What do you guys think? Good or bad?

Mayusan · Apr 20, 2011

March 5th, about 3 days after a publisher received my proposal, they asked for a few extra chapters. just under 3 weeks later they said they'd love to read my full manuscript. Once it was sent they said they would make their final decision within 2 to 3 weeks.

it is almost 4 weeks now. Usually their replies are pretty quick. is it a good sign that they are taking longer than estimated, a bad sign, or am I reading too much into the longer wait time?

I'm hoping it's a good sign because they liked the proposal enough to ask for the extra chapters, liked the extra chapters enough to say they wanted to see the full manuscript... but I could be over-thinking it because I'm so nervous.

jacket · Apr 20, 2011

Probably overthinking it. Most likely they just got busy and haven't gotten to it yet. Either way, they have your full manuscript, and that alone is pretty exciting. I know the waiting game is tough--a real head trip sometimes. Best of luck!

Mayusan · Apr 20, 2011

waiting is really tough. that's why I'm overthinking this. I'm trying to be optimistic since they liked the proposal enough to ask for extra chapters, and those extra chapters enough to ask for the full manuscript. I'm just so nervous. I think my fingers and toes are stuck in the crossed position. lol

DSA · Apr 20, 2011

We've got our fingers crossed for you, too. Good luck!

Purple Rose · Apr 20, 2011

Regardless, not a lot you can do about it so just wait, I suppose, hard as it is to do! Got my fingers crossed for you.

Old Hack · Apr 23, 2011

Mayusan, go write something else. It'll take your mind off the waiting. And I have my fingers crossed for you.

(You have checked this publisher out properly, haven't you? I hope so. Good luck.)

shaldna · Apr 24, 2011

Bear in mind that this has been a really busy month with the London book fair, and many publishers and agents will have been out of action for a week or so, and it will take a couple of weeks longer for them to catch up than usual.

Daddyo · Apr 24, 2011

I'd say that a 2-3 week turnaround for a full is pretty darned quick. I'd give 'em six weeks and then contact them with a "waz up?"

pattyjansen · Apr 24, 2011

I had the same happen to me.... in September last year. Not a word so far. Zip. Nada. Yes, I've emailed the agent a 'how 'bout it?'. No reply.

AngelaT.Marie · May 2, 2011

Old Hack said:
Mayusan, go write something else. It'll take your mind off the waiting.

This. If you just sit at your computer waiting for an answer you'll go insane! Maybe writing something new or if the anticipation is giving you writer's block, maybe busy yourself with something else. Waiting is always a nice excuse to pick up a new hobby.

scope · May 2, 2011

Yes, I also think 2-3 weeks is really kind of fast -- four to eight weeks more likely. Regardless, after 4 weeks, think positively. You'll soon know.

spokenword · May 13, 2011

That you have gotten this far is a success. The rest is being at the right place at the right time, and could take a while (months. . . ) or not. (!) If it doesn't sell this time, though, take heart. There's a reason it's getting this close. People are taking time to consider your book, and this doesn't happen to everyone. You'll hear, "work on a new project" a lot. If you can, do.

What do you guys think? Good or bad?

Mayusan

jacket

Mayusan

DSA

New kid, be gentle!

Purple Rose

practical experience, FTW

Old Hack

Such a nasty woman

shaldna

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

Daddyo

been around a while

pattyjansen

AngelaT.Marie

Hopeless Romantic<3

scope

Commonsensical Maverick

spokenword