Thanks word wrestler. The only reason I thought it might work is that when agents suggested revisions on TS, I did them, but then when the book sold, the editor had an entirely different idea.
I think it's a given, at least for me, that agents are not editors and they are often wrong and even big name agents sell a fraction of what they submit. But if who want to work with an agent, there often isn't much choice but to rewrite.
Teri has a good point here.
You could also just add a year like you said, send it back explaining why and maybe the agent will go for it.
Or you could do like I did-when I revised the first time for my former agent, I did what she wanted, but sent the revised manuscript back when a page-long letter of why I didn't think certain things she wanted worked. After she read it, she agreed and backed off on some of it. I did a second rewrite.
It is a hard choice, but because we are in the pit I can also say this- a big-time agent will at least get you read. No guarantee otherwise even if eds say they will read. If the agent goes for the revision, she might even be willing to put in the pitch letter that you have a version with a younger MC.
I'll stop talking now. I know too much advice can be maddening.
I also just want to disagree with this. Another thing I've learned is that big name agents area usually big names with writers, and maybe other agents. I believe I know the moment Ms. Snark created this idea in people's minds. Editors live in another universe and they don't track these things the way we do.
At the time S@r@ Cr0we with K@rvey Klinger was repping me, she was listed as the agent who sold the most number of children's books on PW. She subbed my book to 5 editors. One never responded. After we parted ways, I contacted the editor, who had never heard of her or H@rvey Klinger.
Each agent I've worked with in the past 7 years gotten no responses from editors.
I get no responses from queries, but once an editor agrees to read my manuscript, so far I've always gotten a response. When they take a while, I get an apology.
I'm not saying it won't happen, but so far my experience is that once I get past the query range, they all respond and do appear to have read. Obviously, I haven't sold anything, but with an agents, it took many years to sell my second book.
Any agent will get you read with the editors that agent knows and works with, which is a limited number. I saw this first hand with the agents at Russ3ll and V0lkening who didn't even share contacts successfully. The luck has to be that one of the editors that agent knows well and works with wants your book.
Eta: Of course repping yourself is no panacea either.
