When should I give up on trying to get an agent for this novel? How long did it take you to get an agent?

[Marettimo7]

Okay so here’s a quick summary of this particular novel. Submitted it in November to six agents. Got two requests for full, one outright reject and two ghostings (presumably will get an automated “nope, bye” in a year’s time).

The two requests for full were eventual rejections. Both gave me long and generous feedback.

I’ve implemented the feedback, but the newest draft of the novel isn’t complete yet. I entered it into a few awards, just to see. I wasn’t expecting to win - clearly - since I can’t get ONE agent to love it, let alone a whole panel of them! But today comes the “thanks but no thanks” from the Lucy Cavendish Prize longlist.

I’m now thinking this novel I’ve written can’t be good enough to be published.

Or does it take more than six agent rejects and no prize longlist to find an agent?!

I’m thinking I should take the strong hint that my novel clearly isn’t special!

Honestly the rejections kill me every time.

And anyone got any stories of eventual success after failure they can share to make me feel better?!

Hi there, I think I submitted to around 12, got 2 full requests, one rejection and the other one got me an agent. So I would say you are doing well and don’t stop at six.
I wouldn’t get too hung up on prizes, everyone’s personal taste is different (same reason most people have to query a number of agents).
Unfortunately it seems getting an agent doesn’t automatically mean success either - my first novel hasn’t sold (as yet) so now working on my second.

Don’t give up so soon! At a talk for self publishing authors at the London Book Fair this year, one agent said she is sent 600 manuscripts each year, and takes on 2-3.

So really, keep trying. It’s good news that you had positive feedback.

Thank you, howtotrainyourhamster! That’s spurred me on to try another six once this next draft is done. Urgh it’s a hard game, isn’t it?! Good luck with your next one - and selling the current!

Wasn’t expecting the prize email today to floor me. I didn’t think I’d be longlisted, really. But it left me feeling punched! Think I’d rather they’d just ghosted me, like the other agents I didn’t hear back from!

six is nothing. try to work on something else now so youre not only focussing on the sub process. id say try another 25 or so more before putting it away. (also try some of the publishers who dont require agents)
good luck!

Bittern11 600 manuscripts and they take on 2-3? Those aren’t nice odds! Thank you- though the agents gave me really positive feedback, they didn’t invite me to revise and resubmit. It’s so hard to know whether or not what you’re working in is any good!

Helmetbymidnight - thank you! Wow 25! Ok I definitely haven’t sent to enough!

Good idea to start working on the next. I think I am going to next time I get writing time!

First of all, are you approaching the right agents? Do they love the type of book you are writing?

Six agents is nothing! I have a spreadsheet and some still haven't replied, years later!

Having two ask for the full means that you are on the right track. Did they say you could resubmit?

What happened to me is that I sent a novel to well over a dozen agents. Only one person read the full. I wrote another and sent that off to even more agents. No interest. I wrote another and sent it off and immediately got interest - I got an agent who read 3 chapters on the Friday, asked for the full on the following Monday and signed me up on Wednesday.

Do you have beta readers? Have you thought about asking a professional fiction editor to edit for you?

Linda Green tweeted recently that she submitted her first novel to 102 agents without success. Her new book is a Richard and Judy pick -- don't give up!

twitter.com/LindaGreenisms/status/1102952272672247808

HollowTalk - I’m not sure. I went for some really big names (the ghosterd) and was sort of expecting to never hear from them again! And then a few young agents looking to fill their list (the two who asked for the full) and then some in the middle (outright reject). I sort of thing there is a kind of person who’d like my novel. Have turned to Twitter to look for agents, because then I can get a bit of a sense of who they are.

I would love any advice!!

Congratulations on selling your third! My first has taken me over two years to write. It is a long old road!

Bittern - no beta readers except my husband. I think I started to enter competitions as another way to see if the novel is any good?! I am reluctant to pay an editor. (I’m from an editing background - former journalist and editor - so that part I can do.)

madeleineinlondon that makes me so happy! All you hear about are these young debuts who everyone loves and do amazing right away!

Also - thank you everyone for your replies so far! I really appreciate it!

The new agents looking to fill their list are the best way to go, I think. Some of the big ones only take on a book a year. At least with the new agents you know they are actively looking to fill their lists.

One thing, those opening chapters have to be really great!

What genre are you writing in?

Even though you have an editing background does not mean that you can view your own work objectively. It might be worth paying for a structural edit. That said, two requests for a full out of the first 6, with personalised feedback, is fantastic. Keep at it, and I wouldn't worry about competitions. That's icing on the cake, really.

Hollowtalk - I’ve written a thriller, but I think it doesn’t “thrill” enough! Haha! (Well the feedback I got sort of said that, in a roundabout way.) I wonder if my openings aren’t strong enough too?

chocorcheese - yes it’s really hard to see my own book objectively! Thank you so much, though! Good to know that it’s a positive sign I got requests for full, even if they didn’t come to anything!

Did they say the plot wasn't thrilling enough or that you weren't writing in a suspenseful way?

That the plot doesn’t work (not thrilling enough). They’re right! I reread the whole thing carefully after that, keeping their feedback in mind, and I agree, on reflection. Which is why I’m redrafting. Neither are interested in seeing it again, though (not that I asked, but certainly got a very final “you can show me your next novel, hope you manage to sell this” type sentence from both of them).

It’s difficult to know whether I have something with it or not!

Have you thought about self publishing? I know some people hate the idea of it but when you think about how many amazing authors got hundreds of rejections it makes you think how publishers / agents don't necessarily have infallible judgement! At least that way you could get feedback from your readers...

I'm a published writer and write thrillers. If you want to talk it through I'm happy to send you my email address.

FlossieTeacakesFurCoat18 I have heard that self publishing is like running a business - I’m not sure I’d be so good at all the marketing, to be honest! But I know it can be brilliant.

hollowtalk that is so generous of you! I’d love to pick your brain about thrillers. But I don’t know how to private message you... let me explore!

Marettimo - You click on 'message poster' above a post by the poster you want to message...

Bittern11 - aha! Thank you! Was using my mobile and it doesn't appear. But am on my laptop now, and it does!

hollowtalk - i will message you now!