Agent.

[LadySybilDeChocolate]

I've finally managed to get an agent interested in my picture books (wehey!). She emailed yesterday and turned me down, but has said that she'll happily see them again if I 'revisit' them or write anything else. She gave me a little bit of feedback, just to 'loosen' up a little and remember pacing. I've had a look at what I sent to her and used her feedback but I can't be sure that I've done what she's asked for as it's so vague.

Should I send the new version to her, along with a new text and risk her saying no again?

[Abra1d]

What I would do in this situation is ask a writing buddy or critique partner to look at what you've done against the agent's suggestions and see what they think.

Then resend. But note in your cover letter or email that you have made changes. Good luck!

[LadySybilDeChocolate]

I' don't really have a buddy. I do use a critiqu group but they all loved the last version and they don't really offer the feedback I need to improve. I've sent both versions to a new reader, she's said it's better then the last one. I can't get really good feedback for it unless I pay and I can't afford that at the moment.

[LadySybilDeChocolate]

Sorry, random '

[Abra1d]

You don't need to pay for good feedback. You need to join a site like WriteWords and find critique partners there. You read theirs; they read yours. Totally free. This is how I met my writing friends over the years, only I used US sites as that was what was available back then. Now I have four or five people whom I swap manuscripts with.

I never send anything to my agent or editor unless at least two other authors I trust have looked at it. They always find something I can improve.

[MsMarple]

Have you thought about joining the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators?

There are lots of crit groups you can join, and they also have great conferences and masterclass days, as well as opportunities to meet agents and publishers.

britishscbwi.jimdo.com/

[LadySybilDeChocolate]

I've looked at a few but, to be honest, I've struggled to find writers who can actually write.

I'm trapped in the East Midlands, there's no conferences/classes here so I have no chance of meeting any agents or publishers. It seems as though the world starts and ends in London. I'm waiting for two publishers to get back to me about these. I've been waiting for one for 5 months. She's still interested as she's asked for more time.

[SecretSpi]

Just wanted to say congratulations - on the very positive rejection and an the publisher you're still waiting for. Whatever you do, don't rush. I know the temptation is to be keen and get back but it's better to get it right.

Have another go at trying to find someone to act as a sparring partner on the web. I live in Germany and ended up doing a "manuswop" with a writer who was living in Africa at the time! That was on The Word Cloud (community run by The Writers' Workshop).

Good luck!

[LadySybilDeChocolate]

Thank you. I'll keep my fingers crossed and have a look for a new partner. It's really hard, they really love my work but when they send me things to read I just feel as they have so much to do and I just don't have the time. I feel terrible about this.

[Abra1d]

I think it's worth observing people's posting styles for a while--if you go the route of joining an online writers' group. That will give you an idea of how basically literate people are. You can tell quite a lot about people from how they punctuate their posts, etc. Ideally you'd find someone who's at the same or similar stage to you. I have politely declined to critique partner (ghastly expression) people who are illiterate.

[LadySybilDeChocolate]

They all seem very able until they send me something they are working on. I've found one writer who's able, she's not my genre though and she's usually very positive. I need someone who will rip it to shreads so I know what I need to work on.