Comments on: Revising Before Contract

By: Tamara

Tamara — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:00:24 +0000

I received a few revision rejections a long while back, when I was still a newbie writer. Of course, being a newbie, the revisions weren’t what the agents wanted, and they passed.

But, if revision rejections are as close to a yes as you say they are, would it be worth querying those agents again, now that I’ve spent several more years on the project and my writing?

If so, do I mention their revision rejection in the new query letter?

Thanks so much, Mary.

By: Daisy

Daisy — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:37:35 +0000

Really appreciate these posts and your comments on Beta Six were invaluable – am rampantly revising as we speak. Thanks for all the useful advice on this blog

By: Jessi

Jessi — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:58:33 +0000

This post couldn’t have come at a better time for me! I got a revision rejection from one of my top agent choices a few weeks ago, the same day I was offered a revision letter from a real, live editor. I took both as great signs and have been dreaming revisions ever since. Great post–puts things in perspective and makes me optimistic. Thank you!

By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:07:09 +0000

Bryan — That’s great. Your new agent is a good man, and thorough. (Bonus point to anyone who got the Lebowski reference!) I always ask for revision on every manuscript I take on. Not just for the hell of it, either. Every story can benefit a bit from outside input. It also gets them used to being edited.

Haylee — How do I know if a writer will revise well? It’s not a sure science but that sense I get usually has to do with how polished the manuscript is when it comes in. I can usually tell when something has been revised and tightened to high heaven before it’s submitted. Those are the writers who have, in my estimation, gone through revision on their own a lot, and will have the tools and willpower to go through more. They understand the importance of it and they’re not afraid of it. Make sense?

By: Julie Duck

Julie Duck — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:30:38 +0000

You have such a nice, kind way of explaining this situation. Revision rejection is good… it means your work has potential, and the potential to be even better. That really says something.

- Julie

By: Haylee

Haylee — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:43:52 +0000

Yes good post. Now, when you say some writers would be good at revisions and you can tell… do you mean you can tell this just from the contact you’ve had up to that point? Or are you speaking of writers you’ve met at conferences who you’ve been able to gauge better?

On revising and it still not being match made in heaven, so no offer? Hmm… honestly, that experience is worth something. Maybe let yourself feel bummed for a night, then realize such agent interaction is a huge advantage and will only help them in the future? lol.

By: Jamie Foster

Jamie Foster — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:21:10 +0000

From a writer’s point of view I don’t think anything can be lost by a revision regection. It forces you to really look at things from a reader’s perspective. Sometimes it’s amazing how a few outside comments can really make things “click”.

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:07:05 +0000

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by Kid_Lit: Should you revise before getting a contract from an agent? http://ow.ly/BqnV #kidlit #ya #writing…

By: Lynn Rush

Lynn Rush — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:32:12 +0000

Great post. I like your perspective on this.

By: Charisse Drain

Charisse Drain — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:20:05 +0000

Thank you for the insightful entries, Mary! This blog rocks!