Top this, if you can... [Archive] - Absolute Write Water Cooler

David I

02-01-2008, 07:50 AM

At the risk of annoying an agent (oh, Lord forbid!), I'd like to relate that I recently received a phone call from an agency requesting a full manuscript...(drum roll...wait for it...)

...on a partial they received back in 2002. I mean, back before the Iraq War started. I mean, waaaaaaaaaay back.

Meanwhile I've published another novel, and the book in question has been bought by a publsher for release in 2008.

I really want to see the pages. Have they been used to prop up a desk? Keep the philodendron from leaking onto the windowsill? Folded into fancy interlinked origami swans, which at some point an agent in the building happened to focus on and say, "Hunh, Ashley? This here lampshade looks like the openin' to some effing novel..."?

Okay, I don't mean to boast. But can anyone top a five-year postiive (and too-late) response time on a partial?

Do I rock? Or what? (Don't answer that.)

KTC

02-01-2008, 07:53 AM

wow. That is incredible! I wonder if that's the longest wait in history?

CaroGirl

02-01-2008, 07:54 AM

At the risk of annoying an agent (oh, Lord forbid!), I'd like to relate that I recently received a phone call from an agency requesting a full manuscript...(drum roll...wait for it...)

...on a partial they received back in 2002. I mean, back before the Iraq War started. I mean, waaaaaaaaaay back.

Meanwhile I've published a novel and the book in question has been bought by another publsher for release in 2008.

I really want to see the pages. Have they been used to prop up a desk? Keep the philodendron from leaking onto the windowsill? Folded into fancy interlinked origami swans, which at some point an agent in the building happened to focus on and say, "Hunh, Ashley? This here lampshade looks like the openin' to some effing novel..."?

Okay, I don't mean to boast. But can anyone top a five-year postiive (and too-late) response time on a partial?

Do I rock? Or what? (Don't answer that.)
I'd like to say "or what" but you are somewhat rock-like in that you are a particular shade of grey and don't move around a lot.

That's a wicked story. Bet you could base a novel around it. :)

SageFury

02-01-2008, 07:58 AM

I'd like to say "or what" but you are somewhat rock-like in that you are a particular shade of grey and don't move around a lot.

That's a wicked story. Bet you could base a novel around it. :)

Call it "The novel across time.. Origami style"

=)

SadieCass

02-01-2008, 08:08 AM

Um...wow. 5 years? That story has me giggling...and crying all at once *lol* Great story!!

JJ Cooper

02-01-2008, 08:14 AM

I think Matthew Reilly may be able to get an episode out of that story for his new series.

JJ

Soccer Mom

02-01-2008, 08:22 AM

Wow. Just...wow.

Erin

02-01-2008, 08:37 AM

Absolutely incredible! Did they even apologize for the delay?!

ChaosTitan

02-01-2008, 08:42 AM

Did they even apologize for the delay?!

Did they even notice the delay???

Wow.

kristie911

02-01-2008, 08:49 AM

Aw...you've just given me hope that they're not ignoring me, they're simply behind. :)

Wow sums it up.

Hillary

02-01-2008, 08:53 AM

Do I rock? Or what? (Don't answer that.)

If the "Things that Rock" thread weren't on "L" at the moment, I'd put you in as a thing that rocks.

So, in conclusion, yes.

ona

02-01-2008, 08:55 AM

They are behinds, indeed.

David I

02-01-2008, 09:03 AM

Did they even notice the delay???

Wow.

Oh, yes. The poor young woman who called (not the agent herself, of course) was quite apologetic.

I don't think she understood why I kept giggling, and I am sure she was happy to get me off the line.

ChaosTitan

02-01-2008, 09:06 AM

I can't imagine calling someone after FIVE years and thinking the manuscript was still available. That just seems....I dunno, insulting, or something.

Madison

02-01-2008, 10:10 AM

amazing. i guess i should work on my patience... i may have a long wait ahead :)

JohnDavidPaxton

02-01-2008, 10:12 AM

Good sir, I believe you have won.

At least they didn't wait nearly six years to tell you no, though...

Ravenlocks

02-01-2008, 10:12 AM

I really, really hope you mentioned to them that the book is slated for release in 2008!

Cuz I know I would've.

:)

Viral

02-01-2008, 11:11 AM

That is epic. Fully epic.

