The SECOND revision, duh! I just wanted to give you an update on my upcoming novel which we hope will soon be known as the “previously unpublished, now a best-seller” novel.
When I received the first correspondence from my agent, Susan Hawk, I read through the seven pages of revisions she’d suggested and took a deep breath. I was pretty sure I could do it all and in a timely manner. It helped that I agreed with her suggestions and that they hadn’t included anything too extensive like killing off two of the main four characters. Whew. I finished the revisions and sent them back within the three month deadline I’d given myself. I did ASK if she wanted it in a particular timeframe but she’d declined to give me one. So three months it was.
Then – I got a very nice email.
Hi Lisa,
Just wanted to let you know that I finally have responses from all the readers and it’s unanimous – your book is a total joy to read! Everyone has really enjoyed it. There are some places that need a little tightening, and some questions that I have for you, but I think you’ve done the major re-work. So, many thanks for the good, hard work you’ve done so far. I will have a letter detailing the remaining issues for you by end of next week.
A few days later, I got a second letter. This was different in that Susan had gone through my entire manuscript and made proofreading notes, as well as line edits. Thinks like [tighten] and [this passage is confusing]. So I began my second round of revision. This one took much less time – about three weeks. Again, I agreed with my agent and felt like the changes made the book stronger. Then I emailed it back to her and waited.
Hi Lisa,
Just checking in with you. I’ve finished your revise and it was a total pleasure to read! It’s always been that way of course, but testament to your writing the great changes that you’ve made that I find it even more so now. I do have some line edits, and I’m pulling that together for you, but in the meantime – thank you!
More soon, Susan
Now I’m on revision number three. Because agents/publishers/editors go on vacation during the summer, I’ve got a bit of leeway until I send it back. Our goal is to have it done, polished, perfected, and sent out by September. Which is why this summer will now be known as the “Summer of Constant Prayer.”
So, where are YOU in the process?
