Litopia

We’re delighted you’re here! You’re just a few clicks away from joining the ‘net’s oldest community for writers… and certainly the friendliest. Click the “Register” button to create a free account. See you in the Colony!

  • Clichés & Tropes! Can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em! Share your opinion in the latest Craft Chat, live now until Saturday

Another historic (almost) rejection

Edinburgh Cymera Festival

Another gem

Status
Not open for further replies.

E G Logan

Full Member
LV
0
 
Comments from publisher's reader, Faber & Faber, 1953

Time the Future* -- Absurd and uninteresting fantasy about the explosion of an atom bomb on the colonies. A group of children who land in jungle country near New Guinea. Rubbish and dull. Pointless. Reject.

This book, later *re-titled Lord of the Flies and published (despite this critique) by Faber, was hailed in a review by E.M. Forster as 'the outstanding novel of the year' in 1954.

From Faber & Faber, the Untold Story by Toby Faber
 

Katie-Ellen

Full Member
LV
2
 
Awards
1
The crux of this famous story was not so much the agent, as a visionary editor. It was a 'super editor' who saw its potential, but felt it needed a LOT more work, and was ready to do that work to help make that book the classic it is today.

Who are the 'super' editors today? Not saying they aren't out there. But there's a lot of work between acceptance and publication. Margins are tight. The book has to be big enough or close enough now, from the off.

The story of Charles Monteith and William Golding
 

E G Logan

Full Member
LV
0
 
The crux of this famous story was not so much the agent, as a visionary editor. It was a 'super editor' who saw its potential, but felt it needed a LOT more work, and was ready to do that work to help make that book the classic it is today.
The story of Charles Monteith and William Golding

Brilliant. Those details are NOT in the book.
In fairness, though, the author couldn't include everything, and the book is a substantial hardback even without them.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Edinburgh Cymera Festival

Another gem

Top