I can only imagine-guess that the influx of and competition of the submissions is what's weeding out even good/great manuscripts. If an editor sees that they will have to work too long and hard on the manuscript to get it in pristine condition, they'll pass. In my case, I could assume that all of my American slang would not translate easily or at all, for the numerous foreign language editions out there.
I've often wondered why I have never received a R&R from any large publishing house who thought I was very near ringing their bell. Time contraints? Too much work? And these were all agent submissions. I don't think anything is getting past the editor's desk that isn't of break-out quality today. It used to be that editors plunged into a book that they thought was a total winner, which only needed some fine-tuning. I'm not so sure anymore.
What's most astonishing is that I've been offered over 18 small press contracts for about six other books that met the same fate. I signed with six and tore the rest of them up. But I do know one thing--those small press pubs actually read the book cover to cover, remarking on all aspects of the storyline.
Color me confused and pit-worthy. The only thing I can do is forge on and watch my Ps and Qs from here on out--and I mean with an electron microscope.
Tri
I've often wondered why I have never received a R&R from any large publishing house who thought I was very near ringing their bell. Time contraints? Too much work? And these were all agent submissions. I don't think anything is getting past the editor's desk that isn't of break-out quality today. It used to be that editors plunged into a book that they thought was a total winner, which only needed some fine-tuning. I'm not so sure anymore.
What's most astonishing is that I've been offered over 18 small press contracts for about six other books that met the same fate. I signed with six and tore the rest of them up. But I do know one thing--those small press pubs actually read the book cover to cover, remarking on all aspects of the storyline.
Color me confused and pit-worthy. The only thing I can do is forge on and watch my Ps and Qs from here on out--and I mean with an electron microscope.
Tri
I realize I am showing my utter inexperience. But I have to ask. If there were only minor problems, why wouldn't the publishing houses be willing to look again? What's the worst that could happen? They would say "no" again. Or is it understood in the industry that if they reject you, that's it?
I admit to an ulterior reason for asking. I'm at the point of approaching small publishers myself for my nonfiction work.
Good luck. It's exciting to see one of our own so very, very close.