The first agent I submitted to

[LongGoneBeforeDaylight]

Has requested the full manuscript. It's an enormous agency too. Sent it last week. Hand holding please while I wait?

[Mintyy]

Oh I'm sorry about the rejection (but you will really need to toughen up, to be beyond devastated at your first rejection doesn't bode well).

Meant kindly.

[BigPawsBrown]

I know - it's not my first now. I've submitted to 14 subsequent agents and had one form rejection and three nice ones. This was however the first rejection of my full manuscript and nobody else has requested the full, which I think is where devastation lies! Also I agree with her criticisms...

[TunipTheUnconquerable]

Can you fix them?

Sorry to hear you're devastated. Keep at it!

[BigPawsBrown]

Yes I think so. One is a bit vague but some very specific stuff too

[TunipTheUnconquerable]

That's great then. If you are certain they are good advice, fix them and try her again.
Obviously if you've talked yourself into believing she was going to be the one, it will be hard to take, but actually it's very good news. She thinks it's good enough to take the trouble to tell you what's wrong, and her advice will enable you to make it better thus increasing your chances with others.
Most people I know who are published didn't have a smooth path to publication. One of my online writing group friends recently was about to give up because she'd queried all the agents, and then she got a reply from a small publisher she'd almost forgotten submitting to, and her book is coming out in the next few days

[bunnybing]

Oh bum. To look on the positive side you've been given a free critique which you can use to do a rewrite.

I had this twice when I submitted my last novel - ie two agents wanted to see the whole thing having liked the 1st 3 chapters, followed by 2 rejections. I did find their criticisms mostly useful.

The thing is my current novel has got nowhere - have submitted to quite a few agents, just had standard rejections. Trouble is I'm convinced this novel is better than the last... (yes am aware I may be deluded).

[BigPawsBrown]

It's so difficult to know isn't it! I have lost all judgment about what is good or bad about my novel. I was worried, for example, that the voices (dual narrative) weren't believable but she specifically said they were (and that I write fluently and engagingly )

What happened with your first novel in the end? The thought of a complete re-write has me pale to be honest but I think it needs to be longer (is 60,000) and she has helped me see where to add to it.

[TunipTheUnconquerable]

Bunnybing, maybe your current one is better but less saleable.

[bunnybing]

The first novel is still unpublished! The second of the agents recommended I send it to a lit consultancy to have it looked at but at the time I didn't want to pay out £££ for something that may well have amounted to nothing anyway.

Tunip, agree that could be possible.

[ninah]

It's horrible. I had similar - next day response from first agent, sent ms, did a rewrite and it was rejected second time around. I tell myself if the qualities of rejection are improving so much it can't be long ...

[BigPawsBrown]

I fell myself that too! I have had three rejections (two rejecting first three chapters and one rejecting full ms) but they were all helpful and not form rejections and one was regretful.

[ninah]

there you are then. One yes is all it takes - keep believing in yourself.

[BigPawsBrown]

An agent wants to see me. We're meeting next week!

[TunipTheUnconquerable]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

[ninah]

exactly! wonderful news

[BigPawsBrown]

She has however said that she doesn't think my novel is 'big enough' for a debut but wants to discuss this and any other projects I have. Any idea whether this is likely to be a casual chat and an invitation for me to send her what I write next or an actual offer? I thought a meeting was generally a good sign but she doesn't seem to think my book will make it!

[ninah]

big enough
well that's helpful!
Who knows what agents are after?! Not even God. I do think a meeting is a very good sign though. Please update!

[BigPawsBrown]

I will. It's on Thursday

[TunipTheUnconquerable]

This blogpost might be helpful.

It's really hard to second guess. Maybe she will have ideas on how to make it bigger. Maybe she is hoping you have another one up your sleeve to show her. It will be a really useful meeting for you, whatever happens. (And if she did offer you representation there and then obviously that would be fantastic, but it's not the only good possible outcome.)

Good luck x

[BigPawsBrown]

Thanks, that article is really useful. I will let you know how it goes! She did say, "I'm not sure this book is big enough to get you your first publishing deal - do you have any other ideas?" So sounds more like that than rewriting my current book.

[GrendelsMum]

Looking forward to hearing what happens at the meeting, Big Paws.

I've now submitted mine to an agent, so we'll see what happens.

I'm going to set up a spreadsheet to track submissions and rejections, so I hope that's not unduly negative.

[BigPawsBrown]

I have a spreadsheet too. It's great as you know when to chase and who you've already subbed to. I colour them red for rejections and green for requests for fulls

[GrendelsMum]

Best of luck for tomorrow :)
The agent has requested a full, so that's a green stripe in the spreadsheet!

[TunipTheUnconquerable]

Best of luck, BigPaws. I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes.

GrendelsMum, are you submitting any more?

[GrendelsMum]

Mmm - not sure. Might start identifying a key list of people to target via the list you recommended.

I've submitted to one other so far. Do you think I should go for more at the same time?