How Do You Dump a Potential Publisher?

Gondomir · Dec 6, 2011

There is a publisher, that I first queried and later sent my manuscript to at the publisher's request, that has expressed further interest in publishing my novel. Unfortunately, I have found through this forum that this publisher has a bad reputation.

How should I go about dumping this loser? I want to be tactful and professional.

Should I formally withdraw my manuscript? Given reasons? Not give reasons? Do nothing and just quietly move on?

writerGDW · Dec 6, 2011

If you want to be tactful and professional, I'd just say "thanks for your interest, but I've decided to go a different direction" or something similar.

Torgo · Dec 6, 2011

Tell them you're exploring other avenues for publication and to please withdraw your manuscript from consideration. I don't think you need to explain more than that, but if it's just based on reputation it's probably courteous to inform them.

Monkey · Dec 6, 2011

The most courteous route is probably to say you've chosen to go in a different direction or some such, but I have always preferred to be very specific: "Your contract states x, y, and z," or whatever.

You might provoke a change. Or not.

Polenth · Dec 6, 2011

If you give reasons, you're opening yourself up to an argument. Just say no in a polite way and don't over-complicate it.

NeuroFizz · Dec 6, 2011

If you haven't signed a contract, you owe this publisher nothing, including an explanation. Just withdraw your manuscript from consideration.

IceCreamEmpress · Dec 6, 2011

Dear X,

I appreciate your expressing interest in <title> in your <email or letter> of <date>.

However, I wanted to let you know that the manuscript is no longer available for consideration.

kuwisdelu · Dec 6, 2011

Doing it over Facebook or a text message would really be best.

Williebee · Dec 6, 2011

kuwisdelu said:
Doing it over Facebook or a text message would really be best.

'spose you could tell their neighbor, ask them to pass it on.

Cut and paste #7 above. Replace the pertinent sections with accurate information, and send it.

If you are not under any kind of contract, you are under no obligation to discuss it further. Be polite, be firm, be professional.

Good luck!

Drachen Jager · Dec 6, 2011

Dear John,

I totally saw you making out with Karen Finch at recess. We are OVER! You can take your stupid Star Wars DVD collection back, by the way I put it through the blender, along with your vinyl original release Pink Floyd and your hamster!

P.S. I am totally going to tell everyone at school that you liked to dress up in my underpants. Perv.

P.P.S. I never really LOLed at ANY of your texts. I just said that to be nice.

kuwisdelu · Dec 6, 2011

Drachen Jager said:
I put it through the blender, along with your vinyl original release Pink Floyd

You fucking evil bitch. I don't care how much of a bastard John was, that is something you Just Don't Do.

Filigree · Dec 6, 2011

Yeah, don't take it out on the music.

Soccer Mom · Dec 6, 2011

Dear Publisher, it's not you. It's me. I hope we can still be friends. No hard feelings.

By the way, do you still have my sweater? The red one? Cause I'd like it back.

Thanks,

Your favorite soccer mom

Gondomir · Dec 6, 2011

Wow! It is amazing how this thread deteriorated into a joke! This was a serious post. Some of you really hurt my feelings with your mockery. Nah--I'm just kidding. I think I may have cracked a rib laughing at some of the comments. Seriously, though, thanks everyone--I'll probably use WriterGDW's tactful approach.

shaldna · Dec 7, 2011

Gondomir said:
There is a publisher, that I first queried and later sent my manuscript to at the publisher's request, that has expressed further interest in publishing my novel. Unfortunately, I have found through this forum that this publisher has a bad reputation.

At least you were lucky to find out before you signed anything with them.

How should I go about dumping this loser? I want to be tactful and professional.

Well, if you want to be professional I would suggest NOT refering to 'dumping this loser' as it gives off the wrong vibe.

The best thing to do is to send a short note to the publisher stating that you are considering other avenues and must regretfully withdraw your manuscript from consideration.

You don't have to give them any other reason.

Phaeal · Dec 7, 2011

However, you really should include a line on how their other authors have posted pics of them in ladies' undies. Unless they're ladies, in which case, the pics are of them in studded outlaw biker thongs.

Deb Kinnard · Dec 7, 2011

You might also want to say something on the order of "your proposal does not meet our needs at the present time. Wishing you the best of good fortune at finding other authors in the future."

:evil

Jamiekswriter · Dec 7, 2011

Phaeal said:
Unless they're ladies, in which case, the pics are of them in studded outlaw biker thongs.

Not that there's anything wrong with studded outlaw biker thongs -- unless the studs are are on the wrong side . . . :evil

Phaeal · Dec 7, 2011

They're reversable -- your choice.

How Do You Dump a Potential Publisher?

Gondomir

writerGDW

Torgo

Formerly Phantom of Krankor.

Monkey

Is me.

Polenth

Mushroom

NeuroFizz

The grad students did it

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

kuwisdelu

Revolutionize the World

Williebee

Capeless, wingless, & yet I fly.

Drachen Jager

Professor of applied misanthropy

kuwisdelu

Revolutionize the World

Filigree

Mildly Disturbing

Soccer Mom

Crypto-fascist

Gondomir

shaldna

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

Phaeal

Whatever I did, I didn't do it.

Deb Kinnard

Jamiekswriter

USA Today Bestselling Author

Phaeal

Whatever I did, I didn't do it.