Balls and Walnuts
more than you ever wanted to know
What to do, what to do . . .
This has been bugging me for the last few months.
Here’s a writing question for all of you — especially those of you who are wise in the ways of publishing. Should I try to get the first book of my trilogy published ASAP, or should I wait until I’ve finished editing the whole trilogy?
The facts:
1. The first book is ready to be shipped, assuming none of my gamma readers detects any major plot holes. I really don’t think I’ll be making any further substantive changes to book one.
2. Since this is satire, some of the humor is topical. I’d rather not try to sell this book after Bush is out of office. On the other hand, I suspect many folks will read this book and not notice any parallel to modern politics.
3. I’m halfway through the edit on book two. At the rate I’m editing, it may take me another year to finish the edit on books two and three.
4. If pressed, I could synopsize books two and three before I finish editing them, but the final results may differ significantly from the synopses.
5. I would dearly love to send out book one to agents, but if this looks premature (or, God forbid, amateurish), I’d rather wait.
I hope a few of you will let me know what you think. Thanks.
D.
I don’t know if I’d worry about what agents “think.” Get it out the door, and in your cover letter say what needs to be said about the other two books. Agents get far less thought than that from writers all the time. Their job is to sell your book, so if they think it’s saleable, they’ll sell it, and knowing there’s two more in the hopper will help. Just my two cents. But published writers in your genre might know more. Ask for advice directly is a very very good gambit as well. You should email every one you can for advice on this topic. It flatters people and gets your name out there.
I’d submit your book now. I will assume that the book publishing process will take some time.
You might finish all your edits on book two and three and have started the fourth book in the trilogy 🙂
What is the name of the book? I’ll buy a copy.
Also, will you blog about the experience of having a book published?
Two votes FOR so far. Thanks.
Alan, it’s currently called Nest, and if you’re interested, the first scene is posted above (look at the lefthand sidebar, way way way at the top). Certainly I’ll be blogging about this every step of the way.
If I remember correctly ( and I may not) if the book is part of a trilogy they like to have all 3 books done BUT I don’t think that’s an absolute.
The trick is going to be the agent’s preference. If they are prejudiced against trilogy writers who’ve only finished one book (and remember with unknowns finishing stuff is a biggie) then your novel will die a horrible slushy death known as the form rejection letter.
Why not email the agents you’re targeting and ask them? I would think they wouldn’t mind answering–it’s not like you’re sending them those nasty form queries everyone’s blogging about.
And if you’ve written 2&3, but they aren’t ready to be seen by a publisher, I would go ahead and submit explaining this is book one of a trilogy and book 2&3 are currently undergoing final edits. This lets the agent know you’re serious without making it sound like all three books are good to go.
Plus if you’re ready to query, look at local conferences and see if any of your dream agents are going to be in town. Now would be the time to have an in person one-on-one with an agent or publisher.
Hope that helps.
M
I’d also say go with submitting.
I think what agents are wary about are unpublished writers who send off book 1 in a trilogy but only have some vague ideas that this should become a trilogy and a few notes about sequels, and thus an agent/publisher can’t be sure they’ll manage books 2 and 3 in time.
You, on the other side, already have words. Lots of words, and editing them isn’t the main problem.
Writing them is. 😉
Query about the book that’s finished and mention that you’re working on the follow up (and give a title if you have one). When you’re starting out they want to know what’s done, what they can potentially sell now. And, often, the publisher won’t want to purchase a trilogy or, if they do, editorial changes might make parts of your current plan moot.
Start querying and good luck!
Publishing is a slow business. Slow like molasses. Slow like an iceberg. Slow like…a very slow thing. If you wait, you’ll only be prolonging the process of getting that first book on the shelf.
Send that puppy out. Tomorrow.
I haven’t had much luck with agents myself, but I’d send out manuscript one, and in my query, mention what will happen in two and three, and that they’re in progress. Not everyone can be like Peter Jackson and make/sell all three parts at once 🙂
Sounds unanimous thus far. Just to make it clear: yes, books two and three are written, but they haven’t gone through the final edit.
Thanks everyone! Guess I have to get back to Guide to Literary Agents.
Did you ever read this? This is cool. http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,1033771,00.html
I’m going to read chapter one, thanks. Also consider this advice for authors from The Velvet Blog…http://jddblog.blogspot.com/
Only you can decide if book one is ready to go. If you feel it’s ready, pack it up and ship it out.
Don’t worry about book two and three. Once it’s sold, book one will take 12 to 15 months to get into print (or longer.) If you sold it tomorrow, you’re talking late Spring 2007 at the earliest.
Any sequel novels bought under a multi-book contract will typically be spaced for release anywhere from 8 to 12 months after the debut novel, which takes you comfortably into 2008-2009. Your publisher will arrange those dates with you when you negotiate the contract.
Thanks, Sheila. That definitely settles it.
Okay, y’all, look for Nest to hit the bestseller list in Summer ’07! Woo-hoo!
I did ten years of networking (was in charge of programs for state novelists’ organization), and even back then consensus among editors was submit the first completed manuscript – then we’ll worry about the follow-up books.
SUBMIT IT NOW *wink*
…oh…and best of luck!
one more p.s. – if you DO land your dream agent and publisher – reconsider before signing anything about blanket accounting or basket accounting. You really don’t want to wait to get paid for book #1 until all 3 books have gone to print…you’d be looking at waiting years after contract before monies on book #1 alone.
again…best of luck, Doug. May this be “the one” for you.
Thanks, Lyn. Yes, I do want my money in this lifetime 😉
submit the damned thing. you mean you aren’t already?
Okay, okay! I’m submitting, I’m submitting!
Well, I’m late to the party again. Guess it doesn’t matter what I say, but for what it’s worth, I’m throwing in with the majority (and with what you’ve already decided).
Market the first one now now now.