Sorry for being MIA. Things are still insanely busy around casa Summers. I’ve been on the phone with insurance companies, accountants, etc. and have been answering emails from publishers and ex-agents. I just started this. And no, before you ask, I have not made my word count today. I hope to get some work done later, but not sure it’s going to happen. Tomorrow is my niece’s fifth birthday and I haven’t managed a gift or a card. Sigh. I have the Salvation Army coming tomorrow morning to pick up the ton of stuff that we’ve sorted through for the move. I hope whoever is driving has very strong arms. (wg)
On one of the lists that I belong to the authors have been talking about the difference between representing yourself and having an agent. It’s been a pretty interesting discussion. The most interesting thing that’s come out of the talk is how people (ie writers) define the ‘rules’ of publishing.
What do I mean? Well, some people believe that when a publisher or agent says not to send multiple submissions that you should listen. When I say multiple submissions, I’m not talking about sending the same manuscript to different people within the same publishing house/agency. I’m talking about sending out multiple submissions/queries to various publishing houses/agencies. I always figured that ‘rule’ was like parlay in Pirates of the Caribbean…more of a guideline. 
I think the bottom line is that as long as you’re acting like a professional when you conduct yourself in this business, then you don’t have to worry so much about the ‘rules’.
October 15th, 2007
I’ll admit to taking those as ‘guidelines’ than rules. Case in point: when I was querying, I sent my book to a publisher who wanted an exclusive, yet said their average response time was 9-12 months. Um, NO, they didn’t get an exclusive. Good thing, too. They didn’t respond to my submission for 15, count em’, 15 months. By that time, I’d signed with an agent, AND gotten a 2-book deal. When they did finally respond, it was to form-letter reject me. If I’d given them their exclusive, I would have wasted all that time - and my book deal! - just to get their “Dear Author” no. You can safely say I’m glad I did multiple submissions instead
by Jeaniene October 15th, 2007 at 5:24 pmJeaniene, I hear you. There are reasons why some rules should be broken.
by Jordan October 15th, 2007 at 6:04 pmWait, did I miss it? You got the house? Mazel Tov! I hope it’s everything you’re dreaming of!
by Jo Leigh October 15th, 2007 at 7:57 pmJo, You haven’t missed anything. The house is moving forward. All that’s left (I hope.) is the paperwork for closing.
Thank you! 
by Jordan October 15th, 2007 at 9:26 pmThat’s an interesting subject. It seems like so many pubs insist they’re not interested in mss that are subbed to others at the same time–but the waiting times are often crazy, the wait often ends in rejections, and sometimes not even that–mss get lost.
A multi-pubbed author once told me a writer was crazy NOT to submit to multiple places. Think she may have been right.
by raine October 15th, 2007 at 9:39 pmRaine, I know she was right. The wait is too long to even consider doing that. The only time I wouldn’t multi-submit is if I had a request for a full. But even then, I’d only give it so long.
by Jordan October 15th, 2007 at 10:02 pm