I don't know how unusual this is, but here goes. After submitting my book proposal to many publishers, the vast number of whom rejected it, there are two that have shown some interest. The first, from a small USA press, has offered a book contract based on seeing just two sample chapters. I don't have an agent, so I'm doing all this myself. Now, a more substantial ("better") USA publisher has expressed a preliminary interest in the proposal. But they want to see the full manuscript before showing me a contract. So I need to find a way of getting the first publisher - who has offered a contract - to wait until I hear back from the second ("better") publisher. But that will only be in several months' time, after I've written the whole book. So the first (smaller) publisher will have to wait several months before I can let them know if I accept their contract, while I write up the full manuscript for the second publisher. Any ideas how I nicely ask the first publisher to wait, without alienating it and forcing it to cancel the contract? Don't forget that the second publisher may, after all, reject the manuscript. Cheers.
Dilemma
- Thread starter dave c
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May I ask who the publishers are?
I can't see any legitimate publisher offering a contract on only two sample chapters. This "better" publisher have they said they will definitely give you a contract after seeing the full book? Again this is not standard procedure.
I can't see any legitimate publisher offering a contract on only two sample chapters. This "better" publisher have they said they will definitely give you a contract after seeing the full book? Again this is not standard procedure.
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JCT
Banned
Can you name the publishers?
Anyway, the James MacDonald rule of books is this: A book publishable by one is publishable by many.
Anyway, the James MacDonald rule of books is this: A book publishable by one is publishable by many.
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What are the names of the publishers?
Is your book fiction or non-fiction?
It is highly unusual for a publisher to offer a contract to a first-time writer for a novel based on two sample chapters of a book that isn't yet written.
If your book is non-fiction, the rules are a bit different.
No matter what you decide, write the book. (You'll have to eventually anyway.)
Is your book fiction or non-fiction?
It is highly unusual for a publisher to offer a contract to a first-time writer for a novel based on two sample chapters of a book that isn't yet written.
If your book is non-fiction, the rules are a bit different.
No matter what you decide, write the book. (You'll have to eventually anyway.)
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If you aren't comfortable with naming the publishers in public could you please PM me or Victoria?
If it is fiction, you shouldn't be sending anything out until it is finished. And by finished, that means written and edited. Also, a publisher that accepted it based on just two chapters will be more than happy to wait. They are a vanity publisher of some type -- they'll accept anything.
Nonfiction is a whole other ball club, and I am not completely familiar with it. I believe getting a contract based on an outline and three sample chapters is more of a standard with nonfiction -- but I've never done any research on that side of the industry.
Nonfiction is a whole other ball club, and I am not completely familiar with it. I believe getting a contract based on an outline and three sample chapters is more of a standard with nonfiction -- but I've never done any research on that side of the industry.
The book is non-fiction, academic in content. I don't want to name the publishers for obvious reasons Ie it could jeopardise the whole thing). Although some have said that publishers don't normally make decisions based on two chapters, I don't think it necessarily applies to the scholarly field. You'll find that in this sphere, they only usually ask for two sample chapters to make a decision. So the problem remains.
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Simply write the first publisher and say the first two chapters are out on speculation with another publisher who wants to see more. Ask them if they want to see more.
If you don't have more, then you may want to finish the book.
Regards,
Scott
If you don't have more, then you may want to finish the book.
Regards,
Scott
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A vanity press is not a bird, though it will leave doo doo in your hand.
Regards,
Scott
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Ah, yes. Non-fiction is commonly sold on two-and-an-outline, though asking for the whole manuscript isn't uncommon either.
The question boils down to: Which could publish your book better?
The question boils down to: Which could publish your book better?
For non-fiction, I would follow Popeye's advice. If the first publisher thinks your book is publishable now, they will think it is publishable in a few months. Simply tell them the full is out to another publisher and you want to here back before making your final decision.
At that point -- if the second publisher accepts your book -- you can make the decision based on which one is the best fit for your book.
At that point -- if the second publisher accepts your book -- you can make the decision based on which one is the best fit for your book.
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Wait.
Do both of these publishers accept simultaneous submissions?
If not, say nothing. Hope they never find out it was a simsub.
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Here is my recommendation, for whatever it is worth.
If the first publisher has offered a contract you consider reasonable, accept it and don't look back. The company made (I trust) a good faith offer on the strength of two chapters and whatever credibility you brought to the proposal. If you feel some aspects of the offered contract require negotiation, they by all means, suggest improvements. If the contract is simply unacceptable and cannot be made acceptable, politely decline. Stay on friendly terms.
Under NO circumstances lie. I see that one or two posts here suggest some form of lying. Just don't.
I think this is a matter of dealing in good faith. In my opinion, over the long run your best choice is to deal in good faith. Ask for contract modifications if need be, remain reasonable, come to an agreement, and then proceed with enthusiasm to finish the book on time and with quality.
Thank the second publisher for its interest, tell the company that you have been offered and have accepted a contract offered by another publisher, as the manuscript had been out on simultaneous submission, and stay friendly. Maybe next time.
My opinions, FWIW.
