Feedback on your fiction or non-fiction book can sometimes be confusing...
or even conflicting.
A complaint I often hear is that several literary agents or editors are all giving very different advice.
Whose advice should you listen to if you want to get published? For example, an author recently wrote to me recently saying that two different publishers have asked to read the entire manuscript for his debut crime thriller.
Publisher A rejected the book saying the plot was too complex.
Publisher B identified various sub-plots to be removed if they were to publish the book, saying that the manuscript was too long.
However, once this had been done, the author was then told that the plot was "too thin".
He wrote: "This has left me a little confused; now with two versions, and two opinions, I'm not sure how best to improve and move the novel forward, before resubmitting elsewhere?" Here are my thoughts, which I hope will help any other author who is in a similar position, whether they are writing fiction or non-fiction.
First of all, to get ANY publisher or literary agent to read your manuscript is extremely positive and means that your manuscript is marketable.
This alone, is a very encouraging sign.
Many publishers and agents receive over 200 manuscripts per week and some of the biggest publishing names receive over 200 manuscripts per day.
They certainly will not read your book if they do not think it has promise.
They simply don't have the time or resources for flattery! Yes, it can be very subjective how editors and literary agents respond to a novel or non-fiction book.
However, bear in mind that all publishers have a different 'housetyle'.
You can think of this as a 'brand' or 'unique hallmark' that differentiates them from each other.
So ask first of all check if they are actually reading your book.
If you are getting round robin rejection letters - that most likely have been xeroxed and the same generic letter sent to all authors - then the chances are that your submission and pitch is not strong enough.
If this is the case, then you need to go away and work on writing a more compelling and attention-grabbing submission letter and book synopsis.
If, on the other hand, editors and agents are reading your book, then you need to determine whether what they are simply asking that you adapt your book to their particular housestyle or 'brand'.
This can make sense of what otherwise seem like conflicting and contradictory comments.
Also, consider if you are getting the same feedback consistently.
For example, several editors may tell you that your opening chapter is weak.
Or several agents may say that there is insufficient conflict in your plot.
If this is the case, it may be time to give your manuscript a rewrite.
You can do this with the help of a literary consultancy service or a writers coach.
Many manuscript assessment services will give you an objective opinion on your book.
This will involve a 10-15 page report giving feedback on your manuscript, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses, as well as making suggestions for improvements.
This can make an enormous different in fine-tuning your writing you before you begin submitting you manuscript again.
or even conflicting.
A complaint I often hear is that several literary agents or editors are all giving very different advice.
Whose advice should you listen to if you want to get published? For example, an author recently wrote to me recently saying that two different publishers have asked to read the entire manuscript for his debut crime thriller.
Publisher A rejected the book saying the plot was too complex.
Publisher B identified various sub-plots to be removed if they were to publish the book, saying that the manuscript was too long.
However, once this had been done, the author was then told that the plot was "too thin".
He wrote: "This has left me a little confused; now with two versions, and two opinions, I'm not sure how best to improve and move the novel forward, before resubmitting elsewhere?" Here are my thoughts, which I hope will help any other author who is in a similar position, whether they are writing fiction or non-fiction.
First of all, to get ANY publisher or literary agent to read your manuscript is extremely positive and means that your manuscript is marketable.
This alone, is a very encouraging sign.
Many publishers and agents receive over 200 manuscripts per week and some of the biggest publishing names receive over 200 manuscripts per day.
They certainly will not read your book if they do not think it has promise.
They simply don't have the time or resources for flattery! Yes, it can be very subjective how editors and literary agents respond to a novel or non-fiction book.
However, bear in mind that all publishers have a different 'housetyle'.
You can think of this as a 'brand' or 'unique hallmark' that differentiates them from each other.
So ask first of all check if they are actually reading your book.
If you are getting round robin rejection letters - that most likely have been xeroxed and the same generic letter sent to all authors - then the chances are that your submission and pitch is not strong enough.
If this is the case, then you need to go away and work on writing a more compelling and attention-grabbing submission letter and book synopsis.
If, on the other hand, editors and agents are reading your book, then you need to determine whether what they are simply asking that you adapt your book to their particular housestyle or 'brand'.
This can make sense of what otherwise seem like conflicting and contradictory comments.
Also, consider if you are getting the same feedback consistently.
For example, several editors may tell you that your opening chapter is weak.
Or several agents may say that there is insufficient conflict in your plot.
If this is the case, it may be time to give your manuscript a rewrite.
You can do this with the help of a literary consultancy service or a writers coach.
Many manuscript assessment services will give you an objective opinion on your book.
This will involve a 10-15 page report giving feedback on your manuscript, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses, as well as making suggestions for improvements.
This can make an enormous different in fine-tuning your writing you before you begin submitting you manuscript again.
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