Attention, all you writers and aspiring writers out there. There’s a new writer’s service in town.
Jason M. Waltz, one of the most enlightened editors on the planet, has launched Whet Work by Waltz. The name comes from a whet stone. Jason has edited a number of anthologies over the years. Hopefully, you’ve read some. He’s even published a few of my stories. (I told you he was one of the most enlightened editors on the planet.)
Joking around aside, Jason knows what he’s doing. Here’s his announcement that he recently posted. If you’ve been having trouble getting out of the slush pile, maybe Jason can help you.
NAME: Whet Work by Waltz
TAGLINE: Sharpening your Submissions
LOGO: by sabretooth1100
$15/3,000 words up 21,000 words + all transaction fees
3k-9k 2 week turnaround
12k-15k 2-3 week turnaround
18k-21k 3 week turnaround
This is me, Jason M. Waltz, reading any heroic adventure fiction for authors preparing to submit. I will read just as if I were reading for an open submission call. If you write and read heroic adventure and have enjoyed my heroic story selections in the 20+ years of magazines and anthologies I have edited, this is a perfect service for you! While this is only my opinion and I am not making selections for any publications with these readings, my eyes have seen and evaluated a lot of words. Let me help you get your works over the hump, catch the interest of editors, and find publication and readers!
Note 1: This is not a submission package service (no long form fiction).
Note 2: I reserve the right to decline any submission that I do not consider heroic adventure I want to read.
You will receive 6 paragraphs of feedback each addressing a specific point:
1 – First Line (My hook reaction)
2 – Opening (My analysis of the appeal in your roughly 1st 3 sentences/1st paragraph)
3 – First 500 words (My decision point where I historically make my determination to request the rest of the work for full reading)°°
4 – Character (My analysis of your character appeal, concentration on the primary (one or two) protagonists, with (possible) brief commentary on their antagonist(s) and other secondary characters that catch my interest)
5 – Conflict and/or Climax & Resolution (My analysis of whether these critical aspects work and work within your story)
6 – Denouement (My thoughts on if there is one, if it is consistent, and if it hints/promises more)
Submitters will be asked 3 things only:
1 – email
2 – word count
3 – genre
Well, and for some money. But no cover letters, explanations, or biographies.
°°On pieces 9k or longer this is the point I will decide if I’m accepting your work in full. If I decline to continue, it will be a flat $15 + fees and I will provide only the first 3 paragraphs in feedback.
I am currently slow testing this as I am learning how to set up an Instagram shop, but I am adding interested names in order of contact. I already have a nice slate of interested parties, but if you’d like to be added to my growing list, please use the registration form on my linktr.ee