Raphee

02-01-2008, 11:32 AM

Another feel good story for the poor souls on this board.
or is it. There are uses for paper other than lamp shades, but lets not talk about that.

JoNightshade

02-01-2008, 12:11 PM

The ultimate vindication. Awesomez.

Nari

02-01-2008, 12:43 PM

Wow! What a blip! An absolute blip! I'd email them a copy of your post here and address it to the one who was sleeping.

Andre_Laurent

02-01-2008, 05:29 PM

Talk about being behind. Geez.

NeuroFizz

02-01-2008, 05:33 PM

Maybe this thread should let us all know that the proverbial "slush pile" actually exists, and that there are slush moles who occasionally burrow on through it to find worms*.

Congrats on your recent successes, David.

*not meant as an insult to the OP - worms are mole food.

Moon Daughter

02-01-2008, 05:34 PM

Well, it wasn't their fault that their desk was wobbly because the guy who made the desk had one leg that was shorter than the other and they had to put something that would fit underneath the leg right away or else all the other ms's on the desk would get mixed up and lost on the floor. So, in turn, they said: "Let's sacrifice this ms for five years and then reward him with a request!"

I'm being "cereal".

Prawn

02-01-2008, 05:58 PM

The only thing that would be worse would be a five year delayed rejection!

popmuze

02-01-2008, 09:04 PM

Let's hope this is one of those records that never gets broken.

NeuroFizz

02-01-2008, 09:11 PM

I kind of like the idea of this. What if someone has that story in a trunk somewhere, and a message like this comes asking for a full. Maybe it took that long for the story's time to come. I find the situation unsettling, but somehow joyful.

Shadow_Ferret

02-01-2008, 09:22 PM

I really, really hope you mentioned to them that the book is slated for release in 2008!

Cuz I know I would've.

:)
Yeah, I want to know what YOUR response was to them.

a_sharp

02-01-2008, 09:46 PM

So, the newly hired assistant opens a closet and out falls the 2002 slusheroo. Heaps and gobs of manuscripts pile up at her feet. Looks around hoping no one caught her gaffe, quickly crams the mess back inside--except for one which stubbornly refuses to cram. Takes a look. Hmmm, David Isaak. Didn't I read his first book in Lit. class last year? Might be worth a look.

"Hello, David? I know it's been a while, but..."

Oberon

02-01-2008, 11:21 PM

jenstrikesagain

02-01-2008, 11:33 PM

I have a couple of queries out, one over a year old, one about six months, that I had more or less written off. Now I'm wondering if I should add them back into my stats.

David I

02-02-2008, 12:57 AM

I would be interested to know who this agent is. Have you checked her out? I have heard stories about questionable agencies fishing for unpublished would-be authors. Dear Robert comes to mind. Not to be raining on your parade, I think you have it made either way, and congratulations! Let us know how it all comes out.

Very reputable, top-notch agent, who represents a number of award-winning novelists, but I'd rather not divulge her name; I might do business with her some day.

Shadow asked what my response was. I told the woman on the phone it has already been sold. She asked if I would give her my current e-mail (unsurprisingly the one with the partial was defunct) so they could contact me anyway, because they still might want to see the full to see if I were a good fit.

I then recived an e-mail from someone else at the firm (probably the same e-mail that had already been bouncing back) asking for the full, and I responded at some length, outlining my currently rather complex situation (writing under two names, and outstanding option on my next book, and a bunch of other complicated matters).

Night of the Living Partial. Haven't heard back yet.

icerose

02-02-2008, 01:13 AM

That's just, wow, and ouch at the same time. I mean five years is a very long time to wait. You must have impressed them on that recent read, enough for them to bother writing and asking for something that old.

David I

02-02-2008, 01:27 AM

I mean five years is a very long time to wait.

I can't say I was really checking the mailbox. In fact, I'd long-forgotten I'd ever sent it to them!

MMWyrm

02-02-2008, 02:05 AM

I think it slipped behind the filing cabinet and they only found it when they were moving furniture or something. Yipes - long wait.

Angelinity

02-02-2008, 02:10 PM

sheesh. i don't have five years to wait.

bluemoonscribe

02-02-2008, 05:24 PM

Wow! You DO rock!!

