Querying Chronicles #5: I got a book deal offer...but did I take it? • Meredith E. Phillips

[@ThePoetryofNiceShop]

Hi Meredith! Long time lurker, first time commenter here 😂 anyway, I just wanted to say that I also got a small publishing house offer on a previous book I was querying, and that was an offer after them only reading the first three chapters with similar terms that you described. I appreciated the offer (it was a legit house) but it didn’t sit right with me either, and ultimately I declined. That was a tough choices when the trenches weren’t going well AT ALL for me, but, low and behold, I got agented with the next book I wrote and am now out on submission to big 5’s with an awesome agent who is super editorial and a total champion for my voice and my work. All that to say, listen to your gut and trust your process, your talent, and your journey. It’s going to get you where you want to be. Stay the course. 🥰❤️

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Ahhh that’s amazing!! Congrats on getting the agent and good luck with the submission phase. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@sallysims5090]

It sounds like you made the right decision for you. It is weird they didn't want to see the whole manuscript. Also, when you don't get an advance on royalties they have a reduced incentive to market your book. Sounds like you grew from the experience. Let's all keep writing, everyone!

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

That’s an interesting angle on the no advance contract I hadn’t thought of! I do think they’re supportive of their authors and have heard good things from people who work with them, but in the end, it just didn’t feel like the right fit for me. It was a learning experience for sure!

[@sallysims5090]

@MeredithPhillipsWrites Yes, it sounds like that publisher would be a good fit for some folks, but like you said it would make it tricky to work with other publishers or agents if you have other series to consider. Thank you for your videos. It's always good to hear about other writers' publishing experiences. I'm in the throes of querying and thinking about these kinds of publishing/marketing decisions.

[@keeshlon]

I recently came across your videos. I'm a retired office worker and a total novice who simply enjoys writing. For what it's worth, it seems to me you made a very wise decision. I'm learning a lot from your experience in getting your books published from this video and a recent one you made. Thanks for sharing your journey!

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Hello and welcome 😊 I'm glad the videos have been helpful!

[@jenniferroche1130]

Omg this video feels very Sliding Doors for me because many moons ago, I got a similar-ish offer from a small press, and unlike you, I actually took it! My experience was… disappointing? Underwhelming? At times frustrating? I chalked it up as a learning experience and decided to never work with a small press again. All in all, I think you made the right decision!

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Oh, that's so interesting! I know a lot of people enjoy working with smaller presses and I guess it just depends on the writer's individual goals and the press in question. But I'm glad I ended up where I did with this decision!

[@jenniferroche1130]

@ Good point, I’m sure it varies a lot! I think entering into a publishing deal when I was quite young (I was 22) and without an agent, meant I had no way of knowing what was normal and what wasn’t. Other small presses might not have any of the problems I encountered 🙂 Moral of the story: do your research!

[@LaurelMoring]

Congratulations! Even if it didn’t work out, it’s so validating for you! Fingers crossed you’ll end up with the deal of your dreams in the near future.

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

It is SUPER validating! I definitely feel like I’m on the right track. Thank you!

[@L5player]

As difficult as declining your first offer from a real publisher has to be, which is the whole object of the exercise, I think you showed the better wisdom doing so. Having your options open is always good. As your Grandpa Dick used to say, "They've still got their widget, and I've still got my money." The easy choice would have been to take the first bag of candy you could, knowing you'd always have bragging rights that you became a published author your first time at bat, but you'd be signing a deal with no one looking out for your interests--like a FSBO in real estate. Not a fan. So congrats for at least getting props for your work a second time, including your mentor. I have to believe your choice will be rewarded in due time.

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

It was definitely tempting! But I’m glad I took plenty of time to weigh my options. Here’s hoping I get a little further in 2025!

[@semiotik]

Hi Meredith! Agented writer here, though not in the romance genre. I haven't followed your querying journey but know from personal experience it's horrifying. One thing - have you considered submitting directly to Harlequin directly through Submittable? I know they have a Regency imprint and you can bypass the whole agent thing and go right to the source.

