Waiting on agents

[Hazelwood63]

Hello. I'm just looking for company on this long waiting game. Anyone else waiting to hear back from agents at the moment? I sent out five initial submissions at the end of January. So far I've received a really encouraging rejection and two requests for the full. Nothing from the other two so far. It's coming up to a month since I sent off the first full ms, and just over three weeks for the other one. Has anyone else waited over a month for a response to a full and been offered representation, or is it maybe time to think of moving on?

I hope I’m not butting in, but this is a really interesting thread, and thank you for the Guardian link @ElsieT23 . I found that really resonated with me.
I find the whole business of submitting work to agents absolutely unbearable. I hate the long waiting, the fact that sometimes you never hear back. It takes me straight back to being a lovesick teenager and waiting in agony for the phone to ring. Sort of passive and supplicant. I’m not willing to have that feeling again at my age. The awful thing is, I used to have an agent, and like a PP, was dropped when my novel wasn’t picked up; and it was no better even with an agent. I still felt like a powerless child. It was a relief, really, when the relationship came to an end. Maybe it was the wrong agent, or maybe it’s just me!

Hi @StellaOlivetti , I'm sorry you've had that experience. That's really tough. It certainly seems to be a strange old business.

Having started this thread, I'm taking time out to rethink and rewrite. For those of us in the Full Read Almost But Not Quite Club there's a mystery to be solved. How/why do we seemingly fail to fulfil the promise of those opening chapters? For me, I think it might have something to do with uncertainty as to what my novel is actually about, and also maintaining my voice as a writer throughout the story. I set up the promise of something and go on to deliver something else.
So ...
I have just signed up for the Advanced Course with The Novelry and, three lessons in, I feel it might be a game changer.
Does anyone else have any news?

Hi @StellaOlivetti, remember you from other threads too, sounds like you've had pretty similar experience to me. Agree, things weren't much better with an agent, and ultimately didn't work out but stakes felt much higher..... so it's even worse now to be in position of starting from scratch. I have nothing to report, no word on my recent submissions, wonder if it's a combination of holiday period and upcoming London book fair, or maybe everything is just taking ages at moment. I am not particularly hopeful anyway.

@Hazelwood63 I think you make a really good point about not delivering after first 3 chapters, and possible reasons. I definitely think I have trouble sustaining a consistent voice - both of my novels have had various alternating viewpoints so that probably doesn't help (though this is also the kind of thing I like to read, I think I would find it hard to write an entire novel focussing only on one character/ voice). Also agree about being clear what the novel is about and where it is going. Though I also wonder if the bar is raised much higher at the moment than in the past, and that everything is so much more formulaic, with an unwillingness to take a chance on anything that doesn't fit neatly in a box. Also, with the proliferation of writing courses/ editorial services the manuscripts received must often be a lot more polished than previously.

The novelty course looks really interesting - and not too expensive for the advanced course though obviously still a bit of an investment. Are you using it to try to rework your existing novel, @Hazelwood63, or to try something different?

Hi @Dontrocktheboat , I'm using the Novelry course for my existing novel (not giving up hope just yet) but also for any future novels too. It lays some very good time and effort saving ground rules and invites you to answer a series of questions about the story you intend to write before you begin. I had already begun to develop a new outline for the narrative and am now finding this course really helpful as I continue. But oh, the thought of cutting thousands of words, of taking myself right back to about a third of the way through the story ... and beginning from that point all over again.... That needs a big deep breath!

@Dontrocktheboat yes, I agree the stakes seemed higher with the agent, which meant when it failed to find a home, it felt somehow worse. Overall I was relieved when we parted ways, I think, but I remember thinking publishing is a cold cold world when you’re on your own. And I think you’re absolutely right about the difficulty of maintaining the momentum right to the end of a novel, especially if you’re not much of a detailed planner, which I’m not.
@Hazelwood63 the Novelry course does look very good, I must say. I have often thought about going on a residential course like Arvon, or even just taking myself off to a remote cottage somewhere and writing solidly for a week. Maybe one day. I hope it helps you shape your novel, but yes isn’t it painful, cutting thousands of words.

