Publisher went out of business, rights returned, can I resubmit?

xXFireSpiritXx · Nov 7, 2011

So the small publisher who published my novel, Snow's Blood, just announced they are suspending operations. My rights have been returned to me via letter and my contract voided. My novel was only in publication for a month.

So my question is, may I re-query it? I have decided to change the title and I really love this manuscript and feel it would be a waste to not resubmit it.

Old Hack · Nov 7, 2011

So long as all of your rights have been returned and you have proof of that, you can resubmit it. But you MUST tell everyone you submit it to that it has already been published, and that's going to put some publishers off, I'm afraid.

Don't try to hide the book's publication history by changing the title and tweaking a few details: that won't go down well when your deception is discovered and it will be, eventually.

xXFireSpiritXx · Nov 7, 2011

No other way to say this but this really sucks. So basically my manuscript is dead in the water.

BradCarsten · Nov 8, 2011

I have heard of authors who have self published, and after selling upwards of 2000 books, have had publishers approach them with an offer of representation for that title.

It hasn't been out long. Some other poor shmuck has incurred the advertising and launch expenses and I would assume that those who have read it are starting to tell their friends how fantastic it is. So for the publisher it's going to be climbing onto the wave and riding it.

Send it out, be upfront and who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Terie · Nov 8, 2011

xXFireSpiritXx said:
No other way to say this but this really sucks. So basically my manuscript is dead in the water.

It might be...but it might not. You're really lucky that the book was only out for a month; that will help explain low sales. Especially as you're going to be totally honest about the publication history in your submission letter.

The situation will probably put off some publishers, but not others, so there's no reason not to try to resell it. The worst that happens is that no one picks it up, and that's no worse than not even trying. So go on...start submitting it.

Good luck!

jaksen · Nov 8, 2011

What Terie says ^^^

Submit it around and be 100% totally honest. Always. You never have to retreat or 'explain' when you tell the truth.

You have nothing to lose by trying.

dangerousbill · Nov 8, 2011

xXFireSpiritXx said:
No other way to say this but this really sucks. So basically my manuscript is dead in the water.

Not at all. It was in distribution for a month. Do you have sales numbers for that period? It might be a selling point.

happywritermom · Nov 8, 2011

You never know how publishers might react. Some might be put off by the fact that it was already in publication. Others might find that as validation that it's worth publishing.
A month is nothing, especially if you change the title.
What do you have to lose?

Sheryl Nantus · Nov 8, 2011

Go and resubmit - be honest and tell them the story behind the book being out for only a month and the publisher going under.

You've got nothing to lose. And publishers *do* take on reprints - just be honest and put your best foot forward.

black13 · Nov 8, 2011

I've had several books republished by Ellora's Cave and Loose-Id and Samhain. I reiterate what others have said - be honest with prospective publishers.
The books I had republished were all part of a series, and in both cases I had to rewrite the books to the house style and expectations (you'll get extensive notes from the editor to guide you) and provide new content, either continuing the series or sending a new book in. And they are all subject to the usual submission requirements.
But I'm pleased that Richard and Rose, Pure Wildfire and Department 57 had a new lease of life. Without exception, they've all done much better with their new publishers than they did originally, and I think the rewrites have made the books stronger, too.

BarbaraSheridan · Nov 8, 2011

With e-publishers many will take a previously pubbed book if you sub new work. You could try subbing something new first then try to place the previously contracted one next.

Jersey Chick · Nov 8, 2011

As long as you're honest and upfront, what do you have to lose? If you resub, it might get picked up. However, if you just put it away and write it off, it definitely won't get picked up.

michael_b · Nov 8, 2011

BarbaraSheridan said:
With e-publishers many will take a previously pubbed book if you sub new work. You could try subbing something new first then try to place the previously contracted one next.

Exactly this in a nutshell. I've taken previously published work for rerelease at Shadowfire Press after the author signed an original work with us first. I know there are other publishers willing to take reprinted work so long as you place new material with them. If this is the first book of a planned series--you don't mention whether it is or not--then write the second book and pitch both titles at the same time.

And, like everyone else said mention the publication history. The single worst thing you can do is hide the fact the story was published. I had an author actually lie regarding a book's publication history. When I found out the book had indeed been published I canceled the contract. Will I ever accept another work from that author? Not a chance.

Publisher went out of business, rights returned, can I resubmit?

xXFireSpiritXx

Killing my darlings...

Old Hack

Such a nasty woman

xXFireSpiritXx

Killing my darlings...

BradCarsten

practical experience, FTW

Terie

Writer is as Writer does

jaksen

Caped Codder

dangerousbill

Retired Illuminatus

happywritermom

Sheryl Nantus

Holding out for a Superhero...

black13

BarbaraSheridan

insert catchy phrase here

Jersey Chick

Up all night to get Loki

michael_b

So many ideas, never enough time.

Publisher went out of business, rights returned, can I resubmit?

Killing my darlings...

Such a nasty woman

Killing my darlings...

practical experience, FTW

Writer is as Writer does

Caped Codder

Retired Illuminatus

Holding out for a Superhero...

*insert catchy phrase here*

Up all night to get Loki

So many ideas, never enough time.

insert catchy phrase here