Ack! What do I do?

[cutecontinent]

I sent out three queries when I finished the first draft of my romance novel. I was being silly, I guess, because I haven't even started revisions. But, upon checking the email address I sent the queries from (they didn't respond for a while and I totally forget to check after several days of nothing), there's two requests asking to see more.

Do I just ignore them or what? Start revising like crazy and send?

[kaitiepaige17]

Uh, Oh. You've committed a sin! I honestly am not sure what to tell you... The mature thing, I think, to do would be to Email them back and explain that it's not quite ready yet....but that's just my 2 cents.... hopefully others will have experience with this...

[NickSaw]

WHAT. You must have written one heck of a good query.

Okay. I admit, I have done this as well. I sat down and dedicated an entire day to revisions, rewrites, etc. I don't think you will tarnish anything by responding a week or so after their request. Better that than send them material not up to snuff.

[cutecontinent]

No idea. Guys in QLH helped me out with it a couple weeks ago, actually I forgot to post my final version; just said to hell with it and sent it query + ten pages. Sent out a lot more for an SF I'm working on; fifteen, zero bites.

Only recently did I learn you shouldn't query unless it's completely done. I'm clueless. Ha. :cry:

Uh, I guess I'll just not respond and revise.

[kaitiepaige17]

^ I really don't see how anyone gets anything published without Absolute Write. I've learned so much from everyone here that my pre-AW writing days just seem like a waste of time!

[Cricket18]

CC-

If you think you can revise in 2 weeks, I wouldn't respond--just send it in 2 weeks. If you think you'll need more time than that, I'd respond with something to the effect of:

Dear Agent Awesome,

After receiving some feedback, I've decided to do a minor revision. Of course I want you to have the best version possible, so you should have it by no later than "insert date." Thank you for the request!

Just my .02 of course. :)

[trocadero]

I would respond to them but tell them you've decided to make further revisions, and you'll send it as soon as they're completed. Then work hard and fast! It must be a humdinger! Good luck!

[cutecontinent]

Humdinger. Ha. That's awesome. All right, I'm hustling away. Forgive the clueless newbie question, wish I'd discovered the awesomeness of AW sooner...

[Giant Baby]

*Bites nails*

I don't think you should do a thing on the request side for now. You have an inherent grace period of a few weeks. USE IT! You've indicated that you work quickly, and that seems to work well for you, so go with your strengths. For now.

Few agents will come looking for the book in the next few weeks. I've had it happen, and have seen it happen, but it's not the norm. Most are overwhelmed by queries and requested materials. You've got a little time to do this right.

So, throw your opening up on SYW, get friends to read, make all the revisions you've already determined need to be made. But send those agents the best possible version of your work possible.

BUT WITH A CAVIAT: If the whole book is unready, then please go with what Cricket18 and Trocodero recommended. If you just need a little time to tweak, you can buy yourself a bit. It really just depends on what you want out there in a few weeks time. I wouldn't give it much more than that, though, and I'd be VERY careful about pulling the "I'm revising" card. It sounds respectable, and it's preferable to sending out subpar work, but it still casts a dubious light on the book...

[Stacia Kane]

I'd stay up all night revising and send it ASAP. I don't mean to sound rude here at all, and I hope I don't, but when an agent makes a request they want the materials NOW, before they forget why they wanted it.

Good luck, whatever you decide. The fact that they saw those ten pages and wanted more is an extremely good sign!!

[LorelieBrown]

Scrub that thing up as fast as you can & send it out the door.

That being said, I committed this sin once - pitched to an editor at Nationals & (unexpectedly) got a request for a full. The book was written but damn was it rough. I spent the next month rewriting & revising and got it in the mail to her about five weeks after I got back from Nationals. It ultimately didn't end up selling, but not because of lateness. No one showed up at my door to spank me. ;)

[shameless]

I agree with Stacia and Lorelie!! Revise your little fanny off and get that out!! I don't imagine the agents would want to hear you wasted their time with querying a project you don't have ready. It makes you sound unprofessional! Revise, revise, revise as fast as you can and get it to the agents!

[Soccer Mom]

I agree with Stacia and Lorelie!! Revise your little fanny off and get that out!! I don't imagine the agents would want to hear you wasted their time with querying a project you don't have ready. It makes you sound unprofessional! Revise, revise, revise as fast as you can and get it to the agents!

This! Sleep is optional for the next few days. Work like a crazy woman and get that thing out there.

[sunandshadow]

Just a random thought, but make sure the requests to see more are from legit publishers. Maybe you already researched them, I just had an unpleasant vision of unknowingly encouraging someone to send their manuscript to Publish America. o.O

[L.Jones]

a tick in the box of "revise and send now".
It shows the kind of writer you are to work with - that you get the work done and are prepared (even when you are not prepared - they don't have to know that, never let them see you sweat and all that) and timely.

If the more they want isn't the whole thing, then it's not huge, revise what you need, send and get back to work.

BTW - I don't think this is a big sin. I used to do it all the time (yeah it was years and years ago) and sold my first book by sending in a partial that wasn't written. BUT I did know I could finish the book as I'd finished a few ms.s already.

annie
http://anniejonesjoywritingthroughlife.blogspot.com/

[Cathy C]

I agree you should revise like mad. But what I would do at this precise moment is send the two agents an email with something to the effect of:

Dear XXX,

Thank you so much for your request for additional pages. I'm going through the sample right now, giving it a final proof so you get the best copy possible. I should have it to you in a few weeks. Again, I appreciate the time you've taken on this and look forward to your opinion.

Sincerely,

XXX

Just a note from experience here, because I did the EXACT SAME THING as you. :) Except mine wasn't for an agent read, it was an acceptance of the book by a publisher based on a sample chapter . . . provided they had the manuscript by the end of the month. Great news, except I wasn't done with said book yet. :o

Lots of burning midnight oil on that, but I did get it done and submitted. And published! :D So it can be done. Just take a deep breath, give yourself at least a couple hours of sleep a night and race for the finish.