Ten queries I've sent
Four rejections thus received
Six have turned to slush
And now...It's here! The day we all get to gripe to Alex about our pathetic writing problems! Yeah! I don't think he knows what he's getting into...but there's always room for more =)
Dear Alex & Fellow Writers,
What's it gonna take to get an agent? I'm afraid I keep choosing the wrong genre. I started with chick lit and by the time I finished, it was shunned. Now I've got a great sci fi thriller (I think it's great) and apparently I'm out of luck there too. I can't find many agents looking for sci fi and I want to get this published! It seems like everyone wants paranormal YA.
I guess my REAL question is, when do I stop trying to push this MS and work on a new one? (I'm either going to work on my paranormal YA - which has no vampires or zombies or other creatures like that, just a gifted girl on a journey touching lives as she goes OR my MG fantasy, full of zany creatures!)
Summary - I don't like to waste time. I'm at a fork and don't know what to do.
Thanks! And if I can help anyone with something, I'd be happy to!
Sincerely,
Torn Pages
Well ,me personally, I won't give up on my MS. I don't care how long, because in my heart and my gut feeling tells me it is a reader. So I'll keep pushing and trying to convince. I do have a publisher that is interested.I just have to do some minor tweaks and resubmit. So hang in there girl. I'm here for you.!!!!
ReplyDeleteDear Torn Pages: You don't have to give up trying to sell your MS but I think it's always important to be writing the next one. And the next. And trends? Don't chase them. Write from the heart. Believe me, I learned that the hard way. Signed, Torn Pages II
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Good luck with the agent. Its difficult. Been there myself. You do get to the point where you may have to go alone and self publish. I'm still looking for an agent even though I'm self pubbed and now working on my second MS. Just have to keep moving forward.
ReplyDeleteOh, man... the agent thing can be tricky. i have two (partners), but it was a fluke 9series of flukes?). I think Sci-Fi IS hard in the agent world, but i also think there are Sci-Fi publishers who take direct submissions, so maybe consider trying that route FIRST (a successful book on your bio with a new book will get agent attention faster). That said, agents want some level of genre commitment--it is easier for them. That is not to say you can never write anything else, but you may want to stick to one (or a couple related) until you are established. And I think agents are currently most open to the easy sale genres (mystery, romance, thriller) and then young adult and MG--so that may be a very GOOD idea to get those works going.
ReplyDeletedon't give up! Love the Haiku!
ReplyDeleteI've no idea the secret to getting an agent--I sort of bypassed that stage. My advice would be to look for indie publishers who take direct submissions for your Chick Lit (it lives! I swear.) and Sci-fi, and meanwhile work on whichever new piece is tugging at you more. Just cuz you go indie w/ one book doesn't mean you can't keep searching for that elusive agent on other projects.
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrific Haiku... unfortunately, I can relate all too well to that!
ReplyDeleteAnd, unfortunately again, I totally relate to the agent thing... (and horror of all horrors, I recently cost myself a top agent by shooting myself in the foot by withdrawing my manuscript.) Anyway, I often joke it's easier to find the Loch Ness Monster than it is to find an agent.
Great post!
The best bit of advice I can give you is this: Stop writing what you think "they" want and write what's in your heart and soul - whatever that is.
ReplyDeleteThe day I stopped caring about finding an agent, was the best day of my life. Now I have a book published that people are reading. Those who rejected me, were wrong anyway. Write. Just write.
I'm tired of all the YA. Some of us are adults and want to read adult stuff. :) I would love to read your sci-fi thriller. I agree with Wendy's advice.
ReplyDeleteI decided to just write and epublish for awhile. I can write whatever I want. It's freeing. :) And I find I'm much more motivated now that I'm in business for myself. We don't have to wait on agents to make our dreams come alive anymore.
Ah the dreaded time of querying. It is so stressful. Writing is STRESSFUL, but somehow we love it anyway! And I love your signature "torn pages." That is all too perfect!
ReplyDeleteI don't think you can worry too much about what is chic at the moment, because you have to write from your heart whether that's in style or not. If a story is compelling people will see its value eventually. Good luck with the rest of your queries.
ReplyDeleteWhen I wrote my first book, everyone said science fiction was dead. I didn't even try agents and submitted to publishers instead. I eventually changed the angle of my query - and finally hit success.
ReplyDeleteDon't give up on your current work - find a way to make it work!
Inspired! Loved them both LOL! :O)
ReplyDeleteI found you through IWSG and I'm glad I did. It's nice to meet another Tara. :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alex - don't give up on your current work. Keep pushing it while writing something else, if that's what you want to do. Write what makes you happy. I write what I want to read b/c I feel like the writing is better if I like the genre I'm writing in.
Good luck!
Haha, cute haiku. Frustrating, but I can relate :)
ReplyDeleteA lot of agents are actually getting really tired of paranormal YA. Not so much that they're not still picking it up, but it makes up a huge chunk of the queries they get, so it's really difficult to stand out. I think if I were you, I'd work on the MG. Lots of kidlit agents are expressing the desire to see more MG!
I love it! Great poem and picture!
ReplyDeleteTara Tyler...
ReplyDeleteNicely written.
I know at the SCBWI LA conference, I kept hearing, write what you want to read and don't look at the trends. If you like it, I'd keep searching. :)
ReplyDeleteThat haiku rocks! I say if you like what you're writing, stick to it. Trends will come and go, but a good story will always sell.
ReplyDeleteNever give up! It will happen.
ReplyDeleteWow! Now that's support!
ReplyDeleteThank you all so much!
I will stick with it. Even tho I got another reject today...
Now that I have a fabulous beta reader (thanks, Angie!) I am diving into my another edit. But I think I will also work on another WIP so I don't get bogged down with it.
Thanks for all your support & advice!
Remember it could be the query letter not your book that isn't working for them. And you only sent to a small percentage of the hundreds and hundreds out there.
ReplyDeleteKeep your chin up. If I have to you have to!!
And now that you have your first published work under your belt that can go on your query letter too!
Good luck. Keep at it. Keep writing.
Stopping by for The Insecure Writer’s Support Group.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had an answer for you. All I can say is listen to your intuition - it will never steer you off path.
Best of luck!
Shannon
I can only imagine how you feel because I'm not at that stage yet, but I'd say if you believe in it keep sending it out. Take on board any comments or advice given by rejecting agents, consider it then make a decision whether you believe it to be workable or not, then keep submitting. You now all the stories about huge authors who were rejected multiple times. If you believe in it, work with it.
ReplyDeleteWishing you so much luck!
Great haiku, even if you're not getting the right responses!
ReplyDeletePut some of your book online and get some action going that way - maybe you'll get some attention from the right agent. Good luck!!
Well you know, there may be a market out there for YA paranormal stuff, but if you have good stories in chick lit or sci-fi, shop around and find a home!
ReplyDeleteBuild a website dedicated to the books you have written. Share some facts and info of the characters as well as sneak peeks of the pages. Blog snippets of the books. Get Beta Readers to help you figure out what might be wrong with them.
In the meantime... work on your other stuff, take a break from the finished works and come back to it in a couple weeks. There is always a home for a book, but you have to work hard to find it. Good luck!
Ah, Torn Pages ~ if I knew the answer to that question, I'd be a millionaire! Until then . . . I say, just keep on keepin' on!
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