Is it a good sign if an editor requests a rewrite?

Jeffery E Doherty · May 13, 2008

I have a picture book text with a publisher in Australia at the moment. After waiting 10 months, I reveived a request from the editor for a rewrite. The letter also made some suggestions for changes (Which I followed) Is this a good sign?

The other question I have is. They have had the rewrite since the middle of February. How long should I wait before querying them whithout seeming pushy?

Regards

Jeff Doherty

Pat~ · May 13, 2008

Hi Jeff! I'd think it was a good sign; if they weren't at least seriously interested, they probably wouldn't bother asking for the rewrite. As to how long to wait...I once was asked by a magazine for a rewrite, and then it took almost a year (!) to get back to me with an acceptance (and an apology for taking so long). Hopefully your good news will come faster.

ETA: Oops, just realized what forum this was...sorry, I'm not an editor...

Jeffery E Doherty · May 14, 2008

Any advice is good Pat, thanks for sharing your experience. I hope it doesn't take them another year. I'm already starting to pull my hair out.

JED

scope · May 14, 2008

It's a good sign, definitely.

They have had your rewrite for about three months. I think you have every right to politely contact the editor via email or snail mail.

Gillhoughly · May 18, 2008

Holy moly--of COURSE that's a good sign!

Give it a few months, though.

I sent an article in, got a rejection on it, but the editor put in a few suggestions. She didn't have to put in anything, but that told me that the piece wasn't past all hope.

As per all the stuff I read about writing, I redid the article and tried again with the same editor.

About 6 months later I got a nice check and a couple free copies of the magazine.

Good luck!!!!!!

Jeffery E Doherty · May 19, 2008

Thanks Gillhoughly,

I'll leave it a little longer before I query the editor. I was considering sending an anniversary card last month to celebrate the manuscript being there for twelve months lol. (bit of a joke there) I'm just starting to pull my hair out now. I've got a couple of new manuscripts complete now and I'd like to give this publisher first option on them but I don't want to send them in because I'd be competing against myself. I might just have to send them elsewhere.

JED

Gillhoughly · May 19, 2008

Gillhoughly stared at screen. "Did I read that right??"

I don't want to send them in because I'd be competing against myself.

Twitching the whole time with disbelief, Gillhoughly hunted down the writer and beat the writer over the head with a rolled up manuscript.

"Sendthemin!sendthemin!sendthemin!sendthemin!sendthemin!" the crazed editor screamed.

Wham-wham-wham-wham-wham!

Jeffery E Doherty · May 20, 2008

I will.

Consider my wrist slapped. But I think I might try a different publisher first though. I'm going to the 2008 Festival of Literature for kids and young adults in June. There will be an agent, at least four editors from different houses and a bunch of writers going. I might hold off and see if I can drum up some interest in person.

I'm going to try and arrange an appointment with at least one of them to discuss my portfolio of work (Completed, in progress and planned.)

I'm going to print up and take with me, half a dozen copies of my completed work in case one of them bites on the day.

Thanks for the advice.

JED

Is it a good sign if an editor requests a rewrite?

Jeffery E Doherty

Pat~

Luftmensch Emeritus, A.D.D.

Jeffery E Doherty

scope

Commonsensical Maverick

Gillhoughly

Grumpy writer and editor

Jeffery E Doherty

Gillhoughly

Grumpy writer and editor

Jeffery E Doherty