Yesterday I received an e-mail from Blair partnership. This is what it said...
Many thanks for getting in touch with us in February with your submission. We are very sorry to say that we will not be offering you representation for this work. We are truly sorry for the disappointment and as this is such a subjective industry we would strongly recommend that you contact other agencies.
And then....
As J.K. Rowling's agents, we think it's worth noting that some of the elements of your proposed story line seem to bear some similarities to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter stories. That said, we and J.K. Rowling's office have not seen the full manuscript and hope that it is sufficiently different but wanted to flag for you, that if you intend to distribute your book commercially that you should make sure that there are no copyright issues in this respect.
I have no magic school, never mention the word wand, Jacob would not even know what a professor is, they travel in and out of mirrors as a broomstick is for sweeping the floor as far as Erica is concerned and the only thing that is fluffy in my book is Lilly’s pink cushions in her bedroom.
I have closed my web site down and started the process to remove the book from Amazon. I have also sent Blair partnership the full MS and asked that they look for themselves.. No copyright. This is out of respect for Ms Rowling.
It was as if the pathway to publication was paved in glass, no matter how gingerly I walked the floor was bound to shatter beneath my feet.
Like a demented wandering soldier my finger now hovers over the delete button, eager to extinguish all life from the manuscript. I then turn and read a quote. Do less and achieve more or do more and achieve nothing. “Who said that”? I did replied my conscience.
The pain of self publishing.
Damien
Publishers and agents get sent a lot of material to read, and ultimately, they have to decide whether to accept a story or not on the basis of a very short read. Imagine reading twelve books a day. It's impossible to do each justice. By the end of the day, I would be looking for the exit door.
I could be wrong, but to go to the lengths they have, it sounds to me like they were close to accepting your book.
Don't give up on it.
Leave it on one side for a while, maybe a month, then take a fresh critical look at it, and see if there's anything you could change to improve it. Especially the opening chapter. Try and grab them early. Remember, the huge copy they have to read.
If it's any consolation, and it probably isn't. I've been treated similarly.
I've heard it said, it takes 5 books before you produce your masterpiece. I've written 3.
MN
Hi DD,
I must say this now and say it out loud...... This was NOT is NOT and never has been a false statement and I have the letter from Ms Rowling's Edinburgh office to prove it. I would not make myself look like a prat. Happy you show anyone if this puts an end to anyone that my think I have lied.
Regards
Damien
I think your JK Rowling "quote" is possibly what triggered their initial response to you. I flagged up that I thought it sounded false and her agent obviously felt the same.
JK Rowling is a very private person and she is known to be very selective about which authors she endorses. I would steer clear of this type of false quote when you relaunch your book. Instead send your book to some journalists or less well known authors and ask them for their comments. In your request letter make it plain that you intend to publish their comments and ask for their consent to do this.
Good luck with your relaunch. You will get there in the end!