You’ve spent months, maybe even years, perfecting your manuscript, your baby. You’ve read each word no less than a thousand times and you’ve had friends, family, and critique partners analyze every plot point. It’s practically tied with a pretty pink bow for the all-powerful agents to adore. You submit. They are… less than enthusiastic. But wait a second. Amid the rejections, you find interest! An agent loves your voice, thinks your story has “potential”, if only you’d change a few things.
The agent wants revisions before signing you. Do you dare?
Let me back up a little, three years to be exact. I met Holly Root with The Waxman Agency at a conference in Dallas, my very first writer’s conference. I didn’t let a little thing like pride and inhibition get in my way. When I saw her sitting in a chair with not a writer around, I sat down, introduced myself, and we started talking about the business. No pitch, just conversation. It was the best thing I could have done for my writing career. Not only did I leave that brief meeting with new insight into the market, I knew Holly was “the one.” I submitted three manuscripts over the next two years, fingers crossed, pink bow in place. She kindly, wisely turned down both manuscripts, each time with the suggestions and finesse you’d expect from a top notch agent. I took that advice and did my best to improve my writing. After reading my third submission, FLAWLESS, Holly called me. Instead of offering representation, she said, “You’re so close with this one. I think you need to…”
I took notes throughout our conversation, then took some time to let it digest. I realized her suggestions were spot-on (of course!), and went to work. Two weeks later, I signed with Holly Root. I never once second-guessed revising for Holly before she’d offered representation. Would I have done that for any agent? Absolutely not. But I’d established a relationship with Holly. I trusted her implicitly.
Ultimately, it comes down to your relationship with the agent asking for revisions before signing. Holly never guaranteed representation if I made the changes she suggested, nor would I have expected her to. It’s a gamble, but if you trust the agent, and trust your instincts, you’re going to come out on the other side with a better manuscript.
Best of luck in your search for the right agent for your baby!
Lara Chapman is the busy single mother of two amazing children and calls Central Texas home. She juggles motherhood, her full-time job as a fifth grade teacher, and part-time passion as a writer with the grace of a… So, it’s not graceful, but she somehow manages to keep all the balls in the air (most days). Lara’s young adult novel, FLAWLESS, will be released by Bloomsbury Children’s in 2011. You can visit her online at www.larachapman.com.
* * *
Sincere thanks to Lara for sharing her story and best wishes for her release of FLAWLESS.
Since I've addressed the topic of revising for an agent prior to representation, I wanted to share a story of how it can pay off. 
