Reallocating Attention or Giving Up?

LilaDubois · Feb 20, 2008

I’ve been a good little author this past year. I polished and polished a book, then painstakingly wrote the query letter (really it was more painful for Jackie K who helped me.) Since then I’ve been querying and waiting, querying and waiting. I had a few requests for partials, but nothing beyond that. What little feedback I’ve gotten has related to the fact that the book was too ____ for that agent or that they weren’t sure there was a market for it. I was trying an Urban High-Fantasy (sex clubs and quest elements). Seemed like a great idea when I wrote it.

I’ve reached the point where my enthusiasm has cooled for the book. I’m ready to move on to different projects and let this one sit.

Am I giving up? I admit that much of my ambivalence about the book is due to the stack of rejections. Should I keep going? I only queried 10 agents, is this too small of a sample size?

Or am I being smart by not beating this thing to death with a blunt object?

dragonjax · Feb 20, 2008

Only ten? Lila, honey, QUERY MORE AGENTS.

When I queried for HELL'S BELLES, I sent out 30 queries -- and that was not even half of the list agents I had.

SEND 'EM OUT, LILA!

kristie911 · Feb 20, 2008

Querying 10 agents isn't a very good sampling. I racked up over 30 before I decided I needed to do something different. And that was after a very kind editor at a good publisher (Harlequin) gave me some really helpful advice and I saw the problems with the book.

Twizzle · Feb 20, 2008

"Since then I’ve been querying and waiting, querying and waiting."

yes. what they said. BUT. don't query then wait. query then wait. query then wait. nooooo. query. write something new. query. keep writing something new. query. finish something new. and on and on. and on.

Cathy C · Feb 20, 2008

I'm trying to imagine "Urban High Fantasy" and am failing miserably. Sex clubs with a quest isn't helping much either. Is it sort of paranormal literary erotica? 'Cause "urban fantasy" and "high fantasy" are sort of the antithesis of each other.

What "too___" are you getting?

Stacia Kane · Feb 20, 2008

I'm confused but fascinated by your description "sex clubs and quests". And I agree, keep querying!

job · Feb 20, 2008

What they said ...

You have finished the work. Set it aside. Let some unconsidered part of you concentrate on selling it, but mostly don't think about that.

Put your mind on writing the next work.

Ten agents is nothing. Forge onward.

LilaDubois · Feb 20, 2008

More agents. Check.

I've written two other books, for my epubs, in the mean time, but this is my only current effort at trad. mainstream publishing.

I got two agents who said it had too many high fantasy elements for them, and one who said the setting was too urban. I realize it is based on their preferences and what they can sell and all that.

It's basically the characters and settings of Urban fantasy (heroine with untapped magical ability running around major metropolitan cities at night, meeting shady/sexy secondary characters at clubs) with a really firm prophecy/quest plot (heroine part of prophecy, must find out more, needs magic key to unlock prophecy book...)

It may be that there just really isn't a market for this. :Shrug:

Cathy C · Feb 20, 2008

It's basically the characters and settings of Urban fantasy (heroine with untapped magical ability running around major metropolitan cities at night, meeting shady/sexy secondary characters at clubs) with a really firm prophecy/quest plot (heroine part of prophecy, must find out more, needs magic key to unlock prophecy book...)

Solid urban fantasy. I think you're confusing agents by even mentioning "high." And lest ye doubt, think of Katie MacAlister's Aisling Grey series: prophecy, magic, dragons and books. But urban fantasy nonetheless. So long as it's somewhat gritty in tone and temper, it should sail right through. Maybe it's how you're phrasing the query or synopsis?

LilaDubois · Feb 20, 2008

Hmmm... are "quest" and "prophecy" some of those no-no words for query letters?

clara bow · Feb 20, 2008

LilaDubois said:
Hmmm... are "quest" and "prophecy" some of those no-no words for query letters?

no

, but they might be considered somewhat cliche. However, it depends on how the query is written as a whole. imho anything can work if the pitch & premise are strong....easier said than done....

Cathy C · Feb 20, 2008

LilaDubois said:
Hmmm... are "quest" and "prophecy" some of those no-no words for query letters?

Yep. At least for urban fantasy and at least for "quest." Grabbing my handy-dandy thesaurus, I'd change that word to "chase," "hunt" or "pursue," which are edgier words. As for "prophecy" try "prediction."

Same meaning, different image.

SmartAsh · Feb 20, 2008

LilaDubois said:
I’m ready to move on to different projects and let this one sit.

Am I giving up? I admit that much of my ambivalence about the book is due to the stack of rejections. Should I keep going?

Do both

Keep querying, but start your next project!

LilaDubois · Feb 21, 2008

Thank you all! You are all fantastic. I'm going to ...massage... my query a bit and tackle more agents.

Thank you!

Reallocating Attention or Giving Up?

LilaDubois

dragonjax

I write stuff and break boards.

kristie911

Happy to be here

Twizzle

Cluck that.

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

Stacia Kane

Girl Detective

job

In the end, it's just you and the manuscript

LilaDubois

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

LilaDubois

clara bow

Li'l Rug Bug

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

SmartAsh

LilaDubois