My children's novel is being looked at in full by a publisher (let us call them Figwash & Turnip - no reason,just sounds good). I'm working on something else, which I might well finish before they get back to me. I think it could suit them but have other publishers in mind too.
So... if I DO finish the new novel before I've heard from them, should I:
a)send the new novel out to a different publisher?
b) send the new novel off to Figwash & Turnip, either ringing first to ask if they would be interested, or else just submitting as an unsolicited 3 chapters? Will it encourage them to know that I have something else available too? Or will they not want to hear about it while considering the first?

Not publishers as such, but I have let the agent who is considering my full MS know that I'm battering through a second too.
I figure it helps to know you are capable of being more than a one hit wonder.

While Lola's not wrong (although I think its ;more applicable to agents than pubs) I think that each piece will be consisdered on its own merits, so I'd be tempted to send to someone else. Plus, if a publisher is looking at two pieces from one writer it could very easily become confusing.

Nik.

I'd have thought sending to a new publisher would also cover my back - give me a chance at two places. But should I then give Figwash & Turnip a call to see if they want it? Or is that pushy?


<Added>

I mean call FW & T first, before sending anywhere else.

Not unless it's perfect for them. You can always try them with it at a later date if the other pub says no and after they've come to a decision on the one you sent them. And you're right about it giving you a chance in two places.

Nik.

Figwash and Turnip is a great name for a children's book.

I'm surprised your editor hasn't asked you what you're working on. Publishers very often prefer to buy books in pairs (whether they're written or not). Do you have a good relationship with F & T, are you happy with them?

<Added>

Doh - ignore that last sentence. I mis-read the post and thought they were in the process of publishing your first novel. But if they like your ms, the usual tack is to ask where you see your career going, ie what's in the pipeline, and two-book deals are very common.

In other words, why not hang on just until you get a response from F & T?

I'd agree with Lammi - don't complicate the issue at the moment with F&T now, but hold your fire and wait you've heard from them about number one - because they may well be interested in number two - before you send it elsewhere.

Emma

Okay. That's helpful, guys, thanks. More I read here the more I realise how little I know about what the heck it takes to get a book out there!

In other words, why not hang on just until you get a response from F & T

well, I wanted to cut time hanging around, if it turns out FW&T don't want Book A after all - it will be less disheartening to be rejected if I know I still have a chance with Book B at Mudskip, Fiddle & Radish Ltd.....

Mudskip, Fiddle and Radish- I like it!

How long have they had it, SS?

O gosh, only a week. I just don't want to lose 3 months of my life sitting on a MS they might like, only to end up with a rejection in the end for the MS they're looking at now, when the second MS could have been earning its keep with Mudskip & Co.

It's your call, of course, but my strong instinct would be to hang on, because it might cause embarrassing complications otherwise. I think you need to look professional and reliable from day one.

Then, if Figwash reject you, you could perhaps re-work your submission into a two-book package and multiple-sub it.

Unfortunately a lot of the writing game is waiting-around-for-people. There are blank periods all the way along the process, from the day you send your ms onwards. There can be two years between the signing of a contract and a book appearing in print. Fees can take months to appear in your bank account. It's best to get straight on with the next project and try to take your mind off the calendar, imo.

you could perhaps re-work your submission into a two-book package and multiple-sub it.

This is an interesting idea, but these 2 particular books aren't related, can I still do this? (They are for the same age-group, but not the same characters or anything).