Did My HappyDance... Now What?

PattiTheWicked · Apr 6, 2005

The good news is, I got a response from a publisher who may be interested in publishing a children's manuscript I submitted. Yay me!!! It's a small independent house, but it's an honest-to-gods publisher.

Now, my question is, before I go signing any contracts with them, I feel I should contact the other four publishers who have the manuscript as well. What exactly does one SAY in this circumstance?

"Dear Editor X, Someone else really likes this ms, so you need to either poo or get off the pot!"

Nah, probably not. But I do know I should contact them, simply as a matter of courtesy, as well as the off chance that I might get a better offer. What would all of you Very Experienced Writer Types recommend as far as verbage goes? Is it acceptable to email them this letter? Should I issue a deadline, as in, "If I haven't heard from you by April 30, I shall assume you're not interested"? GaaahhhH!!!! My head is spinning!!

And yes, I realize this probably should have gone over in Children's Writing... but there's so much more traffic here.

James D. Macdonald · Apr 6, 2005

Dear [Publisher]:

I am withdrawing [name of manuscript] that I submitted to you on [date].

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
[yourname]

======================

Okay, you haven't actually agreed to any contract have you? Now is a great time to get an agent. Get on the phone and start calling the agent you'd most like to have represent you. If he says no, call the second one. And so on. I'm sure you have a list.

======================

On the getting of agents

PattiTheWicked · Apr 6, 2005

Still happydancing

James D. Macdonald said:
Dear [Publisher]:

I am withdrawing [name of manuscript] that I submitted to you on [date].

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
[yourname]

======================

Okay, you haven't actually agreed to any contract have you? Now is a great time to get an agent. Get on the phone and start calling the agent you'd most like to have represent you. If he says no, call the second one. And so on. I'm sure you have a list.

======================

On the getting of agents

So the general idea is to withdraw it now that an offer has come in? I'm just paranoid that I'll sign a deal with Small Press A, and then two weeks later Big House B will offer me a deal. Of course, Big House B has had the freakin' ms for four months, with nary a word so.... yeah. Okay. Withdrawing the submission from Big House B looks like a plan.

And no, I haven't even attempted to get an agent on this one because it's a kids' book. I've always understood that agents don't generally want to be bothered with children's books. Did I miss something somewhere? It wouldn't be the first time.

I read the On the Getting of Agents thread with interest -- I've bookmarked it and saved it to send along to every other struggling writer I know!

Jamesaritchie · Apr 6, 2005

Agent

PattiTheWicked said:
So the general idea is to withdraw it now that an offer has come in? I'm just paranoid that I'll sign a deal with Small Press A, and then two weeks later Big House B will offer me a deal. Of course, Big House B has had the freakin' ms for four months, with nary a word so.... yeah. Okay. Withdrawing the submission from Big House B looks like a plan.

And no, I haven't even attempted to get an agent on this one because it's a kids' book. I've always understood that agents don't generally want to be bothered with children's books. Did I miss something somewhere? It wouldn't be the first time.

I read the On the Getting of Agents thread with interest -- I've bookmarked it and saved it to send along to every other struggling writer I know!

If you can find an agent quickly enough, and it is possible since you've had an offer, let her worry about withdrawing teh manuscript from the other publishers. An agent is in position to say, "My client has had an offer from so and so, and I thought it only fair to give you a chance to make an offer of your own."

You're also in position to do this, but most writers aren't very good at knowing what to say and how to say it.

But I think it's always better to let a lagre publisher know when a different publisher has made an offer. The publisher may just say, "Go with God, my child," but they may also ask for a couple of weeks to make a counter offer. (This often means the novel is in a slush pile somewhere, and they'll have to dig it out before letting you know.)

James D. Macdonald · Apr 6, 2005

I'm assuming all these publishers are cool with simultaneous submissions, yes?

================

There are agents who specialize in childrens' books.

One of my mottoes is "Never bet against yourself." Which means, be prepared for when things go right, too.

Steve 211 · Apr 7, 2005

To maybe help with some information, there's some good links from this page:

http://p197.ezboard.com/fabsolutewritefrm5.showMessage?topicID=150.topic

And this is the best site for information on Children's Writing, including this page on agents.

http://www.underdown.org/agents.htm

Congrats, and good luck.

PattiTheWicked · Apr 7, 2005

James D. Macdonald said:
I'm assuming all these publishers are cool with simultaneous submissions, yes?

================

There are agents who specialize in childrens' books.

One of my mottoes is "Never bet against yourself." Which means, be prepared for when things go right, too.

Of the four Other Publishers who have the ms, three are ok with simsubs. The fourth says they want exclusive rights to review it, and that they'll respond within eight weeks. I sent it to them at the beginning of December, so once the eight weeks had passed, I felt okay about sending it to the other publishers.

"Never bet against yourself."

That's a good motto. Thanks for your input, Jim.

PattiTheWicked · Apr 8, 2005

Steve 211 said:
To maybe help with some information, there's some good links from this page:

http://p197.ezboard.com/fabsolutewritefrm5.showMessage?topicID=150.topic

And this is the best site for information on Children's Writing, including this page on agents.

http://www.underdown.org/agents.htm

Congrats, and good luck.

Oh, I love Underdown's site! Thanks for the linkage, Steve.

victoriastrauss · Apr 8, 2005

PattiTheWicked said:
And no, I haven't even attempted to get an agent on this one because it's a kids' book. I've always understood that agents don't generally want to be bothered with children's books.

