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Agents
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JemimaJemina
 10 Aug 2010, 18:11 #96022 Reply To Post
Hello

I'm starting to get the first round of rejections from agents and it hurts. One of them said he was 'insufficiently drawn in by my opening chapters'.
I think I've done a good job with my crime fiction novel - I was expecting more specific criticism (for instance, not literary enough; too chick-lit; formulated for the womens' market; not about the IRA... ect).
I aimed it at Irish agents because I live part there and part in the UK and that's the novel's setting.

Am I just going to have to 'woman-up'?

Many thanks if anyone can share their experiences of agent rejections.

Jemima
unclearthur
 10 Aug 2010, 18:23 #96025 Reply To Post
Sorry to hear the bad news but plenty of writers here have suffered the same fate and I'm sure you'll get bucketloads of sympathetic advice.

Yes - it hurts. It's demoralising. After a while even the thick-skinned probably begin to lose hope. But there's always another agent; always another opportunity. Unless you give up.

Concentrate on the good things people have said about your writing - and stick with it.

Jonathan

My Blog
www.cavalrytales.co.uk

'The battle that never ends is the battle of belief against disbelief'
perrybond
 10 Aug 2010, 18:47 #96029 Reply To Post
How many agents have you approached? I would consider a personal reply quite a good start.
I think out of about 40 agents, I got two personal replies, half standard rejection letters and the rest just didn't answer.
You must being doing something right to entice them to even read it.
-
JemimaJemina
 10 Aug 2010, 18:58 #96030 Reply To Post
Thanks for this - it's a heartening reply. I've only approached two agents.
I've done my homework and tired only to approach agents I think will publish my work.

Jemima
JemimaJemina
 10 Aug 2010, 18:59 #96031 Reply To Post
Quote: unclearthur, Tuesday, 10 Aug 2010 18:23
Sorry to hear the bad news but plenty of writers here have suffered the same fate and I'm sure you'll get bucketloads of sympathetic advice.

Yes - it hurts. It's demoralising. After a while even the thick-skinned probably begin to lose hope. But there's always another agent; always another opportunity. Unless you give up.

Concentrate on the good things people have said about your writing - and stick with it.

Jonathan

My Blog


JemimaJemina
 10 Aug 2010, 19:00 #96033 Reply To Post
Thanks for this - I know writers are always told to expect nothing but rejection slips/letters so I don't know why I'm so surprised. I will keep going. I love my novel.

Jemima
Sammy
 10 Aug 2010, 20:21 #96043 Reply To Post
Hi Jemima,

You might well love your novel but consider that the agent may be right. Perhaps your opening chapters do need work? Have you posted on here for some reviews?

On a more positive note: Perrybond is also right. You're very lucky to get any kind of personal response. Most agents will just send a standard rejection note. They never offer feedback. It's not their job and they receive hundreds of opening chapters a month.

Doing your research is great but don't limit yourself to just a few agents. Cast your net wider.

And, of course, don't give up. But another word to the wise. Don't pin all your hopes on one novel. You may have to put it away in the bottom drawer and write several more before you get anywhere.

x


'Stay away from your potential. It's like your bank balance. There's never as much of it as you think.'
sulcus
 10 Aug 2010, 20:34 #96045 Reply To Post
Even securing an agent is no guarantee of getting a book deal.
"A,B&E", "Not In My Name" and "52FF" (flash fiction anthology) all available on Amazon Kindle

"How a psychopath makes sweet love. I can get you ringside. Royal box even."
Sammy
 10 Aug 2010, 20:45 #96049 Reply To Post

Too bloody true!

'Stay away from your potential. It's like your bank balance. There's never as much of it as you think.'
KLove
 10 Aug 2010, 23:34 #96059 Reply To Post
Hi Jemima

sound's like we're writing in the same genre. I'll can do you a free will if you like, next week? are you posted?
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