Request for Resubmission?

MountainMoon22 · Apr 22, 2011

I submitted my book to a known publisher, and the editor said it was good, but came back with a request for rewrites - most of these things were pretty standard craft issues that I'd missed in my edits (spots with repetition, head hopping, clunky dialogue, that sort of thing) - so I revised, had it beta-read and resubmitted about a month later. The book is much stronger for the rewrite.

The feedback was great, and I was impressed that this editor took the time to write these things instead of flatly rejecting; but I'm wondering, do you really have a shot with publisher when this happens?

stormie · Apr 22, 2011

MountainMoon22 said:
I submitted my book to a known publisher, and the editor came back with a request for rewrites - most of these things
were pretty standard craft issues that I'd missed (spots with repetition, clunky dialogue, that sort of thing) - so I revised, had it beta-read and resubmitted about a month later. The book is much stronger for the rewrite.

I was impressed that this editor took the time to write these things instead of flatly rejecting, but I'm wondering, do you really have a shot with publisher when this happens?

Bolding mine.

And to answer your question: Yes. Good luck and keep us posted.

Jamesaritchie · Apr 22, 2011

MountainMoon22 said:
I submitted my book to a known publisher, and the editor said it was good, but came back with a request for rewrites - most of these things were pretty standard craft issues that I'd missed in my edits (spots with repetition, head hopping, clunky dialogue, that sort of thing) - so I revised, had it beta-read and resubmitted about a month later. The book is much stronger for the rewrite.

The feedback was great, and I was impressed that this editor took the time to write these things instead of flatly rejecting; but I'm wondering, do you really have a shot with publisher when this happens?

Of course you have a shot. Editors only do this with stories that are already pretty good, and just need to be made better.

What's rare is selling a novel without a request for rewrites first.

quicklime · Apr 22, 2011

Jamesaritchie said:
Of course you have a shot. Editors only do this with stories that are already pretty good, and just need to be made better.

What's rare is selling a novel without a request for rewrites first.

I think this is where a lot of folks with Golden-word syndrome finally get weeded out

Graz · Apr 22, 2011

I'd be thrilled. They wouldn't be wasting their time if they didn't think there was money to be made.

Jamesaritchie · Apr 22, 2011

quicklime said:
I think this is where a lot of folks with Golden-word syndrome finally get weeded out

Very, very true. Some are simply incapale of making necessary changes, but far too many get a sudden case of Golden-word, and refuse to do so.

scope · Apr 22, 2011

Absolutely. The editor gave you specifics about what she would like to have rewritten and requested a rewrite.

scarletpeaches · Apr 22, 2011

MountainMoon22 said:
...do you really have a shot with publisher when this happens?

Well I've managed it a couple of times.

Jamesaritchie said:
What's rare is selling a novel without a request for rewrites first.

Well I've managed it a couple of times.

MountainMoon22 · Apr 22, 2011

They took it this afternoon!

Jamesaritchie · Apr 22, 2011

scarletpeaches said:
Well I've managed it a couple of times.Well I've managed it a couple of times.

I've managed it everytime, but it's still pretty darned uncommon, and the bigger the publisher, the greater the chance of rewrite requests.

Miriel · Apr 22, 2011

Congrats!

law900 · Apr 22, 2011

Very exciting! ROCK ON!

Angela James · Apr 23, 2011

Congratulations! I think this is a really common question among authors, and I wrote a blog post to help clarify this question. Link is below, and not for promotional purposes in any way, but as a source of further information for anyone still wondering about revise and resubmits.

http://carinapress.com/blog/2011/01/what-does-it-mean-when-youre-asked-to-revise-and-resubmit/

Jamesaritchie · Apr 23, 2011

Angela James said:
Congratulations! I think this is a really common question among authors, and I wrote a blog post to help clarify this question. Link is below, and not for promotional purposes in any way, but as a source of further information for anyone still wondering about revise and resubmits.

http://carinapress.com/blog/2011/01/what-does-it-mean-when-youre-asked-to-revise-and-resubmit/

Good blog post. Spot on, from my experience.

stormie · Apr 23, 2011

That's great news, MountainMoon! And as you said in your original post, you took about a month to R&R. Excellent.

Angela James--your post on your blog is very good. Esp.#3 about acknowledging the request for a R&R, then taking the time to do a good job on it before resubmitting.

MountainMoon22 · Apr 24, 2011

Thank you Ms. James for the blog post, it's very encouraging for people starting out who don't know the ropes of the publishing world, and for the other congratulations, I'm really excited.

SBibb · Apr 27, 2011

Congratulations! :-D

Tifferbugz · Apr 27, 2011

Congrats!!

Also, great post, Angela.

Kennetht04 · Apr 27, 2011

What can be more worthy of a congratulations? Your book must be good, and you must be very talented. As for it being sent back with request of a few rewrites, nothing's perfect until it has been perfected.

Request for Resubmission?

MountainMoon22

stormie

storm central

Jamesaritchie

quicklime

all out of fucks to give

Graz

Jamesaritchie

scope

Commonsensical Maverick

scarletpeaches

MountainMoon22

Jamesaritchie

Miriel

New kid, be gentle!

law900

Angela James

savvy editor

Jamesaritchie

stormie

storm central

MountainMoon22

SBibb

Tifferbugz

Doing Pirate things...

Kennetht04