Check out the just-posted interview with Jessica and Susan, all about Long Barn Books, here: Long Barn Books

Hi Jess,

Can you define

CURRENTLY under consideration by any other publishing house

Does this mean a) sitting unread in a pile on someone’s desk, or b) being at the point where a publisher has expressed an interest?

Just asking because there are probably quite a few members in situation a).

Dee

Can you define CURRENTLY under consideration by any other publishing house Does this mean a) sitting unread in a pile on someone’s desk, or b) being at the point where a publisher has expressed an interest? Just asking because there are probably quite a few members in situation a).

Hi Dee,

Basically we've been in a position twice in the last year where we've been burnt by people using us and our interest in manuscripts to get leverage with a rival publisher, and then have the books taken out from under our feet, so to speak. Which, being a tiny company, is a real pain, as it wastes precious time that we just don't have to spare. We do read submissions (both for the first novel project, and other submissions) very quickly, and let people know pretty promptly where they stand.

So I would say that if people have sent their novel unsolicited to publishers or agents and not heard anything, that it's fine for them to submit to us, but to maybe mention that in their initial email, and to definitely let us know immediately should there be any more definite interest from anyone. If you haven't sent it elsewhere, but are planning on submitting it to us, we'd ask you to hold off sending it to anyone else until we've read it. Like I say, we do get back to people quicker than most, so it shouldn't hold you up too badly to do this. If the publisher has expressed an interest then it's different, and we'd ask you not to sumbit.

Hope this clears things up,

Jess

Thanks, Jess. That's very helpful.

Dee