Many good agents specialize in children's authors. Unless the publisher that has offered you a contract pays a decent advance, though, you may find they aren't interested.

Don't sign the contract without getting a qualified person to look it over for you. Sometimes agents will be willing to vet a contract for you for a flat fee. Failing that, you should look for an intellectual property attorney who has experience with publishing contracts.

Congratulations!

- Victoria

PattiTheWicked · Apr 14, 2005

It's been one heck of a month so far.

Last week I got word that a publisher was interested in my children's book (see above). This week, I learned that ANOTHER publisher is interested in my YA manuscript.

Obviously, I'm not going to go crazy and celebrate until I have contracts in hand, but damn, the future's so bright, I gotta wear shades.

And now I *really* need to find an agent.

Steve 211 · Apr 14, 2005

Zolah · Apr 14, 2005

PattiTheWicked said:
It's been one heck of a month so far.

Last week I got word that a publisher was interested in my children's book (see above). This week, I learned that ANOTHER publisher is interested in my YA manuscript.

Obviously, I'm not going to go crazy and celebrate until I have contracts in hand, but damn, the future's so bright, I gotta wear shades.

And now I *really* need to find an agent.

I think it quite often happens like that. You struggle and get rejected and struggle some more and get rejected some more and start to wonder if you should even bother...and then you struggle some more and OH MY GOD! Someone wants to represent you! And then someone else wants to publish you! Eeek!

This is the good stuff right now. Bask in it. And the minute you're sure everything is solid, get your friends and family to treat you to dinner to celebrate. If they're doubtful, just say 'I bet J K Rowling's non-supportive pals are really kicking themselves now...'

PattiTheWicked · Apr 14, 2005

Zolah said:
I think it quite often happens like that. You struggle and get rejected and struggle some more and get rejected some more and start to wonder if you should even bother...and then you struggle some more and OH MY GOD! Someone wants to represent you! And then someone else wants to publish you! Eeek!

This is the good stuff right now. Bask in it. And the minute you're sure everything is solid, get your friends and family to treat you to dinner to celebrate. If they're doubtful, just say 'I bet J K Rowling's non-supportive pals are really kicking themselves now...'

Heh. My daughter has already cast my YA novel as a movie, with herself as one of the main characters. And I think Tom Felton from the HP movies is in there somewhere too.

I'm too busy being happy to point out to her that I haven't even signed the contract for the BOOK yet

Zolah · Apr 15, 2005

That seems to be the inevitable reaction when you tell anyone you're going to be published these days. After (unsuccessfully) trying to convince my friends that it isn't as easy as that, I've now resorted to saying 'Watch this space' and trying to look mysterious. You get more free dinners with that method anyway...

PattiTheWicked · Apr 15, 2005

Zolah said:
That seems to be the inevitable reaction when you tell anyone you're going to be published these days. After (unsuccessfully) trying to convince my friends that it isn't as easy as that, I've now resorted to saying 'Watch this space' and trying to look mysterious. You get more free dinners with that method anyway...

:::scribbles notes on how to look mysterious:::

James D. Macdonald · Apr 15, 2005

PattiTheWicked said:
:::scribbles notes on how to look mysterious:::

A moustache and cape always worked for me. Add a slouch hat for that extra je ne sais quoi.

Trapped in amber · Apr 15, 2005

PattiTheWicked said:
Last week I got word that a publisher was interested in my children's book (see above). This week, I learned that ANOTHER publisher is interested in my YA manuscript.

Go you! That's fantastic :banana:

Zolah · Apr 15, 2005

James D. Macdonald said:
A moustache and cape always worked for me. Add a slouch hat for that extra je ne sais quoi.

Excellent tips. I normally just let my eyes cross slightly and stare into the distance, but I'm aware that the affect could be more 'dropped on head when baby' than 'enigmatic author'.

PattiTheWicked · Apr 15, 2005

James D. Macdonald said:
A moustache and cape always worked for me. Add a slouch hat for that extra je ne sais quoi.

I own several hooded cloaks which are perfect for looking mysterious and stealthy, but I'm thinking a moustache might be a bit over the top.

Or at the very least, give the wrong impression.

Liam Jackson · Apr 15, 2005

Congratulations! This is a very exciting time for you.

As for those folk who already have you casting your movie, try this:

Get a cellphone and while in company, hit speed dial for your own number. When the phone rings, answer, then turn to your friends and say, "Excuse me for a moment. It's Speilberg/Peter Jackson/Coppala, etc., AGAIN! (Give your pals a shrug and one of those "what's a girl to do?" looks.

Then walk away a few steps, mumble a bit and nod your head. And remember to giggle often.

This works great when you wanna stiff thse formerly cheeky inlaws with the dinner check. (They wont let you pay fer squat as long as there's one single itsey bitsy role left to cast. <grin>

Liam Jackson · Apr 15, 2005

Zolah

<<<If they're doubtful, just say 'I bet J K Rowling's non-supportive pals are really kicking themselves now...'

>>>

Ain't it the truth!

maestrowork · Apr 15, 2005

LiamJackson said:
<<<If they're doubtful, just say 'I bet J K Rowling's non-supportive pals are really kicking themselves now...'>>>

Ain't it the truth!

Like the writer who ridiculed me when I showed him part of my ms? Well, he's not getting an acknowledgement, that's for sure.

Liam Jackson · Apr 15, 2005

Who did such a thing, Ray? We'll send Guido and the boys to pay him a visit.

Did My HappyDance... Now What?

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