How long after the initial query phase will a publisher wait to get back to you about your book?
****READ***** I am past the initial query phase. I have six or seven publishers/agents that have asked for the full mss. Yet it has been a month and not a peep out of them.
Since you’re out of the Query phase when you send out your ms it can take anywhere from a couple of days to months.
A friend of mine had a very interesting story and the agent read the entire thing in just two days; for another friend it took her 2 1/2 months before hearing something. You have to calculate how busy they are this time of year because of vacation and query overload especially all the people sending their Nano queries in. Usually after 6 weeks or 2 months without hearing anything you can send a little note. Specify that there are other agents with the ms interested in your work or just making sure the ms got to them. Something simple would do. Do NOT ask them anything else (i.e. their opinions on the book, helpful tips, why is it taking so long) or call/email more than once unless specified because they will probably just dump it.
You just have to be patient. It’s a long and grueling process. Hope you score a deal! =D
Since you’re out of the Query phase when you send out your ms it can take anywhere from a couple of days to months.
A friend of mine had a very interesting story and the agent read the entire thing in just two days; for another friend it took her 2 1/2 months before hearing something. You have to calculate how busy they are this time of year because of vacation and query overload especially all the people sending their Nano queries in. Usually after 6 weeks or 2 months without hearing anything you can send a little note. Specify that there are other agents with the ms interested in your work or just making sure the ms got to them. Something simple would do. Do NOT ask them anything else (i.e. their opinions on the book, helpful tips, why is it taking so long) or call/email more than once unless specified because they will probably just dump it.
You just have to be patient. It’s a long and grueling process. Hope you score a deal! =D
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It depends on the Publisher. Some of them don not ever get around to reading all the manuscripts.
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If they didn’t say how long you could expect to wait, I’d give it at least three months – especially at this time of year. If the postal service is unreliable or slow, then a brief phone call to confirm that they got it might be in order. Don’t ask them anything other than that, as any perceived attempts to interfere in their process will just annoy them. They’re in a much stronger position than you at the moment. If you give them the slightest hint that you’re going to be difficult to work with, there are plenty of other aspiring authors queuing up behind you.
Having said that, if six or seven publishers and agents have requested your full manuscript, you are either the most amazing author in the history of literature, or you’ve been well and truly scammed. Look up "vanity publishing" for more information.
If any of these guys ask for money up front, do not give it to them, and do not sign any contract that they send to you. Such people are bottom-feeders who prey on ignorant authors, and they have no interest in the success of you or your book. They’ll just milk you for as much money as they can get out of you. If you’ve already handed over any money, you can kiss it goodbye – it will probably take a lawsuit to recover it.
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Patience. If you have six or seven potential publishers/agents all you need is patient. Publishers and agents are professionals. They will respond accordingly. They told you they were interested now give them the chance to make their decisions. As long as they asked for the full mss you are sitting comfy. Your next call would be inking the contract or making requested changes to your manuscript. Once that’s done then you have to go through the galley stage. Right now you are on the third stage. You passed on through the first two hurdles (query, and full mss request) of having your book professionally published. You will need blurbs for your book’s cover. If you land a big publishing house like Scribner&Sons, DoubleDay, Random House, Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, Simon& Schuster they will have the best marketing and editing pros working for you and they have enough clout to have your book placed in a premium location in the book store to gaurantee sales. If they deem your book sensational expect to sign a six figure contract with options on the movie rights. Not every writer goes for the movie right option and prefer to accept more money. Some writers are uncomfortable about treatment screenwriters working on his or her manuscript. It you get to that stage it will be your decision. You are on the right track, however, and you just need patient.
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