Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Tor Books and the Mainstream

This is topic Tor Books and the Mainstream in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by cicero (Member # 1602) on :

I'm in the process of completing a three volume novel series (quite sadly, I might add, as I had always wanted to not write a trilogy), and am considering what tack to pursue in achieving publication.

Tor Books' sumbissions pile is one possibility, another is seeking representation. On the one hand, I'm quite fond of Tor, and everything I hear of them is wonderful.

On the other, I would prefer to seek publication in a 'mainstream' venue. My story is science fiction in milieu only; it's written for the general audience.

Does anyone have a recommendation? I've heard excellent things about Writer's House, and have considered submitting there. But there is always Tor, and that fondness ...

Suggestions much appreciated.

Posted by EricJamesStone (Member # 1681) on :

There's nothing that says you can't submit your novel to Tor's slushpile while also submitting to agents to see if they'll represent you.

Posted by KatFeete (Member # 2161) on :

Tor has a sister imprint, Forge, which is mainstream. You may wish to look into them.

http://www.tor.com/forge.html

Otherwise, I generally suggest looking for an agent first. It's generally acknowledged that publishers look more closely at agented works than the general slush. Of course, the reverse is also true, but it's possible to go back to an agent and say "Hey, I've got an offer from a publisher, would you reconsider?" whereas "Hey, I've got an agent now, would you reconsider?" meets a lukewarmm response at best.

I keep a list of good science fiction/fantasy agents:

http://www.katfeete.net/writing/agents.html

But I recommend you research each agent on your own. I'm not infalliable, and there's a lot of scammers out there.

Posted by Thieftess (Member # 1683) on :

If it's sci-fi, Baen also accepts unagented submissions.