Q&A Thursday

Catching Up Edition

Hi Friends!

I have a Tuesday post for you all in drafts that I’m still polishing because I spent all day yesterday at the U.S. Book Show (thanks for the press pass, Publishers Weekly!) and I learned so much it actually changed what I was going to write!!!! My brain is overflowing with new info and sight. I owe you one and it’s coming soon.

In the meantime, let’s answer some questions, as we are wont to do on Thursdays.

H asks: How long does it normally take for an editor to start reading the manuscript? How long does it normally take to get feedback? I submitted my entire draft manuscript to my editor on the day it was due. She said there must be something in the air because everyone was submitting manuscripts to her at the same time. I took this to mean that she would need a while with mine. It's going on two months and she hasn't started reading it. That is truly okay with me. Having this magical distance for the first time has been brilliant. But having worked toward a deadline for almost two years, it's strange to have nothing on the calendar to look forward to, to plan around.  Everything you write is comforting, illuminating, and motivating, which is why I ask this question despite knowing that normal is barely anyone's experience!

There’s no normal or documented average time for an editor to start or finish reading a manuscript. Some editors I know are lightning fast (looking at you, Vicki Lame!) and others are….not. (No, I’m not going to publicly shame an editor here lol). This is fine! I am also very slow when it comes to reading and feedback. Sometimes all the manuscripts DO come in at once and then the kitchen sink breaks and then you have to go out of town for your aunt’s 100th birthday and and and and. Life happens.