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Waiting on agents

777 replies

IceRoadDucker · 12/02/2016 13:24

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.

OP posts:
rumblingDMexploitingbstds · 28/01/2017 20:22

I'm having much the same issue currently, except so far no requests for a full. It's why I'm seriously thinking about a professional edit and eye.

Dontrocktheboat · 28/01/2017 20:23

Sorry to hear that Ninah. I probably wouldn't give up on it yet, 4 rejections is not many when you read about how many rejections many successful authors have had before publication ( i think there is a link somewhere on the thread to article including JK Rowling's published rejections). Also, it is possible you may still hear back from the others, some do take a while to reply. I would probably go for another round once you have made as much improvement as you think you can based on the comments you received. Also worth double checking you are submitting to the best agents for your material - I got some really good advice on here about agents and what they are looking for.

Really intrigued by your setting now and how obscure it must be to potentially out you!

NinahH · 28/01/2017 21:26

I think it's more that there must be an issue with the overall thing and I am stumped as how to tackle it, other than in quite minor ways. The first chapters are fine and get enthusiastic responses - but the rest seems a let down and I'm not sure why or how. Still, I've sent out a couple more and we'll see. I'm targeting agents quite carefully. I'm also quite excited about the next book although it has a long way to go yet!

CommonFramework · 28/01/2017 21:49

Badhairday - if you or anyone else are looking for professional editors who specialise in fiction, I suggest you search the Society for Editors and Proofreaders website. They have a Directory of Editorial Professionals, and you have to be qualified and have done a certain number of hours of work and received positive testimonials to achieve professional membership, which allows editors to post in the Directory.

Sites like Fiverr are a race to the bottom for editors and other service providers, and you generally don't find the best editors advertising on there.

However, I can totally understand that professional editing is a major expense, but you do usually get what you pay for.

Feel free to pm me if you'd like any more info.

birdybirdywoofwoof · 30/01/2017 09:46

Sorry to hear that Nina, if I were you I would prob sub it a few more times (actually I see you already have) and then leave it for a few months. Concentrate on the thing that's really interesting you now. (plus I reckon some of the 5 non repliers will get in touch soon - it's not been that long in publishing years)
I too am intrigued by the off-putting setting!

Madhairday · 07/02/2017 20:28

Thanks common. I think it's beyond finances at the moment but will keep it in mind for the future.

Nina - I was reading an article in Writing magazine about an author who had had 65 rejections for her book and then got a bite! Now that's staying power. Not sure I could go that far but would definitely send a few more out.

I'm still at an impasse really. Haven't sent another round out in a while but kind of resigned to rejections. Working on another story which came to me in the middle of the night... Hmm

birdybirdywoofwoof · 22/02/2017 14:18

Hallo everybody still on this thread.

Hope your writing and submitting is going well. Any news?!

Witchend · 23/02/2017 17:28

I did my first submission and got quite a nice no. Liked my main concept but didn't like some of the side issues, so didn't feel "passionate" about it. They said that was their personal feeling and others might disagree but thinking about it, I think they're right, so going to rework it. The bit they didn't like is on and off through the book, but I think can be changed.

Was quite pleased to get more than a standard no really. Smile

Dontrocktheboat · 23/02/2017 21:38

Hi, I am still here just not got much to report!

Witchend, that sounds a positive response - some of the 'no's' I got also made comments I agreed with but had not realised, which was really helpful. Are you waiting for others? Sounds great for a first response.

After finally getting an agent I have been desperately trying to juggle work and three kids with making the revisions she suggested and sent it back to her yesterday - not feeling super confident though! She has suggested getting it back before the London book fair but said I did not have to make this deadline - anyway, have done it, possibly I should have taken longer although I think I made the changes I planned based on what she said - who knows though!

Am feeling that having an agent in itself is not making me feel that much more confident about ever getting it published!

TiggyD · 24/02/2017 17:49

I GOT A YES! I GOT A YES! I GOT A YES! I GOT A YES!!!

GrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrin

From a publisher!!! ShockGrin

This is the most smileys I have ever used on here.

Had an email from a person from the publishers I sent it to 6 months ago. He liked it and a director in charge of stuff liked it and they want to put it forward for their 2018 list. I think that's a good thing. I know there's all kinds of hurdles to get over still, but after 200 or so rejections I'm very happy for something different!!!

I think I should delete it from my blog while it's being talked about. And I'm double checking the publisher's reputation. Excited but sensible hat still on.

Dontrocktheboat · 24/02/2017 21:05

Wow, Tiggy that's fantastic news, well done! Definitely shows it pays to keep trying...

Hope you are enjoying celebrating, must be the most exciting feeling imagining your book in print!

TiggyD · 24/02/2017 21:51

Celebrating? I'm currently in a cheap travelodge in Birmingham. On my own.

ImperialBlether · 24/02/2017 21:54

Congratulations, Tiggy! How come you're in a hotel on your own?

Witchend · 24/02/2017 23:34

Well done! Which one was that? (or can't you say?)

ishallconquerthat · 24/02/2017 23:57

Tiggy, I'm mostly a lurker here, but I'm happy for you! Well done! :)

TiggyD · 25/02/2017 06:45

Thanks guys.

It was the first one I wrote when I decided to have a serious go at writing. A Book Of Increasingly Inaccurate Facts About Cows. They said they'd want to change the name though. Grin. It starts off with sensible facts, then degenerates into ridiculousness. A bit like Monty Python's Lumberjack Song. In the beginning there's a rhyme about mountain yaks with long hair upon their backs, and in the end there's space cows wearing suits knitted by their mothers.

I'm in a hotel on my own because nobody loves me Imperial. If I want to go to Birmingham I gotta do it solo.

Dontrocktheboat · 25/02/2017 09:19

I would love to spend a night by myself in a travel lodge (anywhere!) with a good book and a large glass of wine! Anyway, hope you are able to do something celebratory Smile

Witchend · 25/02/2017 11:01

I remember that one. I liked it and ds thought it hilarious. Will look out for it next year! Exciting!

birdybirdywoofwoof · 25/02/2017 11:31

Awesome Tiggy D! That is brilliant news - about the book I mean and not the solo Birmingham jaunt. Cake Gin Star
ALL the children will read it.

plutohasfeelingstoo · 09/03/2017 09:48

That's fab Tiggy Well done! The story sounds great Grin

OvariesBeforeBrovaries · 09/03/2017 19:54

Well done Tiggy!

I've had my first rejection. I have no doubt they have to say something nice to everyone they reject, but it actually made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside - they like my writing and narrative voice, it's just an awkward area of non-fiction to sell. They told me to try again with a novel so that's what I'm going to do! :)

TiggyD · 11/03/2017 00:43

Well Ovaries, a rejection letter is better than not hearing back anything at all, and a rejection letter that isn't just a general form letter is better still.

OvariesBeforeBrovaries · 11/03/2017 20:55

Definitely Tiggy! I was really pleasantly surprised by it :)

Witchend · 11/03/2017 22:22

Ovaries I felt like that too with my rejection. Part of me says that they're probably nice to everyone, but it did make me feel very happy that they didn't reject it out of hand. I suspect by the 10th rejection I might feel differently. Grin

histinyhandsarefrozen · 22/03/2017 09:24

Hello Waiting on Agents people. (Birdy, Birdy here.)

This thread is over a year old! - hoping that for us all the journey towards publication has been a good one.

Any news Tiggy D? Did you return safely from Birmingham?

Don't rock, did you get your changes done before LBW?

Nina, MadHair et al...how are things?

We - I mean the agent - is about to submit to publishers. Eek. (My expectations are much lower than they were this time last year though. I am well-prepared for imminent disaster. Again) Anyway, I'm just about to get going writing: my biography. (Oh shit) my blurb (SHIT) and my inspiration (Umm). Seeing as I haven't read anything of quality in the last, say, five years this is a little worrying. But exciting too.