This is so so helpful - thank you. I often have to remind myself that everyone working on my book will be a 'normal' person like me, rather than unapproachable demi-gods, and have their own worries and concerns.
As someone waiting for that edit document from their publisher, it's reassuring that the editors worry just as much about what the author will think, as the author worries what the editor will think. Many thanks for your post!
As always, a brilliant post. I felt ALL these things when I was in house. It is good to be reminded now that I am on the other side of the fence! Thank you, Phoebe.
This is so interesting! It sounds like everyone working to get this book published is part of the same Russian nesting doll - the author hoping to get an agent who loves it, the agent hoping to get a publishing editor who loves it, the publishing editor hoping to get the publishing house to love it, and everyone hoping to get the readers to love and buy it. I really enjoy your posts; I feel like I know what I'm getting into - or at least planning to once my manuscript is ready! Thank you!
This is great, thank you Phoebe! Now I'm going to be brave and ask if you'd be up for doing a post about communication in publishing. It used to be that you'd always hear a definite answer when your manuscript went out on submission to editors: I know a lot of writers who are in this position, and many are not hearing anything, even months after the editor has said they're reading and enjoying and their agent has nudged. I'm sure you never do this - but from an author's point of view, it's so bad for our mental health and self-esteem to send work into what appears to be a void. I totally understand that editors are often overworked, but a simple form rejection would be pretty easy to send. With no response, authors are in limbo, not knowing whether editors are still interested or have rejected our manuscript. It's so important to receive a clear yes or no: rejections sting, but they give closure.
I’m in total agreement with you here, Susie. I, and a lot of children’s authors I know, feel exactly this way. I always say to people that a publishing-wide system of form rejections (as tends to be the case when querying agents) would do a great deal to help authors’ mental health. The silences and not knowing are awful. There’s already enough uncertainty to deal with in this industry.
I agree with you that it would be much better if authors always had a yes or no! I covered some of this in my post about submissions - I’m happy to do a post but I’m not sure what else to add - I think an agent can and should always nudge if editors haven’t got to a book yet, but that generally, it’s a resource problem… which is hard to solve here 🤣 But I can have a think about what else might be useful to incorporate re communication! X
Thank you, Phoebe! I do understand that there may not be much more to say. It's something I'm thinking about a lot at the moment, and seeing so much upset among authors over the issue, so thought I'd put it out there.
It’s always good to put things out there! I’ll have a think about what else could be useful around this subject. I think it basically comes down to manuscripts flowing in all the time and editors drowning a bit as you hardly ever get to read them in the 9-5 hours. And then scripts languishing in inboxes. But I agree it’s unfair for authors to not get answers - I think you have to assume a no after a certain period, if an agent has chased as well. X
Nobody should ever "have to assume a no." If it's a no they should be told no. It is the most basic of courtesies and is standard practice in every other area of the professional world. I get that publishers are swamped with submissions, but the answer is to hire more editors or to limit submissions, not to treat authors like crap.
Yes, totally understand about the sheer volume of manuscripts. But I think most authors would prefer a form rejection than nothing. I honestly think it's wrong to have to assume 'no's', especially when the last thing you hear is that an editor is reading your manuscript, or even taking it to second reads. I know you've experienced this from both sides, so you understand the helpless feelings and endless refreshing of emails when there's no information over months. Thanks for thinking about this, appreciate.
I do understand! And it’s an interesting point - maybe we should develop a system where you get a form rejection after a certain period of time. That said sometimes editors get to manuscripts and love them after months (that happened to me as a writer once, actually!) I definitely think that silence after comms about a second read or an acq meeting is very unfair, if there’s been a hint of hope then absolutely editors should follow up. I’m sorry it’s this way! Thank you for reading and engaging with the subject x
Good to know we authors aren’t the only ones refreshing our inboxes! 😅
Absolutely not! Thanks for reading!
Thanks Phoebe! I hope you are enjoying the sunshine too, and not worrying too much!!
This is so so helpful - thank you. I often have to remind myself that everyone working on my book will be a 'normal' person like me, rather than unapproachable demi-gods, and have their own worries and concerns.
Thank you for reading and the kind words!
