Changes To MS After A Submission

grizzletoad1 · Feb 11, 2012

This may be a no brainer, but lets say an agent asked you for a partial submission. Time passes, maybe a few weeks, and you've heard nothing back. In that time, you have made changes to the ms, including the sample chapters that you sent this agent. Would it be wise to contact that agent and tell them that you have made some changes to the chapters he has and that you'd like to send them the new, revised chapters, or do you let sleeping dogs lie and hope what you've given them will be enough to pique their interest into requesting a full submission? I'm thinking the later, but it bothers me that the agent doesn't have my latest stuff to judge me with now. Any thoughts?

heyjude · Feb 11, 2012

Nope. This is unprofessional. Let it be. Stop tinkering. Trust yourself!

grizzletoad1 · Feb 11, 2012

As I thought. Thanks Mama Jude.

jeseymour · Feb 12, 2012

You shouldn't be sending anything out until it's done. Once you've got your first round of rejections, you can do your revisions. Otherwise, just set it aside and wait.

grizzletoad1 · Feb 12, 2012

I know, J.E. I just can't seem to stop having ideas come into my head to improve what I have. However, most was from the drastic cut-down of word count that I've been doing, but now I think I have finally reached the "end of the line" for The Railroad Man (Pun intended!) It is done. All I need is for an agent to give me a good look. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

LindsayM · Feb 20, 2012

Yup, wait and see. If the manuscript is rejected, it is completely acceptable to query again, saying that your pages have been requested before by said agent, and you've made significant edits and improvements, and you'd like to resubmit.

That said, a few weeks isn't a very long time in the publishing world, and it's possible the agent hasn't read your pages yet. If it's driving you absolutely bonkers, and you KNOW that this new version is a million times better than the old one, you could e-mail the agent asking if she's read what you sent yet, and if not, you have an updated version. Keep in mind you're taking a chance here, but if you're certain it's worth it...go for it.

Changes To MS After A Submission

grizzletoad1

Plodding around into things.

heyjude

Making my own sunshine

grizzletoad1

Plodding around into things.

jeseymour

grizzletoad1

Plodding around into things.

LindsayM