Re: Do Writers Submit Different Versions to Different Editors?

in Submissions by

Dear Editor…

I have a re-submit opportunity with two editors. I think one editor wasn’t so jazzed about a certain part of my picture book manuscript, while the other editor was. I could remove that part altogether, or remove it just from the version I send to that first editor. Do people do this? Do writers ever do different versions for different people?

Which One?

Dear Which One?…

They sure do. The real question is, will you be happy with either version being published as the final book? If your answer is yes, then send each editor the version that sparked their invitation to re-submit. As writers seeking publication, we adjust our stories for editors who offer smart critiques aligning with our overall goals for the story. Sounds like you’ve got two of those nibbling at your bait. Fingers crossed that one—or both!—take the full bite.

Happy writing!
The Editor


  1. Yes, that’s a good strategy. As a picture book writer, I’ve submitted different manuscripts altogether to different agents and editors.
    The only downside is if you get a rejection from both and find yourself wonder if you had submitted the same version whether the answer would be different (it won’t, but we writers like to torture ourselves that way.)

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