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Original poster

The first agent I submitted to

64 replies

LongGoneBeforeDaylight · 27/08/2013 23:32

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

OP posts:
Mintyy · 18/10/2013 18:14

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 · 18/10/2013 18:16

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 · 18/10/2013 20:56

Can you fix them?

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

BigPawsBrown · 18/10/2013 23:17

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

TunipTheUnconquerable · 19/10/2013 11:37

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 Smile

bunnybing · 19/10/2013 13:38

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 · 19/10/2013 14:52

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 Grin )

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 · 19/10/2013 18:31

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

bunnybing · 19/10/2013 20:17

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 · 20/10/2013 11:11

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 ... Grin

BigPawsBrown · 20/10/2013 12:20

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 · 20/10/2013 12:54

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

BigPawsBrown · 23/10/2013 23:55

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

TunipTheUnconquerable · 24/10/2013 09:01

Grin Grin Grin

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

ninah · 24/10/2013 20:30

exactly! wonderful news

BigPawsBrown · 26/10/2013 23:17

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 · 26/10/2013 23:51

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

BigPawsBrown · 26/10/2013 23:58

I will. It's on Thursday Grin

TunipTheUnconquerable · 27/10/2013 21:11

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 · 27/10/2013 22:47

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 · 28/10/2013 18:28

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 · 28/10/2013 19:08

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 Smile

GrendelsMum · 30/10/2013 17:10

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

TunipTheUnconquerable · 30/10/2013 17:13

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

GrendelsMum, are you submitting any more?

GrendelsMum · 30/10/2013 18:02

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?