FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. DOES THE PUBLISHING HOUSE CHECK THE COMPLETED NON-FICTION MANUSCRIPT AGAINST THE PROPOSAL THAT WAS SENT IN A YEAR OR MORE AGO?
Absolutely. Yes, some additions and changes are expected but you cannot do a complete 180 on the subject. If the premise in your proposal was that Jimmy Carter was America's best president, a manuscript describing why/how he was the worst, will be returned to your agent along with a demand for repayment of every single cent that you've been paid. By the way, the literary agent gets to keep the commission no matter what happens. She did her job.

Q. MY NOVEL HAS BEEN REJECTED BY TEN LITERARY AGENTS. WHY DO THEY READ A SAMPLE, ASK FOR THE FULL MANUSCRIPT AND THEN REJECT IT?
You obviously have a well-written query letter, synopsis and sample pages. However, the completed work does not live up to the initial package.

Q.  I’VE HEARD THAT THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF EDITORS.  IS THIS TRUE?
Yes.  Here is the breakdown:
Developmental Editor
Acquires or rejects projects.  Works extensively with the author of selected projects to ensure clear development and expression of the whole manuscript. IN fiction, that means making sure that the plot, dialogue, characterization, pace, setting and premise are all working.

Production Editor
Prepares the manuscript for typesetting, finding a printer, and hiring and supervising workers, including the copyeditor.

Copyeditor
Goes through the manuscript line by line to check for proper word usage, consistent style and tone, correct grammar and punctuation, and correct cross-references.

Q.  WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE AGENT MAKES A SALE?

1. After the agent sends you a contract for representation, it will take anywhere from one week to a full year to get a firm offer from a publishing house. It is a tension filled period for both agent and writer.

2. Once the manuscript has been "officially accepted" for publication, it will go to a copyeditor who will peruse it for grammar, syntax and factual (is it really possible to drive from Chicago to Indianapolis in 45 minutes?) errors. The writer will have to correct any mistakes.

3. After the copyeditor is done with the manuscript, it will go to a typesetter who will produce "Page Proofs." The writer and agent must go over the Pages to make sure that the publisher did not make a mistake.

4. In the meantime, decisions have to be made about marketing, serialization, cover art, cover copy and the agent has to collect the "On Acceptance" payment. Next, galleys will be created for the long lead publications that cannot wait for the finished book. If the writer is lucky, the publishing house will create ARCs (Advance Reading Copies) for the bookstores. Agent and writer must solicit blurbs.

5. Once the book is ready, authors must do a lot of promotion in order to sell it.

Q. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE YOU TO DELIVER MY MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION?
I guarantee delivery in 2-4 weeks.