexy ol' dude. The new 'Salem's Lot has a new beginning and end, which ties into 'Wolves of the Calla,' but I won't say anymore because I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it yet.
According to my TV schedule, Kingdom Hospital airs tomorrow night at 9 on ABC. Terrible the way they broke up the series like that, but I'll watch it...because I'm curious, and because Stephen King can tell me a story any time he wants and I'll always listen.
Because I'm curious.
~Bubblebuster
'White Meat', the novel I co-wrote with Mark West is now on its merry way to a NYC publisher. I spent the entire day yesterday making sure everything was perfect: manuscript formatted in the manner they preferred, labels printed, synopsis intact, stamped postcard, SASE, cover letter, the works. Got the package all together (the manuscript was 318 pages, kind'a thick)...then I found I couldn't fit it into the damned envelope. (Mind you, I'd all ready paid postage on the thing, ugh.) Why wouldn't it fit? Bubble wrap glued on the inside (this doesn't come out no matter how hard you tug on it, I know I tried.)
So I had this idea, see...if I popped all the bubbles, the manuscript would fit. I only needed a quarter of an inch leeway. Thing is, though, there are hundreds of the little bastards, and I do mean hundreds. So I started popping. Funny, how something like popping bubbles used to calm my nerves--and now it doesn't. In fact, it had the opposite effect. So I popped and cursed, and popped and cursed some more, until my fingers turned numb, then I gave it to my kids to pop. I didn't let them curse, however. Share the joy, right? The two of them didn't last as long as I did before their fingers went numb, too. (maybe because I didn't let them curse, lol)
Then my hubby had a great idea. (God, I love that man!) He took a rolling pin, put the envelope down on the kitchen table and tried rolling out the bubbles. That didn't work, so he pounded the bubbles out by slamming the rolling pin down onto the envelope, which worked like a charm! (And no, it didn't harm the envelope at all.) After he got done with it, the MS slid right in, slick as you please, and I'm thinking I owe him big time.
Now why would anyone spend so much energy on a stupid envelope?
Because in the post office where I live there's only a handful of envelopes to choose from. You can get x-large ones (almost big enough to pack my dog into), medium-sized ones (they come with the bubble wrap glued on the inside) and regular ones for letters and such. The great big envelopes are padded with shredded paper/pocket lint material, which I've heard editors abhor...don't blame 'em--you tear the envelope open and it goes everywhere. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, least of all someone who's about to see my manuscript.
I've heard they have nice, manuscript-sized envelopes and boxes at several stores (Mail Boxes Etc.), so I may check them out on my next trip into the big city.
But the main thing is this: 'White Meat' is on its way to Tor Books...and I am sooo relieved!
* * *
Oh yeah, before I forget, I watched the remake of 'Salem's Lot. [No Spoilers Ahead]
There were things I liked about it: namely, the new Kurt Barlow who was more like the vampire in the novel. I'm not a David Soul fan. Rob Lowe is prettier to look at, I'll give him that. The updates were good; the movie very fast paced. (I would have slowed it down in a few spots, but then again, I'm not a director.) It was refreshing, at least for me, that none of the actors tried talking with a Maine accent. If you're not born with it, there's no way you can get it right. I enjoyed Donald Sutherland's performance. Can't help it, he was my very first crush...waaaay back when the movie M.A.S.H. first came out. Sexy ol' dude. The new 'Salem's Lot has a new beginning and end, which ties into 'Wolves of the Calla,' but I won't say anymore because I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it yet.
According to my TV schedule, Kingdom Hospital airs tomorrow night at 9 on ABC. Terrible the way they broke up the series like that, but I'll watch it...because I'm curious, and because Stephen King can tell me a story any time he wants and I'll always listen.
Because I'm curious.
~Bubblebuster
