This is getting scary...

[Maldon]

Okay, this is getting too scary for me.

I've sent out about ten initial packets to horror publishers for my book. Here's the good part; every single company (except one who was not reading, though their website still says otherwise) that I have heard from (for a total of 7) have all replied with personal notes that address specific parts of my book (so they're not simple form letters) and all have been praiseworthy! One had both good and bad to say but several really made my day! One called the book "macabre and chilling" and another said it was "excellent." I've had lots of compliments on plot, character, and research, and only one complaint about the dialogue in certain scenes. Great, right?

So here's the bad part. Every letter has been a rejection.

I feel like I want to bang my head into a wall. One would be something but seven? It's nuts: I get the rejection and end up walking around on clound nine all day because they said something nice about it until I get all depressed because it's been rejected.

Has anyone else had this experience? Are horror publishers just nicer than others (don't want any image problems because all the books they sell involve murder and mayhem?) I realize that this is likely a rhetorical question but....huh?

[MacAllister]

Actually, Maldon, it sound to me very much as if you're close to breaking through. :) Just send it out to the next places on your list--and be careful about simultaneously submitting, unless the guidelines specifically say it's okay.

Rejections are just rejections...but the positive feedback means some kind editor there took the time to give you more specific feedback.

If there is any common thread in those rejections ("we like it, but it starts too slow"--just for example) You might take another look at the piece itself, too.

Keep the faith and keep subbing it. It's bound to find a home. <g>

[jdkiggins]

Maldon,

I've had loads of rejections on my book, but very few with comments. Sounds like you're on the right track. Keep sending it out.
Good luck!

[arrowqueen]

Excellent, Maldon. Good luck.

[Trapped in amber]

That's great! The rejections must be hard, but your work is inspiring them to take the time to communicate more than 'no'. It sounds like you're this (imagine my fingers together with the tiniest gap possible) close.:snoopy:

[Liam Jackson]

Time is a precious commodity for agents and publishers. If you're receiving personalized rejections from that many, you're doing something right. List every negative crit you've recieved and make a laundry list of them. Look for common denominators. If you think the crits may be vaild, adjust fire, (clean them up) and start on the second list of ten publishers.

Another thought....and this issue has an equal number of opponents and proponents, you may want to back up and look for an agent, first. I've seen two cases in which publishers passed on a piece, before the writers acquired an "advocate." In one case, the novel sold 30-45 days later The other novel sold about 3 months later. Now, it may be the novels would have sold anyway.

The best thing in the world for a writer is a good manuscript. The second best thing is a good agent. The same applies for the "worst" list, too.

Just my two cents. Mileage may vary.