What does "background" mean?

Sakura-chan · Nov 2, 2010

Hi.
Sorry if this has been asked already, but what does an agent mean when they ask for a manuscript's background? I recently got a request for a full and the agent has asked me where has the manuscript been and where is it under review. I understand the second part, but does the former part mean that the agent is asking me to list where I have submitted my queries to (because that's gonna be a loooong list)?
Any answers are appreciated. Thanks.

S~chan

Erin · Nov 2, 2010

Background to me means: what publishers you've submitted it to, if any, and if anyone is still reviewing it.

Susan Coffin · Nov 2, 2010

I would agree with Erin- the other agents you have submitted to and who has what (if they still have anything).

Congratulations on the full, and good luck!

Sakura-chan · Nov 2, 2010

Thanks for the responses and thanks for the luck!

Kasey Mackenzie · Nov 3, 2010

I can almost guarantee they're asking which publishers you've submitted it to, not which other agents. =)

rainsmom · Nov 3, 2010

They might want to know if other agents have a partial or full. They definitely don't want a list of every agent you've queried.

The primary intent of the question is to see where it has been shopped. So if you've submitted to publishing houses, tell them which ones and what the status is.

Sitka · Nov 9, 2010

I think they mean which publishers have seen it.

If it were a manuscript that everyone in the biz had seen and passed on, I think that would tell them something.

As an aside, I'm not sure it's any of their business to know which other agents have seen it.

Sakura-chan · Nov 11, 2010

Thanks once again for the replies. I wound up telling the agent that I hadn't submitted my manuscript to publishing houses and that other agents were also looking at my full.

Susan Coffin · Nov 11, 2010

Thanks for the correction, guys. Since I am also in the query process, I have agents on my mind.

Also, one agent's guidelines reads that they want a "submission history." I would presume this means where it's submitted, meaning agents and/or publishers.

More good luck, Sakura.

What does "background" mean?

Sakura-chan

Erin

Listening to my other selves

Susan Coffin

Tell it like it Is

Sakura-chan

Kasey Mackenzie

One Hit Wonder?

rainsmom

Feeling like an old timer

Sitka

Sakura-chan

Susan Coffin

Tell it like it Is