Submission

First rejection letter received. Very polite, with suggestions for other publishers that may be interested.

Ah well, I was having a crap day anyway.

Too busy today, but I'll start researching the requirements of the next publisher on the list and get this out again before Nano starts.

maggenpye -
"He's not my dad, he's just my father - big difference."

Aw *hugs*.
Well, it's meant to hurt less after the first one isn't it?
You have such a great attitude tho, already getting on with working out what needs to be done with this second submission. Keep at it, and we will keep cheering you on!

http://vyanae.blogspot.com/

Going to be hiding away wound licking for an hour or so, when I have the time. I may just crack open the wine in the pantry once the kid goes to bed.

maggenpye -
"He's not my dad, he's just my father - big difference."

I'd do the same! totally don't blame you for feeling that way, am pretty sure that when I get the guts to send stuff out and get rejected I'll be cracking the wine open too.

http://vyanae.blogspot.com/

Oh maggenpye what a bummer!
Still it sounds like your submission was not their type and at least haven't suggested it's crap. By giving you other publishers means it may be more suitable for their style.
Have a glass for me, just come in from the garden and I'm knackered. :)

As my mother used to say, "if at first you don't succeed, then try, try again."

http://gay_belle.livejournal.com

The Zing Thing: "The Makeover."

'Southern Scriber.'

*hugs*

Enjoy that glass of wine and hopefully you'll feel a little more chirpy in the morning.

Andrew Chilton - http://kapiti.geek.nz/

Depending on how many glasses of wine, I doubt 'chirpy' will be the word to describe how I feel in the morning! ;-)
Had the second glass and I'm up to the belligerent "It's their loss" stage. Except that they were very kind and didn't keep me waiting for months and months. Much quicker than I expected.

Actually, I think they may not have been the best fit, Number 2 on the list will be better.

Or three, or four.

One excellent thing that came out of the rejection is a couple of names I hadn't thought of approaching.

Speaking of number three, the glass is empty. Do I want another? Yes, I really think I do. Thanks for the support.

maggenpye -
"He's not my dad, he's just my father - big difference."

Well, you got more out of the rejection than a lot of people do; I haven't heard of any other publishers actually suggesting other markets to try before.

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Neither had I. The nearest I've had to that was many years ago with a kids book that the publisher said may go well 'in other markets'. These guys have been very polite and helpful at each step.

And 'chirpy' is definitely not the word this morning.

And I'm (sadly) all excited about getting another chance to edit book one! If book three goes well, I may be doing an "Importance of Being Earnest" impression and carrying around my three volume novel in a bag!

Which is more saleable, a trilogy or a 800 page three-part single novel?

maggenpye -
"He's not my dad, he's just my father - big difference."

*hugs* I have no idea about the trilogy question, but I have a feeling it's the trilogy, because 800 pages sound like a lot of pages :) Good luck with submitting (keep trying and you will succeed!) I think the publishers giving you a list (which is miles more useful than a form letter) is quite nice, maybe they like your work? (in which case, you are congratulated for impressing a publisher enough to get recommendations =), quite an achievement) Maybe it's just not their speciality/not enough budget/etc. So again, GOODLUCK!!

I agree that next to an acceptance this is the next best thing! Congrats and I hope you're feeling better. :) I think stick with the trilogy and begin work on something else once it's done. Maybe a stand alone novel and keep submitting!

Out of interest who were the places they suggested?

No Excuses. Just Write.

I was likening myself to Miss Prism, who let the baby in a bag at the railway station and took home her three volume novel.

I've got a couple of pages of notes where I thought of how to improve it.

The worst has happened and it's not so bad.

maggenpye -
"He's not my dad, he's just my father - big difference."

Chin up! It's definitely not the worst thing that could have happened. It's good that you can see how to improve it and it there is a bit of luck involved with finding the right people at the right time. You'll be a better writer for it. :)

No Excuses. Just Write.

I am feeling a bit of a fraud with all the support.

I identified rejection of the manuscript as 'the worst' years ago. It was one of the major blocks before writing the book, and again before sending it in.

It was my 'worst', no-one else's.

And it's not bad at all! I'm enjoying the chance to tweak bits and make it that much better.

I believe in the book and I want to send it out again.

It's all good stuff that's come out of facing my 'worst' thing and having it happen.

maggenpye -
"He's not my dad, he's just my father - big difference."

That's great! Facing fears is an amazingly hard thing, that's why they call it brave. :) I bet you feel great now that you're on the other side of that one.

Good luck with sending it out again. I'm sure that will be another thing to overcome and I'm not sure if it gets easier. Just imagine that one saying yes.

Keep us posted, as always. :)

No Excuses. Just Write.

Attempt #2 is in the envelope, brand new synopsis and query letter.

With half an hour to spare on my self imposed deadline (get it out before Nano starts).

Wish me luck, but very quietly over the next 30 days - don't interrupt the writing!

maggenpye -
"He's not my dad, he's just my father - big difference."

Think of it this way, at least you got a response. Someone took the time to look at it. It didn't end up in the slush...The publishing world is now aware of you. :)

That is a step in the right direction.

See you on the other side of Nano.

Want to know what I am working on?
Loose Endings

Can't cross my fingers for you maggenpye. Busy nano-ing :)
You can't do any more, so just leave it in their hands now, and good luck.

What are you writing about for nano this year?

http://gay_belle.livejournal.com

The Zing Thing: "The Makeover."

'Southern Scriber.'

Good luck on Attempt #2! And you know it's a better story for the extra polish you put on it. :)

No Excuses. Just Write.