Re: Submitting is easy once you stop thinking about it


LMurdock wrote:
> Just a friendly note - you don't have to wait for the next rejection
> letter to send out another query. Although it used to be frowned upon,
> it is now common practice for authors to send out multiple queries.
> However, multiple submissions are still regarded as unwelcome. A query
> becomes a submission once an agent or publisher expresses interest in
> your work and asks for further materials. At this point, it is
> considered bad form to send out queries/submissions to anyone else.
>
> If you want someone to take a quick look at your query letter, I'm
> always happy to offer a quick professional peek and response (a.k.a.
> - it's good or it needs some work) for free (just to ease your
> mind).
>
> Let me know if I can help.
>
> All the Best,
>
> Lindsay Elizabeth
> MS Editor and Publishing Consultant

How about the other side of that? I queried a small press in April
regarding my series of novels. They jumped all over it and have
expressed great interest...even asking for some minor conceptual
changes. We started talking about contracts but they haven't sent one.
They said they would shortly. Then nothing. I asked for an update
and they said they were waiting for the sales figures for 2005's 1st
half to set their new books budget for 2006. This sounded reasonable,
but another two weeks went by. I emailed for another update. That was
two weeks ago and there's been no response.

Am I being unreasonable? I feel like I am not, as I have not queried
these novels to any other publishers since this press responded so
exuberantly in April.

Same question with an agent. I queried an agent with a book that was
co-authored with my friend. She did not like the book, but liked the
writing and asked for a different book. I sent her one of mine and,
with his permission, my friend's first.

The agent said she was interested in my friend's book. I said that was
wonderful and put the two in direct contact. I asked her if she was
interested in mine or taking a pass. She asked for more time because
she really wanted to work with both of us. I said okay, and have not
queried any further agents.

In the interim, she has signed my friend to a contract and according to
him, she has a large publisher interested in the book. After three
weeks, I sent her another email, asking the same question. Are you
interested, or are you taking a pass? That was over a week ago. No
response.

It should be noted that all of my emails have been pleasant and
businesslike.

So my question is, on both, do you think I am being unreasonable in my
expectations? I am not thin-skinned and have a stack of rejections
like every other writer who braves the waters. I'll gladly move on to
the next agent or publisher...but I don't want to tank a good
opportunity, either. Mostly, I just want an answer.

.

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