Hello all,

Maybe a silly question, but I just thought I'd ask. I'm thinking about submitting my first novel to agents in the next couple of months and I'm realising that, if I keep to my timetable, I'll be sending out in November. Does anyone know: is that a bad time to be planning to submit, just in the run-up to Christmas?

many thanks
Claire

Nothing wrong with November. Just reading about some of the US Agencies closing for the summer. Some seem to clear the decks in the run up to christmas, and they're pretty busy in the run up to the bookfairs, and some close their lists if they don't have room to take on anyone new (but don't always tell anyone), so, basically, submit and be damned.

Yes, i read not to submit during the summer holidays [ school and perhaps even general holidays] because of the sudden desire of people who are off to finally complete and submit their pieces of work because they have the time so publishers/agents may get more than usual. Cant remember where i read that but i reckon that there is a lot of truth in that!

Just submit, for goodness sake, ignore the politics, guidelines, whatever, and get it out there if this is the time you are ready.

And Good Luck. Luck will always be with you whatever the time of year.

And get on with the next whilst you are waiting.

I think there's probably a bit of truth, for some agents, some of the time, in most things people say. The trouble is, they all conflict.

"Don't submit in August, everyone's away."
"Do submit in August, it's when they have time to read things."

etc. etc

Add in the fact that some read their slushpile in bits all through the week, others leave it a month then spend a weekend on the mountain, and there's really no point in try to second-guess it. Just send it in, and wait. If they like it, you'll hear eventually.

Emma