confidence knock

Not sure what to do.
Didn't expect it was going to be this hard to get an agent. I knew it was going to be difficult but this is getting painful and expensive.

It's a great book (read the beginning, if you haven't already). Now what?

I'm going to bed. But I'm not going to give up.


Saw a great book title today, translated from French-

'The Social Escalator was Broken so I Took the Lift.'

about an immigrant facing prejudice in France and eventually becoming dead successful.

Waves

3 good responses- all from big agents. Just not good enough.

1.

I've now had a chance to read your material and it shows enormous promise. Sadly, though, I don't think it's quite a big enough book for us to take on. When we decide to publish new thriller writers we have to believe we can make their books lead titles, and this one, despite its promise, is just not sufficiently polished and original and exciting enough for that.

I'm pretty sure that you have it in you to write at that level - if you do try a completely different book, I'd be delighted to have the chance to look at it. And of course, another editor may well disagree about the potential of Clipped. So - best of luck with this book, and with the writing.


2.

We have all enjoyed reading it and feel you have talent. However despite many good features, including the use of local colour (Thailand), we are not sure that you are quite ‘there’ yet with this one, and so we won’t ask to see any more of it. Today’s market is very competitive, and we need to feel absolutely convinced that we can sell a title before signing up a new author.

Although we won’t offer to represent you with this first novel, we would be more than happy to take a look at anything else you write.”


3.

Thanks so much for allowing me to read your work, which I really enjoyed...however, I wasn’t completely bowled over sufficiently to represent you at this stage. I like your writing and was intrigued by the plot of a serial killer in Bangkok, but I just didn’t love the execution of the story...given that it is a really tough market at the moment, I really need to be in love with something in order to take it on.

If you have anything else in the pipeline, I would be interested in reading it in the new year (as I am away from Dec 7). But I understand you want to get moving and wish you the very best in your search for an agent. Thanks again for letting me read your work.


Not sure whether to focus on the nice stuff they're writing or the basic fact they all said no and maybe these three just write nicer letters. Difficult to know how to take it. And however positive they were, there's nothing in the way of helpful feedback.

email from Lou in Morocco

'...I WANT TO READ MORE!'

My favourite standard letter trying to disguise itself as a personal response

'Dear Author

Thank you for sending me your material. I am afraid that pressure of work prevents me from sending you a personal letter.

I have now had a chance to consider this and am sorry to say that although I found it well written and quite interesting to read, I didn’t feel strongly enough about it to want to take things further…'

I'm wondering if everyone gets a letter saying their book is "well written" and "quite interesting"? Even if it's utter crap? Or does she have different levels of standard letter?

...cannot provide a detailed comment...

My November blitz has produced a stack of ‘No’s’ in the last five days. Standard letters, bad photocopies of standard letters and small compliments slips with wonky typing. Having a bit of a wobble.