The Edit Letter
A Love Letter from Agent to Author
Receiving an Edit Letter from an agent is indicative that they love your manuscript. They are excited to develop a relationship with you and shepherd your book toward publication.
To be clear, though they may “love” your book, an Edit Letter is only an ‘almost there’ indicator; it’s not a guarantee of an offer of lifelong representation nor a promise you’ll be published. But if you get an Edit Letter from your agent, they love your work, have signed you as a client, and are eagerly awaiting your polished manuscript for their submission to publishers on your behalf.
Often, Edit Letters are formulated through a team process.
One or more agents, assistants, agency beta-readers, and, in some cases, interns will read your book and draft a personalized Edit Letter from their perspective. Next, your agent will compile the drafts and finalize one letter for you, or if they share the same opinions, may put their finishing flourishes on one and send it your way. The goal is to extract their cumulative expertise on what sells in the marketplace and how a manuscript should be formatted and polished, so they can best represent your work.
To help make this process smooth for you as an author, your agent, and ultimately your publisher, keep these things in mind:
You’re the Client. You have final say on how your manuscript reads and looks. If you don’t agree with the suggestions outlined in the Edit Letter, that’s fine. Express your concerns and why you chose not to make those changes. Most likely, you’ll reach an agreement. But be prepared that your agent may feel strongly about some suggestions and ultimately decide not to take on the project. Keeping an open mind, establishing a good rapport with your agent, and having a shared understanding of the marketplace will go a long way toward smoothing out the wrinkles and giving this “love story” a happily-ever-after.
Clean Documents Matter. I’m not talking about avoiding virtual coffee stains, but polishing spelling and grammar. Let me stress, I’m no expert in editing, so I invest in help. On the other hand, the content I receive from Books Uplift and the agency is sometimes shocking. It’s not uncommon for me to open a document submitted by authors (and publicists) that contains well over 150 grammatical and spelling errors. At some point, no Edit Letter is worth this much time crafting. Trust me, agents will pass on great books because the editing that’s needed is overwhelming.
Turnaround is Important. The moment you open an Edit Letter, the clock starts ticking. Sure, you’ll get more than enough time to make necessary revisions and rewrites, but that doesn’t mean you get a lifetime. Reply to let your literary agent know it’s received and suggest a deadline that works for you to revise and resubmit. Once you’ve agreed upon a deadline, hunker down and get to work.
You Get One Shot. Well, typically that’s the case. Often, when an editor passes on a project, they don’t revisit it. Yes, there are exceptions, but, as in an interview, you get one chance to make a first impression. That’s why it’s important to consider the suggestions in the Edit Letter thoughtfully and know they are designed to help you wow editors when the pitch is made.
Always Be Gracious. It’s nice to work with a professional partner, and when the author and agent are gracious and supportive, it goes a long way in making the author’s journey from project to published that much easier and fulfilling. So, please take a moment and thank your agent for taking the time to read, re-read, and thoughtfully craft an Edit Letter with your success in mind.
It’s Not Personal. It’s business. They already love your manuscript and only want to improve your chances. Any feedback is intended to improve your work and is never a criticism of your work or of you as an author. Remember, the Edit Letter is a love letter to you, the author. And your agent is eagerly awaiting a positive response.
I hope this article gave you a few useful ideas. I would be honored if you shared it on social media. Speaking of sharing, please share your ideas and experiences below. Together, we can build an uplifting community that uplifts each other’s happiness, well-being, creativity, and success.
