Blogger: Rachel Kent
Recently, I’ve received a few query letters for top-notch ideas, but when I look at the proposal or manuscript, I realize the author shouldn’t have submitted the project yet. The idea and bones of the book are good, but the writing could use some major editing.
A writer who sends a query letter too early doesn’t take the time to have critique partners look at the project first and then make the suggested changes. He or she is setting him- or herself up for failure. If an agent requests a project and sees it’s a mess, that agent is unlikely to re-request, even if the book is amazing after more work has been put in.
I know that sometimes an author can get a request for an unfinished or unedited project because of a connection made at a conference or through an author recommendation to an editor or agent. If you make a connection like this and your project is requested before it’s ready, you can wait to send it. Let the agent or editor know that the book isn’t ready, but that you will send the proposal as soon as it is.
An example of this is an author-friend of mine who was chatting with an editor at a conference about what the publishing house was looking for. Off the top of her head, she came up with a book idea that blew the editor away and fit right in to what the house was looking for. The editor wanted to see a proposal for the book. My friend took a few weeks to come up with a strong synopsis, proposal and sample chapters and then submitted the story. I can’t remember if this project was contracted, but I think it was. I know that the time my friend took to prepare the proposal helped her to put her best foot forward with the publishing house and showed that she cared about creating a great product.
Have you ever received a manuscript request before your book was ready? What did you do?
What are the steps you take to make sure your project is in the best possible shape before sending your query letters?
TWEETABLES:
How do you make sure your book is ready before you submit? Share here. Via lit agent @rachellkent Click to tweet.
Don’t submit your project before it is ready. Advice from lit. agent @rachellkent Click to tweet.
It’s great to have “permission” not to panic and send things too soon. But I do feel a certain tension, as I’m sure other authors do as well, not to wait too long. For me, it’s balancing my day job with my edits and family life, and every author has to find this balance as well.
But how long is too long? When does “too long” risk a connection that becomes forgotten?
Good questions, Anne. I would love to know this, too.
I feel that tension too, Anne. In regards to you “When does ‘too long’ risk a connection that becomes forgotten is one I’m struggling with right now. Thanks for asking it.
A couple of months is pretty standard, but if it is going to be longer than that feel free to let the agent know. More than 6 months is likely too long. 🙂
Rachel:
I think this has been the hardest part of an otherwise joyous process for me — knowing when the document was ready. As mentioned in reply to an earlier blog this week, one of the Big Six publishers asked to see my entire manuscript after ACFW last year, which led me to the lovely Mary. But she and I have been bouncing around, adjusting document and proposal, for the past year. So even though Mary and I are confident it’s a strong and wonderful proposal/manuscript, I have learned that there is ALWAYS more to learn, and always more adjustments to be made, so I’m thankful I’m a good student with a great agent!
My strongest recommendation, though, is a tough-as-nails professional edit before you let go of the document. It’s hard for a mama to see her children’s flaws……
Have a great weekend. I’m spending mine with my youngest “perfect” child as she interviews for graduate school. I am a geezer!
NLBH
It’s obvious to me when an author has taken the time to have critique partners look at a book and to put together a quality proposal.
Sending too soon is before you’ve had someone read your project and before you’ve taken the time to create quality work.
Have a great weekend as well! And you are not a geezer!
I think there should be a “resting time” between the time the manuscript is written and when a final edit is done. That helps me see what is okay and what really needs to be revised.
Definitely, Carol. It’s amazing to me how what I thought was brilliant a few weeks before a resting time suddenly looks like drivel after. 🙂
Just like a good steak!
lol
Great post, Rachel. And it’s always good to see the agent’s perspective, especially in a situation like this.
I haven’t submitted anything yet, because I know my work isn’t ready. 🙂 My plan is to revise, edit polish, and have other eyes on it before I query it. I want to make sure that when I send a proposal, my manuscript shines. I know there’s only one chance with an agent or editor, and I want to use it well.
Great plan!
I had a really hard time knowing whether my first book was ready or not. I got a request from an editor and did indeed send it too soon. It wasn’t the writing that was weak; it was the plot. But I was lucky. I received two very nice rejections from two very nice people, and from there, decided to focus on plotting. That led me to My Book Therapy, which led me to intense plot training. I credit those rejections with helping me move forward. I’m just very grateful that God helped my heart to be in the right place to receive the criticism I needed to hear in order to get where I needed to go.
Great post today, Rachel. After being away for a while, I’m finding this week’s posts very helpful.
I’ve never been asked to submit a book before it was ready, but I also don’t talk much about my work unless I feel it is very close to ready. That means my critique group has offered feedback and I’ve edited the manuscript, then I walk away for a few weeks and go back to it with fresh eyes where I always find something else I would change. I’m not sure if I’m shooting myself in the foot by not chatting much about WIPs.
Thanks again. Hope you have a great weekend.
Wow, Rachel! How wonderful for your friend!
I’m come to know the value of critique partners. I started in the ACFW Scribes group, and now I also have one particular critique partner. There is so much wisdom and encouragement in a good critique as well as the value of friendship with someone who understands what goes on inside your head.
Thank you, Rachel, for the encouragement not to send a manuscript or proposal before it is ready, even if it’s been requested.
I’m still working to get my fantasy novel ready to query. My critique group is quite helpful in letting me know where there is still too much information dump or other issues. I frequently re-read chapters out loud to hear whether the writing flows and the dialogue sounds authentic. Also, reading aloud helps me find mistakes that I’ve missed by just reading. I’ve done some webinars on YA writing and fantasy writing, applied what I’ve learned from them to my manuscript, and gotten critiques of my material from the instructors of the webinars. Finally, when I feel the book is the best I can make it, I plan to get a professional critique.
I got a professional critique of part of my other novel. The critique was helpful. Also, the editor / author who critiqued the manuscript recommended me to her agent and gave me her agent’s name and address so I could send her the novel when I was ready. Unfortunately, the editor hadn’t seen the whole novel, and I felt the part I hadn’t sent still needed considerable work. I wrote to thank her and to tell her that the manuscript wasn’t ready yet. She kindly told me that, when it was ready, I should keep her agent in mind. Part of me felt that I had made a huge mistake and should have hurried up and sent it out. Your post has helped me accept that I actually made the right decision by not rushing to get it to the agent.
Thank you.
Blessings on your weekend.
I think you did the right thing with waiting!
I am tempted to go back and look at the “writing” I submitted last year. But, since I am getting over a whopper of a flu bug, no need to make myself violently ill, yet again, right?
I hope you feel better soon, Jennifer. You’re in my prayers.
My book is ready, it’s a little “dog eared”, but it’s ready.
Rachel, I really appreciate this post. It reinforces the importance of taking slow, deliberate steps with my first manuscript before submitting it. I appreciate the advice to get it critiqued and polished first. Slow but steady wins the race. Thanks!