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Scifi and Fantasy Forum: Writer's Discussion: Questions :
Resubmitting after rejection.
Resubmitting after rejection.
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Is there a process to resubmitting a manuscript after being initially rejected because of your query? Does anyone have any thoughts on it or know where to find the correct procedure? Should I change my writing name and the book name to have a better chance?
Any thoughts would be great.
I hope this helps. Here is a good article on the subject:
http://www.writethinking.net/Articles/inspiration/positive-rejection.shtml
I would just resubmit it with the same cover letter as before - just add:
PS: please read it this time.
then make promises involving candy and/or 'best friend' status.
Village Idiot:
What?!? So you're suggesting I throw 'professionalism' out the window and get myself black listed before I even get started?
Nice way to eliminate your competition huh? Please don't comment if you have nothing constructive to say.
Thanks.
Posted By:  Sara Apr 06, 2005 - 09:00 am |       | Are you resubmitting to an agent or directly to a publisher? If it's a publisher, your chances might be better if you directed your next inquiry to a different editor than the one you'd previously queried.
With an agent, it might be helpful if they provided you some feedback upon their initial rejection. You could then say in your query that you have reworked your submission based on their suggestions, and that you appreciated their feedback. That would be a good start, I'd think, in their view.
If they just flat turned you down and offered no reason, I would point out what you consider to be the weak points in your original submission, and why you think these led to your initial rejection. I'd point out what you've done to strengthen these areas. I'd also really emphasize why you want to work with this agent; what about them appeals so much to you that you're resubmitting. Is it their track record with first-time authors? Authors in your genre? Recommendations from other authors?
I'd try to demonstrate that you're willing to work hard because their representation would be extremely beneficial and valuable to you.
Hope those suggestions help! Good luck!
| Posted By: Magus Apr 06, 2005 - 12:54 pm | | Village Idiot: 
| Posted By: logan Apr 06, 2005 - 02:26 pm | | cleasterwood.
I apologize, it was meant in humor, and I had hoped that came through in the posting.
I would never attempt to give bad advice that I intended someone to follow, and I also don't view other writers as competition - I view other writers with a great deal of respect, because I know how difficult the craft is for me.
Village Idiot,
OOOhhhhhhhh! Sometimes I don't catch humor very well, sorry if I got snippy. Silly wabbit, I can't see you smile over the internet.  lol
Sara,
Right now I'm just submitting to Agents. I figured I'd start at the beginning before moving ahead on the ladder. Most gave no reason or sent form letters, only a few had anything to say such as they thought the plot was intriguing (1 even added, intelligent) but they weren't enthusiastic enough (mostly) and a few 'not for me' replies. Only the one said she wasn't 'won by the writing', which with your help and after reading Stephen King's "On Writing", I've done some major revisions to hopefully fix the problem. I still have a lot to do to fix the remaining story, but I'm well on my way. Speaking of revisions, e-mail me when you have a few free moments if you're still willing to re-read them.
You're thoughts and suggestions are most helpful. Thank you.
Lynn
| Posted By: Sara Apr 06, 2005 - 03:22 pm | | You're welcome, Lynn. I was afraid I'd made you mad at me with all of my suggestions. LOL - I'm glad you found them helpful and don't want to slap me upside the head!
Please do email them to me when you have them to a point where you feel comfortable. I'd be glad to look over them for you -- I'm excited to see what you've done!
Also -- re: re-inquirying. Some of the larger agencies have more than one agent you could query, if that helps. If not, I'd definitely point out what you've done to improve the submission in your opinion, because that demonstrates to the potential agent that you're willing to take the time and effort to work on making sure your manuscript is marketable.
Sara
| Posted By: Sara Apr 06, 2005 - 03:23 pm | | P.S. I've posted the prologue from my "Book of Days" at the Writer's Showcase, if you'd like to read it -- your turn to suggest revisions to me! Quid pro quo, if you'd like! 
Sara,
I wanted to hug you not slap you! That's one thing about me, I've been through the critique wringer enough to be to a point where criticism doesn't bother me. Besides, what kind of writer would I be if I let opinions sting me? A very depressed one. I struggled for a long time with criticism, but now am to a comfortably numb point and the skin toughened right up. Your advice on structuring really, really helped me tighten things up. The comments balloons were great in helping me see where the problems were and fix them.
Reading "On Writing" has helped tremendously as well. Some of his advice made me go, "Oh! That's why my writing seems so dull" among other things. I've even made a list of things from both you and King that now hangs on the wall in my mind every time I gather myself to write and revise.
Re-inquiring- So true about the number of agents at a company, I didn't think of that. The major reason I got rejected, I think, is that there was an error in the query which I didn't catch so I think they mostly stuck it in the reject pile because of that. (Danged amateur that I am/was, whichever) The query has since been completely overhauled. Will the new query (only one thing stayed the same) help me get a second chance at a first impression or on those only, should I change my name and book title or just forget about querying them again since I already blew it? I'm also wondering if I could fit the story into another genre like mainstream since it has many different elements wrapped up in it.
I'd love to read your prologue! I may have a hard time finding the time (since I just got a new job that's hogging all my personal free time except super early in the morning--like now) but as soon as I get a chance I'll shoot over there and give it a read. I read some of what you had posted on your website and thought it interesting. I meant to shoot you an email about that, but forgot. 
I can't begin to say thanks enough, either.
Thanks,
Lynn
| Posted By: Sara Apr 07, 2005 - 04:58 am | | Hi, Lynne,
I wouldn't change your name or your book title when you resubmit. First, because agents are bombarded with submissions anyway, (and they're so rudely abrupt as they pass over great opportunities, like representing you!) so they probably won't recognize it again. Second, like I said before, if they do recognize you, it will prove you're willing to rework your material to improve it, and you're serious about being willing to work with them in a potentially mutually beneficial relationship.
P.S. You're so sweet. You just made my day.
You guys should be ASHAMED!! Picking on poor Village Idiot like that! Show Village Idiot some respect!
| Posted By: Magus Apr 08, 2005 - 07:23 pm | | I did! I laughed! It was funny!
Yeah, me too!
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