Ah man, sorry YA. What did your agent say about not liking it? Was he encouraging. Eg. I don't feel this is right but keep 'em coming and I'm sure we'll find an idea we'll both love?
The Next Circle of Hell
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It lacked voice and crudity. Not believable. It was my first attempt at contemporary, and I really loved the idea, but I guess I couldn't get into her head enough to make it work. And, I'm sorry I didn't like it.
I did let him know I had some thoughts about the full he said wasn't working for him. So I'm waiting on feedback from that. Otherwise, I am not sure which direction to go in. Hopefully he will be able to guide me a little.
I did let him know I had some thoughts about the full he said wasn't working for him. So I'm waiting on feedback from that. Otherwise, I am not sure which direction to go in. Hopefully he will be able to guide me a little.
Yikes, that sucks YA.
(and I completely understand your self-doubts since my agent trashed my last book too...the problem with being a writer is that we're too good at the "what if"s)
Have faith that you'll figure this out.
Remember, you're an AGENTED writer which puts you way ahead of most of the pack.
(and I completely understand your self-doubts since my agent trashed my last book too...the problem with being a writer is that we're too good at the "what if"s)
Have faith that you'll figure this out.
Remember, you're an AGENTED writer which puts you way ahead of most of the pack.
I'm sorry, YA. It sounds like you're trying to do AVOID your natural voice, and it's not working. I think you should embrace it, whether you think it's fashionable or not, and look for a story where it will shine.
Hi Happy Camper! Congratulations. I just went on sub eight days ago. I have heard nothing, so it looks as if I won't be one of those literary sensations whose book is auctioned off within 24 hours.
If you are not one of those either, from what I gather (and Other Lisa knows much more than I do), the process takes 4 to 12 weeks, with Rs rolling in as they become available. With editorial submission, no news really is good news, since that means that somebody likes your book enough to keep pushing it through the rather lengthy review process. My concern (which may affect you too!) is that the usual timeframe pushes us right into the holidays, when publishers shut down officially or unofficially. So decisions may get kicked back until after New Year's...
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Plotted a bit more this morning. Am getting all geeked up about rewrites for the faery fantasy that I started off good but lost the grit on. Its aiming more true UF now, with less romance, and I have to say, looks awesome already just in note form.
One door closes, another opens. I did tell agent he made me cry and eat a ton of fries though! LOL (He has a funny sense of humor)
One door closes, another opens. I did tell agent he made me cry and eat a ton of fries though! LOL (He has a funny sense of humor)
There seems to be a lot of WIP malaise going on with writers and agents these days. I think that agents are a bit freaked out by what is being bought and not bought, and so they're looking much more carefully at what they have. I don't think this means that they're looking less favorably at the writers they believe it (that's us!). I prefer to think that they're protecting their investments by not throwing things against the wall that they know aren't sticking right now.
And I say this from experience, having had my agent tell me that the second book I gave her was not right to go out with now. I could tell there were some things she didn't like about it, but basically it is just too similar in tone to the one that's not selling right now. At least, that's what I'm telling myself until some moment down the road when we actually have a detailed conversation about this one.
Anyway, I'm bracing myself for another not-quite-there conversation about a third book of mine she is currently reading.
Oh, and as for the length it takes editors to read. I had some from my first round respond in a couple of weeks. And there are still two out there after three months. It varies widely, even for a single project.
And I say this from experience, having had my agent tell me that the second book I gave her was not right to go out with now. I could tell there were some things she didn't like about it, but basically it is just too similar in tone to the one that's not selling right now. At least, that's what I'm telling myself until some moment down the road when we actually have a detailed conversation about this one.
Anyway, I'm bracing myself for another not-quite-there conversation about a third book of mine she is currently reading.
Oh, and as for the length it takes editors to read. I had some from my first round respond in a couple of weeks. And there are still two out there after three months. It varies widely, even for a single project.
Well, got a big fat NO from the editor who loved it. His people apparently do not. And again, it's "commercially difficult."
*Sigh*... I always get this news in the morning before work, when there's no way I can have a martini.
