The 15 Percent Solution

When I was at Mt. Hermon in March, one of the conferees asked me a question I hear a lot. “One of the instructors told me that he only receives about 10 to 15 percent of the manuscripts he requests. Is that true?”



The cross overlooking
the Blue Ridge conference



Well…yes. More or less. The figure will differ a bit for every agent and editor, but for many of us, that’s about average. Last year at the Blue Ridge conference, I requested 27 manuscripts. I received five.

So why would a writer pass on such an opportunity?

Most of the time, I’ll never know. Some write me to say that they’ve decided to revise one more time. Others sign with agents. A lucky few get asked for a proposal by several editors, and they pick and choose who they’ll send to. Now and again, they decide they just don’t like me.

Still others…never finish the book.

That last excuse is the primary reason editors require first-time authors to submit a complete manuscript before they offer a contract. Simply too many writers have a good idea with a great hook, then spend five years perfecting the first three chapters. And nothing else.

As an editor, I hope to work with authors for a long time. I want to see them grow, see each book improve, see their career take off for the heights. In order to do that, they’ll need to write multiple books, at least one or two a year, if not more.   

But here’s the bottom line: if an editor or agent requests your manuscript, stay in touch. Email them directly after the conference and either send your proposal or thank them for the request. If you’re not ready to submit, tell them why. Ask if there’s an expiration date on the invitation. Most of us aren’t ogres. Nor will it hurt our feelings to know that you want to give someone else the first crack at your manuscript. It’s part of the business.

And this is a business. As a result, the more professionally you behave, the better chance you have of finding a publisher.