I thought I would share...

[R. C.]

"...your book was rejected due to an editorial decision. The book cover quality was a factor in this decision."

After checking, going back-and-forth in email, and confirming my submission meets their cover design requirements, I learned Written Word rejected my "Deal of the Day" based on a personal bias.

Their “editor” didn't like the image, so the book was rejected.

It is their ballgame, their rules... but damn.

RC

[TimothyEllis]

based on a personal bias.

Bookbub works the same way.

[writeway]

I'm confused. How is this a personal bias? Did they actually say that? And even if so, that's their right. They can reject a book for any reason they want.
Seems like you took this personally. It's not about you but about the book. Also, I don't understand why you felt the need to go back and forth because you were rejected. Due to that, they might not wanna work with you again. We gotta remember to always be professional. Getting rejected is a part of this business and always will be. There are other places to promote. If someone rejects my book, I just keep it moving but I don't take it personally.

[notthatamanda]

I don't think it's unprofessional to ask for feedback. Why would Written Word want somebody to keep submitting the same book without any changes? They aren't going to accept it. Amazon has a history of rejecting covers saying they violate the requirements when they don't. Took talking to a person to resolve it. (Never happened to me personally, but I know it has happened.) There is a way to do this professionally, so I don't think that's any big deal. And if someone wants to lick their wounds over their rejection, that's pretty typical around here.

[R. C.]

... that's their right. They can reject a book for any reason they want... Of course. It is their ballgame, their rules

...Seems like you took this personally... Maybe, but they have documented rules, which I followed. Nowhere do the rules state "if one of our 'editors' doesn't like it."

...why you felt the need to go back and forth because you were rejected... Simple: So that I may correct the faults, I wanted to understand why the book was rejected.

...they might not wanna work with you again... That is a risk.

...We gotta remember to always be professional... What makes you think I was not professional? This is a weak aspersion.

Businesses that are not regulated utilities have the right to sell or not sell to anyone for any reason. Choosing to not promote my book because of a personal bias, in one of their employees, is a questionable business practice.

R.C.

[Anarchist]

Maybe, but they have documented rules, which I followed. Nowhere do the rules state "if one of our 'editors' doesn't like it."

What am I missing here? This seems self evident.

[R. C.]

...
What am I missing here? This seems self evident.

Agreed. Editorial review is all-encompassing. However, they directed me to this for confirmation. The only thing on that page I can imagine is the reason for the rejection is: #2 Genre Fit.  Unfortunately, when I asked, they did not provide specifics about what the "editor" didn't like about the cover.

"...our decision was that the book cover was not as high-quality as those that we typically see perform well as Science Fiction Deal of the Day features."

Consequently, I am having an alternate cover created and will try again.

R.C.

PS - This thread is not a whine or, necessarily a complaint. It is another example of how business will use arbitrary, and often capricious, decision making.  I am convinced, if I was closer to being a "best selling author" the cover would not have been rejected. 

It is their ballgame, their rules. We keep fighting the fight and maybe we will catch a tailwind to the top.

[Cephus]

PS - This thread is not a whine or, necessarily a complaint. It is another example of how business will use arbitrary, and often capricious, decision making.  I am convinced, if I was closer to being a "best selling author" the cover would not have been rejected. 

It is their ballgame, their rules. We keep fighting the fight and maybe we will catch a tailwind to the top.

Of course they do. That's part of any creative endeavor. People deciding what books to buy is entirely arbitrary and subjective. If there was an unerring  guideline for what books would become bestsellers, all books would be bestsellers. There are ways to improve chances, such as having a cover that fits well into the genre expectations and that's why we go with professional, proven cover designers, but even that isn't a guarantee.

So much of what we do is a crap shoot. That's just the way it goes. Good luck on the next cover.

[alhawke]

Another factor here is that you submitted for the "Deal of the Day". Their "Deal of the Day" is scrutinized much more than their other promotions. You could try their standard deal next month. But I've been rejected by all the major companies from time to time. I believe it's just the way it works. It's not just BookBub. I'd check out the other big promo company availabilities for your promotion.

