My first post here, though I am a published author, albeit one at something of a career crossroads. Here's my story:
I signed with my agent a few years ago, and she sold my first book (actually a two-book mass-market paperback deal) in three weeks to a recognized publisher. She was experienced, knowledgeable, provided good editorial input, and so on. I couldn't have been happier--then we got a second two-book deal for the same series. So far, so good.
But the market for my genre seems to have tanked at about that time, and I ran into some serious health and personal problems. My books did not sell well. When I submitted proposals for nine more novels, the publisher rejected them all and cut me loose, not offering me a new contract after the four books.
I essentially thought my fiction career was finished. I didn't write fiction for three years. But recently, I began again and completed a new novel this year--completely new characters and concept. When I took it to my agent, she was somewhat slow in responding to me--understandable, considering I was not a "currently producing" client. After three months, many e-mails and phone calls not being returned, I was ready to drop her, to start fresh. I thought it might be good for both of us.
I composed the "let's go our separate ways" e-mail and sent it. She called me the next day, told me she thought it was the best writing I'd ever done, that the market for this type of novel had picked up, and asking for a "second chance." Being a generally non-confrontational person, I was relieved and happy to stick with her.
From that point forward, however, I have had to initiate all contacts with her. She had no editorial suggestions for this manuscript. She said submissions would start right after Labor Day, and in mid-September nothing had happened. In late October, after several e-mails and phone calls, she said she'd sent it to three editors, "was still contacting people" and was "sorry to be out of touch," without explanation.
Upon doing some further investigation, it seems she has sold very few titles in the last couple of years. Her website is out of date, and she just doesn't seem to have her heart in it anymore. I have many new ideas for restarting my career and moving forward, however. (The economy not withstanding!)
Here's the question--am I being too impatient at this point? I like and respect this agent on a personal level, and she was the first person in publishing to give me a shot. But I don't know if she is doing all she could from a career standpoint right now. Too impatient? Or should I look at seriously making a change? I've had to drag any news of the submission process out of her for this new project.
Any and all perspectives appreciated.
I signed with my agent a few years ago, and she sold my first book (actually a two-book mass-market paperback deal) in three weeks to a recognized publisher. She was experienced, knowledgeable, provided good editorial input, and so on. I couldn't have been happier--then we got a second two-book deal for the same series. So far, so good.
But the market for my genre seems to have tanked at about that time, and I ran into some serious health and personal problems. My books did not sell well. When I submitted proposals for nine more novels, the publisher rejected them all and cut me loose, not offering me a new contract after the four books.
I essentially thought my fiction career was finished. I didn't write fiction for three years. But recently, I began again and completed a new novel this year--completely new characters and concept. When I took it to my agent, she was somewhat slow in responding to me--understandable, considering I was not a "currently producing" client. After three months, many e-mails and phone calls not being returned, I was ready to drop her, to start fresh. I thought it might be good for both of us.
I composed the "let's go our separate ways" e-mail and sent it. She called me the next day, told me she thought it was the best writing I'd ever done, that the market for this type of novel had picked up, and asking for a "second chance." Being a generally non-confrontational person, I was relieved and happy to stick with her.
From that point forward, however, I have had to initiate all contacts with her. She had no editorial suggestions for this manuscript. She said submissions would start right after Labor Day, and in mid-September nothing had happened. In late October, after several e-mails and phone calls, she said she'd sent it to three editors, "was still contacting people" and was "sorry to be out of touch," without explanation.
Upon doing some further investigation, it seems she has sold very few titles in the last couple of years. Her website is out of date, and she just doesn't seem to have her heart in it anymore. I have many new ideas for restarting my career and moving forward, however. (The economy not withstanding!)
Here's the question--am I being too impatient at this point? I like and respect this agent on a personal level, and she was the first person in publishing to give me a shot. But I don't know if she is doing all she could from a career standpoint right now. Too impatient? Or should I look at seriously making a change? I've had to drag any news of the submission process out of her for this new project.
Any and all perspectives appreciated.
