What happens AFTER you sign with an agent or publisher?
If you get an offer from either an agent or a publisher, congratulations! That's no easy feat.
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Read below to learn more!
Signing with an agent vs. a publisher
What is it like?
When you sign with an agent, you sign a contract that usually lasts 2 years. You can break the contract at any time. After this, you'll get to work -- your agent will either edit the manuscript with you, or go straight to submitting to publishers.
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You should decide now: are you comfortable with smaller publishers or bigger ones? Make that clear with your agent. You should be on the same page. Communication is key in every relationship, and that includes with your agent!
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Your agent will give you a list of publishers they're submitting to and the editors. After this, be prepared to wait.
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A long, long time. It can take up to 10 months to hear back from editors. They are SWAMPED with manuscripts.
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What to do in the meantime? Plenty! Write a new book, keep working on your craft, read, and work on your social media presence.
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What if you get NO editors interested? This is a difficult spot to be in. In this case, your agent may ask you if you have anything else. Again, this is why writing new stuff is so important.
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How is working with a publisher different?
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It removes the middle step of working with an agent. The publisher will then ready your book for publication: edits, cover design, marketing, etc. Your book will be in your hands soon! Which always feels amazing.
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What happens when your agent leaves the agency/quits/retires? This happened to me. For some authors, they're assigned a new agent at the same agency. For others, they have to return to querying, what I'm doing now. Does it suck to start all over again? Yes. But the second time around, you have more knowledge and experience. So keep going!
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