I am coming to understand this. I understand it when a publisher says it, they have a brand, they want to burnish that brand, they have core activities they want to focus on (I didn't work in Mergers and Acquisitions for nothing - I understand all this). It's commercial and it doesn't mean TMoF is a bad book - in fact he said he'd enjoyed it, and thought it was very good, but he isn't doing fantasy, except with writers who already have a track record,. I.e. he doesn't really have the resources at present for a debut author. However, although I am disappointed, it's not quite as bad as I thought it would be. This is in part because I had had some reservations over whether he was the "right" publisher for it because he was so new, even though he's pretty well connected.
I also understand that when an agent says I wouldn't fit with her list she means that she has particular relationships with particular editors, none of whom she would want to offer my book to.
I took my laments to Tara and she had lots of ideas for new agents etc etc. and best of all she sent me a wonderful cover design for the book... in 3 different colourways, and this amazing 3D one. As a result, I briefly feel as if it has been published already. This is comforting, and does help me to keep the faith for a bit longer!
