First Official Check-In! How are you all doing????? :-)

[jbknowles]

Hi everyone!

Today is our first official check-in. Line on up and let us all know how you're doing in the comments! Need some encouragement? Advice? A high-five? We're here for you!

xo

I want to hear from...

afraclose
Amy Fisher Quinn
amygreenfield
annemariepace
barbarabaker
blackeyedsue21
boreal_owl
briankell
chickwith_stick
cfaughnan
cynleitichsmith
dampscribbler
Elisabeth
goddess57
Heather Jessen
jbknowles
jeniwrites
jjhoutman
josiecv
katiemas
katywriter
kaz_mahoney
kimmiepoppins
Kip Wilson
Kristina
lisa_schroeder
lisaschulman
lizjonesbooks
marvelousmarv
Meaghan
MelanieACrowder
Menaha
Michelle Davison Kane

Comments

[jbknowles]

Katy, this is a great question. I think it depends on lots of factors, such as whether this is a book under contract already, with a tight deadline.

If not under contract, I would definitely wait and polish.

If it is under contract, I'm not sure. I hear lots of different advice on this. I was going to send my editor a rougher draft of a book under contract (but not yet seen by my editor), but then got really great comments from a reader and decided to miss my deadline in order to revise one more time. I think partly for me it's that I don't want to give my editor something really rough because I want to use her time wisely. If I know it's a crappy first draft and that it needs work, I don't want to waste her time having her read something she's going to have to read several more times, and either a) be less excited about it because it's rough or b) waste her freshest eyes on something that I'd rather have when I've done all I can do for the work and therefor really need her new eyes on it.

So I guess I'd lean toward waiting and getting it in the best shape possible, if your deadline allows for it (and even if not!). When I asked about my deadline, she said not to worry and to take the time I need. So... I have a feeling editors would rather get a more polished draft as well!

What do others think?

[amygreenfield]

Katy, I think Jo's advice is great. Even when I'm working under contract, I like to polish the manuscript as much as possible before turning it in.

The only thing I'd add is that some editors DO prefer to see things at an earlier stage if a book is under contract. If you're delivering a sequel under a tight deadline, for instance, or if they don't have much experience working with you, they may want to have a chance to see how book is going, and to give their advice as soon as you have that first draft.

So you might want to ask "editor M" what she'd like you to do.

Congratulations on getting so much done!

[kimmiepoppins]

I like Jo's advice too. Makes a lot of sense. :o)

[josiecv]

I agree, too. And I think it's a good idea to ask. I am a very *slow* writer, so for my WIP, my agent wanted to see my outline and general plan to make sure I was headed in the right direction before I got months into the project. But after that initial go-ahead, he'd rather see the most polished version I can give him so that his feedback will have the most impact (as Jo explained very well).

It's hard, though, because I often get antsy to just turn the darn thing in! I have to *force* myself to be patient and take the time to make it the best I can.

[katywriter]

I texted "editor M" last night, aka: my friend Megan and she said that she wanted to see the draft when it's done,but everyone is right about not sending out a crappy draft, wither under contract or not. If I did that, it would mean more work for me in the long run and would delay submitting. I plan to send it off to my publisher when I'm done revising and pray that they take it on as a second book. So, in answer to your question Jo, no it's not under contract...yet.