Dee McKinney's Blog - Posts Tagged "agents"
The Waiting Game
Well, it's been one month and seven days since I sent off my complete requested manuscript to the agent who asked for it. Now, with submission #1, he got back to me in a week and said it wasn't something he was interested in contracting, but he wanted to see my next work. Done. Meanwhile, because there is no such thing as an exclusive, I've queried two other agents. Crickets. Both did say give them 4 weeks for an answer, and that they did answer submission inquiries (even if the answer was no). It's only been about 1.5 weeks, so I'm trying not to think about it. Instead, I'm reading The Hanging Tree and working on two sequels to the submitted novel. One is a great idea that's going nowhere. The other is a less wild idea that is easier to write. Both need some TLC. So, I'm continuing to read, write, and hang on to my sanity in my insane day job.
We all screamed for...a full manuscript request
To be honest, I was browsing my email for a LuLaRoe receipt at 10 PM...and lo and behold, another full manuscript request was in my inbox from an agent (this one based on a 50-page submission). I squealed. The whole house, including the dog, looked at me as if I'd found a big, juicy tick embedded in my, uh, thigh.
Again, this isn't a deal, nor is it a sale. I'm trying to see it as, "Something IS right here. Maybe my writing IS entertaining." I still wish I was Daniel Woodrell (“Fading light buttered the ridges until shadows licked them clean and they were lost to nightfall" or "They came in the dark and knocked with three fists." DANG!! That man can write). I'll keep working on it.
I've decided to take a short break from queries and edits to go back to novel #1. I have an idea about redoing the whole thing...and making the former secondary protagonist the main character. She's witty and complicated and funny...and also struggling with identity being half-Chinese and half-English in 1913, a time offering kindness to no one. I'll start that tomorrow, I'm thinking. :)
Again, this isn't a deal, nor is it a sale. I'm trying to see it as, "Something IS right here. Maybe my writing IS entertaining." I still wish I was Daniel Woodrell (“Fading light buttered the ridges until shadows licked them clean and they were lost to nightfall" or "They came in the dark and knocked with three fists." DANG!! That man can write). I'll keep working on it.
I've decided to take a short break from queries and edits to go back to novel #1. I have an idea about redoing the whole thing...and making the former secondary protagonist the main character. She's witty and complicated and funny...and also struggling with identity being half-Chinese and half-English in 1913, a time offering kindness to no one. I'll start that tomorrow, I'm thinking. :)
The Long Kiss Goodnight
Well, the acceptance of my novel didn't work out. I'm trying to view this as a learning experience, but it's naturally disappointing when something seems so hopeful (words like "we have a publisher in mind" and "one more set of changes should make this what it needs to be"). Given this, let me offer some questions you may want to ask if you do get a call from an agent about a revise and resubmit (R&R). There are many blogs out there from agents saying they don't consider this a "long no," so definitely read up on your agent if you can, and their general R&R process.
1. Did you read the complete manuscript? How do the protagonists and antagonists (hero/villain, whatever) work for you? What things do you like? What things would you like to see improved?
2. Who at your agency also read the manuscript? What advice did they have?
3. During the revise and resubmit, who will be working with me? (If it's not the actual agent, confirm how the agent stays in the loop).
4. Can you give me a specific list of items you'd like revised?
5. What's the timeline on the R&R? I agree that taking the time to revise is important, but I'd like to know your expectations. Do you want this back in one month or three months? (I wouldn't advise tackling an R&R in less than a month).
Now, let's discuss the real tricky part--you turn in the R&R, and the agency comes back again--no contract, but they want another R&R. At this point--STOP. You need to talk this over via phone, not just via email.
1. If you have not gotten clear answers to questions 1 & 2, insist politely on them now. Make certain the agent himself/herself has actually read the manuscript at this point, rather than waiting for the final R&R. It's essential he/she is on board with your main characters, good and bad. If the agent doesn't like the characters or the setup, that's going to stop the whole process.
