Well, but it did turn into a discussion on trad vs self, didn't it? *yawn*
Back to the OP, cupiscent makes a key observation talking about rejected submissions:
> I doubt their answer would have been any different if I had been referred to them by someone else
It's been said by others. Quality first. It has to be a good story. If it's not, networking means nothing.
If it *is* a good story, then networking *may* help.
Given that, I'd say to the OP, take advantage of any opportunities that you find, but don't lose any sleep over this. Plenty of writers have come from Nowhere USA, and they didn't need to take out an apartment in New York to do so. At the same time, if you *do* live in New York, you've got more opportunities than I do here in Boise, Idaho. So good on ya.
Back to the OP, cupiscent makes a key observation talking about rejected submissions:
> I doubt their answer would have been any different if I had been referred to them by someone else
It's been said by others. Quality first. It has to be a good story. If it's not, networking means nothing.
If it *is* a good story, then networking *may* help.
Given that, I'd say to the OP, take advantage of any opportunities that you find, but don't lose any sleep over this. Plenty of writers have come from Nowhere USA, and they didn't need to take out an apartment in New York to do so. At the same time, if you *do* live in New York, you've got more opportunities than I do here in Boise, Idaho. So good on ya.