editor likes it, says to get an agent - help!

Me & iMac · Apr 11, 2013

I queried (w/chapters) my first choice for editor/publisher for my historical fiction book, and she wrote back that they don't accept unsolicited manuscripts, but she found it a "fascinating idea" and "I highly recommend that you find an agent."

She's at the top of her game and extremely successful, so that's good, right? Or if she really liked it would she have suggested an agent and moved it along herself? Either way, I want to follow up on her interest and try to get an agent.

I've started a list of agents with AgentQuery and similar sites, blogs, etc, so I'm sorted for that route. Thing is, I've been more focused on writing than selling, so wanted to ask if anyone was aware of agents who enjoy historical fiction/strong female heroines and who are particularly awesome and hungry for clients at the moment?!

Thanks for any thoughts on this--much appreciated!

p.s. I've written the 3-book sequel to this book, and started on the next in the series.

gothicangel · Apr 11, 2013

Me & iMac said:
I queried (w/chapters) my first choice for editor/publisher for my historical fiction book, and she wrote back that they don't accept unsolicited manuscripts, but she found it a "fascinating idea" and "I highly recommend that you find an agent."

She's at the top of her game and extremely successful, so that's good, right? Or if she really liked it would she have suggested an agent and moved it along herself? Either way, I want to follow up on her interest and try to get an agent.

I've started a list of agents with AgentQuery and similar sites, blogs, etc, so I'm sorted for that route. Thing is, I've been more focused on writing than selling, so wanted to ask if anyone was aware of agents who enjoy historical fiction/strong female heroines and who are particularly awesome and hungry for clients at the moment?!

Thanks for any thoughts on this--much appreciated!

p.s. I've written the 3-book sequel to this book, and started on the next in the series.

I wouldn't think any deeper into it than she doesn't accept unsolicited MSS. She has no interest in acquiring new books that aren't under representation. Editors are busy people.

As I don't know where you are from I would recommend either Query Tracker (US) or The Writers and Artists Yearbook (UK) as the first stop for your research. Also, follow the guidelines given on the websites, and look for agents who are open to new writers. If an agent states they don't accept unsolicited manuscripts 99% of the time, its a waste of your time, and theirs.

Me & iMac · Apr 11, 2013

Thanks for your feedback, GothicAngel. I'm in the US, and yes, Query Tracker and AgentQuery, etc are great sites. I went through a period a few years ago where I was looking at agents and drew up a list, but then decided I wanted to refine and complete more of the series first, so now I'm getting back into queries again, and realizing my previous list and links are quite outdated, so I'm starting from scratch!

Thank you!

angeliz2k · Apr 11, 2013

It is possible that this was a polite brush off, or a sign of nothing more than mild interest. It isn't necessarily, "Go get an agent and come back to me." Of course, I haven't seen the wording of the message, so I don't know for sure.

But, go find an agent--which is easier said than done, obviously. It's a major coup to get one. But that agent might be able to get you a publishing deal with this dream editor--or maybe with another editor.

mayqueen · Apr 11, 2013

I agree with angeliz2k. It sounds like it might have been a polite brush-off, but I can't know for sure based on the wording. Go check out B&BC and Ask the Agent for information on getting an agent. Do your homework on agents (QT is great for finding the agents, then you have to read about their interests). Also, if you're working on your query letter, go hang out in QLH.

Me & iMac · Apr 11, 2013

Thanks for your responses. I looked at the letter again and she wrote that it was a fascinating idea she hadn't seen before, had great potential, highly recommended getting an agent, etc. Eh, probably just being nice. She's big at the publishing company and only has primo writers/celebs, so she wouldn't be handling me personally anyway, but guess it was nice to get a personal response from her. I'll just leave it at that and see if I can get representation.

Thanks.

JWNelson · Apr 12, 2013

You should find Query Tracker very useful these days

In just the past couple years, I have noticed it has "beefed up" quite a bit in terms of functionality. As suggested above, use it and other resources to (again) narrow your target area to those agents who represent writing of your type and who accept new clients. Then be sure and research what writers those agents represent and whether any produce works like yours. I did a lot of wheel-spinning when I got started with QT and took too much of a "shotgun" approach.
My opinion only, but... don't downplay her reply. She responded when the simplest thing to do would have been to circular file your query. Good luck!
John

Me & iMac said:
Thanks for your responses. I looked at the letter again and she wrote that it was a fascinating idea she hadn't seen before, had great potential, highly recommended getting an agent, etc. Eh, probably just being nice. She's big at the publishing company and only has primo writers/celebs, so she wouldn't be handling me personally anyway, but guess it was nice to get a personal response from her. I'll just leave it at that and see if I can get representation.

Thanks.

Me & iMac · Apr 12, 2013

Hello John - thanks so much for your response - much appreciated!

suki · Apr 12, 2013

I wouldn't read that as form. I'd read it as she thinks this manuscript has potential and so she is suggesting you find an agent, rather than try to shop it on your own. Be encouraged by it, just don't count your chickens before they hatch.

One suggestion is to get a subscription to Publishers Marketplace (you can do month to month, so no long term commitment) and search for the houses/editors that publish the books in your genre you respect and enjoy that are similar to your work, and look at the deals to see which agents are selling to them. Not all sales are listed, of course, but it's another way to zero in on the agents doing well for your kind of book by searching for the publisher/editor and looking at who is making the deals.

Good luck!

~suki

Me & iMac · Apr 12, 2013

Thanks for your thoughts on this. Good idea to get Publishers Marketplace for a month, as I'm short on funds and had crossed that option off my list. Much appreciated!

Evangeline · Apr 13, 2013

I think it might just be a really nice rejection. You don't need an agent for an editor to go through the steps of acquiring your manuscript--they can make an offer right there and you can either negotiate the contract on your own or you can take your offer to the agents you want to rep you and the one you choose (or who accepts you as a client) will take over from there.

Me & iMac · May 1, 2013

Thanks for your response, Evangeline!

editor likes it, says to get an agent - help!

Me & iMac

gothicangel

Toughen up.

Me & iMac

angeliz2k

never mind the shorty

mayqueen

practical experience, FTW

Me & iMac

JWNelson

JWNelson

Me & iMac

suki

Opinionated

Me & iMac

Evangeline

Twirling in a glass of champagne

Me & iMac