They sent the email around 3.05pm - just as I'm about to do the school run, plus I was taking the kids to Puxton - and all I wanted to do was send the manuscript off! However, I did have a submission form to fill out, and that took some time and care, and I hit the send button sometime Tuesday morning.
So that's it now. All four publishers have the full manuscript. I imagine I won't hear anything till July or August. I can't crack open the champagne yet... there still maybe disappointment at the end, but there is some relief that I've done things right so far! I need to just crack on with Perfect Isn't An Option and not think about it too much.
I will give one word of warning to you all thinking of sending off a synopsis to a publisher. DO NOT do it until that manuscript is finished. I mean truly finished, polished, you feel you can do no more to it. THEN send the synopsis out, or whatever the submissions guidelines state.
In January, I was thinking, shall I send it off, while working on the editing of the last few chapters, because it will be weeks till I hear something.... No, it was days! Now the MS is sent, I might have to wait weeks...
If a publisher only requests a synopsis or the first few pages as part of its submission guidelines, they will get back to you quickly to say whether they want to see the full or not. And then they will inform you how long you may have to wait.
So glad my betas talked me out of that one! (Yes, I'll mention good old Becky Black again! I would not be here without her and another good beta friend!)
In other news, I will be hosting a blog tour for Doris O'Connor and Mandy Baggot over the next week. Both have new books out! Mandy's is actually out today - so congratulations, Mandy!
I need to get back to writing, but my RSI has flared up, which is really, really annoying, as I don't want to stop the momentum of Perfect Isn't An Option. However, I might have to sit back a couple of days until it's settled. Really annoying! Grrrr...
Here's Bradley Cooper to ease my pain....
See I always reward you in the end! There's something about a man who can handle heavy artillery :D
I'm glad I talked you out of querying too early. It's definitely a mistake. I know how frustrating it can feel, the length of time it can take all take, but that's something you've just got to get all Zen about and accept. It's the nature of things. No more use complaining about it than complaining about water being wet.
ReplyDeleteEverything crossed for you! :)
So am I! Gosh, that is one thing I am taking away from this experience. Never submit until ready. Really ready.
DeleteGood luck, Teresa! Will be keeping my fingers crossed for you x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Vanessa!!!
DeleteGot everything crossed for you Teresa :-) And am looking forward to being here soon. Now if only you hadn't sent me such hard questions to answer, lol!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Doris. Oh, I thought they were easy lol! You can uncross your fingers to type ;-)
DeleteExciting news, Teresa! And well done to your betas for making sure you didn't send out too early. You did the right thing holding onto it and polishing, so that you had it ready when you were asked. Will be keeping everything crossed that you hear good news in the summer. x
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kath!
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