March 2002

Is It Normal When Publishers Take Several Months To Consider My Manuscript?

I wrote a young adult book and was fortunate to get a legitimate agent for it. She submitted it to several publishers. Although my novel has received four rejections, Viking has had it for 11 months and Scholastic has had it for five months. Is this normal? How hard is it to reach a decision?

Since I'm neither a book editor nor an agent, I can only advise you from my own experience. Therefore I'd have to say in general, I've found it's a good thing when your manuscript stays with an editor for a long time. What it can mean is the editor likes your work and can see a place for it in her publishing plans. However the decision to publish is not the editor's alone. Once an editor decides on a manuscript, depending on the type of manuscript and the publishing house, she has to convince an editorial board, art department, marketing department, maybe even the publisher himself. All this happens through a succession of meetings in the midst of other ongoing projects, which can take up to a year, simply because editors work on projects from 2 to 4 years before their release, so they are accustomed to a slow process. The decision to publish a manuscript usually takes months, sometimes years. Be sure to read Harold Underdown's excellent article, "What Happens Inside a Children's Publishing Company?" at his web site, "The Purple Crayon."

The heartbreaking side of this good news is that after all those months of waiting, the editor can fail to get approval on your manuscript and it can ultimately be rejected. This is of course why I believe so strongly in simultaneous submissions, and from what you said, your agent does too. As writers we know that our work is competing with other writers' works with the same editor at the same publishing house. No editor looks at your work exclusively.

In your case, you will need to ask your agent what her policy is on inquiring about manuscript status. Some agents have a strict policy of not inquiring until at least 6 months has elapsed. Considering the fact that you have an agent who believes in your work and you have two editors who are taking their time in consideration of your work, you have every reason to feel encouraged.

I wish you the best of luck.

How Can I Find A Bilingual Editor?

I was so glad to have found this site to ask this question. I am a first time children's book writer and need to find a bilingual editor. My other question is does the manuscript need to be edited before submitting to the publisher? My book is a Spanish/English board book for preschool children.

If you're interested in working with another language professional, go online to the Open Directory Project for a complete list of links to Spanish translators.

As to your other question, you don't need to pay a professional editor to look at your manuscript, but it is a good idea to get several objective readers to give you their opinions of your work. Other writers usually make good reader/editors; since they edit their own manuscripts, they have an eye for detail. Joining a critique group, either online or in your community, is a good way to get your manuscript read and evaluated by other writers. See my February 2002 column for more information about online children's writer's groups.

Currently the market for Spanish children's books is excellent. In fall 2001, HarperCollins launched their new imprint, Rayo, for Hispanic children and parents. Executive Editor Rosemary Brosnan is looking for stories written in Spanish or with a bilingual text, and written in English by Hispanic authors. Genres range from picture books to middle-grade and young-adult fiction. Unsolicited manuscripts are welcome and should be sent to: Ms. Rosemary Brosnan, Rayo/HarperCollins Children's Books, 1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019.

How Do I Keep From Feeling Discouraged About Submitting My Work?

I have been writing for children locally, for friends, local newspapers and family for decades. I've written, produced and directed musicals and plays, and also short stories, poetry, short novels and picture books. But I can't seem to get my young adult contemporary (10-12 and up) novel into the mail. It has been finished for a long time. A middle school English teacher, who is very frank and knowledgeable about children's literature, read and edited it. She was very sure it was publishable and urges me to try. However, every time I open the Children's Writer's & Illustrators Market I get so discouraged. I focus on "thousands of writers . . . thousands of submissions . . . few books published . . . send query . . . send 3 chapters . . . etc." Then I freeze and my book goes back into the file. Is this common? I have confidence in my work. I just feel it will NEVER get read. Do I need an agent?

So we subscribe to Rejection Collection.com and laugh about it. Whether pre-published or published writer, the thought of putting your work out there in the spotlight, leaves some writers cold. In your case it's getting in the way of you marketing your own work. The bottom line is, no editor is going to read your work if you don't submit it.

In your present frame of mind you might be well advised to concentrate on querying agents, rather than publishers. With your credentials you should be able to find one to represent your novel, and she can market it, so you don't have to deal with it. However even agents require query letters and synopses, so you must find a way to get through that part of the process.

I urge you to join the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, if you're not already a member. This fantastic organization offers valuable information and support to their members, including a Guide to Agents who represent children's writers, how to contact, and "excellent advice in deciding whether you need an agent and how to choose one." All SCBWI publications are free to members. They will also provide you with information about your local chapter and there you will find gold, in the form of a group of supportive and friendly children's writers, who will surely inspire you to submit your novel to publishers. They might even help you with your query letter and synopsis.

What all writers in your predicament need is support, encouragement, and a little shove in the right direction. You can do this, Jane Richards. I know you can. Better yet, YOU know you can. Now write that synopsis. Compose that query letter. Take that bold next step and move your career in a positive direction.

You will surely succeed.

For More Information:

What Happens Inside a Children's Publishing Company? by Harold Underdown

http://www.underdown.org/insidebz.htm

Spanish Translators

http://www.online-languagetranslators.com

February 2002 Advice from a Caterpillar

http://www.writing-world.com/caterpillar/cat13.shtml

Harpercollins/Rayo

http://www.harpercollins.com/hc/aboutus/imprints/rayo.asp

Rejection Collection.com

http://www.rejectioncollection.com/

SCBWI Publications

http://www.scbwi.org/pubs.htm

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