What would you do in my shoes

Subject: What would you do in my shoes Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:32 pm

I received a letter from an agent today - " Might have requested a complete manuscript if you were in the US. I would request you mail me 10 copies if I'd accepted- this would prove expensive."

Hang the expense! If you want 10 copies, I can mail them.

Would you write back and say you were prepared to do this?
_________________
Jenny
Writing as Victoria Howard

www.victoriahoward.co.uk

Subject: Re: What would you do in my shoes Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:00 pm

Jenny,

Why on earth would they want ten copies of your full ms at this point? If the agent wants to consider your work they should ask for one complete copy initially which gives them the chance to evaluate your work before proceeding. If, after reading it they decdied they would like to represent you, it is still hard to see why they would want you to mail them ten copies. An agent would normally have a copy on file and a copy on computer and woudl then approach publishers on the basis that they have a client with a saleable book and offer the publisher the opportunity to view it, perhaps sending them two or three chapters, or the whole ms printed out at their expense from the computer copy.That, after all is part of an agent's job. this one sounds as if they would want you to do all the work, in order to minimise their costs and financial risk. My agent has placed three of my manuscripts without me ever having to send a hard copy of my novels to her, and she in the USA and i'm in the UK.

This doesn't quite add up for me I'm afraid.

Hope this helps.

Best regards

Brian

Subject: Re: What would you do in my shoes Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:03 pm

Brian,

The only thing I can think of is this agent isn't technologically minded! She is recommended by the Romance Writers of America, of which I am a member.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry....actually crying seems the best option. Anyone got a shoulder to spare? Crying or Very sad

_________________
Jenny
Writing as Victoria Howard

www.victoriahoward.co.uk

Four Star Member Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 376

Hang on Jenny, this could be a damn good thing!

The agent will have a list of potential publishers and they will work through them systematically. The first complete manuscript will go to the first publisher where it will be read by perhaps 6 or 7 people. If it is rejected, it will come back dog eared and crumpled and ready for the bin. So a fresh manuscript will be required for the next publisher.

Why would the agent want 10 copies on hand? A few copies could already be in the bin, rejected and dog eared, a couple could be out, when all of a sudden an editor at another publishing house phones up asking for your manuscript and wants it by the morning. How would the agent look if they apologised and said it would take a few days?

This sounds like something you should investigate further and perhaps consider pursuing.

Subject: Re: What would you do in my shoes Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:19 pm

Hi George,

That's my feeling. Why lose the chance to be published for the sake of sending 10 copies? Ok, it's expensive, in fact it would be cheaper to put the manuscript on a dongle, fly to the USA, go to Staples, have them print the 10 copies and deliver them by hand.

It's too good an opportunity to miss, so I've emailed the agent and told her I would be willing to send the 10 copies. I hope I've done the right thing.
_________________
Jenny
Writing as Victoria Howard

www.victoriahoward.co.uk

Four Star Member Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 376

My last agent had me send out all my manuscripts directly, which is how I know a bit about how they work. Having a fresh manuscript always to hand is essential in their business. Sometimes it really was a case of a phone call and being told to get a manscript out before last post that day.
I would think that 10 copies sent to an agent will work out much cheaper than sending 10 separate manuscripts yourself to publishers and should stand a far greater chance of being accepted.

Just some of my thoughts. Do keep us informed.

Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 1780 Location : UK

Hi Jenny,

I think it's always a good idea to investigate anything you are unsure about. So, with that in mind, I googled! Check this out before you make a decision:

http://www.sff.net/odyssey/afaq.html
_________________
Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Subject: Re: What would you do in my shoes Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:39 pm

Hi Shelagh,

Thanks. That link was really useful. I've also been told that if you email Staples or Kinkos in the US they will print any document and mail it out for you. I'm checking into that as it could well be an option.
_________________
Jenny
Writing as Victoria Howard

www.victoriahoward.co.uk

Subject: Re: What would you do in my shoes Fri Feb 29, 2008 2:22 pm

I have to wonder about the ten copies thing, too. My agent only wanted one. I did send her a CD with the manuscript file. She didn't request this, but I mailed it in case she found small errors (they are always there--no matter how much proofing I do), and needed to print out a new page here and there before sending the manuscript to editors. She did use the CD.

Why ten? Curious...
_________________
Southern fiction with a madhatter twist...
www.rhettdevane.com

Subject: Re: What would you do in my shoes Fri Feb 29, 2008 2:50 pm

My understanding of the ten copies thing is the same as you've heard - maintaining nice crisp copies. I also know Canadian speakers who will use Kinkos or Staples arrangements to pick up their printing in the US so that they do not have to lug it all by plane. To make sure that the package gets where it should (I am not familiar with them actually delivering your printing for you), do you think that some of our American friends on this forum could help to facilitate delivery? An international money order from the UK to the USA is an easy matter to arrange, and much less expensive than shipping your box of manuscripts I would think.

And holy cow! How exciting that you have an agent wanting to market you and perhaps just concerned about your costs !!!

_________________
Pam Robertson

http://andthebandplayedonmylawn.blogspot.com

Subject: Re: What would you do in my shoes Fri Feb 29, 2008 3:00 pm

Pam,

I've emailed both Staples and Kinkos to see if it is possible to upload the file here in the UK and have it printed and delivered in the US. If it is, then that would solve all my problems. However, as the pound/dollar is in my favour, it could well be worth my while sticking the file on a dongle, flying to NY and delivering it myself!

One thing is sure, until the agent says "no" I'm going to explore every option open to me.
_________________
Jenny
Writing as Victoria Howard

www.victoriahoward.co.uk

Four Star Member Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 376

Jenny, you've got me fired up too. I've started looking for an agent or publisher again . . .

Subject: Re: What would you do in my shoes Fri Feb 29, 2008 3:45 pm

Now I really am confused.... I emailed Ms Seymour and this was her response!

if that's the case may resubmit with this new information....(email details removed by me)

Dear Ms Seymour
Thank you for your letter which arrived this morning

I am more than willing to send you 10 copies of my manuscript, if that is what you require.

I should have perhaps pointed out that I am a frequent visitor to the USA. The pound/dollar rate is so good at present, I am more than happy to travel to New York and personally deliver them, if required.
_________________
Jenny
Writing as Victoria Howard

www.victoriahoward.co.uk

Four Star Member Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 376

Intriguing . . .

Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 1780 Location : UK

I'm not sure about this Jenny but I think she means that she had discounted your submission but since you are willing to send the ten copies she is willing to reconsider. I would give this some more thought before you do anything.

An agent sends out the same submission package as an author -- covering letter, synopsis, opening chapters. If a publisher requests a full manuscript, this is sent at a later date. It would be rare for ten publishers to request a full manuscript.

A reputable agent should be able to float the cost of photocopying until a manuscript is sold and then add on the cost to their commission. Tread warily.
_________________
Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/