As someone waiting for that edit document from their publisher, it's reassuring that the editors worry just as much about what the author will think, as the author worries what the editor will think. Many thanks for your post!
Thanks for reading Helen!
As always, a brilliant post. I felt ALL these things when I was in house. It is good to be reminded now that I am on the other side of the fence! Thank you, Phoebe.
Thank you!
Thanks for this, really helpful to hear the worries from within publishing. X
You’re welcome, I’m glad it is useful!
This is so interesting! It sounds like everyone working to get this book published is part of the same Russian nesting doll - the author hoping to get an agent who loves it, the agent hoping to get a publishing editor who loves it, the publishing editor hoping to get the publishing house to love it, and everyone hoping to get the readers to love and buy it. I really enjoy your posts; I feel like I know what I'm getting into - or at least planning to once my manuscript is ready! Thank you!
Yes this is true! Russian doll is a good description!
This is great, thank you Phoebe! Now I'm going to be brave and ask if you'd be up for doing a post about communication in publishing. It used to be that you'd always hear a definite answer when your manuscript went out on submission to editors: I know a lot of writers who are in this position, and many are not hearing anything, even months after the editor has said they're reading and enjoying and their agent has nudged. I'm sure you never do this - but from an author's point of view, it's so bad for our mental health and self-esteem to send work into what appears to be a void. I totally understand that editors are often overworked, but a simple form rejection would be pretty easy to send. With no response, authors are in limbo, not knowing whether editors are still interested or have rejected our manuscript. It's so important to receive a clear yes or no: rejections sting, but they give closure.
I’m in total agreement with you here, Susie. I, and a lot of children’s authors I know, feel exactly this way. I always say to people that a publishing-wide system of form rejections (as tends to be the case when querying agents) would do a great deal to help authors’ mental health. The silences and not knowing are awful. There’s already enough uncertainty to deal with in this industry.
I agree with you that it would be much better if authors always had a yes or no! I covered some of this in my post about submissions - I’m happy to do a post but I’m not sure what else to add - I think an agent can and should always nudge if editors haven’t got to a book yet, but that generally, it’s a resource problem… which is hard to solve here 🤣 But I can have a think about what else might be useful to incorporate re communication! X
Thank you, Phoebe! I do understand that there may not be much more to say. It's something I'm thinking about a lot at the moment, and seeing so much upset among authors over the issue, so thought I'd put it out there.
It’s always good to put things out there! I’ll have a think about what else could be useful around this subject. I think it basically comes down to manuscripts flowing in all the time and editors drowning a bit as you hardly ever get to read them in the 9-5 hours. And then scripts languishing in inboxes. But I agree it’s unfair for authors to not get answers - I think you have to assume a no after a certain period, if an agent has chased as well. X
Nobody should ever "have to assume a no." If it's a no they should be told no. It is the most basic of courtesies and is standard practice in every other area of the professional world. I get that publishers are swamped with submissions, but the answer is to hire more editors or to limit submissions, not to treat authors like crap.
I hear you! We absolutely need more resource in this area, and it’s never our intention to treat authors badly. Thank you for reading and engaging!
Yes, totally understand about the sheer volume of manuscripts. But I think most authors would prefer a form rejection than nothing. I honestly think it's wrong to have to assume 'no's', especially when the last thing you hear is that an editor is reading your manuscript, or even taking it to second reads. I know you've experienced this from both sides, so you understand the helpless feelings and endless refreshing of emails when there's no information over months. Thanks for thinking about this, appreciate.
I do understand! And it’s an interesting point - maybe we should develop a system where you get a form rejection after a certain period of time. That said sometimes editors get to manuscripts and love them after months (that happened to me as a writer once, actually!) I definitely think that silence after comms about a second read or an acq meeting is very unfair, if there’s been a hint of hope then absolutely editors should follow up. I’m sorry it’s this way! Thank you for reading and engaging with the subject x
Appreciate. It feels like an issue which is 'under the radar' but steadily growing, so am trying to highlight it where I can. x
Superb - so very helpful for us authors, as your posts always are, Phoebe. Thank you!
Thank you for saying so!
So helpful to know what goes on in the background. Thank you, Phoebe.
I’m so glad! Thanks for reading x
Love this insight Phoebe. Thank you
Thank you for reading! X