When Publishers Get Weird

PattiTheWicked · Aug 24, 2005

OKay, so here's my dilemma. I submitted my YA novel to a small, independent publishing house about a year ago, and back in April I did a follow up to see what they thought of it. The response was that they did indeed want to publish it, and everyone was very positive and friendly. Yay! Right?

Well, now I haven't heard anything from them. I've sent two more emails asking what's up, but nothing. Now, in all fairness, the publisher (the person not the company) had some medical problems she's been dealing with, so they got a bit behind. However, I've recently learned that she's busy writing her own novels, which makes me wonder how she's ever going to have time to edit and publish mine. I'm also wondering if there will be any effort put into promoting it, or if they'll just print it and let it sit.

I've never signed a contract because they haven't SENT me one yet.

I'm considering withdrawing my novel from them altogether because i just get a feeling that they're not as into it as I am, and submitting it to other publishers. Should I do this, or should I continue to send follow-up letters saying, "Hey guys, remember me?"

Any advice on how to proceed with this would be appreciated.

Garpy · Aug 24, 2005

Hmmm...my tuppence worth.If your book was good enough to get these people interested, it probably could interest someone else. Givent he scenario you've outlined, I think there's every chance that if they publish it they'll not properly promote it and it may well sink without a trace. There's only one thing worse than not being published, and that's being published and selling only a handful of books...apart from tarnishing your reputation, it also means the rights to your book are tied up for a while.

I'd suggest politely withdrawing, perhaps beginning with a well-worded letter asking what the publisher's plans are, and then take it from there. Then, when you punt your script to the next publisher, you can atleast say it was given consideration.

Also, this might be a suitable juncture to try and find an agent...because frankly, being repped by an agent means you'll be taken a lot more seriously by other publishers.

Torgo · Aug 24, 2005

As Garpy says, now might be a good time for an agent to get involved. If you have letters indicating the publisher's interest, clip it to your query.

victoriastrauss · Aug 24, 2005

PattiTheWicked said:
Now, in all fairness, the publisher (the person not the company) had some medical problems she's been dealing with, so they got a bit behind.

This does not sound good. When a publisher is so dependent on a single individual that if she gets sick the whole schedule falls behind, you have to wonder how stable it can ever be. Also, the fact that you had to follow up to discover they wanted to publish your book (if they wanted it, why didn't they contact you?), and the silence you're experiencing now (if they intend to publish, why don't you have a contract yet?), don't bode well for the future. Will you get the same sort of silent treatment if you do sign a contract? Suppose more problems materialize and the publisher falls behind again?

I second the suggestion to withdraw your submission. I wouldn't, however, tell another publisher or agent it was under consideration--first, because a miss is as good as a mile ("almost" getting published really doesn't count); second, because from what you say (especially the bit about the publisher writing her own novels) this publisher doesn't sound terribly professional.

- Victoria

StoryG27 · Aug 24, 2005

Honestly, I'd politely withdraw my ms from them, then seek out an agent, and like Torgo said, show them you've had a publisher's interest. You could even include a very short side note about how the woman handling your ms became ill and your ms was mishandled, so you've decided to look elsewhere.
Good luck, and I don't think you'll have a hard time finding a reputable agent who can get your book into the reader's greedy little hands now.

Carlene · Aug 24, 2005

RUN AWAY FAST!!!

Here's my experience with a small press - dismal! First of all she had the ms for a LONG time. I sent a nice follow-up query after six months, heard nothing and continued to market the book. After exactly one year, she said she would love to publish my romance. Okay, I'm dancing - no up front money, but I knew that going in. (I check EVERYTHING on P&E). I can give you all the gory details if you want to email me, [email protected], but basically she's a one-woman operation who started a publishing company to publish her books! Her mother was very ill, so stuff slipped, etc. (How can you be angry at someone when her Mom is dying?) At one point she send out an email too all her authors begging them to buy one antoher's books - and she admitted she had $2.71 in her bank account! Unfortunately, I'd already signed the contract or I would have run too.

Carlene

James D. Macdonald · Aug 24, 2005

A book that's publishable by one is publishable by many. Go get the best deal you can. Aim high!

maestrowork · Aug 24, 2005

Spread you net. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Blah blah blah. You get it?

