Finally-not a rejection letter!

It seemed that I almost got to the point where I wouldn't open any more letters back from publishers because I knew what they would say. But yesterday I actually got one back that said "Thank you for your proposal. We would like to read more!"

It's for my book, Luthor (if you've been to my website, you know who that is). It's one of my favorite books. I am so excited and nervous. Of course in my head I've always told myself "If they just take the chance to read it, they'll love it!" Now someone will actually be reading it, so I'm scared you-know-whatless.
The publishing house is MacAdam/Cage Publishing. Please keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer for me.
I'll let you know what happens.

That is great news, Pol! It gives us all hope that all is not in vain, and to keep trying.

Maybe I'll try a few more before going with POD again...

Pol this is great news--fingers and toes are crossed and prayers said for you. It looks like a fascinating book and I wish you many, many happy sales!

Oooooo Pol, I'm all dither. I hope they love it!

Good work, Pol.

That's fantastic news, Pol. I hope you opened a bottle to celebrate!

Great news, Pol. Gives us all hope, and we are all pulling for you! Fingers, toes and eyes crossed.

Congratuations! Wishing you the best of luck

--Melinda

Pol, that's wicked news. I love hearing hopeful stories. I hope to post one myself, sometime.

Great to see you here, Melinda.

Thanks everyone for all the feedback. This is great. I have printed out the book (the manuscript is 457 pages so it took a while) and I'm sending it off today. I will definitely be letting everyone know how it goes. Jenny, we didn't open a bottle yet, didn't want to jinx anything.
Even if nothing happens, at least I know my query letter's okay, right? I was thinking something was wrong with it, and that's why I wasn't getting any responses.

Pol,

I feel the same - now that I've had requests for partials and a full. Too soon to celebrate, but at least the synopsis and query letter are hitting the mark. Now the long wait for everything to be read.

I wish you every success - you deserve it.

I am hoping you both get good news and very very soon.

Don't be afraid as you've got this far and they wouldn't want to read more if they didn't think you had something they could make work. Big name publishers don't like wasting their time as time is money to them after all. Also, well done, go get them Pol.

Good for you, Pol. Can't wait to hear updates.

Thanks, Zada, Jenny, Billy, and Brenda. Billy, your words boosted my confidence levels. It helps to hear from someone else that publishing houses wouldn't waste their time if they didn't think it was worth it.

I submitted requested materials to a highly respected military publisher. They emailed me quickly they would be looking them over. A month later they asked for further materials, including the manuscript. They had it for two months and then I got the following email:

After a lengthy evaluation, I am sorry to report that we are going to pass on your book. It has nothing to do with the quality of your work but is a matter of marketing prospects. We can only do a limited number of books per year and have to choose carefully, balancing dollar prospects with mission enhancement and a few lesser factors. In a better world we would be able to publish books solely on their merit and their contributions to the greater good, but as we well know, this is less than an ideal world – one in which “compromise” is the all-too-frequent watchword.

There was some definite interest in doing your book, but in the end, other manuscripts won out. I know you feel strongly that there is a substantial potential market for this book, but our marketing experts do not see enough potential for us to take on this book in lieu of other more promising prospects.

It is always possible that we are wrong, and in that light I hope you will not be discouraged by this and continue to look for a publisher. You might try Potomac Books as an alternative. They publish a fair amount of quality military books.

I sincerely wish you luck in placing this fine work with a good publisher.

I was very disappointed, but my husband pointed out the good things in this letter, and it is farther than I have ever gotten. I queried Potomac Books but they sent a regular rejection, and I have the next publisher selected. That publisher says to send any rejections that give reasons for rejection besides quality of work. I'm thinking about including this.

So, Pol, no matter what happens, you got beyond the query letter!! I know what the waiting is like. Keep hoping. I am.

Carol

Carol, I would say that this was a good letter, and would include it with the next submission per the publisher's request. Good luck with this, I am certain it is a wonderfull manuscript, and sure to find a home.

Good news--and best of luck!

Malcolm

Thanks, Carol!