(Of course, any and all rejections suck for us. I wish you luck in promoting your book).

[RiverRun]

I think "subject to editorial review" should be read, "we can reject a book without giving you a reason." Which, maybe, is necessary, considering the number of books they have to look at and the number of crazy authors, (not the OP) who could be submitting them.

We are not really their customers. The mailing list subscribers are - they have to be pleased first or their business doesn't exist. So maybe they have to be a little ruthless with us sometimes.

While it stings, it seems like useful feedback. They see a lot of book covers, what sells and what doesn't, and their input is probably more useful than most.

[notthatamanda]

The people who pay money are the customers. The newsletter recipients are the product, that's what authors are paying to have access too. It just so happens in this case the demand way exceeds the supply so the newsletter companies can pick and choose who gets to buy their product.

[Hopscotch]

Hey, tradpub works the same way and their rejection letters tell you even less.  Which is why we're indies seeking a better way to get our stuff out there.  Accept this rejection but keep on truckin'.

[Cephus]

I think "subject to editorial review" should be read, "we can reject a book without giving you a reason." Which, maybe, is necessary, considering the number of books they have to look at and the number of crazy authors, (not the OP) who could be submitting them.

That much ought to be obvious. It applies to all businesses. You have to keep in mind that they're in business to make money for themselves, they're not there to make you happy. Any decisions they make, it's for their own best interests, not yours. The same thing goes for the entire publishing industry. Authors are just a product. We don't pay them. Customers do and therefore, they care a whole lot more about the customers than they do about us, and they should.

[R. C.]

FYI - Here is the first draft of the new cover... 

We are cleaning up the fonts and tightening the images.  I think it is sufficiently sci-fi creepy and will be rejected without comment. 



R.C.

[alhawke]

I really like this cover, RC!
You said first draft--imo, I would take out the body of the character. I think the narrative is sufficient with the head and buildings alone.

[Crystal]

I don't think it's unprofessional to ask for feedback. Why would Written Word want somebody to keep submitting the same book without any changes? They aren't going to accept it. Amazon has a history of rejecting covers saying they violate the requirements when they don't. Took talking to a person to resolve it. (Never happened to me personally, but I know it has happened.) There is a way to do this professionally, so I don't think that's any big deal. And if someone wants to lick their wounds over their rejection, that's pretty typical around here.

I agree. It's in Written Word Media's best interest to help you get a deal. You'll pay them for the deal, after all.

However, making a post complaining about their feedback is very unprofessional.

They didn't reject you out of personal bias. They rejected you because they didn't think your book would meet their readers' tastes. Can these things be intertwined? Sure, when we're talking about issues of representation. (I've often heard covers with PoC on them don't sell). But that doesn't seem to be the case here. Even if it is the case, complaining on a forum isn't really the right move...

[R. C.]

Well now...

This came from WrittenWord:

"... I see that you recently updated your book cover (looks great by the way!) and that my colleague ***** switched your Reader Reach ad to a Deal of the Day ad...I just wanted to let you know that I have canceled and refunded the standard feature that I handled in full - we will instead just keep the Deal of the Day feature..."

What's in a cover? Everything!

UPDATE: This arrived about an hour later!

"Thank you for your purchase of a NewInBooks Book Launch package for Threshold: The Kathla Chronicles. Your book has been approved for promotion and your book will be featured on NewInBooks the week of 6/28/2022!"

I didn't not request the "NewInBooks" promo. I am happy to say, they are easy to work with and strive to present a good product.

R.C.

[notthatamanda]

Hey congratulations. That's some real validation the new cover is spot on.

[alhawke]

Wow, R.C. This is some fantastic news! I'm so happy for you. 

[Jeff Tanyard]

Glad to hear it, R.C. 

[LilyBLily]

Good news to have leapt that hurdle.