I just heard back from W.W.Norton

I just heard back from W.W.Norton today and they said that they thought my work was compelling but it wasn't right for their list and that they wished me luck placing it with another house.

I did think it was pretty strange they wanted to take a look at it cause my work is a fantasy and aimed at Young adults whereas jusging from their previous books they don't do that sort of thing. They do more serious fiction and non fiction.

But hay I suppose its good that they wanted to take a look at it in the first place so I shouldn't complain

We got one of those today too from a very nice lawyerly agent. At least we heard something.

Don't despair!

The fact that you're getting your complete manuscript read should indicate that you're on the threshold of finding a venue.

Keep looking for that agent or publisher who will sign you up.

Yeah

Yeah but what I find weird is when people request to read your work but they know that they don't deal with that kind of stuff. I mean I knew W.WNorton didn't publish the work that I write but still they asked for it and its kind of the same with another publisher. I got a note back saying that they have a very full fantasy list and cant add another to it which made me kind of wonder why didn't they say that beforehand.

I know that its good that they want to read it at all but it just strikes me as odd that they want to read something they know they are never going to read. It was like this one agent who I queried, she said to me I dont deal with Fantasy but send me it anyway.

Every--

publisher or agent is looking for the next best seller--and even if their list is full, if that book comes in they will make room for it.

And, I often think the words--our list is full, is a polite way of letting an author down. Not, hey we don't want this, but our list is full--and off you go to find someone who doesn't have a full list.

Shawn

Re: Yeah

I mean I knew W.WNorton didn't publish the work that I write

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Just curious, but if you know they don't publish the kind of stuff you write, why did you query them?