I got one rejection letter back. Does this mean all the publishers I sent the stuff too think it's a terrible book or does this mean I need more pationance for I'm running out of that. I'm starting to panic. Help!!!
2007-01-11 07:39:40 · 6 answers · asked by missgigglebunny 7 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I can't a afford to get a agent plus Maggie Shaynes website says to try submission on your own first then get a agent when the call comes in. Also Nick Sparks says on his to get a agent first but as I said I can't afford to be paying someone hundreds of dollars to do that.
2007-01-11 08:02:54 · update #1
I have followed all the requirments on the websites for the publishing companys.
2007-01-11 08:05:32 · update #2
I'd recommend you try and find an agent. They can shop your book around for you. Many publishers do not accept unsolicited manuscripts or letters, so that might be why you haven't gotten a response.
Also, your work might still be in the "slush pile" at some of the publishers, since it takes a while to get through it all. I think your best option really will be to find an agent that works for you and work with them.
2007-01-11 07:47:46 · answer #1 · answered by Kate 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It may mean they're still looking at it, or haven't gotten to it yet, or maybe that you didn't follow their submission procedures (usually available on the publisher's Web site). If they don't like it, or if it doesn't suit their needs (which is not the same thing), then they will probably send a form rejection letter, but some places destroy unsolicited manuscripts unread if you don't follow their procedures--for example, if you don't include a self-addressed, stamped envelope, or if you send things when they've announced that they aren't accepting submissions.
In any event, if you're already running out of patience after a month or less, then I recommend you work on that. You have a long road ahead of you. A friend of mine sent out over 100 submissions before her book got published, and it was an amazing piece of work. I've tried to avoid breaking the 100 submissions mark by researching agents ahead of time, but as a result I've only sent my MS to 4 people in almost a year (I've gotten 3 rejections--1 form letter, 1 good but not what I handle, 1 request for a rewrite because it was too sophisticated for the intended audience--the 4th query is still out there).
2007-01-11 16:00:27 · answer #2 · answered by thunderpigeon 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
DON'T PANIC!! Well maybe you need more than three chapters you should have sent ALL the chapters to them. Thats like giving someone half a newspaper column to read. You need to be patient. I KNOW your running out of patience but think of how many other people have probably sent books they want publishers to read as well. OR you can call them and see whats going on. Just because you get one rejection letter doesn't mean that the other publishers will give you one. Keep the faith and good luck!
2007-01-11 15:49:07 · answer #3 · answered by . 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It sometimes can take up to 4 months to hear back - if you ever do. Submission without an agent can be rough.
Don’t get to down on yourself and keep writing/submitting. This book is handy for agents:
Guide to Literary Agents 2007
http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Literary-Agents-2007/dp/1582974322/sr=8-1/qid=1168205583/ref=sr_1_1/002-5094034-3928841?ie=UTF8&s=books
A bit of trivia: Stephen King’s first published novel (Carrie) was picked out of the garbage can by his wife after he threw it away thinking it was, as you say, ”terrible”.
2007-01-11 15:57:27 · answer #4 · answered by Ralph 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been using Dan Poynter's ParaPublishing site for awhile now, and one of the things that they recommend is not sending your manuscript to a publisher without an actual person expecting to receive it.
Is it a fiction or non-fiction book?
I highly recommend that you check out http://parapublishing.com
they give great advice, and a free newsletter, and alternative ways to publish, including DIY...check it out!
Good luck
2007-01-11 15:50:11 · answer #5 · answered by purplepartygirrl 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
More people want to be published writers than anything else except movie stars. It's about that hard.
It's going to rain rejections if you don't have contacts.
It's also a help to be Jewish, or gay, or (in England) to have gone to one of the great public, ie private schools.
These categories can, and do, frequently overlap, of course.
2007-01-11 16:44:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