Now what?

Wandering Sensei · Mar 8, 2005

After 45 agent tries, my second novel has crashed and burned. Now what do I do? Should I continue to try? Market it straight to publishers? I like the book. I like the story, and I've had quite a few nibbles, but ultimately no one wanted it. The response I hear most often--when I get a response, that is--is a variation on "just not enthusiastic about it." I don't really want to trunk it, but it looks like I have no choice.

This has been a really, really lousy week.

James D. Macdonald · Mar 8, 2005

Write another book.

Meanwhile submit the current one to publishers who don't require agents.

NEVER, EVER, PAY TO GET PUBLISHED!

maestrowork · Mar 8, 2005

What Jim said.

45 agents is nothing. There are over 200 agents out there -- have you tried them all yet? Preseverance is a requirement in this business.

It took me over 60 rejections. But I made it. And I'm writing another book.

Julian Black · Mar 8, 2005

I like the book. I like the story...

You're the author--of course you do.

Authors aren't exactly the most impartial judges of their own work, however. While it's probably a good book if you've had nibbles, there may be something about it that has kept it from being a great one. It may be better than 96% of the mss. out there, but it still needs a bit of fine-tuning to push it into the top 2% that get published.

Be encouraged by the fact that you have had nibbles--that should tell you something. Don't get so discouraged that you overlook the good. Most mss. never even get a nibble.

...The response I hear most often...is a variation on "just not enthusiastic about it."

Sounds like it's time to figure out why they aren't enthusiastic about it. Who has read the ms., besides you, and people you know well? Maybe getting a complete stranger to read it (or at least the first three chapters) and give you an honest, impartial opinion is in order.

Do you have anything else you can start sending out soon? Maybe the second novel needs some time off while you sell your third. [shrugs]

Sorry it's been such a lousy week for you. But don't give up.

azbikergirl · Mar 8, 2005

Have you received objective feedback on the ms and/or the query letter, perhaps by other writers? Putting it out for critiques might help you get more specific info about why it's not lighting fires under the buttocks of agents so far.

Or it could be that you just haven't found the right agent yet.

Dancre · Mar 8, 2005

maestrowork said:
What Jim said.

45 agents is nothing. There are over 200 agents out there -- have you tried them all yet? Preseverance is a requirement in this business.

It took me over 60 rejections. But I made it. And I'm writing another book.

I'm so glad you shared this, Maestrowork. i've had around 24 rejecitons so far. at least there's hope.

SRHowen · Mar 8, 2005

64 for me, if I had given up and not sent that last group of 5 out---

Shawn

PattiTheWicked · Mar 8, 2005

Now What, Indeed?

Wandering Sensei said:
After 45 agent tries, my second novel has crashed and burned. Now what do I do? Should I continue to try? ....

This has been a really, really lousy week.

You know, I'm really glad you posted this today. Last night, I realized I had gotten TEN rejection letters in the past two weeks, for various projects. I went to bed feeling sorry for myself, and literally crying myself to sleep because I've sent my current MS to 27 different agents over the past two years, all of whom have ultimately turned me down for one reason or another. I was even to the point where I thought, What's the use? Why freakin' bother? I've spent nearly 30 years deluding myself into thinking I could be successful as a writer. Why even waste time on my WIP, since no one's gonna want it anyway?

It's nice to know I'm not alone.

Thank you.

maestrowork · Mar 8, 2005

Dancre said:
I'm so glad you shared this, Maestrowork. i've had around 24 rejecitons so far. at least there's hope.

When I become famous, I'll change my story. I'd say: I had only 5 rejections, 3 of which from my mother!

Wandering Sensei · Mar 8, 2005

Shawn, did you actually get a hit in those last five queries?

I have gleaned some more agents to query, about a dozen or so. So I guess I'll continue to try. I am concerned that the most consistent response is "just not enthusiastic/excited enough about the plot/story/characters/premise." I have had a couple agents tell me that I have good writing skills and I've succeeded with characterization, world-building, etc., so there is apparently some promise to the novel. And I've had several nibbles and three requests for the complete manuscript.

