What if you submitted then noticed a problem??

[natsplat]

I submitted my manuscript a couple of weeks ago. Now that I have been thinking about the feedback I got from a teacher friend of mine and others who read my work, I feel I should've listened harder before I dismissed their opinions.
I have already submitted my work which is only 100 words (a book for toddlers and first time readers) and I feel I could have made a change that would have made the ms better. Do I wait for feedback and if it's negative and they choose not to publish should I resubmit instantly with the changes, or just try other publishers??
Hindsight is 20/20. Why is my light-bulb moment after I submit???!!!

Nat

[Blake M. Petit]

I'm not an expert by any means, but if the publisher rejects your work outright I doubt that they'd be willing to give it a second look based on a revision. I'd try sending the revised version elsewhere.

Good luck!

[Momento Mori]

natsplat:
Do I wait for feedback and if it's negative and they choose not to publish should I resubmit instantly with the changes, or just try other publishers??

I agree with Bibbo. Unless a publisher says they'd reconsider it if you changed X, Y and Z, then a rejection is a rejection and you should move onto other publishers.

MM

[Danthia]

I've read from various editors and agents that this is one of those things that can go either way. Worst case, you look unprofessional because you sent out work that wasn't ready, then expected the person you submitted it to to spend extra effort tracking down the submission in their piles (electronic or real) and swapping the old for the new. Best case, the agent/editor swaps it out and doesn't think twice.

Law of averages says you're probably out of luck on that submission and should just revise for future, but if you feel really strongly about it, you could send it again and let them know it was a re-submit. I'd probably avoid saying it was because you realized it wasn't "done" but if you worded it right, it would give the agent/editor the chance to swap it or just ignore it. Being professional overcomes a lot of things, and everyone makes mistakes from time to time.

[Jimmer]

Natsplat,

You'll always think of things you'd like to change...even after the thing gets published. It never ends. At some point you have to let it go. Write the best story you can and then kick it out the door. If you want to revise it before you send it to the next new market, that's the time to make changes. Then let it go. Write your next story.

You're going to get better at writing all the time. You'll always see things you wished you'd done differently in the past. It's called growth and it's a good thing.

Jim

[Trish]

I know what you mean. I submitted my whole manuscript to a publisher and have since re written it four times. I can’t seem to let it go and keep trying to improve it. I have no intention of sending the new one though. If they reject the first one, I’ll just submit to a different agent or publisher.

How do you stop editing a finished story though? I can’t seem to stop. OCD? I wish I could just kick it out the door.

Trish.

[Jimmer]

Trish,

I think you write the story as well as you can and then you send it out. To prevent tinkering after that point, you get working on a totally new project.

When the first story comes back you may revise slightly before sending it out again but unless you get some productive editorial feedback I wouldn't change much.

The only way I've found to prevent dwelling on that submitted story is to dive into something new. Always be working on your next project. Keep moving forward.

Jim

[Julie Worth]

I submitted my manuscript a couple of weeks ago. Now that I have been thinking about the feedback I got from a teacher friend of mine and others who read my work, I feel I should've listened harder before I dismissed their opinions.


Get used to this feeling. I get it every time.

[Trish]

Haha. The trouble is, Jim, I’m working on the sequel to the first chapter book that I submitted to the publisher. They asked for the whole manuscript because they were looking for a series. So while I’m writing this one, I can’t help going and editing the other one. Although both books stand alone, they are connected. They have the same characters and this new book starts where the old one leaves off.

But I know what you mean, Jim. I will have to leave the first one alone.

Trish.

[Madisonwrites]

Don't worry about it until they say no. I submitted two poems to a mag for publication, then realized I submitted them in two different formats. Oops! Anyway, I got rejected, but with an invite to submit again. Yeah! So don't worry about something that can't be helped at this moment. Good luck! :D

[Jimmer]

Haha. The trouble is, Jim, I’m working on the sequel to the first chapter book that I submitted to the publisher. They asked for the whole manuscript because they were looking for a series. So while I’m writing this one, I can’t help going and editing the other one.

Trish.

Are the edits you keep making to the first book necessary for the sequel to work or are they just things you've decided would improve the first book?

I've never written a series although I've been tempted. I would guess this...if this publisher accepts your concept for a series they will have a significant investment in your project. That means that no matter how many edits you may think of while working on the sequel, you will find yourself doing a huge amount of rewriting after they take you on so why worry about relatively minor stuff now? You didn't think they'd publish your first book as is, did you? You will do a lot of rewriting at their direction. Count on it.

Don't sweat the small stuff. If they like your book enough to make an offer for a series of books, you will be working with them for quite a while. Along the way they will have plenty of suggestions of their own for you to ponder. Some of them may take your story and characters on a vastly different path than it's on now. Why worry about making your minor changes when the final product may be totally different? Their suggestions will certainly trump your ideas considering they are the ones paying the bills.

It may seem easier to let go knowing they'll undoubtedly want a lot of changes no matter what you do.

Not sure if I'm making this very clear. Sorry.

Best of luck with the project though. How exciting!

Jim

[natsplat]

Awesome response! Thank you. I just need to let go and wait for their response I think. I've made the changes now and will submit the revised ms to new publishers if this one doesn't work out. Fingers crossed it does though!! (don't panic I have taken off my rose coloured glasses!!)

Good luck Trish, and thanks for your thoughtful words Jim.

Nat

[Trish]

Thanks, Jim. The edits are just things that I’ve decided might improve the story. I’ll follow your advice and just leave the first one alone now. I’ll get on with the next ten chapter books that I’ve started. I think I’ll have to make my MC grow a year or two. She won’t be able to fit everything I have in store for her in a year. Poor kid, she’s only seven.

Thanks, Jim. You’ve saved me from waiting time. I’ll move on now.

I’m sorry that I sabotaged your thread, Natsplat.

Trish.

[Trish]

Oh, I forgot to say Goodluck Natsplat.

[Jimmer]

Thanks, Jim. The edits are just things that I’ve decided might improve the story. I’ll follow your advice and just leave the first one alone now. I’ll get on with the next ten chapter books that I’ve started.

Trish.


The next 10 !!!?!?!?! chapter books you've started!!!

How could you possibly have time to think about the first book??? How could you even remember what you wrote???

Very impressive. Best of luck.

Jim

[scope]

Jimmer took the words out of my mouth.

"I'll get on with the next ten chapter books that I've started."

Ten -- wow! Best of luck is certainly in order.

[natsplat]

Trish,
You have not sabotaged my thread at all. It's just nice to know there are others out there that are having the same dilemma! Funny how you think you're the only one, and then you put it in writing and voila, there are many of us! I'm sure it's not just limited to us children's book writers either.

As for 10 chapter books, wow. Go you!

Nat

[Trish]

Hehe. Thanks, Jimmer, scope and natsplat. I really do have ten chapter books with the same MC going. I jump from one to the other. I have so many stories in my head with this character that I can't write them quick enough. Problem is I spend every spare moment on my computer. And sometimes I won't answer the phone.

Each book is a stand alone chapter book with the same characters. They are all about 12,000 words each. I guess I'll be editing them all forever. I'm glad that I'm not alone though, natsplat.

Trish.