*Sigh*... I always get this news in the morning before work, when there's no way I can have a martini.
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Well, got a big fat NO from the editor who loved it. His people apparently do not. And again, it's "commercially difficult."
*Sigh*... I always get this news in the morning before work, when there's no way I can have a martini.
So sorry
Lots of hugs and chocolate for YA and Gatita.
Welcome, Happy Camper. The best way to get an idea for the range of response times is to go back and read the older parts of this thread.
Off I go to bury my head in NaNo. It facilitates denial nicely for me.
Welcome, Happy Camper. The best way to get an idea for the range of response times is to go back and read the older parts of this thread.
Off I go to bury my head in NaNo. It facilitates denial nicely for me.
*hands several virtual martinis to Gatita*
Aw thanks
... my boss is gonna be pissed when I show up to work half-crocked... *sniff*
Oh poop. I was hoping to come back here to some good news, but it looks like things are a bit down right now. I came home from my mini vacation to nada. No news. *sigh*
Hey thanks y'all ...
((YA)) back atcha.
I'm not a giver-upper, but this came close. Just hanging on 'till happy hour... trying to Nano but def. lost some steam.
Gonna sulk for one whole day and get back to it, or to something...
((YA)) back atcha.
I'm not a giver-upper, but this came close. Just hanging on 'till happy hour... trying to Nano but def. lost some steam.
Gonna sulk for one whole day and get back to it, or to something...
I can't wait to hear some good news from someone. Idle thought unsupported by evidence: I wonder if editors are dragging their feet on decisions for books they like but otherwise might have to turn down, hoping that if they wait a while, circumstances may change.
So sorry Gatita.
Kellion, I'm holding onto the hope that no news means good news... right? RIGHT??????!!!
Kellion, I'm holding onto the hope that no news means good news... right? RIGHT??????!!!
No news means no rejection, right? It means it's being considered.
Another unsupported thought: The publishing industry's recent pursuit of a few "big books" is what triggered the Walmart/Amazon price wars. Perhaps now publishers will pursue a different competitive strategy that will include broader acquisitions.
Let's hope...
Another unsupported thought: The publishing industry's recent pursuit of a few "big books" is what triggered the Walmart/Amazon price wars. Perhaps now publishers will pursue a different competitive strategy that will include broader acquisitions.
Let's hope...
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What do you think he meant by "crudity"? I would think lacking crudity would be a good thing.
"Commercially difficult" can also mean "unique, quirky, and the beginning of a new trend." Ask Other Lisa.
((( Hugs ))) to both of you. As Miss Scarlett was wont to say, tomorrow is another day!
I have egg on my face. I shouldn't go on memory! LOL
He said, "It also really strains credulity." (My MC was mistaken for another girl and assumes her life)
Also, got the thumbs up on my ideas for the rewrite, so thats where my focus will be this month. I so want to nail this baby because this book is my baby.
He said, "It also really strains credulity." (My MC was mistaken for another girl and assumes her life)
Also, got the thumbs up on my ideas for the rewrite, so thats where my focus will be this month. I so want to nail this baby because this book is my baby.
Hi all!
Thanks! Yup, I'm equally concerned about the holidays - the upside is that if it's bad news, I really don't want to hear it until after I pack up the Christmas tree!
Sorry to hear that.
Thanks! Will do.
Good luck with the rewrite!
Thanks! Yup, I'm equally concerned about the holidays - the upside is that if it's bad news, I really don't want to hear it until after I pack up the Christmas tree!
Well, got a big fat NO from the editor who loved it. His people apparently do not. And again, it's "commercially difficult."
*Sigh*... I always get this news in the morning before work, when there's no way I can have a martini.
Sorry to hear that.
Thanks! Will do.
Good luck with the rewrite!
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Heh. YA, what my lovely agent said to me was (I am paraphrasing), "Your book is quirky, it's different. That's going to scare a lot of people. But it's also what will eventually sell it."
Whaddya know? He was right.
Whaddya know? He was right.
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