Don't have an agent but a Commissioning Editor is keen to take my book to an Acquisition Meeting - advice!

[LondonMummer]

As per the title I have written a book and just started to submit to agents.

As part of my early reader plan, my local book club are currently reading the book. One of the members is friends with a Commissioning Editor at an established and reputable publisher, she mentioned my book to her and I received an email asking if I'd consider sharing the manuscript.

I did so and she has now come back to me saying she's really enjoying it as it taps into many of her reading likes and is keen to take it to an acquisition meeting but has asked 'what path I would like to take with it'.

Eek

So I assume she's asking if I'd be happy for her to take it directly or whether I want to find an agent first. Although correct me if I've got the wrong end if the stick because I'm new to this!

Obviously I'm thrilled that she likes it and thinks it's good enough to take forward but had very much assumed the first step was finding an agent.

Do I encourage her to take it forward and skip the agent piece (though if they were interested I'd be completely out of my depth when it comes to negotiation) or do I go back to the agents I've submitted to and tell them the current status in the hope they revert quickly and show interest.

Just to complicate things further I very vaguely know someone who is an agent so I submitted to her first a couple of months ago. She came back to me and said she liked the theme but didn't think the style was for her. Should I ask her advice about the hair unlisted response on a friendly basis or just move on and what should I respond to the Commissioning Editor?

Sorry that should say 'the publisher's response'

Anyone?

Yes, forward the email to the agent you know and ask her advice! She won’t mind.

Reply to the commissioning editor to say how wonderful, you are thrilled they like it enough to go to acquisitions and then ask them to clarify what they mean by ‘what path you’d like to take’. Agree enthusiastically to acquisitions whatever you do, it can’t harm. Is it a Big Five publisher or smaller?

Wait to see what your acquaintance agent and the comm ed says before emailing other agents.

Brilliant advice from @NoSquirrels , I concur

I would add try not to enter negotiations without an agent. If one publishing house is interested it is possible that more will be and you want more options if you can get them. They will also have a more accurate idea about what advance and royalty would be 'fair' in the current market, and other terms in the contract that might not seem so important now but would in the future.

Also agents help manage your whole career, not just at negotiation stage. If something is tricky or a problem comes up they can mediate for you.

In short, get an agent

Good luck!

Sorry, I'd completely disagree. I'm a published writer and in your situation I wouldn't submit to that agent again because it's not her kind of book. You need someone who loves your book who can represent it enthusiastically.

Look through the top agents and choose one who enjoys your kind of novel. Submit it to them and explain the situation. I would send out to several at the same time.

Thank you all. Really appreciate your advice.

@determinedtomakethiswork I wasn't thinking of going back to the agent to ask for representation more to ask for friendly advice.

It's not a big 5 publisher but an independent who focus on literary and commercial fiction and have a NY Times bestseller and a couple of Radio 2 Book Club books in their stable.

I'm thinking of contacting the agents I've submitted to but not heard back from yet (it's only been a fortnight anyway) to let them know. If nothing else it might help get them to ask for a full. I can then simultaneously see where things go with the publisher.

Any other advice is so welcome.

That's a good idea. Tbh if it's good enough that she's jumped at the chance, you'd do well to hold back a moment and see what responses you get from agents. You can always write to prompt them - they're used to that! Best of luck - I really hope you get taken on by a great agent.

@ICanHideButICantRun thank you so much. I know every stage is a gargantuan hurdle but I was so thrilled that at least she seemed genuinely enthused about the subject matter and themes.

You don’t lose anything by an enthusiastic ‘yes please’ to acquisitions. If their whole team loves it too, then they still need to make you an offer, you still need to consider it, and there’s time to get an agent interested to join negotiations at that point or advise if you should be trying wider.

Do contact the agents you’ve submitted to and say you have an editor taking to forward to acquisitions- at the very least it will bump it up their TBR pile. If it was only submitted 2 weeks ago you won’t be near the top yet so don’t wait.

An indie publisher knows that they won’t be able to make you a Big 5 beating offer, should you suddenly get an agent and spark a bidding war, but they might still be the best place for your book anyway.

Exciting!

As above - say yes to the editor, and immediately contact the agents you've submitted to and tell them what's happening. An author with an offer in hand - if this is what happens - is a completely different kettle of fish, and you'll get a lot more interest. You really do want to have an agent for the contract stages, and no decent publisher will oppose giving you time to sort this out.

@LondonMummer if you are not already a member, join the Society of Authors. They can look at any contract the publisher offers you and make detailed comments and suggestions. An agent is a nice to have, but ultimately a book contract is what you are aiming for and it's important not to lose sight of that.

Thank you so much that's great advice.