How do I politely reject an agent's suggestion?

WhiskeyGirl · Jul 8, 2009

I just heard back from the agent who had The Widow. She said that she was impressed but that sci-fi isn't selling well right now and asked if I'd consider rewriting it as a romance. This is a book that doesn't even have a love interest. Is there a polite way to decline and suggest that if sci-fi isn't selling right now she consider reading my urban fantasy? I hate to burn such a promising bridge but I'm also not at the stage where I'm willing to just throw sex into a story it doesn't belong in in order to get an agent. Come to think of it, if she isn't interested in The Widow should I even bother trying to entice her into reading something else of mine? Isn't it better to have an agent who's excited about all your work? I've only sent out a few email queries on The Widow, so I'm far from exhausting the pool of sci-fi agents out there.

Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated.

alleycat · Jul 8, 2009

It's sounds like that even if you could rewrite it as a romance, you'd never be happy doing so and that would come through in whatever cobbled-together romance you managed to make of it. I guess I find it odd that an agent would even request such a total rewrite.

Maybe offer to write a romance from scratch for her consideration, if that's something you'd consider doing.

Sage · Jul 8, 2009

After I explained patiently over two long e-mails why his suggestion wouldn't work and why it would require writing the book practically from scratch, I mentioned the enthusiasm stuff. He wanted me to cut one of my major characters

I think the agent-author relationship should be a partnership where we're both comfortable and enthusiastic about the end product, and I know that bringing Logan's character to the front around chapter six and keeping him integral throughout Mailee's quest to become human kept my enthusiasm for the novel going at the point where I usually hit a rut. I would hate to lose that enthusiasm for Love Sucks, but I would also like to know that you are equally as enthusiastic, not just about the basic concept, but about the entire novel and characters.

If you think this needs further discussion, I'd love to schedule a phone call so that we can make sure we're on the same page. [Blah blah availability].

We had a very polite conversation and ended things on good terms.

stormie · Jul 8, 2009

Yep. I had the same thing happen to me with my ex. Only I just went along with the suggestions/requests. It ruined the ms. No publisher wanted it. The relationship went downhill afterward.

It's a give-and-take. Discuss you're issues with making it a romance, WhiskeyGirl. If it doesn't feel right to you, the ms. won't turn out good in the end, and you might resent the agent if she takes you on.

You could suggest showing her the urban fantasy.

Also, what is not selling now might be a very saleable item next year. The publishing industry is fickle.

jclarkdawe · Jul 8, 2009

First rule to remember is that an agent is always interested in what they think they can sell. If they don't think they can sell it, they don't want it.

In your case, it sounds like the agent likes your writing, sees some potential, but doesn't think he/she can sell you in sci-fi. Doesn't matter whether the agent is accurate or not, but it is the agent's belief. Most agents don't see writers as being able to write across a broad spectrum of genres. And they know publishers aren't very interested in writers who cross genres.

My agent wants me to limit myself to elderly issues in mainstream fiction. Her logic makes sense, and I'll go along for the ride. Unfortunately, narrow marketing of writers is in, and it's clear that's what the public wants.

I won't try converting your book into a romance, and unless you do, you don't have a bridge to burn. I'd be more inclined to see if you can get a recommendation from this agent for another agent.

Best of luck,

Jim Clark-Dawe

AngelaA · Jul 8, 2009

Transforming a ms from straight sci-fi to a romance is not going to be as easy as writing in a bunch of sex. If that's all you would plan on doing your readers would see through it and it wouldn't work. A romance as to be written from scratch as a romance. There are many more elements to one than merely sex scenes. I think you should stick with what you have, keep sending it out, and if you're interested in writing a romance, start from scratch and write one. Starting a new project will keep you busy while you're waiting for responses from queries.

Madisonwrites · Jul 8, 2009

Honestly, I wouldn't rewrite it. It sounds like you have a work that you love and if you turned it into a romance, you wouldn't love it anymore. Would you honestly want to have something published that you don't like? :e2shrug:

Good luck and happy writing!

WhiskeyGirl · Jul 9, 2009

Thanks everyone for the advice.

While I have nothing against romance as a genre I've never read it and know I would botch any attempt at writing it. I've decided to just take her praise as a compliment and politely move on.

How do I politely reject an agent's suggestion?

WhiskeyGirl

Lurker

alleycat

Still around

Sage

Our Lady of Parentheticals

stormie

storm central

jclarkdawe

Feeling lucky, Query?

AngelaA

Are we there yet?

Madisonwrites

The Unicorn Writer

WhiskeyGirl

Lurker