Help with decoding publisher reply

ibid. · Aug 18, 2006

Hey fellow authors!

So I submitted my first novel to DAW Books, and, lo & behold, two months later I've received a jot back!

The letter said that I've passed the "first reading" -- but, unfortunately, they're all backed up and I should expect to wait "a long time" (their words) before the book will be looked over by the "second reader" -- and, even after that, there's the Editor to get through.

This industry is not for the impatient. I know that much. Have any of you any knowledge of of how long "a long time" could be -- a year, on the inside or the outside? And, more importantly, what do you suppose my 'rights' are, as of now? Should I find an agent? Keep on submitting to other publishers? Ask to send a revised copy, for the second reader to read?

Advice, suggestions, thoughts? Anyone with experience with DAW, or links to topics about them? (I've tried to search the forums, but the word DAW isn't searchable -- too short or somesuch)

(BTW, my first post!

)

--yrs, ibid.

Jamesaritchie · Aug 18, 2006

ibid. said:
Hey fellow authors!

So I submitted my first novel to DAW Books, and, lo & behold, two months later I've received a jot back!

The letter said that I've passed the "first reading" -- but, unfortunately, they're all backed up and I should expect to wait "a long time" (their words) before the book will be looked over by the "second reader" -- and, even after that, there's the Editor to get through.

This industry is not for the impatient. I know that much. Have any of you any knowledge of of how long "a long time" could be -- a year, on the inside or the outside? And, more importantly, what do you suppose my 'rights' are, as of now? Should I find an agent? Keep on submitting to other publishers? Ask to send a revised copy, for the second reader to read?

Advice, suggestions, thoughts? Anyone with experience with DAW, or links to topics about them? (I've tried to search the forums, but the word DAW isn't searchable -- too short or somesuch)

(BTW, my first post! )

--yrs, ibid.

Just form personal experience with a couple wirters who have gone through the same, I'd say from six to eight months. But these are the only two guys I know, so I could be off.

Just me, but I'd say your rights are whatever you want them to be at this point. Personally, I'd spend the time writing another novel.

underthecity · Aug 18, 2006

It's actually very positive. The very fact that you received a reply that said your manuscript passed the first reading is spectacular. Most of us just get rejection letters. I assume they liked your query enough to ask for the whole thing, or did they ask for just a partial?

Obviously, DAW is huge. Wait the long time as the letter says, and don't contact them unless you don't hear back for at least six months. I know that's a really long time, but in that six months you can write your next book, or at least the first draft of one.

If you don't hear back from them by then, send a follow-up letter asking for an update, and reference the date you submitted and the date they sent the letter.

Nice going. You must have written something good.

allen

James D. Macdonald · Aug 18, 2006

Don't hover around the mailbox. Work on your next book.

emeraldcite · Aug 18, 2006

check sites like www.duotrope.com and Submitting to the Black Hole for some response times...

Cat Scratch · Aug 18, 2006

Ibid--like the others said, a "long time" can mean up to several months (6, 8, 10, who knows?) but in the meantime they haven't asked for an exclusive read, have they? If not, you're free to send your manuscript to other publishers and/or agents. And good luck!

ibid. · Aug 18, 2006

To answer yours questions:

a. DAW asks for the entire manuscript, right off the bat (which is why I submitted to them first). So, presumably, somebody has read my entire manuscript (as it was when I sent it -- I'm always in process, it seems -- if it were up to me, novels would be more like operating systems, frequently updated*.)

b. And they imply in their submission guidelines that they're down with the whole "exclusiveness" thing... but I have, personally, a hard time with that, if only for the fact that, until a deal is actually-factually struck between us, they owe me just about as much as I owe them. Which ends and begins with professional coutesy.

So, to tell the truth, I do feel rather good about getting such a reply. I mean, I've heard stories, which is why I've written and written and written for the last few years before I've FINALLY felt good about a book, enough to send it out to a publisher.

I'm also glad that they're mass marketable. I TOTALLY wanna be sold in WalMart! That's where I got my literature, until I discovered The Used Bookstores of Chicago (and where my education really began, I believe).

Today I started basically spamming lit agents. And, yes, have started on book the II....

(* Unless you got the mamoth of all writer's blocks -- not naming any names. [SUB]M$[/SUB])

Tish Davidson · Aug 18, 2006

My best guess is that a long time is more than 6 months and less than 1 year. If you are interested in getting an agent, you might approach some now, mentioning that you are at the second reader stage with DAW. If you get representation, your agent can either nudge DAW or give you guidance on simultaneous submissions. Meanwhile, keep writing. It sounds as if you are doing something right. Hurray!

Help with decoding publisher reply

ibid.

Jamesaritchie

underthecity

Finestkind

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

emeraldcite

Art is Resistance

Cat Scratch

The Peacock Next Door

ibid.

Tish Davidson