I got a very positive report from a highly respected editor here in the UK (it’s quite usual for UK writers to get editorial reports before submitting to agents if they can afford it – just ;-). This editor is known for being quite harsh but she loved it, so much so she passed it onto an agent. But that agent came back saying while she loved many elements of the novel (same elements the editor pointed out), she didn’t quite connect with the characters or love it enough to take me on. However, she’s sent it to a colleague who deals with more commercial lit who might think differently. So I made some tweaks and sent out to a bunch more agents anyway because I don’t want to rely on this one agent. I had an instant requests for a full from a highly respected agent. I just got a rejection from her (she read it quickly, over the weekend) with an invitation to re-submit. This agent pointed out different issues the editor and other agent didn’t (dialogue a bit stilted, narrative needs to be tied down to one main story). I agree with some of what she says so while waiting for responses from other agents, will revise. However – she only had 2 paragraphs worth of suggestions so not extensive so am wondering whether they’d really make the difference between ‘love’ and ‘not love’.
But my question is: when do I accept this book is a dud? I got an agent so quickly with my first novel (it didn’t work out due to a lack of communication on his part). My last book, while getting lots of requests for fulls, failed to get me an agent. No-one could get past 3 chapters. Now I’m onto Book 3, the response seems a little better but I’m so worried it’ll be the same old story – no agent at the end of the day. I can just feel it in my gut.
On how many rejected fulls should I start fearing the worse again? I know this isn’t an exact science but starting to fear the worst again. Been through so much this year and thinking I’m wasting my time with all this. Anyone had fulls rejected to then land an agent? (god, I sound so negative! Can't help it though, getting deja vu)
But my question is: when do I accept this book is a dud? I got an agent so quickly with my first novel (it didn’t work out due to a lack of communication on his part). My last book, while getting lots of requests for fulls, failed to get me an agent. No-one could get past 3 chapters. Now I’m onto Book 3, the response seems a little better but I’m so worried it’ll be the same old story – no agent at the end of the day. I can just feel it in my gut.
On how many rejected fulls should I start fearing the worse again? I know this isn’t an exact science but starting to fear the worst again. Been through so much this year and thinking I’m wasting my time with all this. Anyone had fulls rejected to then land an agent? (god, I sound so negative! Can't help it though, getting deja vu)
