How do you stay sane while querying agents?

[CakeRage]

I finished my first book earlier this year (after saying for years I was going to write it), and started submitting to agents 3 weeks ago.

I’ve had a couple of replies, both really encouraging, but ultimately both rejections, and I feel like I’m losing my marbles. How do you keep it together while waiting? Not sure I can take the emotional rollercoaster

The first agent replied within hours to ask for the full manuscript, emailed again the following day to say she was halfway through and absolutely blown away by it, then a few days later to say she did love it, but thought it needed a few changes making. I revised the whole thing (10,000 extra words of work), then she replied just to say it wasn’t working, and she wouldn’t be taking it further.

To be honest I’ve been pretty gutted by it. How do you stop the little judgy voice in your head which tells you you were an idiot for getting your hopes up?

The second agent replied to say she was really impressed by my writing, but didn’t feel I was a good fit for her list at the moment, and recommended another agent (different agency) who she thought would like it. I handled that one much better, even though I guess it was more of an abrupt no.

Please tell me how you cope with this stage - or come commiserate with me at its horribleness!

(Sorry for my crazed rambling - feeling all my feelings this week!)

Preparing so sorry about the full. Keep submitting! I got great feedback from Scribophile, where you exchange critiques with other writers. You could put up the first three chapters and the query letter and synopsis to get some feedback. Let me know if you join and I'll friend you.

Howtotrainyourhamster something very similar happened to my friend, whose agent couldn't sell the book, which was litfic. She's working on her second too but it must be devastating after getting so close.

No news at all for me. But no rejections either so I'm working on another submission while I can still say the full is under request elsewhere.

Thanks Howtotrainyourhamster - what a shame after you got so close!

I understand that it’s a business transaction, at the end of the day, but I can’t help but be a little surprised sometimes by what does get published when there are so many good stories which don’t get through.

I guess that’s all down to the markets though, and I worked in retail long enough in a past life to understand the role of merit in the supply and demand model.

Anyway, good luck with your second book. Has it helped, knowing what you now know about the whole process?

I’ve also been thinking today about submissions, and I’m wondering how much agents rely on the synopsis?

Because my book involves two interwoven stories, I found it difficult to write a snappy and concise synopsis which accurately summed up both parts of the story, so I’ve just stuck to the major plot points, which all happen in the main storyline.

It’s a different book without knowing both sides of the story though, and as my whole premise is about knowing both sides of the story, I’m concerned that I’m not accurately representing the book as a whole.

I’ve tried to explain the structure in my covering letter, but I wonder how much they go on the synopsis, and if it actually matters that much. Any advice from more successful people?

One agent I met at an event said she would only open the synopsis if the first ten pages of the ms engaged her first, but that she was aware of fellow-agents who did the opposite — read the synopsis and only opened the beginning of the novel if they felt the story had potential.

Cake look at Nicola Morgan's book on writing a synopsis, which has suggestions for explaining structure. I had a very similar problem until I read the book, and then I figured it out.

My book is set in three time periods: the main events take place over about 18 months but there are two major flashbacks. My synopsis covers the main timeline, then at the end I say something like "there are two flashbacks set in [year] and [year], when such and such was happening, which is crucial to the plot."

I do think you need to explain that there is a second storyline but you don't have to go into huge detail, e.g., "While the main storyline follows Ava in her search for the truth about her great-grandmother Bella, interwoven is the story of Bella's doomed romance with a WW1 officer," or whatever.

It seems that how agents make use of synopses varies hugely, but I always try to follow their guidelines, so if they ask for a brief synopsis, they get one.

Thanks NJ, I’ll take a look

All the advice I read at the time said just to focus on the main plot and not to worry about secondary parts, so I took that literally and explained in the letter, but now I’m second guessing myself.

Had a weak moment and submitted to three more agents this evening.

I’ve slightly tweaked both the opening few chapters and the synopsis for these so let’s see if anything comes of it. They’re not my Holy Grail agents, but all three seem lovely and are interested in my genre so here goes nothing, I guess!

Good luck Cake!

Got another request for the full today. Very excited! The agent is from a leading agency and has recently had a major bestseller in my genre so I'm really hoping she'll like it. No word from anyone else. I've also done two more submissions.

Wow, how exciting! Fingers crossed for you

Did you tell new agents you submitted to that someone was already reading the full?

Yes, ever since the first request I've been putting in the covering letter that another agency has requested the full but not on an exclusive basis. In the two submissions that I sent out today, I've said two agencies have the full.

The agent who got in touch today asked who already had the full so I told her (just the name of the agency not the agent) and said I'd promised to let them know if I got an offer of representation so they could finish reading and decide if it was right for their list.

