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Psyloke · 21st July 2006, 04:14 PM

Hi all. I recently finished a 120,000 word novel and began sending it out a little while back (Posted some of the prologue in the critique page). Here's my problem: I sent the MS to only one publisher of choice, and then about 20 copies to agents. All of the agents turned me down with varying degrees of "no thanks" but the one publisher of fantasy books I really enjoy had this to say:

I’m the assistant editor at *****. We’ve all finally had the chance to look at your submission, The Shadowed Path. Unfortunately, we’re not going to be able to proceed with this novel. However, first I want to say that it is clear that you can write well. This was a much better quality of writing than the majority of submissions we’ve had. There was good pacing, and strong description. It was the general set up to this story that we couldn’t get excited about, the world, although different, wasn’t likeable, personally. Also, the story wasn’t as layered as we’d have liked. Having said all this, I would most definitely take a look at any other fantasy submissions you had, or wish to send in the future. As I said, your writing skills are strong.

Very best wishes,

-- What is frustrating (and I apprecate this is quite a good response) is that their opionion was baised on reading just a few sample chapters and the Synopsis. When they say the story wasn't layered enough, of course they'd have that idea since stories rarely split into complicated sub-plots in the second chapter, and they asked for only a One-page synopsis in which I had to struggle to tell only the basic story, never mind all the "layers".

So either I'm misreading what the word layer means in this context, or I need some advice on how to cram the main plot-line and the rest of the web of the story arc into ONE page. Any ideas?

21st July 2006, 04:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Psyloke Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Greater London Posts: 20	Experienced help needed Hi all. I recently finished a 120,000 word novel and began sending it out a little while back (Posted some of the prologue in the critique page). Here's my problem: I sent the MS to only one publisher of choice, and then about 20 copies to agents. All of the agents turned me down with varying degrees of "no thanks" but the one publisher of fantasy books I really enjoy had this to say: I’m the assistant editor at ****. We’ve all finally had the chance to look at your submission, The Shadowed Path. Unfortunately, we’re not going to be able to proceed with this novel. However, first I want to say that it is clear that you can write well. This was a much better quality of writing than the majority of submissions we’ve had. There was good pacing, and strong description. It was the general set up to this story that we couldn’t get excited about, the world, although different, wasn’t likeable*, personally. Also, the story wasn’t as layered as we’d have liked. Having said all this, I would most definitely take a look at any other fantasy submissions you had, or wish to send in the future. As I said, your writing skills are strong. Very best wishes, -- What is frustrating (and I apprecate this is quite a good response) is that their opionion was baised on reading just a few sample chapters and the Synopsis. When they say the story wasn't layered enough, of course they'd have that idea since stories rarely split into complicated sub-plots in the second chapter, and they asked for only a One-page synopsis in which I had to struggle to tell only the basic story, never mind all the "layers". So either I'm misreading what the word layer means in this context, or I need some advice on how to cram the main plot-line and the rest of the web of the story arc into ONE page. Any ideas?