Not Quite Right For Our List

At some stage in their careers, most writers would have received feedback from a publisher that their manuscript is ‘not quite right for our list’.

Some have just accepted it as a blanket rejection.  Those of a more curious persuasion have wondered what the phrase actually means.  Is the publisher just being kind?  Does ‘not quite right for our list’ really mean that your manuscript is riddled with problems? 

And is there really a list?

Surprisingly, the answer is probably yes on all counts.  Yes, your manuscript most likely has several problems that a submissions editor can identify with their well-honed and critical eyes. Yes, the publisher is certainly being kind by not highlighting the many problems they see in your manuscript without offering you a paid opportunity to fix them.

And yes, there really is a list.

Publishing companies build up a reputation for publishing a certain type of book.  This list, while it may not be written on paper, is a constant consideration when deciding whether or not a book is right for them. 

So next time, instead of interpreting the form response as an indictment of your manuscript, consider that it is possible that your manuscript is, in fact, not quite right for the list.

For further advice on interpreting rejections, see

http://writersrelief.com/blog/2011/01/how-to-interpret-rejection-letters-from-literary-agents-and-editors/

SJ