Subbing More than One MS?

[Snappy]

Agent is currently subbing my co-written MS under my name and co-author's name. She is reluctant to submit my individual MS under my name, because it is in the same genre. She suggested a pseudonym for my co-author and I for our joint project to avoid the problem, but will that help?

And do agents only put one MS at a time on sub from each author? Is it a no-no to submit more than one project to different editors?

I know about non-compete clauses and first right of refusal in contracts. But, to me it seems like more work out there means the better chance for one to be picked up, and the other to be an option for the offering publisher. Am I wrong?

 

[Katrina S. Forest]

More expierinced people will chime in, I'm sure, but my first instinct is to trust your agent's advice. That's what you're giving up the 15% for.

 

[Old Hack]

In my experience, agents will only submit one book at a time--otherwise the power of the submission is diluted, and there is all sorts of potential for confusion.

 

[LindsayM]

Am I wrong?

Short answer: yes.

Longer answer: it's one of those quirky rules of publishing. There are a number of reasons behind it, but I think the main one is this: publishing is really, really, really small. Editors talk to each other. A lot. And if a particular editor does not take simultaneous submissions, is considering your book, and hears that someone else is also looking at your book (even if it's a different book), you may have just pissed off the person you want to please the most.

Also, it isn't just the book that's the product, it's also YOU as the author. So if they ask for exclusive submissions, that means you too!

 

[WeaselFire]

Listen to the agent. One major reason is that, when your first book sells, they have a guaranteed in to sell your second book. Besides, as others have said, diluting the market is never smart.

Jeff

 

[VanessaNorth]

I am unagented, so, grain of salt this... But if only ever subbed one book at a time, i'd be unpublished now instead of having one book pubbed and five others contracted.

 

[MandyHubbard]

Listen to the agent. One major reason is that, when your first book sells, they have a guaranteed in to sell your second book. Besides, as others have said, diluting the market is never smart.

Jeff

Well, kind of. If the cowritten one sells, the option is for cowritten works. The agent may love her voice/style and want the other, but not always.

There's no rule that you CAN'T submit both, but shotgunning them simultaneously may not work. If your cowritten fic gets close somewhere, ask your agent if you can send the solo project to that editor. or consider doing a small, select round on the solo. Or just wait until the first round fizzles on the cowritten one.

It's just a little sticky to shop both simultaneously if they are the same genre, becuase if you get an offer on one now you've gotta let that editor see both or she's goign to be like, "wait... so I'm buying this one, but i didn't get to see the other one, and now you're sellign that one to X? I really wanted to grow her career here at XYZ house!"