What is a Revise and Resubmit?
An R&R is a request from an agent (or perhaps from an editor, but we'll stick to the agent side of things here) to a writer to make certain changes to the writer's manuscript before the agent will further consider representation of the manuscript in question.
How often do R&Rs happen?
The easy answer would be to say more often than immediate offers of representation but far less often than immediate rejections. They don't happen all that often, really. I've seen a couple go out since I started reading for La Agent. And that's out of hundreds of queries.
What does an R&R look like?
Generally it's an e-mail detailing both the positives of the manuscript and the changes needed/requested. At this point, you aren't going to see line edits, but you will see commentary on larger issues like plot, character development and tone. There will likely be lots of questions to help you untangle the problems with your manuscript as well as suggestions for improvements and/or recommendations for other books similar to yours that you might want to read to see how a subject matter or style is treated.
Should I be excited or disappointed to receive an R&R?
You will likely be both. Such is the emotional mania that is publishing. It's disappointing to not get that immediate offer of representation, however, keep in mind that an R&R is indicative of doing something right. After all, an agent spends quite a bit of time carefully reading your manuscript, agonizing over whether or not to offer and, ultimately, preparing pages of notes for you. That kind of investment means the agent *did* like something(s) about your manuscript, but it's just not there yet.
What are some specific things that would cause an agent to ask for an R&R rather than simply offer or reject?
This is particular to individual agents and individual manuscripts. The best I can do here is answer to my own experience. I have written up notes on a couple different projects I thought were suited for an R&R and the reasons for that varied. In one case, I was in love with the crafting of the writing. It was the rare kind of writing that gives me goosebumbs because it's so beautiful. However, the pacing was lacking and the plot needed some extensive work. But, oh, that writing! It wasn't quite ready and I wanted to see the how the writer stepped outside the crafting of words part of writing and worked through those other issues first. In another case, I thought the plot/concept and world building were really great, though (again) the pacing and tension were off and the writing needed to be strengthened. With some revisions, that manuscript could have something more to support the strong concept. In both cases I found myself connecting with some element of the manuscript, but I wasn't floored as I read. BUT! I could see the possibility of being floored with some changes.
How often do R&Rs result in an offer of representation?
Unfortunately, it rarely happens. Most often because the writer (for any of a number of reasons) rushes through the revisions and does not end up producing a superior product for the agent to reconsider. And it's a bummer when that happens! Remember how the agent connects with some part of your manuscript in order to offer the R&R in the first place? They really do want to see an improved manuscript so they can connect with all the other elements. It's not a trick nor a conspiracy nor any of that other nonsense.
I also wanted you to get another perspective on R&Rs, so I asked The One Who Put The Awesome In Agent (aka MY supertastic agent, Suzie Townsend - not to be confused with La Agent, for whom I read) to answer a few questions about Revise and Resubmits:
Why would you choose to ask a writer to revise and resubmit a project?
If I love the premise and the project has a strong voice, but there are plot holes and issues that might be fixable, I'll ask the author to revise and let me see it again.
What are the elements that might stand out to you, yet not be enough to convince you to take the project on just yet?
For me, the difference in offering on a project and asking for revisions is the amount of the revisions I think the project needs, such as if the revisions are smaller - fleshing out smaller plot, world, or character issues. When a ms needs big revisions - redeveloping a plot line, fixing something about a main character, etc - there are a couple reasons for a revise and resubmit. If the agent wants massive revisions it might change the vision of the book, and an author might not want to commit to that.
And what are your expectations for the resubmitted work?
My expectation is that it will be even better and I'll like it even more than I did the first time. And the writer needs to have taken the time to thoroughly revise. Not necessarily just followed my notes with specific examples and not necessarily just fixed the minor issues I found, but the whole manuscript should show that the writer took the revision ideas and applied them through the whole ms.
I truly hope this post has helped with understanding the basics of Revise and Resubmits. This blog will be kind of quiet, I expect, in the next week or so as I head out to the coast (I might throw up a few pictures for amusement :D), but if you have any more questions, feel free to leave them in the comments and I'll answer as I check in.
Have a fantastic week!
7 comments:
I was wondering what's the expected timeline on R &R's. Does an agent expect to have a revised MS in a month, 2, 3, 6?
such a wonderful, informative post!
In my experience, the agent didn't put a timeline on the R&R--she told me to take as much time as I needed. And since I had six weeks that were almost completely free--summer break from teaching, I worked on it almost constantly and finished in those six weeks. (By the end, I was having migraines and nightmares--but it was done and much, much better.) Now I'm waiting to hear if the agent agrees.
Great post. Thanks, Kristin!
Claire: There isn't a specific timeline for R&Rs. Agents understand that writers write at different speeds. You'll most often hear someone say take the time needed to do a proper job, however long that may be. Having said that, six months is a little long, whereas a week feels too short. Six weeks, as Connie mentioned, is right in that good range. Depending on the magnitude of the revisions, I'd look favorably on anything from 2-3 weeks to 2-3 months. As I said in my other post on this topic, don't let the fear of an agent forgetting your project rush your work. S/he won't forget. But it you hold off too long, the agent may wonder if you are seriously pursuing the revisions.
Awesome post! thanks for writing it!
Thanks Kristin!
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