(Chapters I and II appeared on August 11th and September 28th of last year.)
LAST YEAR - PB truck story finally gets written and goes to a conference, PB truck story appeals to an editor and she takes it with her, PB truck story is revised twice (based on editorial suggestions) and resubmitted in November. Email from editor saying "looking forward to reading it over the long weekend." (Thanksgiving)
THIS YEAR - Email from editor on January 20th, "looking over it now . . . more thorough response soon."
Okay, so what explains nearly a month of silence?
I figure there are three possibilities:
1. My story is circulating among the editors.
2. It's sitting at the bottom of a pile, buried by more urgent business.
3. I didn't hit the mark with revisions and the editor is putting off writing a rejection letter.
QUANDARY - Do I email her now, or do I wait, wait, wait some more?
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Inspiration . . . Frustration, Chapter III
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Gale - oh the nail biting anguish!!! I'm going to vote Number1!! Hmmm...Since it seems you've had a fairly open dialogue with this editor, I think a friendly nudge would be fine. This business is so wacky. Hope Chapter 4 involves champagne!!!
ReplyDeleteWaiting is the worst! Hope when you hear something it is great news!
ReplyDeleteOnly another editor could begin to explain it. Maybe something about a heaping pile of TO-DOs? Perhaps waiting for the right moment when the publisher has a slot for this type of manuscript? Could it has just (gulp) slipped through the cracks while editor was thinking about something else entirely?
ReplyDeleteStay happy, and be encouraged that your clearly meritorious manuscript is in the queue. May this story have a great ending!
My fingers are crossed for a happy ending to this story!
ReplyDeleteBut my advice is to wait, wait, wait, just a little bit longer. Key words from January 20th email -- thorough and soon.
Remember, we've got another long weekend coming up!
Robin, Ann, Mirka and Judy - Thanks for taking time to comment and for the good wishes.
ReplyDeleteYes, I guess I need to be patient a little longer. ARRGH!
There will be a Chapter IV to this post - someday.
I'm no expert, but whenever in doubt, I like to lean towards patience. It's painful, I know. Hoping for the best!!
ReplyDeleteHey there, Gale: I know I'm on leave -- the writerly equivalent of chopped liver -- but I have to agree with Robin. I don't think a gentle nudge would hurt. Whatever you do or don't do, good luck to you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteOh, waiting is sooooo hard! I do think you might wait a bit longer though. To my mind, this hasn't been very long in "editor time". And the story could very possibly be circulating among editors! (I always try to sit on my hands and be a little more patient than feels comfortable before I send a follow up email. I just never want to feel like I'm pestering someone.:o))
ReplyDeleteI've heard you should wait 8 weeks before nudging. Waiting is the worst though, so I know how you feel. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI can never get used to the pace of publishing - took FOUR years from contract to publication with my Dutton picture book.
ReplyDeleteIf you count the weeks from the time I submitted the second revision, it's now 12 weeks. Guess that's only a blink in the editorial world.
Thanks to all for comments. I'll sit on my hands a while longer.
Ooh, good luck Gale, with the pb and the waiting!
ReplyDeleteHi Gale,
ReplyDeleteI was at the same conference and I met with the same editor. She loved, loved my manuscript (a YA novel) and asked for a full. I sent the revisions to her on Thanksgiving weekend and she replied that she was looking forward to reading it. We chatted back and forth a couple of times and then that was it. I haven't heard back from her. So I'm in the same boat with you. Maybe she's just busy with other work and our stuff is in the queue?? I did ask a few of my writer friends what I should do and they recommended waiting too.
This morning one of them pointed out your blog post.
We can be sisters in waiting, right?
Worth the waiting!
ReplyDeleteSharon,
ReplyDeleteWell, whadda 'ya know! I knew the editor had taken a YA she favored, and now I know who it was. Yes, by all means, we can be sisters-in-waiting! Keep in touch.
Gale, I would wait a little longer and not assume anything. There are so many reasons why people don't get back to you right away. Could be personal--her daughter got mono or her main sewer line at home has to be replaced. Could be professional-- she went to a whole bunch of other conferences or there's some kind of political situation brewing at her office, like her boss being replaced. I would say, give it one more week and then inquire.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteThanks for thinking it might be worth the wait - let's hope so!
Hi Gale,
ReplyDeleteYep, that's my YA! I'm the crazy girl who flew out from Chicago to get a critique from our fellow editor. I had so much fun I will be at the conference next year. We will have to meet.
Until then I will let you know when I hear from the editor.
Nice blog, by the way.
What could be wrong with writing another email? Remember, a publisher needs writers!
ReplyDelete