Howdy, Jonaki! (I think someone called me?)
Yeah, my first book is sort of literary/genre hybrid -- "literary suspense" or "literary thriller" or what have you, and it did take just over a year to sell. We went out in small batches and came close at a few other houses, but the higher ups didn't want to risk it. As my agent put it, when your book is different, it will scare a lot of people off. But what makes it different is also what will ultimately sell it. He was right, thankfully.
This be the book. (I removed some of my identifying information when I thought I'd picked up a cyber-stalker)
I think as Peggy said that debuts can be easier to sell because you don't have a sales track record, and who knows, you might just be the next big thing? Or they can market you that way, more accurately.
The downside of being a debut author is that this really truly is a business where you have to be a pro and meet your deadlines and your obligations. I've wondered if that can give editors pause at times, because who knows if their shiny new debut author might turn out to be a tremendous flake.
But by and large it seems that being a debut has some advantages. I'm guessing most of you saw the NYT article about the veteran author whose 6th book didn't find a home until her agent subbed her under a different name and as a new author.