Thank you for another brilliant post Phoebe and Charlotte. Communication between publishers and authors seem to be a hot topic at the moment.
My agent has just successfully placed my second novel after two years and two months of subbing. Honestly, the relief! But that's by-the-by, what surprised me, and what I hadn't realised, is that agents get ghosted too.
I'd say about one in every two publishers we submitted to actually responded, to even say "Thanks for the submission", and perhaps one in four read the submission and responded.
So the end of the submission funnel that teachers the ear of an editor seems to be ever narrowing, while the other one is, of course, ever widening. Or this is my interpretation.
Thanks to Charlotte for an excellent post, and thoroughly recommend her blog too. I'd like to say that for all the authors I know, the toughest and most soul-destroying part of publishing comes during submission - whether to agents or to publishers. 'Ghosting' appears now to be the norm and as writers, this void is really difficult to navigate. A simple pass is far more useful than an endless 'nothing', where, as Charlotte writes, our minds fill in the gaps negatively. I understand that editors and agents are extremely busy, and that the number of submissions has grown, but a simple, form rejection email takes no more than a click and gives the writer completion and the ability to move on.
Hello Phoebe and Charlotte, thanks for this! And how brilliant - Charlotte, I used to follow you on Twitter, back in the day, I'm so very pleased to find you again! And to know you've done so well - I've read some of your books, but I didn't know about your 'Rixon' books, they're going on my list!!
Regarding communication from publishers, I can only say from the perspective of an author permanently on sub...but I really miss the days of feedback, for why a novel was a pass. I've been agented and having novels sent to editors since my mid-twenties, and used to always have at least one line that would be helpful, and quite often, a couple of lines that lessened the sting of the fail.
One of my favourites was 'what awful people, but I quite liked the prose', for a romance (the editor was right, in retrospect, they were awful).
Nowadays (and I’ve had work subbed in three genres, this year), perhaps only one editor of a submission round of ten, will say anything (or even give a straight no). I know editors have less time than they used to, but I also wonder if it's a cultural thing. Some writers can be very open on social media, and no editor wants their well-meaning vague critique pulled apart in public. It’s safer to say nothing, rather than ‘I just didn’t like it, the pacing was off’.
I understand editors (and agents) need to protect themselves, but it’s a shame for authors, we’ve lost some really valuable feedback. I wish we could think of a way that type of communication, and trust, could happen again.
Heya Charlotte! Well, I might be wrong, but I’m guessing it’s a defensive behaviour, and can’t blame them, really. Just I miss it…it feels like we frisbee the books out into some horrible icy void.
Absolutely love this and agree with what Charlotte says on all points! Editors are superhuman, as are agents, and we are in awe of you (and grateful to you). But I do also wish for more honest comms. Debut authors have never had a book published before, so the industry is all-new. But almost all of us have experienced hard news if not in our day jobs, then in life. An honest chat up-front would be so helpful, setting realistic expectations eg you're not going to be a bestseller with this book, you can't expect to see your book on tables throughout the land, you probably won't get reviews in major publications etc. Unfortunately we've all seen TV shows where books are published in weeks (days!), all authors have international book tours and lavish launch parties, so it's no wonder most of us have unrealistic expectations! Big thanks to Phoebe for all the publishing realtalk! Xx
Loved this. As always bringing the issues to the fore. Thanks Phoebe. This is such a good post and something i’ve been thinking about so very much recently.
Such wise advice. Thanks Charlotte and Phoebe 😊
Thank you for another brilliant post Phoebe and Charlotte. Communication between publishers and authors seem to be a hot topic at the moment.
My agent has just successfully placed my second novel after two years and two months of subbing. Honestly, the relief! But that's by-the-by, what surprised me, and what I hadn't realised, is that agents get ghosted too.
I'd say about one in every two publishers we submitted to actually responded, to even say "Thanks for the submission", and perhaps one in four read the submission and responded.
So the end of the submission funnel that teachers the ear of an editor seems to be ever narrowing, while the other one is, of course, ever widening. Or this is my interpretation.
Congrats on the new deal and thank you for reading this!! X
Congrats on your new deal!
