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Thread Tools (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/) http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/statusicon/post_old.gif 06-23-2006, 04:37 PM Maprilynne (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/member.php?u=6417) vbmenu_register("postmenu_664814", true);
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What Does it Mean?
This is not really a question, just my observations that I'd love to hear others comment on.
I've been thinking a lot about full manuscripts because I am waiting on feedback from two of them. I've been thinking about what they mean. I don't mean the fulls that agents request off of a query because, IMHO, those mean exactly the same thing as a requested partial, except that you happen to have stumbled upon an agent who likes to request fulls instead of partials. Excuse the weird metaphor, but I think it is apt. Queries are like commercials for ice cream. When an agent requests a partial it simply means that they want a sample. You know, those little bitty spoonfuls. To see if the description on the sign matches the taste. Getting representation is when they buy your cone . . . but it seems that requests for fulls fall somewhere in the middle. They like what they've tasted, and they're thinking about buying a double scoop, but they're not quite there. It definitely signifies a commitment, though. A time commitment if nothing else. From all of my research I've found that once an agent requests the full, the odds of them offering representation are 25-50% (I know stats mean little, but it's telling.)
The ratio of hope is significantly higher for a full as well. I've had about 15 agents request partials and, though the first one was very exciting, I learned quickly not to get my hopes up. But a full after a partial is a whole different animal. It means there's a serious intention. That's something to me. I am on the verge of shelving this novel. I've queried 105 agents and had some kind of positive response from about 20% of them (partials, fulls, and "just send me the first chapter.") I have two partials outstanding and fulls after partials out to two. But once I hear back from all these people, I'm done for six months. I will send it straight out to publishers after about a six month rest, but I'm done with agents for this book. It's a strange feeling, especially when I have two fulls out.
What an interesting journey publishing is. So full of ups and downs and struggling to beat the odds. I don't know that this is the right place to post this . . . rant? Musing? Comment? but at least I know it will fall on empathetic ears . . . or eyes, I suppose.
Thanks for reading.:)
Maprilynne
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Maprilynne, I think your response rate is probably way above the average - so are you sure you want to sit for six months? Has anyone given you any feedback on what they perceive as flaws? If they haven't, you might want to try getting a totally unknown beta reader to give you some feedback. And, yes, trying to get something published is a very interesting journey. Puma
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Ahh, yes. The journey of publishing. I had agents clamoring for my novel just over a year ago, but now the same people are saying the topic is passe. It happens.
It sounds like you have good subject matter and a great book topic, but that the writing may not live up to the hype. I second what Puma said about a Beta reader--maybe it just needs another draft? Maybe after the 6 months where it's set aside you can take another look with fresh eyes and see where you're at.
Good luck, it sounds like you're doing great so far.
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http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/statusicon/post_old.gif 06-24-2006, 09:38 AM Maprilynne (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/member.php?u=6417) vbmenu_register("postmenu_666356", true);
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cat Scratch
Maybe after the 6 months where it's set aside you can take another look with fresh eyes and see where you're at.
Yeah, that's my goal.:) Who knows, maybe it won't get that far. Maybe on Monday one of the agents who has the full will call me gushing with praise and beg me to let her represent my book . . . and then again, maybe not. <laugh> But I am still holding out some hope that one of them will think about representing me:). <shrug> I guess we'll see.
Maprilynne
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What's a Doula? Find out here! www.powerfulbirth.com (http://www.powerfulbirth.com/)
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http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/statusicon/post_old.gif 06-24-2006, 10:47 AM Branwyn (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/member.php?u=5693) vbmenu_register("postmenu_666487", true);
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maprilynne
Yeah, that's my goal.:) Who knows, maybe it won't get that far. Maybe on Monday one of the agents who has the full will call me gushing with praise and beg me to let her represent my book . . . and then again, maybe not. <laugh> But I am still holding out some hope that one of them will think about representing me:). <shrug> I guess we'll see.
Maprilynne
I have similar feelings. Although for me, I wouldn't say the journey is interesting--frustrating is more like it. I have learned an awful lot, and I know I have so much more to learn.
I remember the feeling of anticipation when the first agent asked for the full ms. I was sure that I would get that same phone call, singing my praises. I never did get it. I'm still waiting...
I can feel that I'm reaching the point at which I'm going to just say--fuggettaboutit. Although the kind folks around here are encouraging me and trying to get me to realize that if I give up now, I'm giving in too soon.
So, it's on to rewriting book two. I do have a publisher reading the full on the first, but the feeling has morphed from anticipation to--angst.
Best of Luck to you!
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What Does it Mean?
This is not really a question, just my observations that I'd love to hear others comment on.
