What to do with those editorial This responses?

So, you submit a story to an editor and get a rejection.

We hate those, right? Well, let me tell you, as an agent, I hate them just as much if not more because I have to deal with the message 2 times.



But, what do we do with these? Actually, I am only dealing with one type of these letters. I'm talking about those with that great line, "If you have something else..."



It is that "something else" that I want to deal with.



Now, I understand that you might not always have an additional stories on hand but you need to have additional stories in mind and ready to go. You also need to know how quickly you can write them. At this point, you have an editor who is interested in your work and you need to respond and respond FAST! Waiting 6 months is far from the time period they are looking for.

Editors (and agents) are often looking to "fill slots". Now this is not to say that is the only way we acquire but there are times that we have an interest in finding something in particular. When we see a submission that comes across our desk that looks really good, but doesn't quite fit, we want to see if that person has something else. Maybe the next one will work for us.

What I find amazing is that when that request goes out, we very rarely see another manuscript. We often think that the editor or agent just didn't know what they were talking about, or that you believe your writing doesn't need to be tweaked the way the editor or agent wanted. Sure, that might be the case sometimes, and yes, because the business is so subjective, there is a chance that the story might sell to someone else, but hey, the door is open to you.

I should also add that it is this reason that many editors and agents are a bit shy of authors that have just written their first story. Can they really produce a second story? I know that I have frequently had editors say, I would love to see something else. and yes, those second stories have sold. But you need one.

So, my advice:
A) Always have writing in the wings before you submit to anyone.
B) Make sure that writing is in the same genre, but not identical to the first one.
C) When you get that letter, review the comments, return to manuscript #2 and make those changes
D) Get that new version out ASAP with a cover letter that states the way manuscript #2 meets those needs. BE SPECIFIC!
E) If you don't have a second, make sure you have an idea and can produce the first 3 chapters in record speed.
F) Respond immediately to the editor stating when you will have that new manuscript to them (at least the partial). For a partial - it should be there in no more that 1 1/2 months. For a full, 3-6 months at the most, and that is assuming you have to write it from scratch.

Yes, I know this is a rush order, but hey, the publishing business is not about casual writers who view this as a hobby. You have deadlines, and you have editorial direction. You have to meet both.