1. TobiasJames

    TobiasJames New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2010
    Messages:
    201
    Likes Received:
    10
    Location:
    England

    Received my first reply letter!

    Discussion in 'Traditional Publishing' started by TobiasJames, Sep 20, 2010.

    This came this morning, from an independent proof-reader who has been reading my first attempt at a novel. Whilst it's technically a letter of rejection, I think there are a lot of positives I can take from it.

    I have removed the names from the letter. It read like this:-

    Dear [My name],
    Regarding your submission of [Name of the book].

    I enjoyed reading this story, however I would advise you against approaching a publishing company at this point. Whilst the plot of the novel is sound, there are a number of factual inconsistencies throughout which need to be addressed, in particular those relating to [character]'s journey to [location]. I also felt as though the chapters relating [character]'s backstory broke up the flow of the story and were not properly sequenced. I did not realise until [chapter] that what I was reading was not occuring in the present day, which I resented.

    Finally, I felt that the quality of your writing improved as the novel progressed. It is important to start strongly to give publishers the right impression, so certain parts near the start will need to be re-worked if you wish to pursue this project further. It is clear to me that you understand the writer's craft, but this novel is not yet ready for publication.

    I would welcome the chance to read a subsequent re-draft of this work.

    Yours sincerely,
    [Proof-reader's name]
     
  2. Mallory

    Mallory Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2010
    Messages:
    4,267
    Likes Received:
    199
    Location:
    Portland, Ore.
    Congrats!!!!!

    If you want me to review anything or offer suggestions, feel free to PM me and let me know (don't worry, I don't steal or anything, I just like helping out and reviewing)

    It seems like you're almost there, then! Yay!
     
  3. Tessie

    Tessie Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2010
    Messages:
    1,103
    Likes Received:
    62
    Location:
    Mass
    Yes, TJ, there was a lot of positives in that letter! Good luck to you and have fun most of all!
     
  4. Speedy

    Speedy Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2008
    Messages:
    4,866
    Likes Received:
    81
    Location:
    Australia
    Fantastic, and thank you very much for sharing this with us.

    Keep it up, and soon enough we'll be reading your acceptance letters in a year or two.
     
  5. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    did you pay for this service?... if it wasn't too much, you got good feedback for your money... the writer seems to know his/her business...
     
  6. TobiasJames

    TobiasJames New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2010
    Messages:
    201
    Likes Received:
    10
    Location:
    England
    Yes, I did pay for the service, but I cheated a little because my cousin knew him, so I got a discount hehe. :)

    I figured that getting your friends and relatives to read your work is all good and well, but the only way to get proper impartial feedback is to send it to a proper impartial proof-reader.

    The most important thing to take from that letter is that the story itself seems fine. The "factual inconsistencies" are silly little things, like in one chapter my main protagonist is 18 years old, and in a subsequent chapter she's 17. I thought I'd ironed out all of those things but evidently missed some. Still - that's why I got it proof-read...
     
  7. Blips

    Blips New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2010
    Messages:
    53
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hey nice job. Always good to see such things in a positive light.
     
  8. Taylee91

    Taylee91 Carpe Diem Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2010
    Messages:
    1,262
    Likes Received:
    75
    Location:
    The Bay State
    Hey that's great TobiasJames! Good for you! That's awesome :D
     
  9. Janeylou79

    Janeylou79 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2010
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    That's great, lots of positives to work on. Well done and the best of luck to you. x
     
  10. PulpyNoir

    PulpyNoir New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Somewhere in CT
    Just curious ... what sort of service were you paying that hinged on a acceptance or rejection? Was this proofer a sort of gatekeeper of sorts? In any case, keep up the great work ... it's a good thing indeed to draw strength from a rejection letter.
     
  11. Haribo Icecream

    Haribo Icecream New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2011
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    I was wondering the same, but took it to be more a "don't send it yet" than rejection from further services, OP am I right? =)
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice