Have you ever spoken to someone in publishing or browsed the submission portion of an agency’s website and wondered what on earth we’re all talking about?
Well, wonder no more. Here in Dictionary Corner we will strive to shed some light on the technical jargon and industry lingos that often confuse new writers.
Exclusive – this is a very important word for us and one you really want to hear from agents.
The word applies in exactly the same context as it does in a romantic relationship. If we ask to see more of your work exclusively it means that we like what we’ve seen so far and we want to see more but that we don’t want anyone else to be seeing any.
If you offer your work on exclusive with an agent you are promising that no one else in the industry will be reading or considering any part of your concept at the same time as that agent.
Also, if you are submitting to us and nobody else please do slip this word into your covering letter. We like to hear it too!
Are there any terms we use that befuddle you? Please do let us know by leaving a comment or emailing assistant@darleyanderson.com and we’ll respond with our own personal definition just for you.
By Vicki Le Feuvre
The Darley Anderson Blog 
Hi there, great blog. I have a question on this subject.
Being asked to submit a manuscript exclusively is really great, but there a particular length of time an exclusive is expected to last? I imagine agencies can be very busy and may take time to reply, but most authors would also want to keep momentum on their manuscript.
Good question, Gabrielle.
Everyone at the DAA understands how important timing can be to new authors so we will always get back in touch as quickly as we possibly can. If you were to send us a general submission we would make sure to respond within six weeks of recieving it.
If after that we ask to see more of your work on exclusive we will start reading right away and be back in touch with you as soon as we have finished reading and had a chance to discuss it. This should not take longer than two weeks.
Hi Vicki, love the blog. Very insightful.
Back in 2009 the delightful Camilla Wray got back to me within two weeks of my submitting to the DAA. She requested the next twenty chapters exclusively, a no brainer for me (after I’d come back down off cloud nine). Alas, it didn’t work out, but Camilla did provide a 1,000 word + critique packed with priceless tips. My one regret is not marking the twenty chapter submission envelope with the word “Requested”. Not sure how many writers are aware of doing this to expedite the process when their material has in fact been requested by an agent.