Temporary Loss of Momentum

Not having got any response from my publishers for over a month, I called them up recently. The Chief Editor’s feedback was encouraging and discouraging at the same time. While our story itself has potential, she said, we needed to infuse more excitement into it. She indicated that the book reads too much like a report and that we needed to make it as gripping as an adventure story. “Fictionalize it”, she said.

I think we have ignored peripheral aspects (like descriptions of surroundings/ what people were wearing/ how the protagonist felt) while focusing excessively on getting the facts right... I do not think my publishers are interested in the book in its present form. The situation called for a decision:

Should we invest more time, do a major re-write - and continue to pursue them? Or should we approach a second-rung publisher and get the book out this year? The main things to be considered were time and timing.

So, I asked the protagonist what he thought. Here are his views:
“The Chief Editor indicated her interest in the story but the Head of Sales may have made her think again… In any case, it’s up to us to make it as gripping a story as possible. I feel it’s always better to go with a recognized publisher than a second-rung one… So, let’s invest some more time and then convince them to publish the book.

“As far as the timing is concerned - going by the prevailing situation here, it’s okay even if we delay the release till next year. It all depends on your availability to do it all over again. I am in favour of a re-write if we are to hit the top shelf. But get a second opinion if you feel the need to.”

So, what do you think?