--Ken
That's a good point. I assumed they did because I assumed the O.P. would have checked.
Thanks guys. The problem is (and I should have mentioned it) that some publishers in this field are NOT keen on authors doing simultaneous submissions. No doubt because it means that they retain "control," they prefer that an author only submit to them. This is great for them, but is totally impractical, as I'm sure you guys know, since you could wait 2-3 months for a reply and then if they reject your manuscript, you have lost that 2-3 months. So, that's the problem. I don't know how the publisher who HAS offered the contract will react if I asked them to wait, because I've got the same proposal out with someone else. They may be okay about it, but they may not and react accordingly (ie withdraw their offer). That's the basic dilemma. I should add that one of the biggest names in this field is one that doesn't like multiple submissions, so it's a problem that doesn't just affect the smaller presses.
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One should only simsub to publishers that explicitly say it's okay. I know this stinks for writers. I also understand why publishers feel it's necessary. (I think I've talked about this elsewhere.) Buyer's market. You know the deal.
And I agree with Ken: Never lie.
That doesn't mean that it's always necessary to tell someone everything you know, however.
And politeness counts.
And I agree with Ken: Never lie.
That doesn't mean that it's always necessary to tell someone everything you know, however.
And politeness counts.
My advice
It is indeed common in nonfiction to sell on a proposal and sample chapters only. I just sold a memoir that way (granted, the entire manuscript was already complete/edited; my agent just submitted proposal/samples since that's how the publishers preferred to deal with nonfiction).
I recommend you get an agent to negotiate terms for you. If you have one deal on the table already and another pub seriously interested, getting an agent will be easy----you've already done the hard part of selling yourself, so all they need to do is negotiate a contract on your behalf. Depending on the subject matter, there should be plenty of reputable agents willing to take this matter on. Agents are trained in dealing with publishers in these types of situations; they can even organize bidding auctions when more than one publisher is interested in their client's work.
Do some research on agents that handle academic nonfiction and contact them, letting them know you have a deal on the table and another possible one coming, and you just need someone to negotiate for you. Plenty of agents will jump at the opportunity. It's an easy commission for them, and you'll get a much better contract/deal than you would trying to negotiate on your own.
It is indeed common in nonfiction to sell on a proposal and sample chapters only. I just sold a memoir that way (granted, the entire manuscript was already complete/edited; my agent just submitted proposal/samples since that's how the publishers preferred to deal with nonfiction).
I recommend you get an agent to negotiate terms for you. If you have one deal on the table already and another pub seriously interested, getting an agent will be easy----you've already done the hard part of selling yourself, so all they need to do is negotiate a contract on your behalf. Depending on the subject matter, there should be plenty of reputable agents willing to take this matter on. Agents are trained in dealing with publishers in these types of situations; they can even organize bidding auctions when more than one publisher is interested in their client's work.
Do some research on agents that handle academic nonfiction and contact them, letting them know you have a deal on the table and another possible one coming, and you just need someone to negotiate for you. Plenty of agents will jump at the opportunity. It's an easy commission for them, and you'll get a much better contract/deal than you would trying to negotiate on your own.
But since this is a one-off book, and I don't plan to do another, I doubt if agents will be interested. The royalties on scholarly books are typically low, and it would also delay and complicate things further, by introducing an agent into the equation half (or three quarters) way through. As I say, my advice early on was that agents, for single books of this type, are not worth pursuing. As hard to find as to find a publisher, in fact ! That's why, you'll see, most academic type presses are happy to accept submissions directly from authors, which is not the case with other genres. Usually, an author wants scholarly credibility, over money. No doubt it also helps their careers to have a book out.
No. . .
Actually, I know of many agents (my own included) who have negotiated very good and well-paying deals with university presses. They got much better terms for their clients than the authors could have gotten on their own---especially considering many academic presses will try to take possession of your copyright.
Not all agents expect you to write many books over a career. If it's an easy one-off deal for them, (like in this case), they will often take it on. It is not at all uncommon for unrepresented authors to bring agents into the equation well into the negotiations.
But, it's your call. Take or leave my advice as you see fit. You'd just be missing an opprtunity to make more money if you don't want an agent.
Actually, I know of many agents (my own included) who have negotiated very good and well-paying deals with university presses. They got much better terms for their clients than the authors could have gotten on their own---especially considering many academic presses will try to take possession of your copyright.
Not all agents expect you to write many books over a career. If it's an easy one-off deal for them, (like in this case), they will often take it on. It is not at all uncommon for unrepresented authors to bring agents into the equation well into the negotiations.
But, it's your call. Take or leave my advice as you see fit. You'd just be missing an opprtunity to make more money if you don't want an agent.
And---
Plus, it's _very_ easy to find an agent if you already have a deal on the table. For an agent not to take you on in that kind of situation is like walking away from free money.
Plus, it's _very_ easy to find an agent if you already have a deal on the table. For an agent not to take you on in that kind of situation is like walking away from free money.
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My feeling is go with the publisher that's offered you a contract. If it's scholarly as you say, it's probably not going to make you a $%^load of money either way. Just do your research on the publisher that's made the offer and be sure you won't regret that decision.