What are the chances of an offer if going to acquisitions?

I don't think anyone can answer you really, as it's so dependent on so many factors.

Depends on what's on the list going forward, depends on what other editors in the house are championing, depends on how many slots in the schedule are taken, depends on how much they think it'll take, budget-wise, and what's in the budget, depends on whether other people on the team even like it as much...

So much of it is entirely specific to the house and the time I don't think anyone could really give a number, besides by looking at last year's numbers or something, which would also not be the mot telling because see above other editors, time, etc.

Heh, it's understandable -- and maybe someone far more knowledgeable than I will be along in a few to give a decent number, because ... stuff I'm not thinking about. I'm just a wee flake, lots in the box.

You'd be better off asking your agent, or the editor who is taking your book to acquisitions. And if they do come back with a figure which looks very strongly in your favour remember it's still not guaranteed. Still, fingers tightly crossed here.

I once read somewhere the chances are 25 to 30 percent, which scared me silly (I was on sub at the time), but as cornflake said, there are so many variables involved that you really can't pull a solid number. All you can do is cross everything, count on nothing, and hope. Good luck and bon courage! (I think waiting for an acquisitions meeting is the WORST waiting of all, but usually it's over pretty soon. Usually.)

Your chances are zero, unless you've written the book. They're still zero if it's a crappy book. They rise higher the better your story is, the better your agent is and the phase of the moon you were born under.

By the way, a piece of string is 19 and 3/4 inches. Or seven meters if you're across the pond.

Jeff

WeaselFire said:

Your chances are zero, unless you've written the book. They're still zero if it's a crappy book. They rise higher the better your story is, the better your agent is and the phase of the moon you were born under.

Click to expand...

You forgot about whether or not the agent had a good breakfast or an argument with the spouse in the morning. And a shipping container full of other variables.

For the poster: All you can do is write the book. To the best of your ability. That's all you can control. Everything beyond that is cawsmology.

caw

thanks for replying to the thread! nice to see the outcome at the end of the question