A little Something Every Writer Should Know: The In Between by Kris Jacen

You may or may not know who Kris Jacen is. You've seen her work though, even if you don't know her name. She's a muse, a goddess, a mother, the holder of an EDJ and the kick-ass Exec. Editor over at MLR Press.

The woman is a powerhouse.

I managed to persuade her (okay, I bribed with views of multiple hotties and a cool ass place to break her fast one day) to write a bit about something that plagues many a new and not so new writer, and robs far too many of us of far too many amazing stories.

The dreaded revise and resubmit letter.

Many see we regret to inform you and flee for the hills screaming and whimpering, fearing that they are merely being told politely that they, and their writing suck. Babies, it just ain't so... and Kris, the all powerful Smut Fairy and muse to many is just the one to tell us why. So, without further pandering or posturing from moi, here's Kris...

****


The In Between

With all the editing and formatting I do, I've gotten so far behind in my pleasure reading it's not funny. BUT I finally gave up and started listening to audiobooks for a few of the books that I so want to read but don't really have the time to read. Right now I'm listening to JR Ward's LOVER REBORN (I’m a huge fangrrl) and the main male character has lost his shellan (mate) and she's in the In Between—didn't go to their version of Heaven (The Fade) or Hell (Dhund); it's different for everyone and can be a desolate place. 

Now you're probably wondering where I'm going with this reference or thinking I've lost my mind (which is a possibility). Most authors at one point in their career go to THEIR version of the In Between. Yes, they do. When? When they see a revise and resub letter. They're so focused on "they didn't say yes" that they miss that "THEY DIDN'T SAY NO". That's right, they completely miss the entire letter.

Most publishing houses have three types of letters that they'll send to an author that has submitted a manuscript to them:

· Yes – here's a contract; we might want some edits and you'll work with an editor but we want it

· No – sorry but this just doesn't fit our needs at this time but thank you (and if the letter is from ManLoveRomance/Passion in Print/Featherweight there will be editorial feedback on your story – just FYI)

· Revise/resub – and this is the one that throws authors to their In Between; the house liked the bones of the story but wants to see: a) that you're willing to work on your story with them; b) that what the house thinks of as major changes are acceptable to you and that you'll change them; c) you've got the determination to work with an editor in a back and forth to put out the strongest book that you can

The whole point of a revise and resub and what most authors don't see when they read a revise/resub is that the house really wants to work with you but thinks the manuscript needs more work before it can go into edits. A house is not going to take the time to give you point-by-point feedback if they don't want you to do it and send it back to them.

The In Between for authors really isn't that bad a place – it just means that the editor wants you to do a bit more work before they send you and "yes, here's your contract" letter.

****

I know of what I speak (er, spoke?) as I was in receipt of a revise/resub letter from MLR... I nearly tossed it into my etrash until a wise writer friend told me it didn't mean no... it meant we'd like to but can't unless you change a few things. That story ended up being the first thing I ever published as a professional writer. 

Thank you Kris Jacen, and Mlr Press for taking a chance on me. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

You can find more about the amazing Kris over at Mlr Press. 

You'll be looking at The Talent, which surely applies to Kris, and while you're there take a moment to poke around and find out a bit about the authors and artists listed there.