How to go on without losing hope?
I have recently been rejected by three agents for my work, which has been in the making for seven years. I have a passion for books and take them seriously, but fear that I am not getting any attention because everything is dumbed down these days, and all agents want is stupidity.
It's sickening the authority these people have. At the push of a button they can make or break you. They have no idea how devastating they are to those who are passionate about writing.
I can't stand seeing terrible books in bookshops about toilet humour and yet my work isn't being given the time of day. The opinion of one person should not dictate what the public will like, especially if the agents are bias, narrow-minded and are into trash and wouldn't know quality if smacked them in the face.
I'm assuming that you have done your homework on the agents you send to, Penny and CT. It's vital to check their websites to be sure they handle your genres, that they accept new business (a lot don't at present) and that they accept unsolicited mss, rather than simply letters. If they do, then follow their submission rules to the letter. The sites may also tell you how many new authors they take on in a year. As in all things, you have to be the best of the best to get through the competition.
Look into self-publishing: by-pass the 'glorified admin', and prove to them that your book is better than they think by doing it yourself. Try for an American agent. Explore your options, CT. But before you do all that, why not put a piece on the other section here and see what response you get?
'Agents should have a passion for books, not a passion for money.' - Oh for that ideal world, CT: but what other business can you quote that puts ideals before making money? They would be declared bankrupt, if that were the case.
What is it that you want from an agent, or indeed for your book? What's the whole point of getting it published, for you? Do you expect people to want to read it? Do you, therefore, expect them to spend money on it? Or would you give it away? I doubt it's the latter, after all your work. So you want it to sell - which is what agent and publisher want too.
Lorraine
I sympathise with you. My novel has been rejected by fourteen different agents so far. I keep revising the work and the pitch, but you're right - it's very disheartening.
I comfort myself, though, with the thought that it's not just the commercial focus that makes rejection likely; it's also personal taste. For example, Wolf Hall is a renowned prize-winning novel, but I know people who couldn't finish it. Likewise, Solzhenitsyn won the Nobel prize for literature, and yet I personally find his work unreadable. If your work doesn't appeal to the agent's idiosyncratic taste, they're unlikely to be enthusiastic about it.
So, keep your spirits up! If your work has merit, sooner or later it will be recognised!
Cuppa Tea, you believe your work is good enough but how can you be certain?
Have you considered using a professional literary service, or having your worked looked at by a professional literary editor?