Ongoing WIP2 dilemmas while WIP1 is on submission.

MsGneiss · Jul 24, 2009

I posted about this a little while ago, and received valuable feedback, but I would like to pose my situation and question again.

WIP1 has been submitted by my agent for review to several editors. She expects a long wait, considering the summer vacation schedules of those working in NY publishing.

WIP2 is done. While it is not strictly a different genre from WIP1, it is of a different tone and style - more plot, more romance, more quirk, different POV. It's not really the sort of thing that my agent has vast experience with, but it's still the same "voice," which is what she loved so much about the first book, so, it's not too far fetched for her to take this on too.

My questions -

Do you think that I should send it to her while WIP1 is still on submission, or should I wait until WIP1 gets either bought or rejected? Should I send her a kind of query letter to introduce WIP2 prior to sending along the doc? We've discussed it very briefly, and in very vague terms. Should I mention WIP3, which is much more in the style of WIP1, but is still at the pre-outline stage? Any other advice or consideration?

And while your copious advice to write the third and fourth and fifth book and to stop thinking about the sales is much appreciated, it is superfluous. For me, working on books 3, 4, 5 does not preclude thinking about the sale of books 1 and 2. And, I know it's the agent's job to sell, and mine to write, but again, I'm not quite able to detach myself from the business end of it all.

scarletpeaches · Jul 24, 2009

Bear in mind I'm unagented (and in Britain) so what my advice means I don't know but here goes.

I figure you need to have a close business relationship with your agent. In other words you should be able to approach him/her about this sort of matter. If he/she is going to be steering your career from now on, you need to be involved every step of the way and feel at ease asking their advice.

So having said all that my advice would be a preliminary email discussing the book and asking what to do with it - send/hold back/write another one.

swvaughn · Jul 24, 2009

Tell your agent that you have another completed novel, and ask her what she'd like to see. If you've already discussed it briefly, it'd probably be nice to write her a quick description of the book to either refresh her memory or flesh out what you've already told her about it.

She'll probably want to take a look at the manuscript, and she'll probably tell you when she'll be able to do so.

Good luck!

YAwriter72 · Jul 24, 2009

Ask. I am on sub. My agent has my next completed book for edits and comments, okayed next idea and I am halfway through that book, with two more in the que. I can't even imagine how much slower that would make an already slow process if you deal with only one book at a time.

Danthia · Jul 24, 2009

When WIP2 is as polished as you can get it and ready to go, tell your agent you have another manuscript ready. I'd send her a query hook/blurb just so she gets an idea about what the book is about, but you don't have to. She'll tell you what to do next. She'll probably want to see it since you already have a book out, and if this second one needs any editing you can get started on that before you get hit with edits if WIP1 sells.

When in doubt, ask your agent. That's what they're there for

cwfgal · Jul 24, 2009

Danthia said:
When in doubt, ask your agent. That's what they're there for

What Danthia said.

Beth

myrmidon · Jul 24, 2009

I pretty much agree with everyone here. I don't know the specifics of your relationship, but since it sounds like you've talked briefly about the other project, I'd send her an email reminding her about the project and then tell her you've recently completed it, and would she like to take a look at the completed ms...etc. And then go from there.

Hopefully she's the kind of agent that is interested in developing your career as a writer and not just one book - and I guess her response to this next book will help solidify for you if it's the right fit. I think in a previous thread you expressed some concern about the fit - but this might be a good way to test the waters. Regardless - good luck and let us know how it goes!

Gary Clarke · Jul 26, 2009

Totally what Danthia said. (But be certain not to sub the ms until you are sure it's the best it can be.)

And I will double stress what she said about edits - once those babies hit, you'll find you've very little time for anything else. I'm just about to head into the in-house edits on my third book in two years. Believe me, it's all consuming.

ljcblue · Jul 29, 2009

Agent communication

It sounds like you need a conversation with your agent around managing your professional relationship and communication. It would be important to agree on how and how often to communicate. eg, some writers just want to hear when something happens, others would like a status report every month.

Also, you need to establish what kind of career guidance he/she can give you. That includes advice on what to work on next and when he/she wants to see a manuscript. Some agents only want to see it when it is pretty polished, as too many read throughs can make the agent less effective in assessing the story. Others want to be more involved in earlier drafts.

Make an appt for a phone chat and let your agent know your concerns. He/she is likely used to new and nervous writers!

Ongoing WIP2 dilemmas while WIP1 is on submission.

MsGneiss

scarletpeaches

swvaughn

adrift

YAwriter72

someone let me off this crazy ride

Danthia

cwfgal

On the rocks

myrmidon

i AM batman (not really)

Gary Clarke

Knackered

ljcblue