PattiTheWicked · Aug 24, 2005

Thanks, guys. As always, you've been very helpful. Any suggestions as to how to politely terminate the relationship? I don't want to be nasty about things -- should I explain WHY I'm withdrawing my submission, or just say, "I have decided that your company is not really right for me at this time."

maestrowork · Aug 24, 2005

Why do you need to withdraw? They haven't given you a contract yet. As long as you have not accepted an offer, you are fair game.... unless you gave them exclusivity -- in that case, you should politely give them a time frame. Otherwise, you can submit to other agents or publishers without "withdrawing" from this publisher.

Of course, if you do want to withdraw from them, simply say you have made a decision to seek other venues with this particular ms. and wish them luck.

PattiTheWicked · Aug 24, 2005

maestrowork said:
Why do you need to withdraw? They haven't given you a contract yet. As long as you have not accepted an offer, you are fair game.... unless you gave them exclusivity -- in that case, you should politely give them a time frame. Otherwise, you can submit to other agents or publishers without "withdrawing" from this publisher..

I hadn't really thought of it that way. You're right though. There was no exclusivity, and there's no contract.

maestrowork said:
Of course, if you do want to withdraw from them, simply say you have made a decision to seek other venues with this particular ms. and wish them luck.

While I know I'm not obligated to do it, I feel like I should at least drop them a note saying I'm going to look elsewhere. It seems like a courteous thing to do.

James D. Macdonald · Aug 24, 2005

No contract, no money? Just send a note saying that you're withdrawing your book and call it a day.

Send it out to some one else that same afternoon.

inexperiencedinker · Aug 24, 2005

I don't have any experience in getting my book published (yet!) but I am a chronic complainer, lol. I am the type of person to drive BACK to the fast food restaurant if my order was incorrect.
When being polite is either too difficult, or unneeded, opt for formal.
Ex.:
Ms. ____,
This letter is to inform you that I am withdrawing my book from consideration by your company. Thank you for the interest, and I hope your mom gets better/your novel is successful/whatever other excuses you have given me are resolved.

Thank you,
_________

Alright, so the last sentence isn't necessary, but my point is make it short and sweet. You owe them no explanation, as it is YOUR ms, and it will only embroil you in a confrontation that is unwanted and unneeded.
good luck!

Mike Coombes · Aug 24, 2005

PattiTheWicked said:
Thanks, guys. As always, you've been very helpful. Any suggestions as to how to politely terminate the relationship? I don't want to be nasty about things -- should I explain WHY I'm withdrawing my submission, or just say, "I have decided that your company is not really right for me at this time."

My suggestion would be don't withdraw. Get an agent - it's easier if the work is already placed - then let them go after the publisher, withdraw, place it elsewhere, whatever. That's what they're for. That way you got all options covered, and you don't have to be the one terminating the relationship.

James D. Macdonald · Aug 24, 2005

This place doesn't strike me as the sort of publisher whose very name would make an agent think more kindly of your work.

Aconite · Aug 25, 2005

Mike Coombes said:
That's what they're for. That way you got all options covered, and you don't have to be the one terminating the relationship.

But there's no relationship. There's no offer, no exclusivity agreement, nothing. There's nothing to terminate.

PattiTheWicked · Aug 25, 2005

I sent them a very nice note saying I had decided to place my work for publication with other venues.

And then I sent out queries to five other publishers.

Saanen · Aug 25, 2005

PattiTheWicked said:
I sent them a very nice note saying I had decided to place my work for publication with other venues.

And then I sent out queries to five other publishers.

Good--I think that's the best thing you could do under the circumstances. At least you have the satisfaction of knowing one publisher really liked your work, and I'm sure you'll find another publisher who likes it even better.

HapiSofi · Aug 25, 2005

No contract, no money, no contact, no nothing. You're free.

When Publishers Get Weird

PattiTheWicked

Unleashing Hell.

Garpy

keyboard monkey

Torgo

Formerly Phantom of Krankor.

victoriastrauss

Writer Beware Goddess

StoryG27

Miss Behave

Carlene

New kid, be gentle!

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

PattiTheWicked

Unleashing Hell.

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

PattiTheWicked

Unleashing Hell.

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

inexperiencedinker

Mike Coombes

Guru

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

Aconite

PattiTheWicked

Unleashing Hell.

Saanen

HapiSofi

Hagiographically Advantaged