What to do with old proposal that did not sell?

Levi · Dec 11, 2006

I put together a proposal about a year ago and got an agent for it. Although the agent put in some work and sent it out when it did not sell to the top five or six editors on her list she dropped me and the proposal as a client - saying that she really was not that good at non-fiction and was going to only focus on fiction for the near future. Seems like she was trying out her skills for selling non-fiction on my expense.

The question I have is what should I do with my non-fiction proposal that did not sell? Should I try and find another agent for it or is it dead in the water now?

I have now started a new proposal for another non-fiction book, should I just concentrate on that and if that sells try my old proposal again?

WildScribe · Dec 11, 2006

If you think that the original idea was good, then try, try again.

KCH · Dec 12, 2006

Levi,

I agree with the previous poster. Seek another agent, one who specializes in non-fiction.

First find out where the ms. has been shopped. A new agent will need to know where it's been. Did any publisher actually see the entire ms. or your proposal? Or did the publishers decline based solely on the agent's verbal pitch?

MOON GODDESS · Dec 13, 2006

BOOK PROPOSAL

I would decide which of the two proposals you want to concentrate on at the moment, but don't completely disregard the first one. Just because one agent dropped it, doesn't mean another agent or publisher won't be interested in it.
If your second proposal is accepted, it's possible you can more easily sell the first one.

What to do with old proposal that did not sell?

Levi

WildScribe

Slave to the Wordcount

KCH

MOON GODDESS