Hello! Just curious here. How common do you think it is for an author to sort of throw out something random to fulfill the option clause? Like submit something that they don’t really think is great or don’t feel would actually be a good fit because they want to fulfill the option clause, then getting out of it so the author and agent can submit widely?

this is what I would call "burning the option" - basically sending something bad so the publisher will turn it down and you are free from further obligations. I think it happens, but I don't think it happens as much as people might IMAGINE that it happens. First of all, because authors have egos; why would you want to put your name on something you KNOW isn't good or wouldn't be a good fit -- and…