Hi
I finished my novel last year and have so far submitted to around 25 agents- still awaiting four replies from last batch. I had a request for the full ms in February from a large agency but the agent then said she hadn't fallen in love with it as she thought she would but that I was a very talented writer and that she would encourage me to continue submitting until I found someone who did. She also said she thought PERHAPS the plot needed work which confused me a little as the plot was very clear from the synopsis so can't work out why she asked for the full in that case! Another said she liked the idea but didn't like the way I had executed it on the basis of synopsis and first three chapters. I am wondering if I should continue to submit. Any advice based on what they have said would be appreciated but I can't go anywhere near affording to pay for readers or editorial. I really don't know where to go from here. Keep plugging away as- 21 seems an awful lot of"no thanks" (of those who bothered to answer at all) - or put it back in the drawer and do something else. Help!
Heather, almost two months have passed since the last person posted their response to your question. How did it go? I hope you found success!
Oh, it's so difficult, isn't it.....
The split timeline may be an issue with some agents but surely not with all. After all, it's not exactly either an unknown or a hackneyed device.
Re your selection of agents: have you had as detailed a look as you can at each agent's list? Do they represent authors who've written similar(ish) things? There's a fair few who don't like fantasy, for example, and perhaps the supernatural comes too close to this for their tastes.
Aside from (a) leaving it for a fair while so you can look at it with fresh eyes and (b) finding some good beta readers, the on,y other thing I can think of is to submit it to a competition. There are several around - none imminent, as far as I'm aware, but that's perhaps a good thing as it gives you time to re-read, edit etc - and a long or short-listing in one would give you some indication you were on the right track. You might even get some feedback.
Honestly, though, for now, I would get on with something else. At worst, it'll be a distraction and at best you'll write something even better!
Hi Heather,
If you believe in the book (and it's obvious you do) then don't give up. Have you considered self publishing? I am in a similar position at the moment, one agent has asked for the full MS (they are still reading it) and I'm waiting to hear from about half a dozen more. The waiting game is getting harder and harder and I am now seriously researching publishing the book myself, as I've had very positive reactions from all my beta readers.
It's frustrating that the feedback hasn't been more specific for you - when an agent goes to the trouble of reading your full manuscript you would hope for something more. If you are interested I would be happy to read it for you, just as a fellow writer - don't know it if would help but the offer is there :-) Good luck!