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.

Between 1 and 10 days is great turnaround.
The site tracks subs so in theory you can work out their patterns?!
How did you chose your agent ultimately?

There was one who was interested but she wanted changes I wasn't prepared to make. That was a Friday morning. I sent it off to a few others on the Friday afternoon and on Monday morning I was asked for the full. Sent it off, she rang on Wednesday and we'd signed contracts by the Friday.

Ironically the second agent, who I signed with, asked whether I was open to change - luckily her ideas matched my own so we were fine. She's a lot more experienced than the first one, too, and I think that made a huge difference.

Imperial that's fantastic that you have a couple of pubs interested. Bring on that dream 5 way auction!!!! (or 2 way would do at a pinch, I guess)

I've finally finished the revision to the re-write I've done for my agent and will be giving it a quick read (I hope) and subbing back to her next week.

That's terrific- did you meet to sign contracts?
Now the next level of waiting - eek- but it sounds like your agent really knows her stuff.
What genre is it?

Oh well done word too - maybe mumsnet writers are on a roll! - what genre is yours? Was your agent quite specific about the changes she wanted?

When I signed with my agent I had the contract emailed to me. I printed it off and walked to the post office to post it. In my head was a fanfare of trumpets, but in reality everyone was out and I had no witnesses to my historic moment.

Yes, it was the same for me, MissBattleaxe! It was the fastest walk of my life, before she could change her mind!

Ha! A good feeling though!

I had an agent about ten years ago- and had tea in a swanky London hotel- but he couldn't sell the fecking mss- and then over the years, I felt kind of shook off.

A walk to the post office will do me fine this time!

We met after the contract was signed, not before.

The genre is psychological suspense. Not sure whether that question was for word or not, but my agent was very specific about the changes she wanted - she was ruthless! It's much, much better now. The first agent (we hadn't signed contracts) wanted me to make changes that I felt weren't in line with psychological suspense. She was new to that job role and I felt I knew more about it than she did. Obviously I didn't say anything like that to her, but I wasn't prepared to spend time making changes that I felt were wrong.

I think once one agent is interested, you realise others might be and it gives you confidence.

Ah psychological suspense- brilliant- very 'now' and potential for TV etc etc
Is this a new genre for you?

No, it's what I've always read and written. It's a crowded market, though.

We met. She gave me contract to take away and she spent two hours outlining her changes then followed them up in writing. They opened out the world of the novel, gave my mc a much deeper involvement with the other characters (some of whom were new) and suggested streamlining the build with the antag. We did this over coffee. We both live in London. When she'd called me after reading the full we got in very well and were able to talk freely about what had to be done. She is warm funny and assertive and I targeted her because she knows her onions so I was listening.

Oh and women's fiction. Real life, warts and all funny with some depth Not fluffy.

Imperial your voice in your posts suggests that genre

Do I sound sinister? Not what you might expect? Creepy?

Oh Imperial, that's so exciting! Keeping everything crossed for you!

When I got my agent I did a lot of work on who to target. There's so much info out there with Twitter etc.

Thanks, Countess. I think that's where I went wrong in the past, just sending it out to any agency. There are a lot of agents who say they're looking to build their lists, too, so there's always going to be a better chance with them. (Mine wasn't in this position but a lot who asked for the full MS were.)

Stop it! You're scaring me!

It's a sense of measuredness in your expression. Not a genre I am widely read in. Enjoyed Apple Tree Yard. SJ Watson a little less. Male violence/female escape is not my cuppa. Any recommends?

It doesn't have to be male violence/female escape. I don't think I've ever written anything like that. What I like to write (and read) is something where the peril is in the home.

I tend to read anything but suspense when I'm writing as I'm frightened of copying an idea.

Remind me of what you like to write, wordassociation. I need to set up a spreadsheet - my memory's terrible!

See 8.19 for starters, Imperial. I like to write about mothers and daughters. Resisting temptation, attempting to change, self acceptance.... Stuff like that. Flawed and deluded characters a speciality

Sorry, I don't know how I missed that. That sounds an interesting thing to write about. Funny, when my mum read my book (kindle) she asked whether it was about her and me. She's the married mother of a huge family and didn't bat an eyelid when I left home. My book was an empty nest situation - single mum with sad/bad marriage and a new boyfriend and very troubled daughter who's replaced by an even more troubled lodger. Umm yes, mum, it's about you and me!

I now have manuscripts out with seven agents. Waiting waiting waiting.

Only nine chapters to go on my second novel, though.

Seven whole manuscripts?!! That's superb.

Fingers crossed.

I sent first approaches to a couple this morning - I told them I had a whole mss somewhere else - I wonder if that will help.

I like the look of that BENT agency. I might approach them too. You've found the US agents quite receptive to British writer? (Assuming you're british)...

All seven are from US agencies. I've been roundly ignored by the UK. The US agents are also much quicker than UK on average, and their form rejections are much friendlier. They're also more relaxed about the tone of the query letter, whereas UK agents like it very businesslike and formal. Obviously you still have to be professional, but if your novel is more humorous and you want to get more 'voice' into the query, they're very receptive t that.

One of them actually requested my novel because it's set in London.

Ach. I swear my novel isn't as clunky as my posts. Drinks more coffee