Monday 2 May 2005

What Editors Really Mean When They Say ..

We all read what we like into our rejection letters. Asked whether editors really say what they mean in rejection letters, Rachel Wade, senior editor at Hodder Children's Books, says. “If an editor obviously has engaged with the book and says that she liked it, it means they liked your book but it wasn’t good enough. Some of the time it isn’t a problem with the editor not liking it, it is a problem with the writing.”

Thing is, she adds, “Editors are very nice people, they don’t like to hurt your feelings.”


So what do those rejection letters really, really mean? Here is my guide to reading rejection letters that should have all wannabee children’s authors reaching for their rejection file.


WHAT THEY SAY
“Unfortunately, I think that it is not suitable for our list”

WHAT THEY MEAN
“I really didn’t like your story, but I’m too nice to tell you so.”

WHAT THEY SAY
“I really enjoyed your book, but it is not suitable for our list”

WHAT THEY MEAN
“Honest, I did enjoy the book. But it will need so much editing it would be uneconomic for me to take it on.”

WHAT THEY SAY
“I suggest that you might have more joy with another editor with wider criteria/larger lists/anthologies ”

WHAT THEY MEAN
“Another editor may take you on, but you need to research the market better.”

WHAT THEY SAY
“There are many sources of information about children’s writing such as the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators”

WHAT THEY MEAN
“You’ve got a long way to go, baby.”

WHAT THEY SAY
“I would suggest that you get yourself an agent.”

WHAT THEY MEAN
“. . . because you may have talent but you haven’t got a clue about the market.”

WHAT THEY SAY
“An agent would give you more detailed advice than a publisher can.”

WHAT THEY MEAN
“And then you could stop wasting my time, asking for advice.”

WHAT THEY SAY
“Your book was a great read but it lacked the extra ‘edge’.”

WHAT THEY MEAN
“We loved it but we can’t sell it.”

Published in the Spring 2005 edition of Words & Pictures, the journal of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, British Isles Region


4 comments :

  1. Truly enjoyed your blog. As an author/editor, I have to say you aren't too far off the mark. :)

    Lea

    ReplyDelete
  2. You did a good job of pointing out how Editors Are From Mars, Authors Are From Venus.

    PS. I'll be adding you to my list of links at BloggingPoet.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love seeing your translation! I'll be adding you to my list on my blog and on my website.

    Write on, right now.
    Susan
    www.writeonrightnow.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. You guys ... we mustn't think the editors are baddies - it's just that they are coming from a different perspective. Which we, as people trying to sell our products to them, should keep an open mind to. Still, it's comforting to know that a rejection is not necessarily a slur on your name - just a "not yet". our time will come!

    ReplyDelete

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