THE LOST CROWN - A New Novel by Sarah Miller.

[Alixz]

Editors do have assistants.  That is how our book came to be liked by the editor (who read it twice) but not liked by his assistant who misunderstood the story.

In our case because we had a contact, the editor actually read it first and he read it twice thinking it was worth a second look, but the assistant read it only once and her comments were scathing.

Actually I guess he sent the manuscript to her in her position of head of the Romance Department and while the editor thought the story worthwhile, the department head said it wasn't racy enough or faced paced enough for her department to undertake publishing expenses.

[Sarushka]

Do the editors normally hire interns and assisstants that have the same writing views and opinions?

I have no idea. No two people's tastes and opinions mesh exactly, so there's going to be need for compromise in any match-up.

If I were an editor I'd want an assistant/intern who can differentiate between her own personal taste and the quality of the writing itself. Someone who'd say to me, This is great writing but the story doesn't appeal to me. See what you think.

Since the intern might read a story and LOVE it, but give it to the editor and he despises it? Then nothing gets published . . . that is, unless they can find a mutual agreement place.

Yes, that can happen -- but remember, there's more than one editor in the world. ;^)

Also, even if an editor loves a book, it can get turned down. Most editors can't accept a manuscript without approval from their colleagues and/or supervisors at the publishing house. Editors take the manuscripts they like to a committee meeting and pitch them to their co-workers. I have no idea how many people have to be in favor for a manuscript to earn an offer, but there has to be a certain level of consensus. After all, it's the publisher's money, not the editor's.

[blessOTMA]

Really lord knows what goes on today ...a friend recently was rejected by an editor at am important publishing house...I googled the name ...they are in charge of a professional musicians  society as well as being an" editor". lol  busy person I would say ...and the  perposal  got to them  in the first place via a contact  of course...So  your point is well taken...contacts  matter to get your foot in the door , and again an agent is one , .but no contact is a guarantee of course and that's true all along the way.
 

[TimM]

Getting published is not easy, I can tell you that.  I've tried, no luck so far.

[violetta]

Getting published is not easy, I can tell you that.  I've tried, no luck so far.

Tim, what kind of book did you write? Or may be it wasn`t a book but a short story? Why were you rejected?

[blessOTMA]

I already know people who are going the ebook route as a first publishing choice rather than the usual way .....  it's a matter of resources and money of course as the publishing world as we have known it  continues to shrink. Publishers  are already issuing e gallies rather than printing them. A  " galley" is the book traditionally printed to send out to  reviewers before the  book for the public is in the stores  . So publishers themselves are going this way. The demise of Borders Book stores  is a huge event in all this as well  : the digital is on the assent.  Figuring out about ebook publication is important for every author imo.

[blessOTMA]

 It's been very  kind of Sarah to be so gracious with her experience and knowledge as this thread becomes a publishing symposium ....It is a fascinating ( and endless)  topic of course. But perhaps needs its own  thread?  Just a suggestion =)

[Olga Bernice]

It's been very  kind of Sarah to be so gracious with her experience and knowledge as this thread becomes a publishing symposium ....It is a fascinating ( and endless)  topic of course. But perhaps needs its own  thread?  Just a suggestion =)

Yes, I agree that it's been very kind of Sarushka to relate her publishing experience, and if she wants us to start a new thread, I wouldn't mind (IMO).

[TimM]

Tim, what kind of book did you write? Or may be it wasn`t a book but a short story? Why were you rejected?

It wasn't a a book, it was the story I have here, Bid Time Return.  As to why it was rejected, I don't know.  I just got some form letter.

[Alixz]

Tim, I remember you mentioning this a long time ago.

I told you that Richard Matheson's book was also called Bid Time Return.,  That book was made into the movie Somewhere In Time

I am not saying that your title was the reason for refusal, just that they were the same.

Original Quote: 

O, Call Back Yesterday, Bid Time Return! -- William Shakespeare (1564-1616), King Richard II -- Act Iii, Sc.

[TimM]

I remember that, Alixz.  I was just answering a poster's question here.

[Olga Bernice]

Interesting! Bid TIme Return does not seem to me like a very common name. Tim, did you try to submit it as a novel (I know it takes up several pages here, but I was wondering how long it would be when printed off!) or in a collection of short stories, or what?

PS: Sorry, Sarushka. After this question, I'll get back on topic.

Reminder (to myself)
Stay on topic Olga B. Stay on topic Olga B. STAY ON TOPIC!!!!!

Okay - I'm reminded!

Sincerely, Olga Bernice

[TimM]

I know it takes up several pages here, but I was wondering how long it would be when printed off

The manuscript is 96 pages long.

[Sarushka]

I know it takes up several pages here, but I was wondering how long it would be when printed off

The manuscript is 96 pages long.

That may be a greater hurdle toward publication than the title. It's likely going to be considered too long for a short story and too short for a novel.

[TimM]

It's likely going to be considered too long for a short story and too short for a novel.

Yikes, I just can't win here.