Bantam says no on Lament of the Dove

[annathepiper]

This afternoon on the MurkMUSH, I got the word from solarbird that a letter had come in from the editor at Bantam to whom I'd pitched Lament of the Dove and Faerie Blood. Turns out she says "no" on Lament. To wit, AGH.

Bad thing about the rejection letter: Said that she was "not quite sufficiently taken" by the book to add it to their list. No elaboration as to why.

Good things about the rejection letter: Not a form letter, even if it was really short. Actually addressed to me as opposed to "Author", and actually signed and everything, which is nice. Also said that "the material is well-written", and that part really rather pleases me, coming from an editor at a house that handles people like Connie Willis and Ursula K. LeGuin and George R.R. Martin! Also, about two and a half months? Pretty decent turnaround time on a verdict, I think!

Probably meaningless but nevertheless vaguely interesting thing about the rejection letter: I sent Lament to this editor five days after I sent her Faerie Blood, but I'm getting the rejection on Lament first. Most likely this means I can expect the rejection letter for Faerie Blood any day now, though it would be nice if this actually meant she's taking longer to think about Faerie Blood since it might have a better chance. But really, I suppose this means I can expect the rejection letter on Faerie Blood any day now. Sniff. :)

Tonight I will have my obligatory sulk, and then Lament heads out to Tor, probably on Saturday as I expect to spend the next couple of evenings preparing another partial.

Comments

[flashfire.livejournal.com]

Keep at it - someone will bite eventually.

[annathepiper]

Thanks! That's the plan. And the hope. :)

[irysangel.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear that (and can totally sympathize). Keep plugging!

[annathepiper]

Thanks! And I must also comfort myself with the knowledge that this actually doesn't suck for Lament's very first rejection letter. :)

[seimaisin.livejournal.com]

Awwww. Rejections suck, even when they're nice ones. Fingers still crossed for Faerie Blood, though, and for Lament at Tor!

[annathepiper]

Thanks!

[solarbird]

Eh, they're wrong. They'll rue this day. RUE IT!

[l-prieto.livejournal.com]

Hmph.

I agree with solarbird. They'll rue this day.

[pinkdormouse.livejournal.com]

Not good, but you need someone that can really get behind a project. Good luck with Tor -- maybe they'll be the ones.

[annathepiper]

Here's hoping!

[cafiorello.livejournal.com]

Oh, too bad. Time to try again!

Cathy

[annathepiper]

That's the plan! Sigh. :)

[raise-a-jar.livejournal.com]

Fingers still crossed...you'll get a bite from someone!

::hugs:: As soon as I adjust to working 7am-3pm (thus dragging my arse out of bed before the sun is up!) I plan to dive back into beta-ing for you. I think you sent me RTFs of the next few chapters, but I'll have to check. If I dont' have them, I'll let you know!

[annathepiper]

*snugs!* Thanks! I'm trying to take consolation in the fact that for Lament's first shot out of the gate, this is actually a pretty cool rejection letter. Not quite as cool as the one I got from Luna for Faerie Blood, but still. :)

You don't need to be in a hurry on the beta reading--since the plan now becomes firing off the same partial package to Tor, that'll put at least another couple months on the editing timeline. I still need to make it through the second draft before I start thinking hard about third draft changes. But anything you can get me will be splendid, so thanks in advance!