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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer discuss the intricacies of the acquisitions process in trade publishing. They offer a detailed walkthrough of what happens after a manuscript is submitted, including the roles of agents and editors, the significance of second reads, and editorial team reviews. The hosts share their personal experiences, provide useful definitions, and answer questions from listeners about navigating acquisitions without an agent, timelines, and managing expectations. They also provide tips for submitting directly to editors and emphasize the importance of patience and research. The episode promises more insights in part two, featuring a guest editor from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

00:00 Introduction to Way-Word Writers
00:33 Overview of Acquisitions in Publishing
01:18 Defining Key Terms in Acquisitions
01:51 The Submission Process
03:01 The Role of Editors and Teams
05:37 The Reality of Acquisitions
07:12 Revise and Resubmit (R&R)
14:55 Tips for Unagented Submissions
16:50 Managing Expectations and Patience
20:10 Understanding the Publishing Cycle
30:13 Submission Timelines and Strategies
36:35 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview