Wondering if this is really a rejection

SlushPile · 05-09-2012, 04:41 AM

Hi. I'm new here.
I received a response to a manuscript eight months after I sent it in. It said, "I am extremely interested in your work....although I cannot definitely say yes, a yes is definitely forthcoming should our funding situation work out...."
I briefly corresponded with the writer of this message (two emails), and then she dropped off the face of the earth, won't answer my emails, blah blah blah. I consulted with another writer who said this was actually a rejection.
Any thoughts? Direction I should take? Should I move on or pursue this person to the edge of perdition?
Thank you.

Bulletproof · 05-09-2012, 04:57 AM

Hi SlushPile and welcome.

Frustrating situation for sure. How long has it been since the first email from your contact? Are you sure she still works there?

As for moving on, I hope you've been sending the manuscript out and haven't been waiting? Is it a rejection? Well, technically. Reminds me of high school dating!

callalily61 · 05-09-2012, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlushPile

a yes is definitely forthcoming should our funding situation work out...."

Welcome!

The quoted part above is the key. I gather this was a startup press? I think you dodged a bullet because they apparently didn't have capital to fund the press. That's probably why they dropped off the face of the earth.

Sage · 05-09-2012, 05:03 AM

It's not a rejection, but... it does sound like the publisher wasn't really ready for the biz. So on one hand, yay, not a rejection. But on the other, you probably wouldn't have been served well by going with them anyway.

SlushPile · 05-09-2012, 05:16 PM

Thanks for answering.

It's not a start-up. It's quite a legitimate press. It's still publishing people, and still seeking submissions. The woman who answered me OWNS the press. She's published herself, reviewed in the NY Times, recipient of fellowships. It's a very good looking operation and its authors are relatively well known among writers. I haven't heard from her for about two weeks.

Yes, it's just like dating (and not necessarily in high school). But if I wanted to date, I'd still be single.

SlushPile · 05-09-2012, 05:17 PM

P.S. Can't send the manuscript anywhere else; it's been rejected everywhere else. And I do mean everywhere.

callalily61 · 05-09-2012, 05:31 PM

If the press isn't a startup, then yes, I'd treat it as a rejection. Sorry.

Filigree · 05-09-2012, 07:08 PM

I agree with Calla: it's still a rejection.

Whether or not the press is established or reputable, if they are having funding issues, they aren't a good home for your work at the moment. Funding deficits can mean no budget for editors, marketing, or payments to authors. Small presses drop in and out of viability all the time. I'd say wait until you can verify they are on an upswing, before you even contact them again.

Set this one aside to percolate, and write something else. If it's been rejected 'everywhere else', there may be a structural reason. Once you have some emotional distance, you can look at the mms again and decide if the rejections had any merit, and what to do about it.

Jersey Chick · 05-09-2012, 07:35 PM

Even if I didn't think it was a rejection, I'd be hesitant to accept an offer from a press that readily admitted to having funding issues. That would be a red flag for me.

augusto · 05-09-2012, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlushPile

I haven't heard from her for about two weeks.

Two weeks hardly seems like 'dropped off the face of the earth.' I'd be more worried about the funding issues than a two week gap in correspondence.

thothguard51 · 05-10-2012, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jersey Chick

Even if I didn't think it was a rejection, I'd be hesitant to accept an offer from a press that readily admitted to having funding issues. That would be a red flag for me.

This^^^^

When I read the funding issue my first thought was, well why would I want to go with you then?

05-09-2012, 04:41 AM	#1
SlushPile Bottom of the Barrel Join Date: May 2012 Location: The Big Apple Posts: 3	Wondering if this is really a rejection Hi. I'm new here. I received a response to a manuscript eight months after I sent it in. It said, "I am extremely interested in your work....although I cannot definitely say yes, a yes is definitely forthcoming should our funding situation work out...." I briefly corresponded with the writer of this message (two emails), and then she dropped off the face of the earth, won't answer my emails, blah blah blah. I consulted with another writer who said this was actually a rejection. Any thoughts? Direction I should take? Should I move on or pursue this person to the edge of perdition? Thank you.

05-09-2012, 05:03 AM	#4
Sage Angel, demon, hero, villain AW Moderator Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Heretogether Posts: 48,110	It's not a rejection, but... it does sound like the publisher wasn't really ready for the biz. So on one hand, yay, not a rejection. But on the other, you probably wouldn't have been served well by going with them anyway. __________________ Love Sucks - now available at Musa Publishing, B&N, and Amazon "Fireflies" - Absolute Visions Taylor-Made - post-R&R querying A Paranormal Bromance - First draft done (NaNo) Quartet - Plotting Blog: http://sagelikethespice.wordpress.com

05-09-2012, 05:31 PM	#7
callalily61 The Girl in the Steampunk Hat AW Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Non carborundum illegitimi Posts: 25,478	If the press isn't a startup, then yes, I'd treat it as a rejection. Sorry. __________________ <-- We're links to our Amazon pages!

05-09-2012, 07:08 PM	#8
Filigree nobody's sidekick Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: between rising apes and falling angels Posts: 6,403	I agree with Calla: it's still a rejection. Whether or not the press is established or reputable, if they are having funding issues, they aren't a good home for your work at the moment. Funding deficits can mean no budget for editors, marketing, or payments to authors. Small presses drop in and out of viability all the time. I'd say wait until you can verify they are on an upswing, before you even contact them again. Set this one aside to percolate, and write something else. If it's been rejected 'everywhere else', there may be a structural reason. Once you have some emotional distance, you can look at the mms again and decide if the rejections had any merit, and what to do about it. __________________ Blog in progress (with buy links): http://www.cranehanabooks.com/blog works in progress: MORO'S SHIELD MORO'S CROWN LEOPARD'S LEAP (working title) BLOODSHADOW untitled Foodie Spy erotic romance RUNNER AND WALKER (working title) UNSTRUNG

05-09-2012, 07:35 PM	#9
Jersey Chick Is it hot in here, or it just Hugh? Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: in the state of carefully controlled chaos Posts: 11,978	Even if I didn't think it was a rejection, I'd be hesitant to accept an offer from a press that readily admitted to having funding issues. That would be a red flag for me. __________________ "Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional." ~ scarletpeaches Windemere ~ Available NOW from Musa Publishing And a few more books as well... My Blog Facebook Twitter and last, but not least, my Website

05-09-2012, 04:57 AM	#2
Bulletproof live every week like it' shark week Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: New England Posts: 70	Hi SlushPile and welcome. Frustrating situation for sure. How long has it been since the first email from your contact? Are you sure she still works there? As for moving on, I hope you've been sending the manuscript out and haven't been waiting? Is it a rejection? Well, technically. Reminds me of high school dating!

05-09-2012, 05:16 PM	#5
SlushPile Bottom of the Barrel Join Date: May 2012 Location: The Big Apple Posts: 3	Thanks for answering. It's not a start-up. It's quite a legitimate press. It's still publishing people, and still seeking submissions. The woman who answered me OWNS the press. She's published herself, reviewed in the NY Times, recipient of fellowships. It's a very good looking operation and its authors are relatively well known among writers. I haven't heard from her for about two weeks. Yes, it's just like dating (and not necessarily in high school). But if I wanted to date, I'd still be single.

05-09-2012, 05:17 PM	#6
SlushPile Bottom of the Barrel Join Date: May 2012 Location: The Big Apple Posts: 3	P.S. Can't send the manuscript anywhere else; it's been rejected everywhere else. And I do mean everywhere.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode