Anyone Worked with Avon Romance?

PattiTheWicked · Jan 10, 2006

I submitted a query and synopsis to Avon Romance last month, and they responded almost immediately (within 24 hours, even tho their website says it will be in a couple of weeks) with a request for a full MS, which I mailed promptly. The person who replied asked me to put her name on it, and mark the envelope with "requested" on the outside, so I've got a real live name attached to it (I suspect she's someone's assistant, as she's not an agent, but that's fine with me).

I was wondering if anyone has every dealt with them before -- obviously, I know they are HUGE, I'm not asking about their reputation or quality or anything -- I'm wondering how long they normally take to reply to a full MS. It's only been a month, so I'm not really getting antsy yet. I'm just curious, at what point should I send a follow up note if I haven't heard from them?

Susan Gable · Jan 10, 2006

PattiTheWicked said:
I submitted a query and synopsis to Avon Romance last month, and they responded almost immediately (within 24 hours, even tho their website says it will be in a couple of weeks) with a request for a full MS, which I mailed promptly. The person who replied asked me to put her name on it, and mark the envelope with "requested" on the outside, so I've got a real live name attached to it (I suspect she's someone's assistant, as she's not an agent, but that's fine with me).

I was wondering if anyone has every dealt with them before -- obviously, I know they are HUGE, I'm not asking about their reputation or quality or anything -- I'm wondering how long they normally take to reply to a full MS. It's only been a month, so I'm not really getting antsy yet. I'm just curious, at what point should I send a follow up note if I haven't heard from them?

I'd say give it at LEAST 6 months before you even begin to get twitchy. <G> 6 months is a very short turn-around on a full ms that doesn't have an agent to nag the editor on your behalf.

Good luck! Fingers crossed for you!

Susan G.

Cathy C · Jan 10, 2006

Good for you!! What Susan said about the time. Keep us informed!

clara bow · Jan 10, 2006

that's awesome! good luck.

and good luck waiting, too. I imagine it will be a long haul.

L.Jones · Jan 10, 2006

I did 3 books with Avon but can't really say how long they will take on an unagented manuscript. I'd be shocked if it took 6 mos but I don't think you should get antsy until around 3 (mos).

This is a good sign, their asking for your work so quickly, have you considered using this time to query agents so you will have someone in a position to negotiate your contract, and maybe speed things along?

One thing you might want to do is hit the bookstore and check out Avon books and see if any authors mention their agents, do some research and query some of those, since you know they will have an in.

annie
Luanne Jones
Heathen Girls (MIRA) available now

Cathy C · Jan 10, 2006

Excellent advice, annie! I should have thought of that. Now would be a VERY good time to start to look for an agent and, as annie says, finding one that already has ties to Avon is even better, because they'll know that an editor requesting a full doesn't happen every day. You might get picked up, or at least asked for a read.

kristie911 · Jan 10, 2006

Congrats Patti! And good luck! I submitted to them (via e-mail) in September and never heard a word. The fact that you got a reply back so quickly makes me wonder two things: 1:did they even get mine? or 2: was my query so bad they didn't bother?

Maybe I'll try again...I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you!

lrs · Jan 10, 2006

I've queried them and usually within a couple of weeks, both times, was rejected. Thats wonderful that they are interested in you without an agent. Your query must have sounded great!

PattiTheWicked · Jan 11, 2006

Thanks, everyone, for your encouragement! I do have the full ms in review wiht a couple of agents right now, so I will email them and let them know what's going on. Maybe it will push my envelope to the top of the stack!

I'll keep everyone posted, and let you know what happens.

kristie911 · Jan 12, 2006

Since it seems I should have heard something by now, I resubmitted to Avon (an email query) and I'll wait patiently. Have to get started on my 2006 rejections!

(but I'm still crossing my fingers for you Patti...I'll just cross a couple more for me!)

jbayley · Jan 18, 2006

Patti - You're the first person I've heard of to actually get a request from the email query system. I personally have a plethora of rejections from them

Congrats!

Anyone Worked with Avon Romance?

PattiTheWicked

Unleashing Hell.

Susan Gable

Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

clara bow

Li'l Rug Bug

L.Jones

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

kristie911

Happy to be here

lrs

PattiTheWicked

Unleashing Hell.

kristie911

Happy to be here

jbayley