Wednesday 26 February 2014

Full requests - just the first step but feels like a big one.



So now I have had a modest handful of full requests. I know this doesn't mean representation but I know it does mean my new rewrite is getting more positive attention than the previous draft. Phew.

The steps to publication are many, but I feel I've climbed a couple.

When Amazon delivered a parcel this morning -

Son (6) "Mummy is that your new book?"

Bless him.

Sunday 2 February 2014

How long will it take literary agents to get back to me? Will they even respond? Is there anyone out there?

Yes there is. And they will respond.

I have treated BREATHING SEA to a rewrite and am submitting, again. This time I know what the waiting is like and I'm more confident because I've had some interest. But it is STILL excruciating.
I thought I would post this to help others who are in the same position as I was last August - at the beginning of my first ever submission campaign with no idea what to expect. Well here is what happened with mine.
I wish it looked better - but I now know my manuscript needed work, so here's hoping...
I sent submissions in batches - to well known UK agents who represent my genre - YA speculative. I researched them carefully over the six months prior to submitting.
Sorry - can't name any names. Don't want to upset anyone.
First batch went in August to 9 agents (was a little over-excited), second sent in September to 7 agents, third in October to 6 agents.

When sent DDMM
Time
Response
2110
1 day
Form Rej
2110
1 day
Form Rej
2208
7 days
Form Rej
2208
11 days
Form Rej
2309
12 days
Form Rej
2309
17 days
Form Rej
2010
18 days
Form Rej
2309
1 month
Form Rej
2309
5 weeks
Form Rej
2309
6 weeks
Form Rej
2208
8 weeks
Form Rej
2010
8 weeks
Form Rej
2208
8 weeks
Revise and Resub
2110
8 weeks
Form Rej
2010
8 weeks
Full Request
2308
9 weeks
Form Rej
2208
12 weeks
Full Request
2208
13 weeks
Form Rej
2208
NO REPLY
2309
NO REPLY
2208
NO REPLY
2309
NO REPLY

Conclusions?
8 weeks is a common response time.
Sometimes you have to wait a long time for a full request!
1 day rejections do not feel good....but non repliers feel just downright rude, even when they warn you they may not reply.
Doesn't matter when I sent them.

Now. Better just check my inbox again. Good luck intrepid dream-chasers. Keep chasing.

Hope that helps some others in the same position as me. Please comment if it does....