Would you mind if I joined you on this thread? I’m dipping my toe in again. It’s my third time querying so I know how soul crushing the process can be. Bracing myself!

I have a question for those of us who have written multiple novels and are still looking for representation. At what point did you feel comfortable shelving a novel and start focussing on the next one?

@Hazelwood63 How is the Novelry course going? They have a scholarship scheme advertised and I'm thinking about applying. Would you recommend?

Welcome @bookmadbee When to shelve a novel is a tricky question, and maybe others on here will give a better answer. I've written two novels - so far - both have had a degree of interest but no offers. I guess I shelved the first one when the second one started to present itself to me. It was just a feeling in my bones, and my focus shifted. I fully intend to return to that first novel sometime, and have a good idea as to the changes I would make.
Apparently, a lot of authors publish their second/third/fourth novel first. If you haven't already then check out the Harriet Tyce blog further up the thread. It's a very encouraging read!
Good luck with the querying and do keep us posted!

Hi @Helpwhatwouldyoudonext I am absolutely loving The Novelry Course, and would recommend it, yes. They offer a number of courses, as you know, and obviously it's important to find the one that's right for you. I'm doing their Advanced course, and it's exactly what I need right now as I re-work this draft. It offers ways of looking at all the usual elements of a novel in a way you might never have looked at them before.

Happy to answer any other questions if I can.

Hi @bookmadbee, welcome. This is my second time querying. With my first novel I got an agent but did not find a publisher so ultimately shelved it after that soul-destroying experience, by that time I had lost faith in it anyway.
With this one, I have submitted only to around 4 so far. I had one full request, but then rejected and the rest heard nothing at all, feels like they have just gone into a vacuum.... so am kind of ready to give up already! Was also thinking about the possibility of a course like the novelry or one also looked at an Edit and Pitch your Novel course offered by Curtis Brown. Would be helpful potentially to see where I am going wrong, but the CB one in particular is so expensive.
I have definitely read somewhere that it's worth starting on the next one while still querying, though have yet to find the motivation to do this.
Glad to hear the novelry course is going well, @Hazelwood63.

When to shelve is hard to answer but personally I always know when I am through with a novel, in terms of no longer wanting to edit or polish, or send out to agents or publishers. It’s not quite losing faith, more like losing interest. I just don’t want to think about it anymore, have nothing more I can add.
I’m glad the course is good, @Hazelwood63 . I know someone who went on an Arvon course, I think in Yorkshire. I’m not sure I’d be brave enough. But I know I would love it, so maybe I’ll find the courage one day.
And yes, I bet very few authors publish their first novel. My first (only) published book is actually the fifth one I’ve written, not including two dreadful teenage attempts. I am extremely glad self publishing wasn’t a thing back then! The idea of anyone seeing those early atrocities is not a nice one.

One of the good things about The Novelry course @StellaOlivetti is that it's online and at your own pace. You watch pre-recorded videos and read the accompanying notes, or at least you do on the Advanced course. You can be involved with the online writer community as much, or as little, as you want to be. So not quite as scary as being in the same room with a group of other writers.

@Hazelwood63 and @Dontrocktheboat thanks!! It's good to have company during the waiting game!

Interesting thoughts on when to shelve a novel, thanks. @Hazelwood63 I'm in a similar place to you maybe in that the first two novels both had a degree of interest, but not enough. Or I suppose it was enough, at least to get me writing that third novel!

@Dontrocktheboat that sounds like a terrible experience, getting an agent but ultimately having to start over. In the end you'll hopefully be able to look back, once you're published, and think it all worked out but I can only imagine how tough it's been! Serious kudos to you for keeping going!

Do you find that you keep changing your bench mark as to what you feel is a "success" in a submission? Before, I would've said a full request was a success, but at this point, I feel getting an agent will be massive success - except as your experience shows, @Dontrocktheboat , you then have another massive hurdle to clear with publication. I guess they are all rungs on the (difficult to climb and very long!) ladder.

