PUBLISHING CLIMATE

If you're lucky to get any editor or agent to read your work, the one thing you can expect from him or her is a short rejection letter couched in cliched language ( "not right for me" etc). These people usually disconnect after that,and would never give you any response even if you ask them any sensible question.

But Sam Humphreys, editor Picador India, seems to be a bit different. In response to my formal "thanks for reading my work", he sends me a personal and insightful e-mail.

"I imagine it's of little consolation, but I think the response you've met with is caused by the current publishing climate --which makes it increasingly difficult to take on new writers and be sure of establishing a place for them in the market --rather than any lack of flair or talent in terms of your writing. You may well be right that small publishing houses are likely to be the most receptive, and I
hope you succeed in finding a home for THE DANGLING MAN."
MRINAL BOSE

REJECTION BLUE

For the past four years as a struggling novelist I have been getting my share of rejection letters from agents and editors who care to read through the ms of my debut novel THE DANGLING MAN --partial or full. Her's the latest one from a biggie.

"I think there's much to recommend your novel (or at least what I've seen of it) in terms of subject matter and indeed, the strength of your writing, but in the end, I don't feel it would be quite right for Picador - it just didn't strike me as quite innovative or distinctive enough..Sam Humphreys, Picador Editorial, Pan Macmillan.

Now, do you find any inconsistency in it? Or is it plain corny?
MRINAL BOSE