Remember how I mentioned that I cleaned up my first draft (AGAIN) and finally felt good about it and sent it back out again? I only sent it to two agents, and I got a response from one yesterday that said “Truth be told,though, I'm afraid these pages just didn't draw me in as much as I had hoped.”
Ugh.
So my question is, do I give up on this one? A lot of people say you probably won’t publish your first-ever completed MS. And maybe I’m just too in love with the idea, so I can’t let it go. But maybe it’s time. When they don’t even see a spark of potential in five pages, that’s not a good sign.
It makes me sad. But then I think about that article from Kathryn Stockett about how she just kept revising and editing and changing and writing to tell THIS story and after THREE years and SIXTY rejections she finally got an offer and now has a bestselling book. So then I think that maybe I should stick to it, write the beginning over again, and tell the story I want to tell.
I don’t know if I have that much energy. Plus I have my second MS, and last night I started a new book. A YA Paranormal that I’m SO excited about. So how soon do I give up on MS 1? And how soon do I query MS 2? They’re completely different genres, so I’m not sure I’d even be querying the same agents. But I don’t know if I’m ready for the gauntlet again.
Any advice?
Meanwhile, I’m loving Mumford & Sons lately. Anyone else?
And P.S. I’m thinking of changing my blogging schedule. Stay tuned.
I would keep trying. You only sent it to two agents. There a so many more out there! I think you mentioned you queried this book before, right? If it's significantly different, send it out again. You never know. And a lot of people don't sell their first books, but some do. Everyone's story is different. ;)
ReplyDeleteMy 3rd book got me my agent, so I wasn't one of the lucky first book people. Good luck!! :)
Here's the joy of the modern world: you don't actually need a publisher any more. You can easily self-publish book #1 electronically, get it on a bunch of people's Kindles, iPads, and Nooks, and when you land a deal for book 2 or 3 then there are already people who know your name. AND when book 2 or 3 takes off you get to drive the bargaining process with your new publisher to let them print the hardcover version of book 1.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry I haven't been around much! Chantele is right - you've only queried 2 agents. Most writers query for years before they get where and what they want. Don't give up! I disagree with Nate for a lot of reasons, and not because I don't think self-publishing is good, but because I don't think it's a bright idea to self-publish your first-ever written book so painfully soon. Write some more books first. Get yourself into this a bit more. Query more. Write more. Read more. Just my opinion. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm always around if you want to email me or even give me a call. Hang in there. If you don't think you have the energy to keep querying, self-publishing is like way more work than that. :)
Oh I've queried WAY more that two, just two this last go around. And they were both no's. So I'm really thinking of putting MS1 on the shelf for awhile and going ahead with MS2. And I think you're right. I need to write more. I've written two pages for MS3 and it far outshines the first two pages of my other books. So I think I'll just keep going and have MS1 in my arsenal in case I ever get a deal anywhere. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice everyone! And don't worry Michelle, I've been kind of out of it lately too. No worries! Thanks for the encouragement.