Confusing, She Wrote

[PattiTheWicked]

Alrighty, here's a bit of a puzzler. About a year ago, I sent of the first three chapters of a novel to a publisher who does accept unagented submissions. I never heard back from them, and since that time I've done some major revisions on the manuscript -- such as eliminating about 30,000 words and making the tone more upbeat. In essence, I've created a much better novel -- the one I should have written originally.

So yesterday, I got a letter out of the blue from this publishing house (which I just assumed had forgotten me or thought I sucked) apologizing for taking so long to reply and saying:

"This is a well thought-out plot, but it felt somewhat heavy handed and I wasnt as engaged as I'd hoped. Though the first person narration in this novel is a bit problematic, there is skill in your delivery and I'd like to see other work from you in the future."

The revised ms is being shopped around to agents right now, because I had planned to bypass publishers altogether and get Actual Representation, but now I'm wondering: do I send this editor the first three chapters of the new, revised ms, or just let it die and wait till I've completed my next ms and send her that instead? She certainly seems to think I don't completely stink, but I'm afraid it might be presumptuous to write to her saying, "You didn't want it last time, but here's the same story only now it's better, want it now?"

Thoughts, ideas, suggestions?

[icerose]

I don't see what it would hurt to send it back. I mean I am a newbie but who says persistence doesn't pay. And he has already said he wants to see more work. So you just say in the cover letter that you have fixed those problems and such and it has been re-written. Also if you have other work, send it in! You can send it Per your Request, which instead of slush pile goes right to the editors desk!!!

Good luck in whatever you decide :)

[stormie]

My thoughts:

The editor didn't say she'd like to see a revised ms., just other work of yours. I'd keep the query and/or ms. making the rounds of agents at this point, and not send her the revised, better version. If she felt it truly had potential (in her opinion), then she would have suggested revisions and asked for the newer version.

Go for the agents, if you want. If and when you really feel you've exhausted all agents who would represent your type of work and there are no takers, then move on to the publishing houses.

[James D. Macdonald]

Try that publisher with your next work. (You do have a next work, don't you?)

Meanwhile, after you get an agent, mention this rejection to that agent. He/she will want to know.

[PattiTheWicked]

You can send it Per your Request, which instead of slush pile goes right to the editors desk!!!

Yeah, but it's not really per their request. She just said she'd like to see other stuff I do, not anything about this specific revision.

The editor didn't say she'd like to see a revised ms., just other work of yours. I'd keep the query and/or ms. making the rounds of agents at this point, and not send her the revised, better version. If she felt it truly had potential (in her opinion), then she would have suggested revisions and asked for the newer version.

That's kind of the way I'm leaning. If she thought the story would be better if revised, I think she'd have said so.

Try that publisher with your next work. (You do have a next work, don't you?).

It's a work in progress, but yes, it's a next work.

Meanwhile, after you get an agent, mention this rejection to that agent. He/she will want to know.

As always, you have good, sensible advice :)

[clearrr]

Dear Patti,

Nifty website. Thanks for the link. I noted that you've listed poinsettias as being poisonous to cats. I'd always thought that, too, but found an article that said it was an urban myth. I'd love to get a definitive answer since I adore poinsettias and have four cats.

Thanks,

Clear

[Torgo]

If you feel your revised MS is really a substantially different read to what you sent out a year ago, you could send it back to the editor with a letter saying: Thanks for your feedback - I have revised this a lot since I first sent it out and thought you might be interested to see it. If you still feel it doesn't work, just toss the MS, no need to write back.

I wouldn't mind if I received an MS under those circumstances. I suppose you wouldn't really know if it was still under consideration, but hey - it took a year for them to get to it the first time...

[PattiTheWicked]

Dear Patti,

Nifty website. Thanks for the link. I noted that you've listed poinsettias as being poisonous to cats. I'd always thought that, too, but found an article that said it was an urban myth. I'd love to get a definitive answer since I adore poinsettias and have four cats.



The American Veterinary Medicine Association supports the claim made by the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center that poinsettia ingestion is generally not fatal in pets. However, prolonged exposure can cause vomiting, anorexia and even depression (yes, depression in pets!). A fairly substantial amount has to be ingested before signs of toxicity are noticeable, but if you have a plant that sits out year round and a pet that nibbles a bit each day, it can build up. Generally vets recommend that if you have a poinsettia, you keep it someplace where the cat can't get to it.

So, while reports of cats dying horrible deaths simply from being in the same room as a poinsettia are indeed urban legend, there is some degree of toxicity to pets in this and other houseplants. I'd recommend reading here for more info, particularly on holiday plants: http://www.aspca.org/site/DocServer/toxbrief_1202.pdf?docID=461&AddInterest=1101 (http://www.aspca.org/site/DocServer/toxbrief_1202.pdf?docID=461&AddInterest=1101)

[astonwest]

Try that publisher with your next work. (You do have a next work, don't you?)

Meanwhile, after you get an agent, mention this rejection to that agent. He/she will want to know.

I wonder if one should mention the fact that this publisher has mentioned being interested in your future works while trying to query the agents?