Collection of Words - Revising Possession (For the last time!)

Collection of Words

YA Writer, Mom, Bank Teller

Revising Possession (For the last time!)

12th-May-2008 07:35 pm

Sounds like there's a lot of revising and drafting going on right now! Must be spring and the idea of renewal. I know I've finally got the inspiration back to write. I haven't talked much about it, but I've been revising Possession the last few months and I'm nearing the end. I'm at about 40,000 words revised and a lot of that is completely new. I hadn't meant to completely rewrite most of the book, but I'm glad I did. I think it's better because of it.

Now that I'm nearing the end, I'm thinking once again about querying. This revision was inspired and based on one agent's feedback. She said if I decided to revise to keep her posted. Should I offer her the revised version on an exclusive basis? Like two weeks or something? It seems only fair, but I don't want to box myself in either. Hmm...any advice?

Comments

13th-May-2008 12:00 am (UTC)

fashionista_35

I think you should offer exclusivity to her as an option. Say something along the lines of "I chose to revise POSSESSION again and as I worked on it, I realized I was basing many on my revisions on your suggestions. Obviously, I'm anxious to send it out again, but if you'd be interested in seeing it again, I'd be happy it to send it to you first."

Or something along those lines. And yay on the revisions. *g*

13th-May-2008 01:21 am (UTC)

jengt

Ooh, I like that suggestion and the way you worded it. I think I'll go that route and see what she says. I do like this agent, plus the feedback was great!

Thanks!

13th-May-2008 02:50 am (UTC)

fabulousfrock

I like that suggestion, too...and 2 weeks isn't really THAT long...it's a nice gesture. I think it's silly to give exclusives just because an agency says they want them, but when I've improved a book based on an agent's suggestion, then I think it's only fair to give them first crack if they took the time to give suggestions.

14th-May-2008 02:44 am (UTC)

jengt

Thanks, Jackie! I think I'll offer an exclusive for two weeks.

13th-May-2008 03:25 pm (UTC)

susanwrites

Ditto what the others have said - 2 weeks is a reasonable amount for each side.

Congrats on getting feedback that helped you make a better book!

14th-May-2008 02:44 am (UTC)

jengt

Thanks, Susan! This is the biggest revision I've ever done---the feedback definitely helped.

13th-May-2008 06:42 pm (UTC)

robinellen

Definitely offer it to her, and definitely put a time limit on it ;) Anywhere from 3-4 weeks should be plenty, imo. :) Yay, Jen!!

14th-May-2008 02:44 am (UTC)

jengt

Thanks, Robin! I'm excited to get it back out there.

14th-May-2008 02:20 am (UTC)

mindiscott

Oooh! Very exciting!

And I agree with all the others who posted here. :-)

14th-May-2008 02:45 am (UTC)

jengt

Thanks, Mindi! I'm REALLY excited to share it with this particular agent. I just hope the stuff I changed, changed for the better!

15th-May-2008 11:46 pm (UTC)

caryncaldwell

It's such a good feeling when your revisions have whipped a book into shape, isn't it? Good luck with the querying. As for the exclusive, is s/he requesting one? If so, decide how badly you want this particular agent. Two weeks is not long at all, though, so if that's all the time they want and you like the agent, I would go for it.

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