Hello Effie – When querying an agent (or when an agent sends manuscripts to editors), the response may be Yes, No, or nothing. But there’s also Maybe, which can be communicated as an R&R.

“Maybe” is exciting—someone responded! While it would be great if this meant “time for rest and relaxation,” when you get that “revise and resubmit” request you might be jumping into action.

THE GOOD NEWS
An R&R means the recipient read your submission, has spent time considering it, and is providing you with feedback. Yay! Expect to hear why they like your story but also where they feel something’s lacking. We love our characters and their stories, so it’s tough hearing something’s not working. Take time to read and digest the comments, consider the suggestions with an open mind. For a YA book, an R&R may involve a lot of revision depending on the issue, or it could be a more minor thing that you see does need to be fixed. So what are your options?

YES
If you agree with the suggestions, respond saying you will address those issues and send a revised manuscript back either by the date they stated or provide a realistic date of your own. If the revision is extensive, consider touching base in a month or two, demonstrating you’re committed to this task.

NO
If the critique seems to move the book away from where you feel it should go, trust your instincts and keep the manuscript as is. Thank the agent or editor for their time to let them know you’re appreciative but that you are choosing not to R&R. But be sure before closing that door; you may not get the opportunity to change your mind if, for example, you later hear similar feedback from others.

MAYBE
If you’re unsure, don’t close that door just yet. Instead, provide a time-commitment statement that you can abide by. If you are not given a due date to respond, create your own, staying within a reasonable period of time. For example, “I appreciate your feedback and would like to take the rest of this month to consider how to apply it to my manuscript.” Once that time has run out, send a message indicating whether you’ve made changes, need more time, or are choosing not to R&R. If that person isn’t the right one for this book, that’s not a problem, keep looking.

THE BOTTOM LINE
Absolutely be excited to have gotten a response and some feedback. Be thankful someone’s taken the time to provide you with this for free and consider their suggestions with an open mind.

Don’t shy away from revision; it’s something you’ll be doing as the manuscript moves toward publication. A manuscript isn’t “done” until you’re holding the published book in your hands!

An R&R is no guarantee of an offer. Even if you revise and seemingly address the points raised, that person may still pass for whatever reason. View the time spent as a learning experience, a useful exercise to try something new.

Kid lit is a small world; be considerate of what you’re saying and take the high road in interactions. You never know, a Maybe today may become a Yes in the future, perhaps for a different submission.

—Christine

HAVE QUESTIONS?

To ask a question that may be answered in an upcoming Kite Tales, please follow this link and fill in the form. Answers by Christine Van Zandt, literary editor and writer, and owner of Write for Success Editing Services.

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