A few days before my book got accepted for publication I entered the first few chaps into a quite prestigious regional competition. I didn't receive an award, but the feedback said that the judge (a well-known agent) 'liked the writing but felt the narrative lacked pace and needed work'. The narrative pace is no different in the version that got accepted, and I know these things are subjective, but now I'm worried that the narrative DOES lack pace and that readers will think so to and never read anything by me ever again! I've already submitted final MS to the publishers for editing so REALLY don't want to have to do major rewrites at this stage - but would it be worth it?
Help!

I've already submitted final MS to the publishers for editing

At this stage I would have thought it was up to the editor to suggest changes if s/he thinks they are necessary. I'd ignore this Agent's comments and wait and see what edits, if any, the publisher wants.


- NaomiM

Wot Naomi said. It's amazing how differently even very experienced readers can see the same book, and this is only one opinion. I know writers who've submitted the same stuff to several agents, and got directly opposed comments about the same issue. Can be particularly true if what you're writing isn't really the thing the agent specialises in and is best calibrated for.

It sounds to me as if this very general negative comment has given you a very general negative wobble, which is very understandable. But if there really are any issues with pace, and it's not just that that agent was having an impatient day, you may find that the line edit picks them up. Indeed, if you find any actual concrete moments of sag when you're working on the edit, there's nothing to stop you tackling them: it's all still up for being changed, after all.

Emma

Yes, what Em'n'N said. Also, perhaps that agent specialises in plot based, page turners and judges pace accordingly. If your book is more literary or subtle, upping the pace might be a disaster. No one book pleases us all. I'd trust your agent and editor and enjoy it.

Thanks to you all for helping avert a breakdown ... You're right, I'm sure the publishers know what they're doing! It's funny how rejection is still rejection, even after you've been accepted elsewhere.

Agreeing with everyone: your editor will help you do any further tightening up, and it is surprising how even a little clipping here and there can hike the pace up a notch or two. I wouldn't worry about doing any further fiddling before your editor gets involved - that's what they're there for after all!

The publishers wouldn't have accepted your book if they didn't believe in it - that's the thing to remember!

Catcrag, anyone judging a competition has a really tough job. The standard of entries can be unbelievably high and if so it makes the choice of one winner very hard. The judge has to go with the one they liked the best, plain and simple.

If you were given a list of the ten books you most enjoyed reading and had to choose one, which one would you choose? And how would you explain your decision to the nine 'losers'?

The problem I have with competitions is for every one winner there are hundreds of 'losers' who suffer the kind of anxiety you are describing. Ignore it and celebrate your acceptance for publication. That's all that really matters.

Catcrag, I agree with Emma & Naomi. I just had a really similar experience, my publisher rejected an older novel i sent to them - I was expecting them to, but none the less it really knocked my confidence. Now an agent's taken that novel on, but I still can't feel totally confident in the book! It is psychological, I am sure your editor thinks it's great.

I agree with the others. My novel had just been accepted for publication when I received the judges' reports from an American comp I was a finalist in. Judge one (a US editor) loved it but judge two (a US agent) said gave some harsh feedback including the fact that 'paranormal novels must always start with the incident' and mine didn't...blah blah. Everyone else, from my agent to my editors, loved the structure of the first 3 chapters so two fingers to US agent.

Ignore the feedback.