2. Make this point, again with politesse: "I've completed the requested changes, and I'd like to know if you intend to offer a contract or not before I go through another complete R&R." If the answer is something like "yes, that's our intention," or "we're pleased with your work thus far," I'd say proceed. If the answer is "we're just not sure," I'd be wary. On the plus side, you're going to get a better book, regardless, if the advice is sound. On the other hand, if the book is going in a strange direction just because of one agency's advice, the R&R may not be helpful.
3. I think it's also okay at this point to say, "What publishers do you anticipate might want this book?" That lets you know the agent is invested and, more importantly, understands your manuscript. If you wrote a gritty 1938 Chicago police procedural, you don't want it sent to a publisher specializing in fantasy or sci fi, for example. You want to ascertain "Does this agent understand me and my work?" and asking about potential publishers is one way to do that.
My bottom line: I think an R&R is definitely worth it, even if the answer ends up being no from the agent. It's like getting free editing advice from a pro. On the other hand, I am now a bit leery of a 2nd R&R--it could be LOT of buildup with a rejection at the end. Don't get me wrong--in my case, it is a better book, no question about it. But it did keep me from querying for 3 months, and now, I'm having to start from scratch with my spreadsheet. I will add the agent was polite and professional (as was I), and I'd like to stress the "keep it nice" part of this painful process. Agents talk--and being a jerk (even if you're upset) doesn't help your cause.
Good luck, and I hope these words help someone out there!
1. Did you read the complete manuscript? How do the protagonists and antagonists (hero/villain, whatever) work for you? What things do you like? What things would you like to see improved?
2. Who at your agency also read the manuscript? What advice did they have?
3. During the revise and resubmit, who will be working with me? (If it's not the actual agent, confirm how the agent stays in the loop).
4. Can you give me a specific list of items you'd like revised?
5. What's the timeline on the R&R? I agree that taking the time to revise is important, but I'd like to know your expectations. Do you want this back in one month or three months? (I wouldn't advise tackling an R&R in less than a month).
Now, let's discuss the real tricky part--you turn in the R&R, and the agency comes back again--no contract, but they want another R&R. At this point--STOP. You need to talk this over via phone, not just via email.
1. If you have not gotten clear answers to questions 1 & 2, insist politely on them now. Make certain the agent himself/herself has actually read the manuscript at this point, rather than waiting for the final R&R. It's essential he/she is on board with your main characters, good and bad. If the agent doesn't like the characters or the setup, that's going to stop the whole process.
2. Make this point, again with politesse: "I've completed the requested changes, and I'd like to know if you intend to offer a contract or not before I go through another complete R&R." If the answer is something like "yes, that's our intention," or "we're pleased with your work thus far," I'd say proceed. If the answer is "we're just not sure," I'd be wary. On the plus side, you're going to get a better book, regardless, if the advice is sound. On the other hand, if the book is going in a strange direction just because of one agency's advice, the R&R may not be helpful.
3. I think it's also okay at this point to say, "What publishers do you anticipate might want this book?" That lets you know the agent is invested and, more importantly, understands your manuscript. If you wrote a gritty 1938 Chicago police procedural, you don't want it sent to a publisher specializing in fantasy or sci fi, for example. You want to ascertain "Does this agent understand me and my work?" and asking about potential publishers is one way to do that.
My bottom line: I think an R&R is definitely worth it, even if the answer ends up being no from the agent. It's like getting free editing advice from a pro. On the other hand, I am now a bit leery of a 2nd R&R--it could be LOT of buildup with a rejection at the end. Don't get me wrong--in my case, it is a better book, no question about it. But it did keep me from querying for 3 months, and now, I'm having to start from scratch with my spreadsheet. I will add the agent was polite and professional (as was I), and I'd like to stress the "keep it nice" part of this painful process. Agents talk--and being a jerk (even if you're upset) doesn't help your cause.
Good luck, and I hope these words help someone out there!
