About a year ago I submitted a manuscript to a publisher who seemed very excited about it. They assigned me some rewrites and we agreed I’d work on them for the next 6 months or so and then resubmit the changes this fall. But when I contacted them about resubmitting, suddenly they’re not so excited anymore. If fact, I think I was just politely told, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
I don’t understand what happened? If it was timing, why didn’t they tell me they wanted it sooner? Now what do I do with this manuscript?
So many things can happen in six months. Maybe the market changed and sales for books that are similar to yours dropped. Maybe their competition published something that was just too similar to it. Maybe the person who was really behind your book left the company and the person replacing them is just lukewarm. Maybe there’s someone new in the budgeting department and they’ve decided the numbers aren’t right.
All of these things are out of your control–and you will probably never know which of these reasons apply to your situation. But one thing you do know: at some point, an editor or publisher really liked your work. That’s the silver lining. So take a deep breath. Do your best imitation of Doris Day singing, “Que sera, sera.” Then move on.
What do you do with your manuscript? Send it to another publisher.
