STATUS: It’s actually a gorgeous day in Colorado. 70 degrees and we are almost to the end of October! I want to pop out early and take a long walk with Chutney. I’ll work more tonight.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? DO YA by Neil Nathan
When I was out in New York, I was super pleased to hear this little tidbit of news from two editors at two different publishing houses. It used to be that in the children’s realm, an agent could only submit to one children’s imprint at a time under the larger corporate umbrella.
In the adult realm, we never did this. We’d submit to all imprints and just make sure the editors in the same house knew who else had it.
Well, it was considered a no-no in the children’s realm (Sidenote: I often did what I wanted anyway and submit simultaneously if I thought the project was right for more than one imprint. I did get reprimanded a couple of times, but what are they going to do? Not allow me future submissions?)
Anyway, to get back on topic, I’m super thrilled to hear the news because of course I’m not interested in deliberately annoying people. I just thought this rule was rather dumb.
What if I submit to one imprint at let’s say XYZ Children’s and the project moves fast (as in lots of editors interested) but that particular XYZ editor passes on it. Well, now there is no time for me to ping another XYZ editor at a different imprint. I’m already setting up the auction or what have you. Now that publisher is completely shut out of the action even though the project “might” have been a fit for a different imprint and editor.
It bugged me. I never want a publisher to not have the opportunity to participate and now that there is a shift in mindset on this particular topic, it won’t happen.
- Do Ya by Neil Nathan
Awesome news. Thanks for sharing it. Hope all is well in your world. Great to hear about the nice weather in CO – I’m looking forward to spending Thanksgiving there w/family. 🙂
Always happy to hear some good news in this realm 🙂
I’m experiencing a reading comprehension deficit here– what news? Is it now all right to submit to multiple imprints?
And if so, at which publishers?
I didn’t get it either. Did I miss the news part?
That is good news!
Sounds like a logical move to me! I understand asking for exclusivity at times, but there are instances when it just doesn’t make sense…like magazines that won’t get back to a writer for six months… or agents who ONLY read exclusive queries (but don’t send any material. They’ll request pages and a synopsis if they’re interested.)
Kristin — You didn’t share the news!
I assume it’s that the kidlit publishers you talked to are no longer requiring exclusive subs among their imprints.
Would you mind telling us which publisher/s this is/are, so we have a clue?
Lol, I didn’t quite see the actual news either, but I garnered that now you can submit to multiple imprints within a publishing house? That sounds great to me!
Another archaic rule bites the dust?