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Topic: Is it possible to ask someone to reconsider?
| Author | Message |
| deadline | Posted – 4/28/2008 5:55:19 AM | show profile | email poster I am in the early stages of looking for a literary agent for my nonfiction book. I was so excited when my dream agent requested my proposal after reading a query letter. However, she has now turned me down in a very generic way. That was a little surprising to me. I really do want to work with her and would be willing to fix things or rework the proposal. But I am not even sure what it is that she doesn't like. I know there are a lot of agent out there, but this is the one I really wanted. I sucks to get close and then rejected. Is there anything I can do? Thanks. |
| Village Gal | Posted – 4/28/2008 8:57:10 AM | show profile I think you should move on. If she wanted you to revise, she would have asked you- that's what my agent did. You want an agent who loves your work, not someone who sends a generic rejection. Why does this surprise you? Lots of agents ask to read proposals; some send generic rejections; some send notes (and when you get a few you wil see the comments contradict each other). Move on, don't be attached. Find one who loves your idea. You don't want an agent who is ambivalent. Good luck |
| aj | Posted – 4/28/2008 9:29:29 AM | show profile I agree about moving on but... I'd actually contact her via email with a very nice note asking for some feedback so you can improve your proposal. You aren't necessarily asking her to reconsider but you're asking for candid feedback on what specifically it was that didn't work for her. Sometimes this works and it keeps the door open for future pitches as well. ------ Dream Big. Pay the Rent. www.makingitinthecity.com |
| anovelfate | Posted – 4/28/2008 11:09:28 AM | show profile deadline You can always pursue self-publishing. Many authors who believe in their work have had varying levels of success by doing so. Good luck with your book! |
| Canadiana | Posted – 4/28/2008 11:57:38 AM | show profile Personally, I think you should write her a note (better to do it in writing than an email) explaining why you want to work with her, what you have to offer, why your book will sell, etc. Flattery will get you everywhere and, if you are a strong writer with a good idea, she may take notice now that you've gone the extra mile. |
| foodlit | Posted – 4/28/2008 12:31:48 PM | show profile No, don't bother her. She has rejected you. She liked your idea, not your execution for whatever reason. She is not going to reconsider. With literary agents, no is no. It's nothing personal, it's just business. What you need to realize is that it is such a subjective business, and its' a numbers game. Query widely. What one person loves, another hates, and it doesn't mean the work is good or bad, just that it worked better for one than another. I used to be a literary agent. The volume of queries is overwhelming. They just don't have time to give feedback on rejections. When you do that, it tends to invite an unwanted dialogue. If she wanted to see a revision, she'd ask you to revise. Don't take it personally (yes that is hard, I know), but move on and query a ton of agents. See what you get for feedback, if there's a common theme, then consider addressing it. What you also have to realize is that agents handle queries in the off-time. It is at the very bottom of their priority list. At the top of the list is working with their current clients, authors and editors that they have projects with or on submission. I don't mean to be discouraging, but just telling you directly how it is. Don't read too much into a rejection or overanalyze things...you probably got a form letter that just nicely says, 'not a fit for me, but am sure another agent will feel differently.' Keep going until you find the one who loves it. Good luck! Pam |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 4/28/2008 12:54:12 PM | show profile Having an agent reject your material after asking to see it based on the query is common. The turn downs are usually generic. You can send an email asking what she didn't like so you can improve it, and say you are willing to rewrite it, but the chances of getting anything from that is slim. The agent isn't a free critique service. Focus your attention elsewhere. |
| Village Gal | Posted – 4/28/2008 3:13:40 PM | show profile I total agree with Foodlit and Dribble. Move on, send out more agent queries. Self publishing is a last resort, not something you contemplate when you've had only one rejection. |
| deadline | Posted – 4/29/2008 2:16:44 PM | show profile Thanks everyone. I didn't contact the agent. Instead, I moved on. And today I got a response from an even bigger agent who requested my proposal. I wouldn't have queried the bigger agent if I had not been rejected by the one I thought I wanted. Maybe things do happen for a reason. |
