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Original poster

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:
Helmetbymidnight · 10/03/2016 13:47

Sounds good, Hustle.

My American offensive has come to nothing. Ho hum.

TiggyD · 15/03/2016 16:08

Recap: The agent said that some of my rhymes were a bit off and a bit of "a reach". I agreed, and so did The Countess. I had a re-write of my witch one. The first 2 lines are now the same length as the second 2 of each verse. (Within 1 sillybull). The first and the third, and the second and forth are also now the same length. I think it's helped. It seems to flow better. I thought of a few better rhymes as well.
If anybody would care for a quick read I'd love to hear your thoughts.

PS A couple more generic "No thanks" e-mails received.

poemsbytiggy.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/a-guide-to-identification-of-witches-by.html

TiggyD · 15/03/2016 16:09

And should I resend it to the agent who turned me down?

Helmetbymidnight · 15/03/2016 16:17

I'd hang back with that agent-(unless they explicitly said they'd want to see it) you might make further changes/if nothing's happened in 6 months or so, then you could try then..

I got a whole mss rejection today though so what do I know!

Helmetbymidnight · 15/03/2016 16:19

Think you may have spelt 'their' wrong in your blog title..

TiggyD · 15/03/2016 16:28

Pretty sure it's spelt fine. Wink

Helmetbymidnight · 15/03/2016 16:32

My mistake Wink

Original poster
IceRoadDucker · 15/03/2016 19:49

I officially have an agent! I'm so excited to start working with her. I created an author website, even though I don't have much to put on it at the moment, and am preparing to do another read of the manuscript to see if it can be improved before submission to editors. My agent will give me editorial notes as well, but I need to be doing SOMETHING!

OP posts:
Helmetbymidnight · 15/03/2016 19:52

You jammy ducker Wink

May I be the first mumsnetter to congratulate you.

V well done.

TiggyD · 15/03/2016 20:21

Very well done IceRoad. It was worth the wait.

wordassociationfootball · 16/03/2016 09:52

Fantastic!!!! Pop some corks, IceRoad.

ImperialBlether · 16/03/2016 22:19

Well done, IceRoad! Has she said anything about her plans for you?

HustleVandango · 23/03/2016 11:35

Little update, received a v.v. quick email from an agent I sent to yesterday - it's a rejection but he said
'I think you’ve got something here, but unfortunately I just didn’t fall in love with it enough to feel I’d be the right champion for the book'
Which is a positive no if such a thing exists I guess. Keep at it, right? HOLY FUCK IT'S SO TOUGH

MissBattleaxe · 23/03/2016 11:44

That's actually great feedback Hustle. They needn't have bothered, but they did. Keep going!

HustleVandango · 23/03/2016 11:57

Thanks Battleaxe that's good to hear. It's my first non-standard rejection for this one, but unfortunately the opening line of the email visible to me before opening it was 'I think you've got something here-' so my heart immediately LEAPT.
Keeping on, obvs

CantFeelMyFace · 23/03/2016 12:13

That is hugely positive Hustle--it will be a matter if time I think...I am picking up lots of pointers from this thread for my own project, cheers everyone.

Helmetbymidnight · 23/03/2016 18:42

I've had a few- 'liked it but didn't feel passionate enough' full mss rejections.
Sigh.
Still waiting on two full mss- one has had for nearly three weeks- that's not good is it? The other says they usually reply in eight weeks.

Helmetbymidnight · 29/03/2016 18:58

Any exciting news anyone?

HustleVandango · 29/03/2016 21:18

Hi Helmet had another agent email today to say he really liked my writing but he wanted a more detailed synopsis before he could commit to full mss. I have sent him one over after realising that the previous one I'd attached missed out an integral and entire chunk of story so that's....that's good.
He did say I wrote very well and that he was intrigued to know more so that's hopeful. I think the ghost is putting him off. I've got a ghost which creeps into every story I write, even if it isn't intended to be a ghost story. Weird.

ImperialBlether · 29/03/2016 21:20

Oooh that sounds interesting, Hustle, both the agent and the ghost!

CantFeelMyFace · 30/03/2016 17:12

Good luck Hustle, fingers crossed for you. See nothing wrong with a spooky spirit to liven up the proceedings!

I was just about send queries to a bunch of agents but started reading the novel and couldn't help having another bash at editing it! I was happy with it before but like the changes I've made. Does it mean I'm not done yet? Will there be an epiphany when I've done the last word?! Just feel like I could be writing this forever if I chose to Confused

HustleVandango · 31/03/2016 13:47

Lads. LADS. Agent just rung me. Wants to see full mss. Said he will read over weekend and call me early next week. He has lots of enthusiasm for what he has seen so far, thinks it has a big audience. BLIMEY

HustleVandango · 31/03/2016 13:50

Also Can'tFeel there will always be changed you want to make, it's knowing when to stop before you do more harm than good which is the trick!

greenflame · 31/03/2016 14:24

Hi, I've been lurking on this (great!) thread as I'm just gearing up to submit to agents for the first time. Hustle that is incredible news, did your stomach drop when you got the call?! Have you sent on the full mss yet?

HustleVandango · 31/03/2016 15:33

Greenflame Jesus yes. I was in Sainsburys (so GLAMOUROUS) and tried to play it very, very cool. At one point I said 'Glad to see we're on the same page' and then I added 'it's a pun' like a collasall TWAT. I've just sent him the full thing now so will wait to hear what he says. He seems very nice, and told me he wouldn't be calling if he wasn't keen. I felt like reminding him that I have very little artistic integrity and so will write whatever the hell he tells me to.