Opportunities like this don't come along often, so you must take it.

I'd be tempted to email/ring them and say you're in the process of making final edits and the m/s will be with them as soon as is practicable, but I wouldn't put a date on that.

You'll have to look sharp though. If an agent asks, you have to give the impression of professionalism and if you can't make a deadline with them, they'll doubt your ability to meet publisher's deadlines.

From me, however, and I'm sure from everyone else, good luck. I hope it pans out for you. I might be found pottering in The Shed or Haunting Melmerby Manor

Congratulations Elidh!

This is excellent news, and I understand how delighted you must be--especially after the hard times you've gone through with reviews.

I haven't had a request for a full, so my advice is only based on the research I've done.

As the previous poster says, once they've requested a full, your best response is to send the manuscript as fast as possible. This shows you're a professional with a finished book.

In your case, the problem is that you've sent the query without having finished the preparation of the manuscript. My own opinion is not to call them but spend one day, or two days max on your book. Confirm your receipt of their message via email. Then send it via the fastest method possible. Maybe even use a courier.

The lesson for us all: don't send queries until you've got the book ready.

However, I can understand why you did it. We all need little things to keep us going, and a request for a full is a big boost!

Once again, well done Elidh!

Thank you!

My ms is finished and when I sent out the queries I thought it only needs minor touch ups and edits that can be easily done in a couple of days.

I'm confused because recent reviews made be believe that my book is crap and I should store it away and write something different and try to salvage it later.

Now I had queried my crappy book including a crappy partial and they want to see the rest.

Which form shall I send? The crappy one they liked? Or summersault through hoops and try to re-write it?

I like Tabby's advise and this is what I'm going to do. Keep writing.

And can I also add that my opening chapters, like Eilidh's aren't doing that well on here either, so for anyone reading this who feels miserable about being low in the charts, it doesn't necessarily mean much in the general scheme of things.
Keep on writing and get your work out there because you never know.

First off: well done Eilidh!

My view, for what it’s worth, is that you need to send off the best possible version of the book. Requests for fulls don’t come that often (as has been said) so it’s an opportunity not to be missed. It would be a terrible shame to rush the MS to the agent just to get it with them… then have it rejected bcs it wasn’t 100% up to scratch.

I saw a recent post on here about it being fine to send off opening chapters without a completed book. My view has always been you need as much of the book as possible (preferably all of it). That way if you do get some interest you can capitalise on it quickly. What’s the point of an agent liking your opening if they have to wait a year for the rest of the novel!?

Back to Eilidh… get as good a MS to the agent asap… but don’t stint on the quality. They won’t mind a two week wait (most agents have a pile of things to get through anyway).

One final point – raised by Richie_d – don’t send a MS by courier. Agents/publishers hate this (unless you’re already a big name with them). Most agents etc receive 200+ MSS a week. Imagine if someone had to sign for all of them. I used to do it until my agent politely asked me to desist (explaining the reason above). Since then – it’s been regular mail for me!

Good luck with things. Let us know what happens. Hope the news will be

G.

Pls vist my site and sign up at:

www.africareich.com