Taking the Dread Out of the Words "Revise and Resubmit"

So, you are on your author journey, and when you opened up your inbox this morning, you received an R&R.? At first glance—an invitation to R&R sounds great.? Poolside, drink in hand, not a care in the world.??

If only that were the invitation ...

But you’re an author.? And in the publishing world—you’re looking at a revise and resubmit.

Let’s jump back to first glances.? A revise and resubmit?? What?? You’re immediately consumed with an overwhelming feeling of dread.? Shock.? Fear.? Disappointment.? And if we’re being honest… you’re offended.??

You’ve already spent months, if not years, on your manuscript.? You’ve made a hundred different revisions along the way.? A trusted friend or fellow author read over your manuscript and gave you their utmost approval.? You expected there to be minor tweaks here and there—but an entire R&R?

This manuscript is your literal baby.? I get it.? And you don’t like hearing that your little precious has big ears.

As a publisher—allow me to offer you a different perspective.? Maybe you didn’t get the offer you were expecting.? But if an agent or editor sees genuine potential in your writing, a revise and resubmit is your second chance.? It’s a good thing!? To shoot it straight—if they weren’t interested, you would have received a rejection letter or—worse yet—no response at all.? Instead, this is your opportunity to take a great manuscript and transform it into an exceptional one.

If this is where you are today—keep reading.? If not, bookmark this article for easy access.? As an author, you never know when you might need it.? I’m going to walk you through the logic behind a revise and resubmit, how to work through your feels, and most importantly, I’m going to guide you through tackling it head-on—step by step.?

Let’s get to it.

What Does a Revise and Resubmit Even Mean?

Simply put… if an editor offers you a revise and resubmit, they want you to make some adjustments.? And they want to see your manuscript again.

There could be a number of different reasons behind why they’re offering you a R&R.? It could be the overall setting.? It could be the plot.? It could be related to word building or characterization.? Or it could be a mixture of elements.??

The agent already likes what they see.? They just see the potential for even better.? They’ve taken the time to read through your work. They’ve made an abundance of notes and they’re giving you the opportunity to make it shine.? Which is not something every author gets.??

Agents are looking for two things:

• How you respond to feedback
• How you apply their recommendations to your manuscript

I can’t guarantee you a 100% revise and resubmit success rate.? But, if you can pass the test of keeping your cool and stepping into this process with an open mind—you really do have a shot here.? And that’s exciting news!

You do have the option of declining to accept a R&R.? If you’ve looked over the revisions and just can’t jump on board—that’s okay, too.? This is a tough spot to be in but the option is there.? Just be sure to thank them for their time.

But you’ve made it this far.? And if you’re open to the feedback—let’s start with the here and now.

When a Revise and Resubmit Doesn’t Make You Feel Warm and Fuzzy

You’re human.? And the best way to ensure you have all of the focus you need to crush this R&R is to work through your initial feelings.? So how do you do that?

Take some time to take a quick glance at their notes.? Get a feel for what you’ll be working with.? Afterward—put it down and give yourself some time to take it in.? If you jump in too quickly while you’re still on a high—you’re likely to become as lost as a sock in the dryer.? And that, my friend, is a scary thought ... because where do they even go?!

As you think about wrapping back around to it, expect to see a lot of red tape… or ink.? If you go in ready and prepared, the amount of work won’t feel as daunting.??

Keep in mind that a revise and resubmit vs major revisions are essentially the same thing.? The wording may appear differently but they both convey a significant need for overall improvement before your manuscript can proceed towards publication.? However—both are to strengthen your work—not attack your perspective or expertise.

Crossing the Hurdles of a Revise and Resubmit—One Jump at a Time

Now that you’ve worked through your feels, you might be wondering where to begin.? The most important aspect to keep in mind is to always take your time.? Don’t try to rush through the process.? If you resubmit your manuscript to an agent within a few days or even a week, you’re selling yourself short.? Take your time.? Put some thought into your revisions.? Give yourself the best possible chance of receiving an offer. ?

• Hit that reply button.? Make sure you respond, thank them for their time, and let them know if you’ll be completing the revisions.? This email is a great time to ask questions.? Compile your questions now so that you’re not sending multiple emails later.? And make sure you’re focusing on the areas that truly have you stumped.? Don’t get too nitpicky.? Include an estimated timeframe for completion and seal the deal.
• Start brainstorming.? You’ve already done a high-level overview of what’s there.? Now it’s time to jump in and get to work.?What feedback will you be incorporating into your manuscript?What are the different elements in which you can group your revisions?? Open a Google Doc and organize your content.What resources can you use to help you along this process?? What about AI? Who can you run ideas or questions by?? (A fellow author, friend, editor, etcetera.)
• Walk… then run.? Start small.? Take the simpler elements and work through them one at a time.? These will most likely be intertwined throughout your manuscript.? Complete one element from start to finish and then move on to the next.? Work your way up to the elements that require more of your time.? You’ll feel accomplished.? And you need that boost of momentum.
• Consistently seek feedback.? Don’t skimp on sharing the suggested edits with someone you trust.? A freelance writer, editor, or even beta readers.? Ask them to provide feedback on how you’re incorporating the revisions.? You want to ensure you’re all on the same page.? And something optional to think about—hire an editor before you resubmit.? This will be someone of your choice.? Request a test edit to get a feel for their editing style.? (Roughly 1000 words)
• The grand finale.? Resubmit that puppy!? Start by writing a revise and resubmit cover letter.? Outline a quick overview of the completed revisions.? Highlight any areas that require special attention.? And BOOM!? Resubmit.

Your First R&R Is Complete — Now You Can Relax

Maybe take some real R&R.? If there’s one piece of advice I can offer you once it’s all said and done—be patient.? After you click send, do your best to let it go for the time being. Don’t get hung up on waiting for a response. Agents and editors have an endless amount of work.? Dozens of clients.? This takes time.

Remember—not every revise and resubmit will warrant a 100% success rate.? That doesn’t mean you stop there.? Don’t let the endless hours spent on your revision go to waste.? As if your first submission wasn’t incredible enough—now you have a phenomenal manuscript to submit with a different publisher.

Are you looking for an editor to walk with through your revisions or a publisher who will be with you every step of the way?? Reach out to me at Press 49. ?I’ve got you covered.

Are you unsure where to submit your manuscript?? I opened the doors to Press 49 in 2019 and I’ve published 27 books with another one coming out in a matter of weeks and number 29 publishing in January.? Let’s get you published.

Your expertise matters.? People need your knowledge and creativity.? Don’t stop until you’ve shared it with the world.