Involving the Agent

[popmuze]

I've had an agent for about a year. He gave me some constructive suggestions on my novel before sending it out a few months ago. So far, obviously, no takers.
Now I've completed several drafts of a new novel. I've shown it to a few people with mixed results.
I am completely baffled as to whether or not the fairly complex (maybe too complex) plot works.
The question is, Should I send this to my agent and let him decide, or keep looking for definitive beta readers or outside plot experts to comment?
Since I haven't had any success yet with this agent, I'm afraid if I deliver an unacceptable manuscript, he could lose interest.
On the other hand, his opinion has proven valuable on the first novel.
On the other hand, he hasn't been able to sell that novel yet.
Arrghh!!!!!

[scope]

I think a writer should "feel good" about any work being submitted to an agent or publisher. That what's being submitted is good enough to be published. I think it's a bad idea to submit a work which one feels uncertain about, perhaps in the hope of getting constructive criticism. Why expose yourself to the latter? You are supposed to be a professional in your agents eyes. What if you send your work to your agent and she simply tells you that she doesn't like it and doesn't want to rep it? Not good, and in some way, shape, or form it's likely to cast a pall over the work she is trying to sell for you. It might be different if you had a long term relationship with you agent, and she had sold a few of your works, but that's not the case. Work out the kinks in your new novel by yourself, that's my suggestion.

[kzmiller]

I think scope has given very good advice with all the right reasons. If you'd had a longer relationship with the agent, maybe. Right now I think your best option is to try to find the heart of the story, which may be buried, and also get at the root of what's bugging your beta readers if you can. Good luck!

[HippieGirl]

Congrats on getting an agent! I have no idea about the rest, because I'm not published - but Yeah for you!!

[Triomferus]

I also agree with scope on those points.