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Topic: When to call it quits
| Author | Message |
| Looking for agent | Posted – 12/16/2006 4:23:28 PM | show profile I've completed a young adult mystery and have sent either query letters or sample chapters with outline to about 30 literary agents who represent YA authors. I've gotten rejections by either email or a standard form letter. Now I'm not sure whether I should shelve the project and move forward, send out more queries to agents, send it to publishers, self-publish it or turn it into a screenplay. I'd love some advice from people who have gone through the same process. Thanks. Confused in NYC |
| Metro Writer | Posted – 12/16/2006 11:52:55 PM | show profile I think you should try to get feedback from trusted people in a writer's group. See if there are any patterns and try to improve it. Also, try a different title, perhaps something intriguing or with a metaphor. Good luck. |
| amodgirl | Posted – 12/18/2006 3:35:07 PM | show profile don't give up although 30 queries sounds like a lot and probably feels like an eternity of work to you, don't give up. if you really believe in your work and want to make it happen, perhaps shelve it while you brainstorm other ways to tackle it. for example, instead of spending time sending out another batch of queries, maybe brainstorm ways to network (writer's workshops, mystery book fairs?), or alternative publication and distribution outlets (i.e. instead of going to traditional publishers, maybe pitch it as a series to a teen mag). we've all heard the stories about the years and scores of rejection letters before someone sold a best-seller... if your gut tells you it's a winner, keep plugging! |
| eric_seeger | Posted – 12/18/2006 5:14:11 PM | show profile 30 rejections isn't really that much. Ask this question again when you've got 300 rejections. |
| depietrowriter | Posted – 12/19/2006 2:43:53 PM | show profile When to quit? When your dead. 30 rejections, keep going. It only takes that one acceptance. Now I would say don't just put all your work into this one project. After many rejections I think its a good idea to have other things going. Revise the book if you think that may help, try smaller presses. But why give up on selling it? As long as your not only focusing on this you have nothing to lose by trying to sell except cost of sending it out. |
| toothache | Posted – 12/19/2006 3:37:45 PM | show profile | email poster classes if you're thinking of workshopping your work. i'd highly recommend kristen kemp's mediabistro class. she totally rocks and really knows what works and what doesn't in this market (having published I think seven YA novels herself). she's also got a very positive attitude and give good, constructive feedback. |
| missit | Posted – 12/19/2006 4:04:50 PM | show profile Why are they saying no? What do the rejection letters say? I know some are standard form letters, but one or two have to give you some clue as to why the agents don't want to take it on. Is it not commercial enough? If so, then yes, try a smaller press on your own? Does the writing need tightening? Then yes, seek out a writer's workshop to help you improve. Find out why the agents don't think it will sell and that will tell you a lot about what your next move should be, and 30 rejections are not a lot. Good Luck. |