Seriously impressed with your pitching skills, NJ! I feel a bit wet in comparison - like I’m sending out my pitch almost apologetically and desperately hoping that someone likes it. You sound like you’re on fire!

I was contemplating contacting anyone who hasn’t replied to tell them another agent is reading the full - technically she didn’t request it as their submission guidelines ask for the full up front, but she IS reading the whole thing, so if I word it like that it isn’t a lie.

Just gotta get on it quickly before she passes on it and it’s not true anymore!

Thank you Cake!

When I first asked for critiques of my query letter, the feedback I got was that it was too apologetic. I started out feeling like I was knocking on a closed door, because I'd submitted my early chapters to numerous contests without even making the longlist, never mind the shortlist. I'd really hoped to be longlisted so I could say so when I queried agents, but it didn't work and I had to start again from zero. I have no writing credits and haven't done a course, so couldn't include anything about that.

I got better at pitching after I started getting positive feedback on both the chapters and the pitch. Now I tailor each pitch to the agent, so if she wants to see strong female characters/series potential/an international setting or whatever, I explain why the book has that. I always felt that the book had series potential, but didn't have the confidence to say so in my early queries. But as soon as I started saying I saw the book as the first of a series, I've had much more interest.

I was contemplating contacting anyone who hasn’t replied to tell them another agent is reading the full - technically she didn’t request it as their submission guidelines ask for the full up front, but she IS reading the whole thing, so if I word it like that it isn’t a lie.

It wouldn't be a lie, but you'll have to think what to say if they straight out ask who else has the full. Because if you say "agency x" they may well know that agency's submission policy, or can look it up, and realise it's not a typical full request. However, they may never ask, and you certainly aren't obliged to tell them, you can just say you'd rather not say at this stage.

Your submission package must be good because you've already had a full request even though it didn't pan out. Are you targeting agents who are building their lists?

Hi, good to hear about your full request Normajeanne - sounds like you’re doing something right. I also have a tendency to sound apologetic and unworthy when trying to pitch stuff - it’s a good skill to have to be able to do it confidently!

It’s interesting to hear your friend had a similar experience to mine - makes me feel a bit less alone! I don’t have many (any!) writing or aspiring writing friends so it’s hard when people know you have an agent and then you have to tell them you’ve kind of given up with finding a publisher!

Cakerage, I guess I’ve taken on board some of the comments which were mainly about one particular strand lacking in drive. Also that you have to ruthlessly justify the presence of each character. And, as someone was advised upthread they always seem to want ‘more’, everything about the plot emphasised, everything brought out more strongly. I’ve tried to take all this on board but it is quite difficult as I (like most people I guess) write the way I write, which is probably more focussed (or trying to be) on the beauty and lyricism of the actual writing and the characters than driven by twisty and exciting plots (obviously I realise there does have to be a plot...!) Anyway, onward and upwards I guess!

Definitely onwards and upwards

I’m a writer and a reader who prefers strong characters and pretty prose to twisty turny plots, so I’m totally with you!

In terms of approaching agents who are building their lists, NJ, I don’t think I was initially but thanks to this thread I am now!

Great news, Norma - fingers crossed you get a positive response soon. The agent sounds ideal for you.

Still silence my end from the 8 agents who now have my initial submission! I'm trying not to go insane. I really am trying! I'm wondering whether to keep sending it out or to wait a bit longer - I've got 7 agents on my researched-list who I am yet to approach.

I had a look at Scribophile - I'm trying to decide whether the 'karma points' system is a good idea or whether I would find it frustrating. I will let you know if I sign up, Norma and pm you my 'pen name'.

Third full request! Have just sent it off. They know two others have the full and have said they'll try to read it quickly.

I'm now going to update the other two agents who are reading and I think I'll goose the four who have had my initial query longest and didn't respond to my previous email about the first full request. I think they're likely not interested but if I can get a response I can cross them off my list.

The tally now: 9 rejections, 3 full requests, waiting on 12.

Preparing I would keep going. You could take a look at your opening chapters over the weekend and do another round of submissions next week. One tip a friend gave me was to use the Read Aloud function in Word to listen to my chapters, because it gives you a fresh view. It was really helpful.

Howtotrainyourhamster even if I do get an agent I'm not going to tell anyone other than my writing friends. Almost no-one else knows about my book and I'll keep it that way as long as possible, just in case it all goes pear-shaped! I've learned my lesson after I nearly got an agent a few years ago, everyone was super excited, then it all came to nothing.

Wow, Normajeanne, that’s a great tally, sounds like you can start playing them off against each other now! Was your previous experience with a different novel?

Yes, in retrospect might have been best to keep quiet re the agent ...,but then people wonder what you’re doing with your time... anyway, don’t think anyone else is v bothered about the humiliation aspect, only me!