I've thought seriously about workshopping it again or sending it to a couple workshop writers to get an opinion about why it isn't, quite, flying. I hate to spend all my time on this one, though, rather than working on a new book.

Maestro, is that 200 agents in the fantasy genre? Many don't take fantasy. A lot aren't accepting new clients right now.

The query letter has been workshopped. I'm pleased with it. And in a way, it got me my day job. When I interviewed for this job, the interviewer wanted to see what I did with creative writing. So I sent her this query letter and the one-page prologue to a mystery I'm developing. I got the job (which I'd better get back to if I want to keep it!).

JohnLynch · Mar 8, 2005

45 is nothing. Have you ever heard of a book called "Dune"? It's said to be the science-fiction version of J.R.R Tolkien's Lord of the Ring series

Well the writer had 50 rejection letters. Now if something that is THAT good can get 50 rejection letters, well let's say your mss isn't the next Lord of the Rings, it's not too bad to have gotten 45 so far.

Have you gotten any advice on ways to spruce up the novel in the rejection letters? Also, I have a question "what does it hurt to keep sending it out while you work on another novel?" (well if they're not returning the manuscript then it can cost a bit). The agents aren't going to get together and say "that Sensi has sent me the mss! Well let's never ever accept any of his works"

It might be disheartening to keep getting rejection letters, but it won't damage your career. And you never know, the next letter might be THE one. Or your next novel might be the one that gets you the letter you want.

SRHowen · Mar 8, 2005

Yes. I had told myself that once I had 60 rejections on the project that I would move on. Rejection 60 came in and I said, OK next project. I'd had a lot of requests for full ms and for partials, I'd even turned down a couple of agents. (glad I did, I later learned they were not the best sort)

Then one day I got an e-mail from someone saying, hey, take a look at Publisher's Market Place, there's a synop posted there that sounds a lot like the stuff you write. So off I went, paid the monthly fee, and found a synop that did sound a lot like the stuff I write. Horror based on a Native American myth. Mine's also alt history. But I looked up the agent. I also found four others at PMP that I'd never heard of and sent out five more letters.

In five days I got a letter back asking for a 70 page sample and synop. And the rest is history. ( to be awfuly cliche)

Shawn

Summonere · Mar 10, 2005

sally forth

Wandering Sensei:

Frank Herbert once said in an interview that the manuscript for Dune was rejected twice by every publisher in north America. By the time it had made the rounds during the first series of rejections, those editors had moved on so he had a whole new crop of editors to view his work the second time around. Only when he went for a third go did someone buy his novel which, eh, became one of the staple gotta-reads for the genre and was turned into one crappy movie and one so-so miniseries. This proves at least two things: Thing One - editors don't know a good thing when they see it (now donning my asbestos suit); Thing Two - perseverence pays. James D. is correct-o-mundo. Keep submitting. Write some new stuff.

P.S. to John Lynch, I still have the Frank Herbert interview on tape somewhere under this rock where I live...

Julie Worth · Mar 11, 2005

Well...I sorta hate to admit this, but...

I started writing a couple of years ago. Eager as hell, I began submitting before I’d really polished anything. And before I knew it I’d put out FIVE HUNDRED queries, spread out over four novels. Finally, having filled enormous spreadsheets with sundry data on agents—many of whom I now knew more about than my own relatives—after all that I finally, finally got an offer for representation. But Jesus what a waste of time! I could have written four more books with the effort I put into that stupid process.

Now what?

Wandering Sensei

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

Julian Black

Will Read Slush for Food.

azbikergirl

I really do look like this.

Dancre

Just have fun.

SRHowen

Erotica is not a four letter word!

PattiTheWicked

Unleashing Hell.

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

Wandering Sensei

JohnLynch

SRHowen

Erotica is not a four letter word!

Summonere

Julie Worth

What? I have a title?