Often when we send manuscripts, we get an auto-generated response saying that 'if we don't get back to you, please consider this a regretful no'. I accept that.
In May last year, I approached a good publisher with my manuscript. In July, I received a response saying that my work had 'substantial potential' and they 'might be interested in making an offer for publication', but were pressed for time, so please contact them in November or December. I did so, but have had no communication at all from them thereafter. I sent a reminder last month, which also went unanswered. Is this normal? How long does it make sense to keep my hopes up?
That must be so frustrating... even though you're 'inviting' rejection, I guess it would be better to know, than live in limbo. I'd send a 'you asked me to contact you at the end of the year, and I'm just checking you still have my manuscript, and are interested, as I did write before, but didn't hear from you.' And fingers crossed for you!
Thank you, Lorraine and Susan!
Lorraine: I was wondering about the etiquette involved in pestering them, though I'm sorely tempted. I want to keep asking, "What do you think? Will you? Will you? Will you?"
But I will take your advice and send it to someone else; thanks for the encouragement.
Susan: Unfortunately, calling them is out of the question. Here, we don't deal with agents much. We usually send manuscripts directly to publishers, who have a computerised system in place to stop people from calling and pestering them about the status of their MS ... But thank you anyway!
Two things: 1) pester them for an answer, as they asked you to contact them in Nov/Dec and it's now March; 2) send the work to another publisher/agent or three - you can't hang around waiting for them, and if they liked it, someone else may well like it too.
They've had your work for nearly a year now, after all - time to try elsewhere. But well done on getting such a good response!