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

I don't think I've ever read a Harlequin Regency 🫣 I think they tend to publish category romance, which is shorter, usually in the 50-60k word range and mine is more the full length 80-90k novel size. And honestly, I really want the agent! I don't want to have to navigate contracts and negotiations on my own.

[@WeeKid1675]

Ah! I have SO many thoughts on this! But the sum of them all is this: I think you made the right choice. I’ve been in the querying trenches for as long as you have, but as a ghost-querier if that makes sense. Querying on behalf of a client I ghost-wrote for. I’ve learned SO MUCH about the industry in that time, I’ve spoken to multiple agents and former-agents, and the fact that this small publisher didn’t even ask to see the full MS before making an offer tells me that they didn’t care about the book quality. They just thought it would sell based on the first 3 chapters and they wanted a piece of the pie. Not the worst thing ever, but your gut said it wasn’t right for your book and I agree with your gut.

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Wait, I’d never thought about ghost writers having to ghost query! That’s so interesting. There were definitely some tempting pros to accepting the offer, but I feel good about the decision I made.

[@jthomp1254]

That was a crazy turn of events! I’m glad you had Alexandra to turn to and I’m hopeful the right deals will come! Congrats on the offer, and for making the best decision for yourself and your work.

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

YES, she had great tips that I never would have thought of on my own. And thank you! I know I did the right thing for me.

[@PhoebeWritesFiction]

So exciting to get the offer, but sounds like you made the right choice. I wouldn't want to go into a contract without someone reading my full work either! Sometimes the very fact that you're torn between yes and no means it's a no. You don't want to start such an important relationship with wariness and doubts - especially if you're tying yourself in for three whole books! When the right opportunity comes around for you, you'll feel happy jumping in.

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

YES! Completely agree that you don't want doubt creeping in right at the beginning of a partnership. It was a tough choice to make, though!

[@aaronhaceves]

Sounds like you made the right decision!

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Here’s hoping 😂 I do think I made the right choice for me, haha!

[@thelvey1]

This was FASCINATING. Thank you for sharing. Congrats on the offer and on having the self-confidence to say no. 👏

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Thank you! It was definitely a bit of a roller coaster 😅

[@malikamaybe]

I find this so deeply inspiring. Like I adore that you were able to sit with yourself and really practice the ‘no agent/no deal is better than the wrong agent/wrong deal’ in reality. I told myself not to query agents that I already knew I didn’t want to work with, but I did so anyway after rejections rolled in. Now, one of the fulls out is with someone that I’m like 85% sure I’d say no to if they offered lol (I do think it’s gonna end in rejection anyway tho based on QT submission stats lol) and I’m like ‘you have to stick to your guns better!’ at myself lol so it’s really cool to watch you actually do so even with a literal deal in your face. Amazing, amazing, amazing.

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

I’ve heard awful stories of writers who have partnered with the wrong person or group and I feel very cautious! It’s not even that the other party is evil or something, it’s just that it’s the wrong partnership for them. Congrats on the full request, though!!! That’s fantastic, even if it does eventually end in a rejection.

[@karentroester148]

How exciting. I think you made the right choice, but it must have been really hard to turn it down.

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

It was a very tough choice. But once I’d made the decision, I felt good. I made the right call for me!

[@JoeyPaulOnline]

I think you made the right choice, without them reading the rest of the book, it kinda made me wary for you 💜

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Yeah, I just couldn't make that make sense in my head! It was a confidence-boosting offer, but I'm glad I ended up where I did with this decision.

[@zeekaayy7810]

Cant wait to read all 6 books of this series Mery!!

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Ahhh thanks, ZK, you're the best 🥹

[@IHBooks]

Seemed like a well-reasoned decision to me 😊

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Thanks! I definitely took my time thinking through all the different pros and cons.

[@readknitwithcheryl]

Good for you, Meredith, knowing what you want and going for it. I have a friend who is published by a small press and she likes it, but she isn't happy with their editing. She doesn't get a lot of money off her books and got no advance, but she agreed to it because she just wanted her books published and it works for her. I'm proud of her, but I, personally, agree with you on your thoughts on the topic. I think it's important to know what you want out of a deal and not let anyone force you into something you just don't feel right about. So good for you!