BlueLucario

02-02-2008, 05:35 PM

ooooooooohkaaaaaaaaaaaay?

Siddow

02-02-2008, 06:06 PM

I told the woman on the phone it has already been sold. She asked if I would give her my current e-mail (unsurprisingly the one with the partial was defunct) so they could contact me anyway, because they still might want to see the full to see if I were a good fit.

Wait a minute...you told her it was already sold and she asked to see it anyway? Wowsers. Did you offer her an ARC? A signed copy upon release? A hearty chuckle?

David I

02-04-2008, 08:03 AM

Wait a minute...you told her it was already sold and she asked to see it anyway? Wowsers. Did you offer her an ARC? A signed copy upon release? A hearty chuckle?

Yeah, I giggled a lot. If they still want to see it, I'll send it to them! What's the downside?

My interpretation: Poor intern finds whole situation embarassing. Will say anything to move problem to someone else's inbox.

roger

02-04-2008, 03:08 PM

That's pretty staggering, David. Urm, did I miss something re:
the book in question has been bought by a publsher for release in 2008.

Am I right in thinking this is Tomorrowville????? I am really sorry that I haven't been paying attention, but this seems like huge and fantastic news! Kindly point me to the celebratory thread.

HeronW

02-04-2008, 04:03 PM

Talk about lost and found...Aren't you glad you didn't wait for these imbeciles to 'respond' before flogging to another pub? That's why the editors/pubs line: we don't accept simultaneous subs' or' 'please tell us if you've submitted elsewhere' is a line I ignore. Most of them don't even reply to say; 'no thanks'. If I get something accepted, I either write the non-responders or just ignore them. Lack of courtesy works both ways.

ishtar'sgate

02-04-2008, 10:32 PM

Okay, I don't mean to boast. But can anyone top a five-year postiive (and too-late) response time on a partial?

Do I rock? Or what? (Don't answer that.)
Yeah, you rock.:D Great story. Thanks for sharing. My stuff hasn't been in circulation that long so you've got me beat all hollow!
Linnea

justme

02-04-2008, 10:44 PM

:e2faint:Wow. I thought six months was a long time.

ACEnders

02-04-2008, 10:49 PM

Wow. That is..crazy! Didn't they look at the date you sent the letter?

David I

02-04-2008, 11:30 PM

Yeah, they looked.

Oh, and sorry--the book's being pubbed in 2009, not 2008. It just sold, here in 2008.

roger

02-05-2008, 01:06 AM

Well, congratulations! 2008 is flying by. It will be 2009 before we know it.

Nateskate

02-05-2008, 01:46 AM

That is way beyond amusing. It's almost twilight zonish.

But it's cool nonetheless.

Nate

At the risk of annoying an agent (oh, Lord forbid!), I'd like to relate that I recently received a phone call from an agency requesting a full manuscript...(drum roll...wait for it...)

...on a partial they received back in 2002. I mean, back before the Iraq War started. I mean, waaaaaaaaaay back.

Meanwhile I've published another novel, and the book in question has been bought by a publsher for release in 2008.

I really want to see the pages. Have they been used to prop up a desk? Keep the philodendron from leaking onto the windowsill? Folded into fancy interlinked origami swans, which at some point an agent in the building happened to focus on and say, "Hunh, Ashley? This here lampshade looks like the openin' to some effing novel..."?

Okay, I don't mean to boast. But can anyone top a five-year postiive (and too-late) response time on a partial?

Do I rock? Or what? (Don't answer that.)

Saundra Julian

02-05-2008, 06:37 AM

A definite WTF moment!

Thanks for the laugh...

David I

02-05-2008, 06:54 AM

Well, congratulations! 2008 is flying by. It will be 2009 before we know it.

I'm so afraid you're right!

Meanwhile--why don't you have all your book covers in your signature? Or, maybe at least the latest?

[For those who don't know what I'm talking about, Mr Morris has published three top-notch novels with in a span of less than 24 months. Seems like he'd update his sig, dunnit?]

astonwest

02-06-2008, 04:57 AM

I can't imagine calling someone after FIVE years and thinking the manuscript was still available. That just seems....I dunno, insulting, or something.I can honestly figure that the WIP I'm back to revising could probably still be available at least five years after I sent out queries...heck, it's already been a year after the original batch of queries.

:)