I've been thinking a lot about full manuscripts because I am waiting on feedback from two of them. I've been thinking about what they mean. I don't mean the fulls that agents request off of a query because, IMHO, those mean exactly the same thing as a requested partial, except that you happen to have stumbled upon an agent who likes to request fulls instead of partials. Excuse the weird metaphor, but I think it is apt. Queries are like commercials for ice cream. When an agent requests a partial it simply means that they want a sample. You know, those little bitty spoonfuls. To see if the description on the sign matches the taste. Getting representation is when they buy your cone . . . but it seems that requests for fulls fall somewhere in the middle. They like what they've tasted, and they're thinking about buying a double scoop, but they're not quite there. It definitely signifies a commitment, though. A time commitment if nothing else. From all of my research I've found that once an agent requests the full, the odds of them offering representation are 25-50% (I know stats mean little, but it's telling.)
The ratio of hope is significantly higher for a full as well. I've had about 15 agents request partials and, though the first one was very exciting, I learned quickly not to get my hopes up. But a full after a partial is a whole different animal. It means there's a serious intention. That's something to me. I am on the verge of shelving this novel. I've queried 105 agents and had some kind of positive response from about 20% of them (partials, fulls, and "just send me the first chapter.") I have two partials outstanding and fulls after partials out to two. But once I hear back from all these people, I'm done for six months. I will send it straight out to publishers after about a six month rest, but I'm done with agents for this book. It's a strange feeling, especially when I have two fulls out.
What an interesting journey publishing is. So full of ups and downs and struggling to beat the odds. I don't know that this is the right place to post this . . . rant? Musing? Comment? but at least I know it will fall on empathetic ears . . . or eyes, I suppose.
Thanks for reading.:)
Maprilynne
__________________
You can't Publish if you don't Submit! Take the 2006 Rejection Pledge. I took the Pledge! 97/100
What's a Doula? Find out here! www.powerfulbirth.com (http://www.powerfulbirth.com/)
My Publishing Journey (http://apparentlyaprilynne.blogspot.com/) (It's exciting, I promise.:tongue)
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Maprilynne, I think your response rate is probably way above the average - so are you sure you want to sit for six months? Has anyone given you any feedback on what they perceive as flaws? If they haven't, you might want to try getting a totally unknown beta reader to give you some feedback. And, yes, trying to get something published is a very interesting journey. Puma
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Ahh, yes. The journey of publishing. I had agents clamoring for my novel just over a year ago, but now the same people are saying the topic is passe. It happens.
It sounds like you have good subject matter and a great book topic, but that the writing may not live up to the hype. I second what Puma said about a Beta reader--maybe it just needs another draft? Maybe after the 6 months where it's set aside you can take another look with fresh eyes and see where you're at.
Good luck, it sounds like you're doing great so far.
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http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/statusicon/post_old.gif 06-24-2006, 09:38 AM Maprilynne (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/member.php?u=6417) vbmenu_register("postmenu_666356", true);
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cat Scratch
Maybe after the 6 months where it's set aside you can take another look with fresh eyes and see where you're at.
Yeah, that's my goal.:) Who knows, maybe it won't get that far. Maybe on Monday one of the agents who has the full will call me gushing with praise and beg me to let her represent my book . . . and then again, maybe not. <laugh> But I am still holding out some hope that one of them will think about representing me:). <shrug> I guess we'll see.
Maprilynne
__________________
You can't Publish if you don't Submit! Take the 2006 Rejection Pledge. I took the Pledge! 97/100
What's a Doula? Find out here! www.powerfulbirth.com (http://www.powerfulbirth.com/)
My Publishing Journey (http://apparentlyaprilynne.blogspot.com/) (It's exciting, I promise.:tongue)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maprilynne
Yeah, that's my goal.:) Who knows, maybe it won't get that far. Maybe on Monday one of the agents who has the full will call me gushing with praise and beg me to let her represent my book . . . and then again, maybe not. <laugh> But I am still holding out some hope that one of them will think about representing me:). <shrug> I guess we'll see.
Maprilynne
I have similar feelings. Although for me, I wouldn't say the journey is interesting--frustrating is more like it. I have learned an awful lot, and I know I have so much more to learn.
I remember the feeling of anticipation when the first agent asked for the full ms. I was sure that I would get that same phone call, singing my praises. I never did get it. I'm still waiting...
I can feel that I'm reaching the point at which I'm going to just say--fuggettaboutit. Although the kind folks around here are encouraging me and trying to get me to realize that if I give up now, I'm giving in too soon.
So, it's on to rewriting book two. I do have a publisher reading the full on the first, but the feeling has morphed from anticipation to--angst.
Best of Luck to you!
__________________
Waiting for circumstances to change so you can feel good is like looking in a mirror
waiting for your reflection to smile first. ~Bashar
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