For what it's worth, it seems as though they're saying that the novel is slow to start (not marketable, bad, stop showing us this stuff Connor) and unusually structured (something other presses might like, maybe even good) - an unusual structure can be the marketing hook, but 'this takes a while to start' probably can't be. Beyond that it's amusing that their preamble amounts to 'Some small presses don't need to make money, but, alas, we do, so they might publish you, whereas we cannot.' A subtly harsh burn. As ever, luck and perseverance in your submission quest.
I would probably pay for a version of this newsletter, but you probably knew that. I'll click the pledge widget.
First of all, thanks for the pledge! Much appreciated. If I ever do start charging money, I promise there will be a much more consistent flow of content than there has been lately. And I'll communicate with subscribers about the kind of work they most want to see.
I agree with your reading of the rejection note. It's a little frustrating since the book does start with a pretty literal bang. But they're right that it does have an unusual rhythm to it. And much of it is basically epistolary, which is always an odd choice in this era. One thing I may do, if the book hasn't sold by the fall, is at least revamp the first 25-30 pages to make things move a little faster.
What are your thoughts on self-publishing? Could it be a possibility, or is the traditional route the only option? You have a pretty good substack audience for marketing, and could still do podcast interviews and have it reviewed. Of course, you'd be missing out on physical copies, an advance, and marketing/publicity from the publisher, but you'd gain more control and have the book actually out there. *If* the book breaks out it could lead to a deal, which is definitely easier said then done, but in your case—as someone who works in publishing—I could sort of see taking a risk like that.
A valid question. I'm happy to miss out on the advance, and as I'm sure you know (since you said you work in publishing), publishers don't tend to do much proactive marketing these days for fiction they haven't paid a lot for. Physical copies are certainly nice, tho you can pay to have nice ones made for yourself, I guess.
The issue for now is that self-publishing has the status of a taboo in the realm of "literary fiction." This isn't true for, say, romance or mystery or SFF writers. It really is a cultural peccadillo among literary writers, akin to some rule of courtly etiquette you'd find in Feudal Japan.
I don't feel able to completely shatter that taboo by myself. Not yet, anyway. Once I find some (most likely very small; not that there's anything wrong with that!) publisher, there's a chance that may be the last time I even seek one. But you sort of have to try, unfortunately, or you have zero legitimacy in the worlds I'm a part of. Is that largely stupid? Well, you can probably guess my answer if you've made it this far.
Connor. You might like Dan Sinkyin's Big Fiction. Also Percival Evrett's novel Erased, which got made into the Geoffrey Wright movie, American Fiction. Michael Harrawood
Honestly, getting feedback on books is so affirming in its own way. After dozens of auto-reply rejections, even getting an explanation felt like wind in my sales. Good luck with getting published! I look forward to reading it, where ever it appears.
Thanks! And I completely agree. Any firm feedback is useful. Even if they'd said the book was terrible, as long as they had explained why, that would have been something I could use. Best of luck with our own endeavors!
For what it's worth, it seems as though they're saying that the novel is slow to start (not marketable, bad, stop showing us this stuff Connor) and unusually structured (something other presses might like, maybe even good) - an unusual structure can be the marketing hook, but 'this takes a while to start' probably can't be. Beyond that it's amusing that their preamble amounts to 'Some small presses don't need to make money, but, alas, we do, so they might publish you, whereas we cannot.' A subtly harsh burn. As ever, luck and perseverance in your submission quest.
I would probably pay for a version of this newsletter, but you probably knew that. I'll click the pledge widget.
First of all, thanks for the pledge! Much appreciated. If I ever do start charging money, I promise there will be a much more consistent flow of content than there has been lately. And I'll communicate with subscribers about the kind of work they most want to see.
I agree with your reading of the rejection note. It's a little frustrating since the book does start with a pretty literal bang. But they're right that it does have an unusual rhythm to it. And much of it is basically epistolary, which is always an odd choice in this era. One thing I may do, if the book hasn't sold by the fall, is at least revamp the first 25-30 pages to make things move a little faster.
What are your thoughts on self-publishing? Could it be a possibility, or is the traditional route the only option? You have a pretty good substack audience for marketing, and could still do podcast interviews and have it reviewed. Of course, you'd be missing out on physical copies, an advance, and marketing/publicity from the publisher, but you'd gain more control and have the book actually out there. *If* the book breaks out it could lead to a deal, which is definitely easier said then done, but in your case—as someone who works in publishing—I could sort of see taking a risk like that.
A valid question. I'm happy to miss out on the advance, and as I'm sure you know (since you said you work in publishing), publishers don't tend to do much proactive marketing these days for fiction they haven't paid a lot for. Physical copies are certainly nice, tho you can pay to have nice ones made for yourself, I guess.
The issue for now is that self-publishing has the status of a taboo in the realm of "literary fiction." This isn't true for, say, romance or mystery or SFF writers. It really is a cultural peccadillo among literary writers, akin to some rule of courtly etiquette you'd find in Feudal Japan.
I don't feel able to completely shatter that taboo by myself. Not yet, anyway. Once I find some (most likely very small; not that there's anything wrong with that!) publisher, there's a chance that may be the last time I even seek one. But you sort of have to try, unfortunately, or you have zero legitimacy in the worlds I'm a part of. Is that largely stupid? Well, you can probably guess my answer if you've made it this far.
Heads up, my Subscribed button did not turn into a Pledge button. Don't know why.
Huh! Thanks for the heads up. I'll look into it
Connor. You might like Dan Sinkyin's Big Fiction. Also Percival Evrett's novel Erased, which got made into the Geoffrey Wright movie, American Fiction. Michael Harrawood
Hey Michael! Always good to hear from you. I'm definitely overdue to read Erased in particular... Hope you're doing well!
Honestly, getting feedback on books is so affirming in its own way. After dozens of auto-reply rejections, even getting an explanation felt like wind in my sales. Good luck with getting published! I look forward to reading it, where ever it appears.
Thanks! And I completely agree. Any firm feedback is useful. Even if they'd said the book was terrible, as long as they had explained why, that would have been something I could use. Best of luck with our own endeavors!