How Fast Should You Complete Revisions For Editors and Agents

Let's talk about something that all writers would love to have happen. You received in your email inbox the following message:

Dear Author,

There are a lot of things about your story that work. At this time, I am passing on your project, however, if you wish to make some changes to it, please feel free to resubmit. 

At that point, they even tell you the things that they liked, and more importantly, the things that they would love to see changed. They even told you to take as much as time as you needed. There is no rush.

Woo hoo! Time to celebrate!

But the real question here is, how much time should you take to get those revisions finished? Well, you came to the right place. My answer? 

AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!!!

Consider this. You are still fresh in that editor or agent's head. They are still getting a ton of manuscripts coming in. They are editing and working with all of their own clients, BUT, you still have the chance that they still will remember you and they will still likely remember what they told you to do. So take advantage of it. 

Secondly, you are also showing them how fast and how expertly you can take their advice and turn it into the project that they wanted to see. In the world of publishing, it is a hurry up and wait business. You will be asked to get those revisions back quickly when you do get that elusive contract so why not prove it to them now. 

Finally, remember that the market changes constantly. They are asking for something because it is what they want NOW. If you wait too long, it might not be what they want later. By the time you get around to getting that project in because you "too your time" someone else may have swooped in and taken that slot. 

All of my authors know this. When their editors ask for revisions, or even when they have any deadline, they always push to get that project in BEFORE the deadline. Doing so gives the editor a little breathing room on their end. Right now, I have a client who we have a proposal out to a couple of editors. Two responded with the same type of email we started with. The cool thing is that both came back with the same suggestion for fixing the problem. Are we rushing to make those changes? You better believe it!!!! The author is working like crazy and I am working hard to make sure the editors are still remembering all of the cool things they liked about her writing. 

Oh, and by the way... the same goes with when you send in a query and get a request, or when you pitch at a conference and get a request. DON'T WAIT! Get it to them ASAP!!!!!