Thank you, it’s the tiniest barely-there deal you ever saw, but at least we got there. 🤓
Thanks to Charlotte for an excellent post, and thoroughly recommend her blog too. I'd like to say that for all the authors I know, the toughest and most soul-destroying part of publishing comes during submission - whether to agents or to publishers. 'Ghosting' appears now to be the norm and as writers, this void is really difficult to navigate. A simple pass is far more useful than an endless 'nothing', where, as Charlotte writes, our minds fill in the gaps negatively. I understand that editors and agents are extremely busy, and that the number of submissions has grown, but a simple, form rejection email takes no more than a click and gives the writer completion and the ability to move on.
Thank you for reading Susie! We don’t have any form rejections anywhere I’ve worked in the bigger teams but maybe it is worth looking into x
Thanks, Phoebe. I keep banging on about it because all the authors I know on submission are really suffering mental-health wise, when 'ghosted'.
Hello Phoebe and Charlotte, thanks for this! And how brilliant - Charlotte, I used to follow you on Twitter, back in the day, I'm so very pleased to find you again! And to know you've done so well - I've read some of your books, but I didn't know about your 'Rixon' books, they're going on my list!!
Regarding communication from publishers, I can only say from the perspective of an author permanently on sub...but I really miss the days of feedback, for why a novel was a pass. I've been agented and having novels sent to editors since my mid-twenties, and used to always have at least one line that would be helpful, and quite often, a couple of lines that lessened the sting of the fail.
One of my favourites was 'what awful people, but I quite liked the prose', for a romance (the editor was right, in retrospect, they were awful).
Nowadays (and I’ve had work subbed in three genres, this year), perhaps only one editor of a submission round of ten, will say anything (or even give a straight no). I know editors have less time than they used to, but I also wonder if it's a cultural thing. Some writers can be very open on social media, and no editor wants their well-meaning vague critique pulled apart in public. It’s safer to say nothing, rather than ‘I just didn’t like it, the pacing was off’.
I understand editors (and agents) need to protect themselves, but it’s a shame for authors, we’ve lost some really valuable feedback. I wish we could think of a way that type of communication, and trust, could happen again.
Interesting points! Good luck with your latest submission!
Thanks, Phoebe! Nerves are starting to bite, for September’s rounds 😬
that's such an interesting point about editors not wanting their feedback shared publicly - I had never considered that... (and hello again!)
Heya Charlotte! Well, I might be wrong, but I’m guessing it’s a defensive behaviour, and can’t blame them, really. Just I miss it…it feels like we frisbee the books out into some horrible icy void.
Another brilliant post, always shedding light on the industry. And Charlotte’s blog is a must read for debut authors.
Thank you and it is!
So good to hear that it's not just me (and every author friend I know!) that feels scared to ask their editor what feel like dumbass questions.
Have always loved Charlotte's ability to pull back the scary Wizard of Oz curtain of publishing. Can I recommend her latest?
https://charduck.substack.com/p/some-honest-thoughts-on-everything
Thank you for reading and engaging, Julie!
Hi Julie! Hope you are really well... And thank you!
PS forgot to add that authors will always prefer more honest communication, even it's not good to hear, over any form of being ignored or ghosted.
Am now gorging myself on Charlotte's blog, thank you!
Lots of great stuff there!!!
Brilliant, brilliant interview. Agree with every word. Such useful advice for everyone on a publishing journey. Thank you Charlotte and Phoebe!
Thanks Sean!
Absolutely love this and agree with what Charlotte says on all points! Editors are superhuman, as are agents, and we are in awe of you (and grateful to you). But I do also wish for more honest comms. Debut authors have never had a book published before, so the industry is all-new. But almost all of us have experienced hard news if not in our day jobs, then in life. An honest chat up-front would be so helpful, setting realistic expectations eg you're not going to be a bestseller with this book, you can't expect to see your book on tables throughout the land, you probably won't get reviews in major publications etc. Unfortunately we've all seen TV shows where books are published in weeks (days!), all authors have international book tours and lavish launch parties, so it's no wonder most of us have unrealistic expectations! Big thanks to Phoebe for all the publishing realtalk! Xx
My pleasure! Ha I’m not at all superhuman! I agree expectations need to be clearer in general x
Thank you for having me!
Loved this. As always bringing the issues to the fore. Thanks Phoebe. This is such a good post and something i’ve been thinking about so very much recently.
Thank you so much Alison! X