Of Editors and Agents

A very Quick post tonight. We have been out having dinner with some dear friends from Queensland and it is past my bed time.

I promised the other day to talk about the editor who has just finished reading my manuscript. I think I will simply post the text of the email I received from her mother (my other half’s colleague) when she had to return to England.

I have omitted her name, as they say in many a TV drama, to protect the innocent.

“.... managed to read Allan’s novel and was really impressed.
Her comments were:

• A clean, well thought out script – ready now to go to a publisher. She was very complimentary of the formatting, layout, with absolutely minimal corrections.
• The opening scene is a good hook and just the sort of thing a publisher would be looking for.
• The concept is good
• The structure works well – she commented on the skill in keeping the narrative ongoing whilst telling the story from different perspectives.
• She thought the characters were a little underdeveloped but could see why, but it wasn’t a weakness as the story itself is important.
• She is confident he could hand it in as is.
• Advises doing some research on which publishers are producing this kind of genre and targeting them
• Says no need to worry about making changes – the nature of any further improvements would be a personal preference and more a subject of the publishing house.
• If not accepted don’t be disheartened because it may be because of the economic climate and current circumstances and that you should resubmit at a later time – but she emphasized to keep trying because it’s good and worthy of publication.
• She also thinks it would make a great film
She suggested I should read it – do you mind if I keep the script for a while? I would really like to after she raved about it.”

So all you agents and publishers out there here is one fellow who is awaiting your call :-)

Sorry if it seems like I am boasting, but I just can’t help it. This feels really promising to me.

Now I am off to bed, talk to you next time.