Three years ago, my then-agent proposed a kernel of an idea that I turned into a partial manuscript (40,000 words), which he submitted to my publisher as the option book. The publisher rejected it, although this wasn't a surprise, since my original editor had left the imprint, and my new editor was never really into me.
Since then, I left my agent and wrote a whole new book - queried it, received many full requests, but no offers. I paid for two edits - one from a former agent who was surprised no one wanted it. Despair set in. I did many revisions and felt like it was a good, solid effort. Eventually, I gave up querying it. I thought maybe it wasn't marketable. I started on a few other projects and gave up, convinced I'm the worst writer of all time.
I then came back to this old manuscript because, well, an agent came up with the idea, so it must be marketable (right?). Plus it's halfway done, although I plan to scrap half of what's there based on feedback from that one editor.
I guess my question is, if I decide to revise/finish this manuscript, should I reach out to my old agent, since he did put a lot of work into it? I honestly don't want to do this since it was painful enough breaking up with him a few months ago. Or should I just query new agents? Do I mention that it was submitted to one editor, and if so, does this make it a lot less appealing? And in that case, should I even bother finishing it?
Curious what other people think...
Since then, I left my agent and wrote a whole new book - queried it, received many full requests, but no offers. I paid for two edits - one from a former agent who was surprised no one wanted it. Despair set in. I did many revisions and felt like it was a good, solid effort. Eventually, I gave up querying it. I thought maybe it wasn't marketable. I started on a few other projects and gave up, convinced I'm the worst writer of all time.
I then came back to this old manuscript because, well, an agent came up with the idea, so it must be marketable (right?). Plus it's halfway done, although I plan to scrap half of what's there based on feedback from that one editor.
I guess my question is, if I decide to revise/finish this manuscript, should I reach out to my old agent, since he did put a lot of work into it? I honestly don't want to do this since it was painful enough breaking up with him a few months ago. Or should I just query new agents? Do I mention that it was submitted to one editor, and if so, does this make it a lot less appealing? And in that case, should I even bother finishing it?
Curious what other people think...
