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Whether you enjoy writing sci-fi, fantasy or fiction, join our Creative Writing forum to meet others who love to write.

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Whether you enjoy writing sci-fi, fantasy or fiction, join our Creative Writing forum to meet others who love to write.

Creative writing

Eek!

60 replies

Mama1980 · 01/02/2021 22:46

I hope this isthmus right place to post.
I have written a book using NaNoWriMo last year to write and now I've almost finished editing it. I sent off a very brief cover letter and chapter to an agent to just put out feelers and experience the process and I got an email back today asking for me to send in the whole thing as it stands now for them to look at.
Hence the Eek! I'm definitely not getting too excited but does anyone know whether I should do a week of edits before sending it in. I did tell them that it was at the rough first draft stage.....I'm just wondering how rough would be considered unprofessional?

OP posts:

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saffire · 01/02/2021 22:48

I would send it in now, as it is, with a covering letter to say that you want to make some edits, but welcome feedback as it currently is.

It's fresh in their minds at the moment and after a week or so, something else may come along...

PrawnCorset · 01/02/2021 22:58

How rough is it? Unless it’s in very bad shape, I’d probably send it straight in now to capitalise on this agent’s interest, but stating that you’re aware it’s still very rough..

Mama1980 · 02/02/2021 00:01

Thank you both for replying. I've done as you suggest.
I did explain in my email that it was very rough, as yet mostly unedited and with blocks of text missing - I might have to reorder certain sections etc.
I've just sent it off before I could talk myself out of it.

OP posts:

Witchend · 02/02/2021 09:03

Well done!

saffire · 02/02/2021 12:42

Well done. Honestly if it's good then they will be able to see the potential in a rough draft.

maybelou · 02/02/2021 12:52

Good on you, OP! I have my fingers crossed for you 🤞🏻

Mama1980 · 02/02/2021 14:02

Thank you 😊 they emailed to say that they have received it - fingers crossed

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LouisaMayAlcott · 02/02/2021 16:15

Brilliant fingers crossed for you!

Zilla1 · 02/02/2021 18:46

Good luck. They must have seen real potential in your rough draft. Think of the wasted effort you've saved by not editing away from the direction and changes they might suggest.

HitchFlix · 08/02/2021 13:05

How exciting! Well done OP

CaraDuneRedux · 08/02/2021 13:07

Fingers crossed for you, OP. How exciting!

JaimeLeeCurtains · 08/02/2021 13:10

Good luck - that's brilliant. Wherever happens, you'll get decent feedback. And I hope the best happens for you!

Cantreasonwithunreasonable · 09/02/2021 08:26

Any updates, OP?

Mama1980 · 10/02/2021 09:55

No news yetis afraid....I'm itching to follow up but trying to be patient

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Mama1980 · 10/02/2021 17:08

Ironically as soon as I post that there's no update I hear from them.
They are still interested, (eek!) and I have been asked not to send it elsewhere for now. They've said that they will get back to me in the next week or so with additional feedback.
I think this is positive....trying not to get too excited though.

OP posts:

LouisaMayAlcott · 10/02/2021 18:32

Definitely a positive update!

MargaretThursday · 10/02/2021 22:21

That's brilliant! Well done!

Soma · 11/02/2021 10:57

@Mama1980, congratulations. I would however send it to two or three other agents in the meantime. The current agent, could love most of your script and then change their mind at the last moment. I had one agent, email me everyday for a week with updates telling me how much she loved my story, and would have a decision very soon, on the final day, she said she didn't love it enough to take it forward.

Mama1980 · 17/02/2021 09:32

Thanks all not much of an update but they've messaged again to say they are very interested.
I haven't submitted to anyone else yet simply because I didn't really intend to submit properly this time, I really was just testing the water. But I will do so once I'm a bit happier with some of the chapters....I appreciate the advice.

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Mama1980 · 04/03/2021 17:14

Oh my goodness they want to offer me a contract!!! Eek!
I need help - what do I need to look for in the contract? Should I get someone to overlook it?
I'm trying to stay calm but really I want to screech in excitement! I haven't told anyone in real life yet, I don't want to jinx it until the contract is signed and sealed.

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LouisaMayAlcott · 04/03/2021 17:51

How exciting congratulations! You can get the Society of Authors to look at a contract for you and it's highly recommended. If they are a big well known agency then it's probably a very standard contract but do get it checked out before you sign.

Mama1980 · 04/03/2021 18:05

Thank you, I shall do that.
I'm freaking out a little bit lol, I have so much work still to do on it.

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MargaretThursday · 04/03/2021 20:59

Congratulations! Brilliant news!

Can't offer any help on the contract though.

Soma · 04/03/2021 21:11

@Mama1980 congratulations! It's such a nice feeling when an offer of rep comes in. Ask the agent for some time to consider their offer, and as @LouisaMayAlcott said, get the Society of Authors to look at it.

Mama1980 · 05/03/2021 10:13

Thank you both 😊
The agent has contacted me this morning with a draft proposal. Which I shall get looked at.
They say they already have a publishing offer in hand - for a well known but not enormous publisher......does anyone know how this works?
I assuming I need to be guided by them but I'm not sure what I should be aware of.

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