I have a deal with a publishing company to write a book and they want me to make changes, is that normal?

They basically offered me a contract on the basis of an outline and some sample chapters i sent them. I have now sent them the complete manuscript and received an email telling me that they were going to get back to me in a few days with some feedback.



As this is my first book, I'm a bit concerned. Do publishing companies normally ask you to make loads of changes to a manuscript after you've handed it in or do they normally just publish it as it is? Can they get me to re-write the whole book?



Maybe I'm just being overly sensitive.....I have a deal with a publishing company to write a book and they want me to make changes, is that normal?
They normally ask for changes I'm afraid. They know how long things should be and what will sell so be guided by them. I know it's hard to mess with 'your baby' but they just see it as a business and dont really understand your personal attatchment to every word. It's really up to you to decide....keep it as is...and risk it not being published at all...or make the changes and see it in print. Congratulations on your offer anyway.
Wow - first of all congratulations. Amazing - must feel good to be getting some recognition. I agree with dragon - you should be open to make changes, and do not be attached to every word. Allow yourself to be open to what they want and make an educated decision for yourself. I also wouldn't be surprised if they wanna make some changes. Go with the flow and trust your instinct. Good Luck :)I have a deal with a publishing company to write a book and they want me to make changes, is that normal?
Yes, it is normal.
To add on to what others have said i would say that the changes may be for the better. You arent just writing the book for yourself you are writing for an audience as well. you are having people look at "your baby" with fresh eyes. Sometimes we are so attached to our projects we dont see their flaws. This may be a way for you to improve your story and more clearly get your message and your work out there. Good LuckI have a deal with a publishing company to write a book and they want me to make changes, is that normal?
They will probably ask for changes...lengthening, shortening or removing whole chapters but in the end it's entirely up to you.

My favourite author is Harlan Ellison and in alot of his essays he tells about the fights he's had with publishers. Ellison refused to make any changes in alot of his books which kept him from publishing them immediately after they were written.

There is more than one publisher out there, if you really don't want it changed then shop around.

Congrats.
At the moment you're a nobody. What I mean is you have no status within the industry, you're a new author, so publishers can push you around, tell you what to cut and not to cut.

If you complain, they'll tell you to go elsewhere.

Once you establish yourself, all this changes. Because now, you have a certain status, a certain following, and you're the one who calls the shots.