@StellaOlivetti the way you describe when you feel ready to shelve a novel is like how I feel. I sometimes feel a bit bad about it, as in, I was so invested in those characters and in telling their story, but then I've just sort of moved on! I find it hard to imagine re-visiting those stories, but then, it may be really nice to read back what I wrote then.

@bookmadbee it was certainly a learning experience. And yes, it has made me realise just how many hurdles there are - it is nice to get a full request, but I think my default now is to anticipate rejection. I'm also not really feeling at this point that I ever will be published, unless just self publish!
@StellaOlivetti I'm impressed at your output of five novels (not counting the teenage ones!) - how did you go about publishing the one that is published?
I've not been on an Arvon course, but been on a few writing retreats as part of a masters course I did a few years ago - it was part of the course as a summer retreat, then there was the option for alumna to book on afterwards if there were places. I went a few times but not since covid - always found it a great experience, although these things are dependent to some extent on the other people there. I had a vague idea of who some of them might be beforehand due to links to the course, but the Arvon ones you go into blind I guess, which does put me off a little bit.... though on the other hand if the main purpose is to get on with your own writing in a pleasant environment perhaps it doesn't matter too much, and if you do get on with or make connections with the people there that's a bonus!
Have had one form rejection since last posted and otherwise nothing - so still got 3 submissions out, 2 to agents and one to a small publisher, but not feeling hopeful.

But I think a full request is a success, @bookmadbee , because only, what is it, one per cent of all the many queries an agent receives makes it to a full request. What we have chosen to attempt is difficult; really, really difficult. The odds are overwhelmingly against any of us getting a full request, getting representation, getting to an acquisitions meeting, getting published. Any success along that path needs to be acknowledged! Actually, finishing a novel is a massive accomplishment - how many people have done that? But I agree with your main point, we need to define what we mean by success.
Please don’t be impressed by my output, @Dontrocktheboat ! I started young, and am now very old. My novel was published through what now feels like serendipity. I finished it, and sat on it for months, trying to pluck up courage for the soul destroying process of submitting to literary agents. By chance I read a review on a book blog of a similar sounding novel, published by a small publisher, so sent it to them on the off chance.
Getting an agent with your first time querying is pretty amazing.

Hope nobody minds me resurrecting this thread to share some news - this morning I got The Email from an agent who had requested the full manuscript of my novel last week! I was completely prepared for it to be a nice rejection, as I've had a few fulls requested on this same project and they all ultimately went the same way, so I was skimming the email to get to the inevitable "The very best of luck in placing your work elsewhere..." and then realised that instead it was proposing a call next week to discuss representation.
I know this is only the first step of many but I'm absolutely on Cloud 9 right now. I've been writing and querying for years and it often seemed like this day would never come. I'm not telling anyone except DH about it for now but I really wanted to share here 😚

Fabulous and amazing news! Am raising a metaphorical glass to you. Well done, and have a great evening celebrating 🥳

Thank you @StellaOlivetti! DH has just texted to say he's bringing home some bubbles 🍾

@AppropriateAdult That is such great news! Having seen your name on these threads back when I just used to lurk, it really feels like you've scored one for the team. I wish you every success.

@appropriateadult that is such brilliant news, huge congratulations! Getting an agent is harder than getting a publisher so that's amazing news.

Thanks so much @Hazelwood63 and @LouisaMayAlcott. Just hoping I can come across as a reasonable, professional human being when we speak next week, and not the gibbering mess I'm afraid I'll turn into...

Congratulations! Lovely way to start the weekend! Cheers to you.

Hi @AppropriateAdult that's great news and so exciting - well done for persevering, it sounds truly well deserved. Really hope that the conversation with the agent goes well, and that you can have a lovely weekend celebrating in the meantime.

Thanks @MrsWsMusings and @Dontrocktheboat! Hope there's good news in the offing for anyone else currently querying.

I'm about to give up on querying my early YA paranormal mystery novel set in an island summer camp. A few rejections and more who never replied. I just feel so rubbish about it because I love the characters and the plot development so much, it's ashame to let it go. But I hopefully have 1.5 weeks starting next week to myself, and want to write something totally new.

Hi @AppropriateAdult did you meet up with the agent yet? Hope you have good news!