I got an R&R!

[MissLM]

Hey! So, not too long ago, I pitched my story to an agent on Twitter. (Agent was hosting a session. I didn't just do it randomly.) From there, agent requested the query, synopsis, and a partial. I sent the requested materials, and shortly thereafter agent requested the full, and sounded enthusiastic. Maybe a week later, agent sent me a list of revision notes and asked if I would be willing to apply them, and then send the manuscript back.

So, does this sound promising to you guys? Agent has had three chances to reject me so far, but has reiterated how much they love the story multiple times. So, if they reject me now, that means it's solely my fault. No "It's not for me," or, "I didn't connect with the story." I've never gotten an R&R before, so this is all new to me. Feel free to share your thoughts and stories with me! .

[Midwest]

Congratulations! 

The agent clearly sees promise in your ms. I'd consider this a successful step. 

You'll find R&R stories of various types around here and elsewhere online. Some ppl have received offers of rep from the R&R agent and some have heard a no from that agent, but then a yes from the next agent who reads the now-revised ms. Ultimately, if you agree with the changes and believe they'll make the ms better, revise away. You may not agree with all of them -- leave any you don't love and just make the revisions you truly feel make senses.

This R&R agent could work out, or maybe the next agent who reads your new and improved ms will work out. Either way, you have some feedback now from someone in the industry about how to revise the ms to make it more compelling, either for her or for someone else, and that kind of feedback is very valuable.

Good luck with it!

[emel00]

Congratulations LisaLue!

I think it definitely sounds promising! She wouldn't take the time to work with you if she didn't like the story or your writing. I hope it all works out for you!!

[Zooks]

So exciting, LisaLue.  I agree w/Midwest re: make whatever changes the agent suggested that sit well w/you.  Best wishes to you on this.   

[myidea]

Midwest gave you great advice.  If you feel good about the changes, it's a win win. 

I didn't get an offer from my R&R agent, but I truly believe it helped guide me to the offer I did get.  I was thankful for the notes and the manuscript was better for it.

Good luck!! 

[Kimmy]

Yes, it sounds great! I got an R&R by an agent, who ultimately passed, but that improved manuscript got me my book deal with Spencer Hill Press! So either way it's a win-win situation!

[lexcade]

That's wonderful, sweetie! Congrats! 

[dougie]

Congratulations, LisaLue!  Agents wouldn't spend the time putting together detailed notes if they didn't see real promise in your work.  Midwest gave some great advice.  Whatever changes you can make will only make the manuscript more appealing to other agents if this one doesn't ultimately work out, so revise away!

[Falen]

Woo hoo! Congrats! I hope something great comes out of it for you! 

[MissLM]

Thank you, everyone! All of the agent's revisions made total sense, so I'm planning on implementing all of them. I guess it's just a matter of whether or not it turns out how they want.

[MissLM]

So, I've been working in my revisions for about a week now, and while I'm not done, I started wondering about how long this should take me. I don't want to send it back too soon, because I don't want them to think that I rushed it and didn't do my best. But I don't want to take to long, either, and have them think that I'm a procrastinator and can't get things done in a timely manner. And since the revisions were small, like, nothing in the plot that needed to be changed, it won't take me too long to finish them.

Feel free to share your thoughts on this. Thank you.

[Zooks]

It takes as long as it takes.  3 weeks could work, depending on the amount/type of revisions necessary.  Take into account, too, other things...like life - family, work, etc.  Good luck.

[violet]

Agents can get a little nervous if you send them back too soon. They don't think you necessarily did the work. I'm not a fan of this thinking because someone can be unemployed and able to work 24/7 on a ms while someone who has a 60-hour work week might take longer.

That being said, most of what I've read is an average of 3 months. You need to fix things, let it cure, have a beta look at it, and then make the appropriate changes.

A gal I know took 9 months to do her R/R. I know others who have taken 3 weeks.

While there is no "right" amount, don't rush it. If you like this agent, this is your one chance to prove yourself and you want to show up with the best possible product you can.

Good luck!