being in utero with a publisher: a minor bind I'm in

[ibid.]

Okay, the deal so far:

Sent out entire manuscript in June to major SF/F publisher, heard back in August: the mss got past 'first reader', have 'second reader' and 'editor' to get through, before I can consider myself to-be-published. I replied to good news with letter thanking them and asking if it would be fine for me to send an updated copy of the mss, to have the best on the table, for Round Two.

Last week came the reply: Yes please send current version.

THE PROBLEM:

I furloughing have stumbled into like a MAJOR REWRITE of the whole book, all of the sudden. I was thinking that I could press it out of me in two weeks time and send off the VASTLY BETTER BOOK (maybe baby) -- but I can't push that hard. I spend at least four hours rewriting every chapter, and at the end of that I'm pretty pooped -- but these first few chapters are very much better than what I originally sent off...

So what do I do, IYO? finish what I can in the next couple of weeks and paste the remainder of the old version to the back, with a note? Or no note? I feel it would be bad form to ask for an extension -- for one, this editor doesn't have all the time in the world -- or even much time at all -- for a flaky artist. Also, I might even be able to work on this til I'm done and send it off in a month or so, without him even noticing... being that the publishing industry doesn't move much faster than something that moves very, very slow (you can tell I'm a bit fried, the metaphors are not answering my summons)--

I'm trying not to stress out about this, but only I can't rush it, and I want to, to be still on the table, while at the same time having a more improved shot of a printed book, at the end of the tunnel.

[PeeDee]

Buddy, I will buy you a beer. I am in exactly the same bind, sort of, and if anyone has any wonderful advice, feel free to offer it up.

That said, there's not quite as exhilerating as the rushing-danger sense you get when you realize that you've talked yourself up to the edge of a cliff, and now you're not sure if you can flap your arms hard enough on the way down.

Cheer up. Write like you're sweating blood for two weeks, and I bet a lot of that exhilerated fear will pour out into your re-write and give you something that (hopefully!) is vibrating with energy.

[badducky]

Send the first manuscript with a couple minor changes ASAP.

If it was good for round 1, it might stand a chance for round 2.

And, in the future, don't send anything out until it's your best work.

[ibid.]

Send the first manuscript with a couple minor changes ASAP.

If it was good for round 1, it might stand a chance for round 2.

And, in the future, don't send anything out until it's your best work.

I realize I have to concentrate on sellability, not perfection, in this market. But "best work" is still a moving target for me — flying by the seat of my pants, as I do.

[priceless1]

Personally, I get very nervous when a writer tells me they're doing a rewrite and that they want to send me the "improved" version. If I read the manuscript and it got my attention enough to send it to my submission committee which consists of my editors and sales coordinator of our distributor, then I definitely don't want to hear that you've spent time tweaking it. It tells me that the author is new and submitted before they were ready.

[JennaGlatzer]

I don't understand... you wrote to ask if you could send an updated version, but you hadn't actually done anything to the manuscript at that point?

[ibid.]

I don't understand... you wrote to ask if you could send an updated version, but you hadn't actually done anything to the manuscript at that point?

No, when I asked to submit an updated version, I had an updated version on hand—which was basically more cleaned up, with a few passages reworked.

But what's happened is that those who have read it, aside the publisher, have for the most part been unanimous in getting put off by the first chapter and stalled by the fourth— not to slip into novice-grade justification, but when I mailed it off to the publisher, I had worked on it for a number of months, and felt like I couldn't get it any better, except for minor adjustments.

[JennaGlatzer]

Ah. Well, I'd work my butt off this week to fix any major problems, and send it off by Priority Mail. They're being kind to allow you to submit a new version; don't push that by asking for an "extension" at this point.

[Patricia]

I'm certainly not an "expert," but can't resist replying. This very example is why I feel it is vitally important that one have ms finished and polished to the best of ability before submitting. Of course, I’m speaking of fiction submissions.

[L.Jones]

The publisher has passed it along up the ladder but now you want to make a major rewrite because 'those who have read it' gave input? Unless 'those who have read it' (and btw someone at the house has read it and liked it as is)have the ability to cut a check and offer a contact, go with the people who can do that.


Tweak and tidy up then send. The fact that the responded so quickly suggests you should act in kind.


This is why once something is in the mail people should work on their NEXT project. Because you will always find things you want to rewrite.

annie jones (Sisterhood of the Queen Mamas - Dec 06 - "engaging" and "Laugh out loud funny" - Publisher's Weekly)
Luanne Jones (Heathen Girls - out now)