Call Stories

It strikes me that one of my favourite bits when I first started writing (and even now) is hearing the Call Stories of published authors as no one was born published.

It is inspirational to hear that people did not have to struggle. Sometimes, of course, things fall absolutely right and an author sells her first manuscript, but more often than not, it comes after rejection slips, manuscripts that nearly made it but not quite etc etc. So in the interests of getting the ball rolling -- here is my call story as taken from my website and amended slightly.

In October 2003, I completed my first manuscript and sent out a partial and synopsis to Mills and Boon. Less than a week later, I received an answer -- a form rejection. I sat stunned. Then I became determined, I refused to be dismissed so easily. I would up my writing to such a level that they would not be able to dismiss me so easily. I worked very hard on a new manuscript and then sent it off in December 2003.

I arrived back from Christmas in the US to a request for a full. Having df polished that manuscript and sent off, I turned my attention back to the rejected manuscript. using what I now knew, I started to revise it. There was a lot to revise. Being impatient, I sent off the revised partial in late February 2003, and received a request for the full, complete with a compliments slip. Overjoyed, I polished that manuscript, sent it off. About a week later, I received both manuscripts back in the post. Both manuscripts suffered from similar sorts of problems, but my second manuscript was worthy of revision and resubmission, according to the editor. I also learnt a valuable lesson -- one manuscript at a time as an author often makes similar mistakes.

I revised the manuscript, taking the easy way and thinking if it was not right, I would probably have a second chance. Less than a week later, I received an e-mail -- the revised manuscript was not strong enough to warrant publication, particularly as a similar setting had recently been used, but the e-mail gave me a huge boost. The editor (Helen French) thought I could write and wanted to look at any new manuscripts which might suitable.

I worked on a new manuscript, but at the same time, I sent the revised manuscript off to Avalon. a similar story -- a quick request for the full and then less than a week after sending it, a two page e-mail rejection detailing exactly what was wrong with the story in no uncertain terms. It was not the setting, it was the conflict. I sighed and filed the manuscript away. This was going to be one those Gathering Dust Under the Bed manuscripts.

However, in the spring of 2004, a writing friend suggested I might want to cut the manuscript down to a novella and see if DC Thomson wanted it for their My Weekly Story Library imprint. She had been to a RNA meeting and heard a lady talking about doing just that while she waited in the Ladies. There is a saying that you learn more from the queues in the lavatories than anywhere else at a conference. After dragging my feet, I sent off the partial and promptly forgot about it as I was in the midst of revising other manuscripts, manuscripts I thought had better possibilities of selling. This included my Gladiator story as I had not given up hope of selling that one. But for personal reasons, Helen French was leaving M&B and one of her last acts as an editor was to hand carry my manuscript to her senior editor, Linda Fildew.

Just before the start of the RNA conference in 2004 and just after I had sent off the full of the Gladiator's Honour, I received a request for a full from DC Thompson. As I reread the requested manuscript, I offered up a small prayer of thanks Mills and Boon had not purchased it. There were serious problems with the manuscript. I started cutting and revising, using my rejection letters as a guide. I set off for the RNA conference and kept my ears open for more information. When I returned home, I finished polishing and sent it off. As I walked back to the car after posting it, I realized how the story ought to be told, how it could have been even stronger. However, it was too late and would require a complete rewrite. I braced myself for the inevitable rejection. On the morning of 20 July, a letter arrived from DC Thomson. This was it, I thought, the rejection. My hands trembled and my eyes refused at first to believe what I read. Tears started streaming down my cheeks, and I found it impossible to speak. My husband asked what was wrong. I handed the letter to him. Dc Thomson wanted to buy the manuscript! I had sold my first novella. It was the first time I had ever earnt any money from my writing.

My second sale story has echoes of the first. The news Robert Hale wanted to publish my jointly written historical romance (a Regency romance) was sent by post.

 My first call did not happen until my then editor from Mills and Boon (Linda Fildew) called me at half past five in the afternoon on 10 June 2005. I had sent in the requested revisions about three weeks earlier. When the phone went, and Linda said who she was, I thought -- oh it's a Friday, they never give The Call on a Friday but I must be very close for her to call. I was totally wrong. Editors give The Call whenever they like. Linda likes to ensure that authors have a fabulous weekend.  My husband was about to go out for a run and did not understand why I was crying and shouting. We did have champagne later.

I have now had 11 manuscripts accepted for publication with HMB. And  And each time a book is accepted, the moment is special. Hopefully others will be inspired to share the journey to their M&B call on their M&B blog.

Mills & Boon Historical author
website: www.michellestyles.co.uk