I just had a response from Silverlake Publishing which might be of interest. Although they liked the 9 stories I sent them, which by the way only amounted to 65,000 words, they didn't like the mixture of 'Africa' stories and 'thrillers' I sent them, and want only my 'Thrillers.' Do I write thrillers? That's the first time anyone's thought that. Although I know what they mean I wouldn't want my dark stuff classified like that in an anthology.
Ho hum back to the puter.

I wouldn't call your stories 'thrillers' in the usual sense Becca, although there is a frisson in each, but does it matter? Every story stands alone to be judged by the readers, who'll decide for themselves. As long as they don't publish them with a lurid cover - personally I'd hate that, and it would probably put off the very people you hope will read them. But it's wonderful to have had them accepted - congratulations! And isn't it funnny how nothing in life ever turns out EXACTLY as you'd like?

One man's horror is another man's comedy.

IB, true enough. Or one woman's tripe is another woman's dishrag.
Nell, it's all a bit distant at the moment, but I'll make an effort to stay in touch with them.

Congrats Becca, at least that is a positive outcome and at the end of the day, it's all subjective. I've just had an odd experience, I sent the first three chapters of my novel to a big agency and was then asked to send in the rest of the manuscript. A week later I got the call I wanted, a meeting with the head honcho agent. I saw her yesterday and she gushed about my writing and ability to sustain a novel and how pleased she was to meet me, blah, blah but felt the novel I'd written wasn't the right one to ever be published and could I come up with something else. Yes, positive in some respects I know, but after a year of working on the damn thing, I'm just exhausted at the prospect of starting again and fear I'm running out of time. Any words of advice or am I just being a silly cow?

Becca

never under estimate the power of the Stones

your news is a bit like the curate's egg really isnt it

still well done

david

Jubbly - talk about mixed blessings - did she have something definite in mind? I can understand exactly how you feel, maybe you need to rest with the idea for a while and get a commitment up front before you take it on. A lot better than being rejected out of hand though, well done.

Hi Nell, thanks for the thoughts. She did say she'd read it through again and maybe send it to an editor for a second opinion, like it was a tumour. Basically she wants me to be commercial and urban and very funny and make lots of money. So I can't complain there, but I feel in limbo. You're right though, I need to step back. Cheers.

Like Nell says, step away for a while, Julie. It's bloody frustrating though isn't it? Maybe if she liked it, and was a big agent, send the first three chaps. out again to 6 more agents, if you can bare it, and then forget it and start writing something else, or leave it all for a while. It's good though, you know, to have got a foot in the door, so congrats!

David, what's a curate's egg mean?

The curate's egg - good in parts.

Jubbly - I've been looking at your profile and you could certainly do modern, funny and urban (if not urbane) with your background experience. Have a rest, mull it over, send out the finished novel again, keep sending it out until it finds the right agent - it must have been damned good to get their attention - then maybe go for it! You'll have to start something new anyway, a writer needs to keep writing, and don't forget there's a gap now where your first novel used to be. It's good to have a few things to submit at a time too - it makes the odds of being accepted seem better somehow.

Thank you Becca and Nell for your advice. I do have to let go I fear, but take the best with me. The agent does want to represent me though, so we'll see how it goes. Cheers.