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Thanks, Cheryl! It was really tough choosing, but I feel good about the decision I made for myself 😊

[@Caroline_Creative]

I really appreciate you going through all the pros and cons. I think I would have made the same choice as you

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

There were definitely some very persuasive pros to consider, but I’m glad I settled where I did 🥰

[@AthinaKarpouzis]

I would have made the same decision. It was such a difficult thing to have to navigate just on your own. It was great to have your mentor to give you advice. I will say the moment they said we expect it will be polished etc. they lost me completely.

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

I was SO grateful to have Alexandra to talk to about this! She had great insight and tips I wouldn't have thought of on my own. Definitely a tough choice to make, but I'm glad I ended up where I did 🥰

[@aquariusowl3872]

It must have been exciting to get the recognition of your hard work and I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision. A lot of new writers would jump at the chance without being as thorough as you were working through realistic expectations of what this choice would mean for your future work. I think you made the right choice even if it means it will be longer before I get to meet your characters 😊

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

It was definitely a tricky situation to navigate! And I didn't want to jump to a Yes without a lot of consideration. It feels so good knowing my work has some amount of merit, though!

[@alyssa.and.the.books.]

I watched this days ago and I'm still in shambles 🙃 I truly don't know how I would have handled this, but I really think you made the right decision. I just know that agent is coming

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

I was having a TIME that’s for sure. Fingers crossed for agents for both of us in 2025 🤞🏻

[@NicoleWilbur]

Wow - so many congratulations on that offer!! That's AMAZING and must feel really good! But I think I would have made the same decision...my impresson is that a lot of writing and publishing is being patient and thinking critically about what you really want. (I keep doing it for myself when I want to jump back into the querying trenches with my book after getting a decent response...like no, no I have time, let it sit, don't rush with something that doesn't feel just right) What a happy thing though...it feels to me like you have great momentum with SmoochPit and the deal offer, which must feel SO good!!

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Thank you 🥹 It was a great boost of confidence for sure and that’s worth quite a lot when there’s always so much doubt and uncertainty around your own writing.

[@teresajones5973]

As a hybrid author I’m glad you trusted your gut. For them to not read the full book was the first clue of a No for a new author. There are legit smaller publishers and you won’t get an advance, but will get higher royalties, but they only offer contract for each book.

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Yeah, that aspect just never felt right to me. I do trust that they’re a legit publisher (they’ve been around for over 12 years and have some recognizable histrom authors who work with them), but it didn’t feel right for me in the end.

[@76kilosofshade81]

It takes someone with a real strong sense of self-worth to make this kind of decision, especially when it seems perfect on the surface. What a great boost of confidence, though! Take the good and carry on.

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Thank you 🥹 It was a tough decision but I know I made the right choice for me.

[@tracy-marie]

Hello. Thank you for sharing the pros and cons of being published with a smaller publishing company. I definitely see the pitfalls of signing a contract without them reading the entire manuscript I think it did the right thing.

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Thank you! There were definitely some persuasive pros to consider, but all in all I know I made the right choice for me.

[@sherrylalonde5719]

That is amazing, and so validating! I've considered some small/digital publishers as well but haven't submitted to any yet. There are a few with good reputations who publish books I know are high quality. Their submission guidelines usually ask for the whole MS though, and I agree I'd feel weird about accepting a contract without anyone having read to the end. I think you need to go with your gut on these things and you made the right decision. But I think it's a nice confidence booster too:)

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

It was VERY validating and a great boost of confidence! Definitely a win in my book.

[@dariakey5318]

In my country publishing works exactly the same as you were surprised by) It's a normal stream of event for us. Quite comfortable, I'd say but it might be smth we are used to)) So weird to see some real confusion over the thing that's so normal)))

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Oh that’s so interesting! It’s definitely not the norm here unless maybe you’re already a well established author and the publisher knows they can trust you to deliver.

[@kristine5801]

I had to come down to see if you'd accepted or not, I couldn't take the suspense. Whew! I totally agree that signing without connecting about a revision plan/vision would be too far, even if they'd read the full manuscript. I'm sure your ms is excellent and they clearly see promise in your sample, but I'm glad you protected your work and YOUR vision for it.

