Waiting on agents

[IceRoadDucker]

I'm a regular but frequent name changer, if that matters to anyone.

My first novel went out for query at the end of last month. So far I have a great success rate - 11 rejections, 3 partials and 1 full. The first partial only went out on 5 Feb but the wait is already killing me! I've been taking the rejections really, really well but I know a rejection on a partial or full will sting.

I'm trying to put my energy into writing my third novel - 48k words in - but I can't write continually and whenever I have a spare moment I'm impatiently drumming my fingers on any hard surface I can find.

No reason for posting this thread except that I need to keep my hands from refreshing Gmail every 10 seconds even though it's way too early to expect replies, I have desktop notifications AND it updates itself automatically.

Had a mail back saying they weren't for her but thanks for sending them. Didn't sound angry with me sending more.

The snot book is coming on nicely. Half written but loads of fiddling needed. Running out of ways to describe it though!

If A Dinosaur can Poop a Planet, then there may be room for your snot book Tiggy! You just never know.

Are you really writing a book about snot, Tiggy? Who's your target market, given children can't pay for a book? Would a school buy it for the children? Would a parent?

Is anyone else turning into a crazed stalkerazzi as they wait for agent responses? I find myself constantly examining Twitter accounts as if there might be some kind of clue there for me to decipher. And I just spent fifteen minutes googling the agency editor who requested my MS the other week.

So pointless and ridiculous but can't stop myself!

My book isn't just about snot. It's got a storyline you know.

It starts (subject to change):

"This is the yucky and unpleasant story
Of a small and slimy child called Rory.
Rory O'Grady used to drive his Mum potty
Because he was just so incredibly snotty.

The stuff constantly dripped out the holes in his head
From first thing in the morning until time for his bed.
And it didn't stop then, it was all night-time too.
So he woke up each morning covered in goo."

And yes Wishful, I am checking my inbox waaaay too much.

I'm another one who stalks the internet for possible clues about delays.

I've even subscribed to the Bookseller, which is full of news and very handy for up to date info.

Tiggy I just read that to my 4 and 5 year old and it was met with loud 'ewww's and big grins so you've got your target audience happy

MissBattleaxe - are you getting any feedback from your agent on how the book is being received by publishers? And how are you keeping the waiting madness at bay - are you pressing on with another book?

Hi wishful and thanks for asking.

I haven't had any feedback apart from it hasn't been read yet.

I am not coping with the madness. It's horrible, but yes, I am writing something else, which is helping a bit! The waiting is just awful!

MIss BA - how excruciating for you. Does your agent say this is quite common/usual? Great that you are pressing on though.

Actually, I was wondering if you - and Imperial and anyone else who is further along the process than the rest of us - are you also getting your social media profiles up and ready? Is that something you're also advised to do.... as I know authors have to pretty much do all their own marketing these days? Sorry... Prob getting a bit off topic.

I have a blog/Twitter/Facebook page about an unrelated subject, so I'm all poised to make a new one, but won't do so unless I get published.

My agent said it could take month- weeks if we are lucky.

Hope you get news soon, Miss BA.

Tiggy even I like your snotty poem, forget my kids.

I sent off on a whim to a small publisher and got a full MS request very quickly(cue desperate combing over of MS into early hours as totally not expecting it). They had some kind things to say about the sample chapters which was v exciting. But, they might not like the full MS and I am a bit worried about going down the unrepresented route also. I have shot off follow up emails to agents I haven't heard from. Fingers crossed.

Feel a lot of solidarity with you lot-waiting around is a PITA.

Miss B, it must be frustrating that there is so much waiting at this stage! - after all the waiting!

Yeah Tiggy, its sweet, and I certainly would be more inclined to buy a book about a boy with an uncontrollable problem than a book about snot.

Good luck Cant Feel, that sounds positive. My experience with one small publisher was a bit annoying, but hopefully they weren't representative of them all...

Im trying to write a brief synopsis for the great 2nd book (what great 2nd book?) so that publishers will think I'm a long term thing. Hmm. Then agent will send out I think. More waiting.

Thanks all. There's just no cure to the waiting and I feel so powerless. I'm just trying to keep busy and not jump when the phone rings or the email pings.

GetAHaircutCarl I know what you mean about it being easy to criticise other authors but the book MissB was talking about had a terrible problem with punctuation and grammar. It was hard to read because of that. Virtually all of the people who've given bad reviews have said they've given up because of that. I tried to read it but found I was having to re-read paragraphs to make sense of them and then gave up.

Imperial - I ended up having a look on that author's blog site and interestingly she brings up the issue of her self-admitted terrible punctuation and grammar and addresses the criticism she's had as a result of it.

And that made me think, again, why on earth didn't the publisher give the book a really good edit? Surely the buck kind of stops with them to ensure the product they're selling is as strong as possible? Why would they leave their author open to getting this kind of criticism when it wouldn't take much to tidy up the manuscript in the first place? Bizarre.

This morning (I'm not in the UK) I checked my email and saw I had another request for the full MS, which is really encouraging. I just wonder if I should be cheeky (again) and mention that two other agents also have the full? And if so, should I mention their names do you think? Thanks all.

Great stuff wishful,

Yes, I would mention it- 'just to let you know blah blah and blah blah also recently requested full mss.'

Good luck!

I would tell all of them (unless they've rejected it) that others have the full ms but I wouldn't mention names. They won't ask for names, either.

Thanks Helmet.

Damn though... I was impatient and sent it before I saw your post without adding that. Oh well.

Don't worry wishful

One month ago you were wanting to stick pins in your eyes, now you've got your full mss out with three agents, not bad, eh!

Ha ha... You remembered! 😃 Yes it does feel good although I'm sure the pin stickiness feeling will make a dramatic return soon.

Best of luck to everyone with manuscripts out - it's exciting and terrifying, isn't it?