Feels almost like a Personals ad

wandergirl · Nov 7, 2008

Hello all!

Before I post this in the beta reader thread, I'd like to hear some of your thoughts. I've written a YA novel, sent it out over the last couple months, and have gotten some bites; however, I just received my third rejection on my full. While I still have a couple requested manuscripts out there, I'm trying to look at this logically (and not just dejectedly) -- should I hang back before querying anyone else?

I truly believe my book's on the cusp. I'm a pro freelance writer and former web/magazine editor with a B.A. in English, so I'm not so much concerned about the writing quality (though maybe the YA voice, a bit?). And last week I got another request based on my partial. But apparently, my book's just not quite there for those three agents. The rejections came with some comments, but of the vague, cryptic sort without enough detail to really help me. I wish it wasn't a faux pas to ask for more.

What would you do if you were in my shoes? (Of course I'm working on other projects and all that.) Actually, I'm sure some of you are. Should I chalk it up to agent subjectivity and query a little more? Or should I put the whole thing on pause and seek beta readers? Wanna be one? If I show you mine, you can most definitely show me yours.

I'm really trying to put a brave face on -- you know how it is. Oh so close!
<3

Sean · Nov 8, 2008

Three rejections is nothing. Harry Potter was rejected 36 times, IIRC. And A Wrinkle in Time was rejected over 100 times before it found a home (and became a time-honored classic). So keep going. Plus, getting comments is a good sign. It's better than getting a form rejection.

Without seeing the quality of the work or what the comments say, it's hard for me to say what to do, but I think you're getting worried over the rejections a bit too early. I'd say to keep querying based on what little knowledge I have.

Sage · Nov 8, 2008

Getting three full requests (especially one after a partial) is a very good sign, I think. It shows the story sounds intriguing, and the partial to full request suggests that the agent liked your writing too.

Betas are always helpful (IMO). Their crits will range from the vague comments you're getting to something very detailed (and possibly too much so). Most of them will answer any questions you have about their crit (or anything specific you were wondering they thought about your novel at all). If you decide to look for a beta, I suggest sharing a small excerpt and a "hook" with your request b/c it's easier to get the right betas for the novel that way.

But remember, every agent is different and if they're inconsistent with their comments, it could just be their one opinion. If everyone's saying the same thing, it's probably something you should look at.

wandergirl · Nov 8, 2008

Thanks for your thoughts, Sage. Sean, were those full rejections or just query rejections?

Fortunately the agent who requested a full from my partial still has it, so I've still got that egg in my basket. Plus a couple other partials.

I suppose it's standard to want one's book to be so good, every agent who reads it desires to represent it! What's more realistic is to hope an agent loves it enough as is to work through any additional revisions. By as is, of course, I mean as damn good as I can make it without help from an industry pro. Sigh. It's so much easier to advise other writers, but so difficult when it's your own book. I guess I'm just afraid of running out of admirable YA agents because there's something wanting in my manuscript, something I just don't see.

Danthia · Nov 11, 2008

If you've gotten three full requests and three rejections on them, then I can understand wanting to hold off on querying more. It might not be a bad idea, though it certainly doesn't mean anything is wrong with the MS.

Did those MS rejections give you any feedback at all? Did they say them same things?

At the very least you know you have an idea that appeals, and if your full requests came from partial requests, then you know your opening pages are working. It Maybe find some critquers you can trust to give the MS a critical read and see if there are any spots you can tweak.

If it were me, I'd probably hold off sending it back out. I had four MS requests and only one no, so getting three nos feels like there's a hiccup there somewhere.

Maprilynne · Nov 12, 2008

I'm afraid I'm going to disagree with Danthia. I think three is way to low a number to stop one, especially if the feedback you are getting does not match. I would go ahead and query a few other agents and while you are waiting, look at the feedback to have recieved and make little tweaks as necessary, but don't fall into the trap of getting a few rejections and then thinking you have to rehaul the whole thing. if you are getting requests for fulls off of partials then the book must be good. And if you are then getting personal feedback on your fulls then it must be close. Do read the responses and honestly evaluate if you do need revisions, but don't let three rejections wipe-out your confidence in your book.

Good luck!!

Garpy · Nov 12, 2008

Keep going. Getting a near-pass from an editor means the writing's probably there...it's just that it doesn't necessarily fit the profile of what they want to add to next year's release schedule.

wandergirl · Nov 12, 2008

Thanks, you guys.

Going through my three full rejections: One was entirely vague; one claimed she didn't fall in love with the voice; and my most recent said it was difficult to connect with my MC. She attributed it to the transitions between past and present, which she said might have been switching too quickly to keep her invested. Obviously, she was the most helpful.

I can see what she's saying, and I feel like there are two ways to revise for her concerns. Option One: I could add a little more detail in the flashbacks, maybe combine a couple so they're fewer and farther between (though as it stands, we're not talking 20 of them; more like seven). But I do believe that's the kind of revision an agent would be willing to proactively take on, if she otherwise loved the book. Which leads to Option Two: I could overhaul much more thoroughly ( :::shudder::: ), maybe with help from fresh betas.

Or.... I could !!Query On!!

KTC · Nov 12, 2008

I'm about at the same stage myself, so I know what you're going through. I would say sit back and relax while you wait for the ones you already have out. If you have it out still, I wouldn't worry about re-tooling it just yet. Just wait to see what the response is. Then, maybe you can consider your options. I swear, I feel like I'm walking on glass waiting for the response from my two full requests. But having them out there, I know myself that I am not up to looking at it and reworking it. While it's in the agents' hands, I'll be sitting on mine.

I wish you the best of success.

Nateskate · Nov 12, 2008

I'm going to give a mixed answer to this. And it's going to slightly differ from conventional wisdom.

There are two errors in my opinion. The first is to second guess everything. And the second is not to take seriously what people are saying.

I don't believe in sending out one at a time, but I also see a fatal flaw in shotgunning a thousand queries, assuming it's only a numbers game.

There are two scenarios. The first is that you have a stellar novel and simply need to find the right fit. The second is that you have a near-miss novel and taking some feedback and making some changes will make it a perfect fit.

In the later case, shotgunning a thousand queries is fruitless, because you will keep nearly missing. And then you've burned all your bridges because you generally only get one chance to make a first impression with every agent. And few will take a second look unless they ask for a rewrite first.

Because you are so near, I'd want a really great second opinion or third opinion from a valid source of some sort, an objective person who can tell you if it's the first case or the second case. If objective people read your book and are wowed by it, chances are that some agent will be too.

It sounds like you are defintely one or the other, there or nearly there, so it may be best to find a Creative Writing Prof or someone else who knows their stuff to give it a good look.

In my case, the truth was that I was so close, close enough to get agents to ask to see it, but initially the story itself wasn't perfected. It hurt to get rejections. But I kept fine-tuning the story, and each time it got better until I found a publisher.

But I now realize that I was submitting a story with pacing problems, and some other flaws. Getting rejections was the best thing that could have happened, because it helped my story. If it got published the way it was when I started, I wouldn't be happy with the story. I'd look with regret and realize it could have been so much better.

All the same, kudos on what you've accomplished. It sounds like either way it's just a matter of time.

Feels almost like a Personals ad

wandergirl

~kirsten hubbard

Sean

Sage

Our Lady of Parentheticals

wandergirl

~kirsten hubbard

Danthia

Maprilynne

Author Waiting in the Wings

Garpy

keyboard monkey

wandergirl

~kirsten hubbard

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Nateskate