: Submitting new work to another publisher while first deal is pending A family member has had a verbal offer of publication for a book (a collection of pieces), though no contract has been signed

A family member has had a verbal offer of publication for a book (a collection of pieces), though no contract has been signed yet and the printed book is probably quite a ways off. If all goes well, this would be her first published book (after years of trying). She also has another book (a novel) already written, which she also has been shopping out to agents and publishers. All this is occurring in a country in which the publishing industry is much smaller and more difficult to find opportunities than, say, the U.S.

The question is: is it a good idea or not to send out the other book (the novel) to other publishing companies at this point?

My concern for her was that if the publisher that has offered to publish her collection finds out about this, they will be (understandably) displeased that she has submitted to a competitor, and it may sour her relationship with them for future work. On the other hand, it seems odd for her to tell them, "hey, I also have a novel for you guys!" and that would likely "overwhelm" them and also potentially sour their relationship...but if she waits to submit the novel to them until after the collection is out and (let's hope) selling for a while, it may delay the chance to publish the novel for 1-2 years.

I'd like to help advise her in a way that is strategic and ethical, and in keeping with typical publishing industry standards. Also, is there a term for this situation? It's not really "multiple submissions" because we're talking about two different works.

Load Full (1)

: In many scholarly texts, including scientific papers, the solution I have seen is to use the expression "one of us", with or without the person's name (it is not always important for the

@Angie602

Load Full 0 Comments

: Unique ways to do an infodump for an isolated protagonist Many zombie series start with the overly used hunting trip or coma to explain why the protagonist has no idea whats happening. This

@Angie602

Load Full 1 Comments

: How do I refer to a trademarked object in fiction? I wrote the sentence: Walking into the room, Zion was standing at a tall drafting table putting together what looked like a space station

@Angie602

Load Full 2 Comments

: Gerund Overkill I like to use gerunds in my writing and I wonder if I'm overdoing it. I wrote this paragraph: I couldnâ€™t help thinking to myself, who is this woman on the phone? And

@Angie602

Load Full 2 Comments

Login to post a comment!

1 Comments

Sorted by latest first Latest Oldest Best

@Caterina108

I follow Jane Friedman's blogs and accept her word as Truth.

This scenario has come up on the blog site. It seems that your situation is a little different than some others in that your family member is not relying on an immediate income source, and she has already held the novel for some time.

Many authors (myself included) have whole, completed novels that are unpublished and awaiting that breakout book to spawn the rest of one's work.

The blog site recommends written notification to Company 1 that one is peddling additional work to Company 2, et. al. Company 1 may choose to also consider additional said work or ignore it. Publishers generally aren't miffed because everyone appreciates that everyone is trying to make a buck.

Thus, the decision is based more on the wishes of your family member than on the wishes of Company 1. However, I'll say there is nothing like peddling your work to take a long look and ask, "Does this suck? Where am I at as a writer?"

Load Full (0)

Feed

: Submitting new work to another publisher while first deal is pending A family member has had a verbal offer of publication for a book (a collection of pieces), though no contract has been signed

More posts by @Angie602

: In many scholarly texts, including scientific papers, the solution I have seen is to use the expression "one of us", with or without the person's name (it is not always important for the

: Unique ways to do an infodump for an isolated protagonist Many zombie series start with the overly used hunting trip or coma to explain why the protagonist has no idea whats happening. This

: How do I refer to a trademarked object in fiction? I wrote the sentence: Walking into the room, Zion was standing at a tall drafting table putting together what looked like a space station

: Gerund Overkill I like to use gerunds in my writing and I wonder if I'm overdoing it. I wrote this paragraph: I couldnâ€™t help thinking to myself, who is this woman on the phone? And

Login to post a comment!

1 Comments

Back to top