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Not sure if this is the right thread, but here goes. I've been trying to get an agent but no luck yet. On the other hand I've been doing a lot better with editors. {Makes me wonder if editors are looking for the next new thing while agents are looking for the next sure thing).
In any case I had sent a partial to a major e-mail publisher, expecting it to take a long time. When I checked for an update 6 months later they told me to expect a wait of 6 to 12 months before finding out if they wanted the full. A week later they requested the full and a week after that, last night, they made an offer to publish.
Yippee right? Yes and no. I have a requested full at a major house ( kensington) and a medium House (Medallion) and an unsolicited full at another major( MacMillan). I expect to hear from Kensington within a month, Macmillan two, and Medallion who knows? It took 8 months for them to pull the partial from the slush pile.
The editor from the epublisher, (they also do print), has asked that I send her contact info, an agreement to publish, and suggestions as to a title as they already have a book with a similar name. Then they will send me a contract to sign etc. The work, editing, covers etc doesn't start till the contract is signed.
Question 1) If I send an e-mail agreeing to be published is this legally binding if the contract isn't signed yet?
Question 2) If I indicate that I can't commit until I've seen and reviewed the contract and will need some time to do so will that piss them off? They do have a good rep.
Question 3) Do I need to respond , at least acknowledge, today, or is it ok to wait a few days?
Question 4) Should I tell them I am waiting to hear from other publishers? I'm thinking no, that would be seen as rude.
Question 5) The major puplisher said 8 to 12 weeks for an answer.It's been 8. The editor is also the editor in chief and if he says no I may very well be submitting to him again in future with other projects. Will it piss him off if I write ahead of time telling him of the offer and asking for an answer?
Question 6) Agents: Two of the agents I queried are A list, and very successful $$$. One requested the partial 6 weeks ago and I haven't heard since. The other has read my partial twice, once before and once after revisions. She says she loves the writing but thinks the subject matter is too difficult and not marketable and asked to see something else as soon as I had something ready. Is there any point in asking her again, or checking in with the agent with the partial? I wouldn't hesitate if it was the big publisher, but the one who'se offered pays royalties but not advances. Is it worth asking any agent under the circumstances?
Sorry for the long post but I'm new to this, it's my first manuscript and I don't want to screw it up. The offer is from a legit, very successful and growing e-publisher with a print line and they seem to want an answer quick. If I say yes I become a published author. The problem is that if I heard two weeks later from big or mediumprint pub, I'd be bummed out big time. I'd also be bummed big time if I said no thanks and then got turned down elswhere, leaving my manuscript as an unpublised doorstop.
Any advice much appreciated.
Please and thanks
In any case I had sent a partial to a major e-mail publisher, expecting it to take a long time. When I checked for an update 6 months later they told me to expect a wait of 6 to 12 months before finding out if they wanted the full. A week later they requested the full and a week after that, last night, they made an offer to publish.
Yippee right? Yes and no. I have a requested full at a major house ( kensington) and a medium House (Medallion) and an unsolicited full at another major( MacMillan). I expect to hear from Kensington within a month, Macmillan two, and Medallion who knows? It took 8 months for them to pull the partial from the slush pile.
The editor from the epublisher, (they also do print), has asked that I send her contact info, an agreement to publish, and suggestions as to a title as they already have a book with a similar name. Then they will send me a contract to sign etc. The work, editing, covers etc doesn't start till the contract is signed.
Question 1) If I send an e-mail agreeing to be published is this legally binding if the contract isn't signed yet?
Question 2) If I indicate that I can't commit until I've seen and reviewed the contract and will need some time to do so will that piss them off? They do have a good rep.
Question 3) Do I need to respond , at least acknowledge, today, or is it ok to wait a few days?
Question 4) Should I tell them I am waiting to hear from other publishers? I'm thinking no, that would be seen as rude.
Question 5) The major puplisher said 8 to 12 weeks for an answer.It's been 8. The editor is also the editor in chief and if he says no I may very well be submitting to him again in future with other projects. Will it piss him off if I write ahead of time telling him of the offer and asking for an answer?
Question 6) Agents: Two of the agents I queried are A list, and very successful $$$. One requested the partial 6 weeks ago and I haven't heard since. The other has read my partial twice, once before and once after revisions. She says she loves the writing but thinks the subject matter is too difficult and not marketable and asked to see something else as soon as I had something ready. Is there any point in asking her again, or checking in with the agent with the partial? I wouldn't hesitate if it was the big publisher, but the one who'se offered pays royalties but not advances. Is it worth asking any agent under the circumstances?
Sorry for the long post but I'm new to this, it's my first manuscript and I don't want to screw it up. The offer is from a legit, very successful and growing e-publisher with a print line and they seem to want an answer quick. If I say yes I become a published author. The problem is that if I heard two weeks later from big or mediumprint pub, I'd be bummed out big time. I'd also be bummed big time if I said no thanks and then got turned down elswhere, leaving my manuscript as an unpublised doorstop.
Any advice much appreciated.
Please and thanks