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

LOL I love using the comment section for spoilers 😅 It definitely felt good to get a professional pat on the back, so to speak!

[@Mandy_James]

It really bothers me that they didn't even want to read the whole manuscript. Like, who does that? Also, the fact you wouldn't have an agent to advocate for you to go over those contracts is just scary. Under those circumstances I think you absolutely did the right thing. Also, don't later books in a series make a lot less money than the first one? Wouldn't that mean you'd be making barely anything by the time you made it to...a 6th book? It could end up being about 10 years of your life with constantly diminishing returns just due to the fact some readers won't stick around with a series past the first few books. I think you should feel very comfortable with your decision and chalk this up to a good learning experience. Now you know even more how much you need an agent involved in whatever the future holds for your publishing career. In the meantime, you get to continue focusing on creating the stories you're passionate about. Well done making the tough choice. Something tells me future Meredith is going to thank you for doing what was right for you and not just running away with the chance to become published. Being an author is not just about writing a good story, it's also about handling the business side of things wisely and you've proven here that you can do both. You have a bright future ahead--just keep going.

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Yes, good point about the series! Typically you get less sales with each book as it’s natural to lose readers who don’t come back for whatever reason. And thank you 🥰 I feel confident in the choice I made and hopefully I’ll have better news in the near future!

[@erikaromerowrites]

Congrats on the offer, though you passed on it. Just wanted to note that my mentor has advised that if I get a book deal offer before getting an agent, then I should inform any agent with my query that I have a book deal offer. That often causes the agents to want to get on calls and potentially make an offer of rep, even if they also recommend not taking that particular deal.

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Thank you! I did think about contacting the agents who still have my query, but by the time I did it was pretty late into the back and forth emails stage and I think I only have about four queries left open anyway. But definitely a good idea to keep in mind!

[@nicoleporter1369]

You made the right choice.

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Thanks! It definitely felt good once I’d decided.

[@caesuracrossing5473]

It definitely felt weird that they didn’t read your whole book let alone asked you for information on your series my only worry is that they would use it to feed it through AI. You did say that its a reputable small press with people you know under it. Its still good that you followed your guy. Im excited to see the rest of your journey

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Thank you! I definitely believe this small press is completely legit and wouldn’t be using AI in that way, but it’s always good to be cautious and ask questions!

[@katendress6142]

I would have probably scarcity-mindset-ed my way into accepting it even if I was leery.

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Oh, believe me, I _definitely_ had those thoughts, too!! "What if this is as good as it's going to get for me? Histrom isn't doing well and I should take what I can get." I'm glad I took the time to think through things carefully, though, and am happy with the decision I ended up with!

[@_minkit]

Congrats on the offer, and also congrats on being able to take time to decide whether or not it was truly the best offer for you. Even before you said it, I had a feeling that the fact they hadn't read the book in full would be the big thing that'd keep you from saying yes (not that the other cons didn't add to that decision ofc). And not to say that this publishing house doesn't do their job well, as you said in the beginning, you even know a writer who works with them. But I think, as writers who seek agents, you WANT someone who loves your book to work on it with you. I'm sure your book is great, you think it's good, but it's like... how can THEY know they actually want to publish this if they don't at least read the full book? It's like "do they care about the actual book or story at all or do they just want to publish anything that SEEMS well-written?" I like to think I would've made the same decision. Like yes, i want to publish, but i want the people who decide to help me publish to actually LIKE the book and how can they like it if they don't read it?

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

YES I think all that was a big factor too. It was hard to choose, but I feel confident in the decision I made for me.

[@thelvey1]

I am curious ... in this sort of situation, is informing any of the agents you are still querying about the offer an option? And might you have (if you wanted to) made finding an agent a stipulation to be met before signing (along with a time-limit, of course)?

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

I could have contacted the couple agents who still have my query unanswered, yes! I didn’t think about that until it was pretty late in the game though 😅 I’m not sure about asking the publisher to wait for me to get an agent…good question!

[@writenowdream3882]

Strange that they didn't want to read a synopsis or finish the draft. That seems like a pink flag to me. 🤔

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Ooo I like that term “pink flag.” That perfectly describes it!