Yes, a different novel which I couldn't get right. Long abandoned! One agent seemed very interested and supportive in the beginning, then gradually lost interest and never gave me any feedback on months of rewriting. Because she'd given it so much time at the start I didn't send it to anyone else, and it made me absolutely stabby when I realised nothing was going to come of it.

In retrospect I think she was right not to take the book on, it just died on the vine and I never worked out how to fix it, but it made me determined to do things differently this time. No more exclusive submissions for me!

That’s interesting, Normajeanne - sounds like a similar experience with agent that I had with publishers. A couple expressed lots of interest and gave suggestions, but after lots of reworking it still somehow wasn’t right. It’s a bit worrying, as I feel there’s always the possibility of this happening again.... and writing a novel (and another one) is such a big thing to invest your time in. On the other hand, that was my first novel and I’d written it over quite a long period on and off so maybe not surprising if bits were inconsistent (there were various plot strands, one only added much later, which was probably the one I was happiest with). At least this time I aim to do it quicker, and with a bit more insider knowledge.

I’m impressed you’ve persisted and managed to write another novel though - it’s motivating to hear of other people persisting and doing well! I have always been a massive procrastinator with a fear of imperfection so getting something finished was an achievement - I went on a writing course years ago and there was a dictum ‘don’t get it right, get it written’ which stuck in my head and was useful to actually just get it all down ..... the trouble is you do then need to get it right!

Being advised to approach agents who are building their lists (on this forum) was also v helpful for me!

Wow, NJ - you really are on fire. Fingers crossed for some offer action soon!

I’ve made zero progress again today. I haven’t done anything and I haven’t heard anything. Thankfully got the long weekend to take my mind off it. I’ll regroup next week.

Yes I'm really really hoping I will get an actual offer soon and not just rejections/R&R!

hamster after the agent debacle I took a loooong break from writing, changed career, started a blog, played with and abandoned a couple more ideas, did The Artist's Way (Julia Cameron), decided I was fed up with writing and would write not a word more unless a really good idea came to me, and then bam, I had my good idea and wrote the first draft in about six months.

I wouldn't do it all again though. If this book doesn't get representation, I plan to self-publish and continue writing the rest of the series. I'm not content to leave this one in a drawer and I want to take charge of my own career.

Are you still with your agent hamster and are they being supportive?

Hi Norma, sounds like you’ve had a long and thoughtful road to (hopeful) success. Perhaps something to be said from stepping off the treadmill and letting the ideas come naturally! I think writing a series is probably a good thing in terms of publication as they are always keen to know what’s next...

I’m still with the agent....as far as I know, that is I haven’t been formally dumped! However, I wouldn’t say she’s very communicative so I don’t know what’s going on to be honest! (I don’t move in that world and am not in London, so really I have no clue how it works. I also worry too much about being pushy and annoying...) The last I heard from her was a couple of months ago when the near miss occurred with big publisher, when it was all, sorry not to bring better news but let’s look forward, the second novel sounds great etc and she’d keep ‘pushing’ this as much as she could. However ...., the second novel at that point was a vague plan I described to her in a couple of paragraphs. Now I’m unsure whether to contact her because I’m not quite sure what to say (‘are you still representing me?’) and also I don’t quite want to let her see what I’ve written yet in case she doesn’t like it (not shown it to anyone yet!)

All very confusing and I’d probably benefit from being more assertive! I’m unsure if I’ve been dumped without being told or merely shelved while I write the next novel - my brother, who also has an agent but in film world, says this is normal, but I’m not sure.... I would say before all this she was really helpful and we worked closely on the first one which she claimed to love... I also think she is genuinely a nice person but then at the same time in a ruthless profession where I guess you can only invest so much time effectively working for free!

Anyway, sorry to derail the thread. I’m just getting on with the next novel as it seems the only way forward.....

I think she's likely just waiting until you have something to show her, hamster, as there's not much she can do for you until then.

I agree, keep writing the novel but it probably wouldn't hurt to get in touch to reassure her that you are working on it and hope to be able to show her something soon. Otherwise she might think you dropped her!

Derail away, lol - we need distracting!

NJ- Definitely sounds like something is in the pipeline for you. You might have a three-way fight on your hands!

Definitely hear you on the self-publishing, too. That’s my plan if I exhaust all the agents on my long list with no joy. The feedback from my R&R wasn’t that she didn’t like it, she definitely did, it was that she wasn’t confident she could sell it. But I know people in the wild like my book, so worst case scenario I’ll sell it to them myself.

Thanks Norma - yes maybe need not to be so paranoid... I hadn’t really thought of that, I may take your advice, saying will hopefully have something to show soon sounds better than committing to showing now!!

Cake, the tension between liking something and being able to sell it seems to be an all too common thing!