Hello everyone and Happy 2010!

I started writing my novel in 2007 (part time), and last summer I set myself a goal that I must finish it by Christmas. Well I did, just about. I finished a week ago. 88k words and I’m happy.

Now for the difficult part. I’m really not sure what to do next.

First of all, I would like to find an agent. I know it is very unlikely that a new author is likely to attract an agent but I want to try.

I have looked in the WW Directory of Literary Agents and now I’m stuck on the genre. My book started as a children/young adult fantasy story, the main heroine being 14 years old. However as I continued to write the book, I realised that she should be older and have now changed her age to 16. Everything in the book feels better with her at this age.

So which category do I choose for an agent? Children? Fantasy? Action/Adventure?

Also, do I send to many agents at the same time, or patiently wait for one to reply before sending to the next? I know I have read elsewhere in the forum that publishers do not like you to send your mss to more than one at a time (although for the life of me I can’t imagine how they’d find out).

Any advice appreciated!

PS I don’t feel any of the elation that I was expecting when finishing the book. Is that normal?

Firstly well done on finishing , and, yes, it is natural to feel a bit down, afterall the creative process is over and it's now the boring bit of subbing it round agents.

Secondly, with a 16yr old mc I'd say it's probably Young Adult genre - target readership is young teens, of 12-16yr olds.
If it's got mythological, magical, or other fantasy devices, then it's Fantasy. If not, then it's Adventure. but you're welcome to upload the synopsis in the S&O Group to double check that.

Thirdly, submit to agents in batches, rather than one at a time - I usually send out 8-10 submissions at intervals of around a week at a time, until I've got through the 30-odd childrens agents on my list. I always spot a mistake on the submission after I've sent off the first batch, which is why I don't post them all off at the same time.

Don't submit to agents and publishers at the same time. If you've exhausted your list of Agents and recieved nothing but rejections, then is the time to submit directly to publishers.

There's nothing wrong with submitting your first novel. Yes, the odds are against you, but it's good practice for the next time.

Good luck.


- NaomiM

Yes, I think it can seem weirdly flat - even a kind of grief, when everything's done. You have a whole novel - hooray! and congrats and all that - but it's also an end: there are lots of things which it will never be, possibilities closed off. And there's a large novel-writing-shaped space in your daily life, too, which can make you feel very lost for a while.

Lots of good advice from Naomi. Childrens/YA isn't my area, but certainly submit to more than one agent at a time, or you could die of old age before you get anywhere. The agents who don't like multiple submissions aren't living in the real world.

Agents do need new authors, if only to replace their existing ones who die or stop selling. So it's not easy, but it is possible, and the better the book, the more possible it is. Very best of luck with it.

Emma

First of all you need to take stock.
January is a bugger of a month for agents as the world and his wife set this as the date when they will sub, so don't think you need to hurry.

1. Is the novel in as good a shape as you can make it? Does it need another polish?
2. Prepare your synopsis and covering letter? Are these both as good as you can make them? Here on WW there is an excellent synopsis group who will tell you if it's any good.
3. Chose your agents, by reseraching properly, and start subbing in batches.
4. Begin your next book. This is important because you will need something to focus your energy on during the subbing. And also because agents will ask what you're currently working on.

Very, very good luck.
HB x

Yes, to echo Helen, don't rush into it. I've done that, thinking the mss was the best thing since sliced bread, and a few typos here and there wouldn't hurt, and then, after the rejections slips started dropping through the letter box, the scales finally fell from my eyes and I could see just how much extra work it really needed.

<Added>

Actually, saying that, you usually do need to start subbing to get a more realistic view of the mss.

Agreed Naomi.
When everything is as good as you can get it, you just have to take the plunge.
HBx

Hello All

Many thanks for your fast and helpful replies. Also thanks for all your wishes of good luck.

@Naomi: The book definitely contains magic, but no mythological or other fantasy devices. The MC is unwittingly plunged into another world and spends almost of the novel trying to return home. I’ve always thought of it as Young Adult novel – hoping to attract younger readers as well as perhaps some adults. It just threw me a bit when I looked in the Directory of Literary Agents and didn’t see a section on young adult! So I think children’s is the way to go, but I will follow your advice and upload a synopsis.

I’m glad you advised about sending to agents in batches!

@Emma: Weirdly flat is exactly how I feel, especially because it’s taken me so long to complete. This is only the first book in a planned set of six, so I have lots of writing to look forward to.

@Helen: Hmmm … I hadn’t thought of that! I suppose a lot of people set Christmas as their deadline and so try to sub in January.

1) No, the novel needs a bit of polishing. I am gradually going through chapter by chapter, making sure that the plot is consistent, tidying things up and so on. Actually, I find all the editing stage very enjoyable.
2) No, I haven’t written either my synopsis or covering letter yet, they are next on my list.
3) I intend (initially at least) to use the agents listed in the Directory. I am assuming that’s a good place to start?
4) Yup, already started on the second in the series. First few pages were written ages ago, and I’m currently starting on the plan.

My biggest worry is that the story drags in the middle. I don’t think it does, but maybe other readers will think so. Part of my love for this story is that it actually explains magic, how it’s used and the limitations - compared to other stories where magic is limitless or inconsistent which always makes me feel unsatisfied. But maybe other readers won’t share my feelings on this.

Hi, you sound as if you have a good plan: polish it, then send out to a bunch of agents at once (say, about 10). The Directory is a good place to start, also, get hold of the Writers' and Artists' Year Book or the Writers' Handbook (there are two, equally good - there is also Writers' Market for the UK). Agents listed in there are good to contact.
With an MC aged 16, your readers are going to be aged aproximately 12 +.
Be sure you haven't included any inappropriate material in your book - no sex, drugs only if you're going for a very 'gritty' story. Apologies if this is obvious to you, but you'd be surprised how many people include the most inappropriate content.
Nicola Morgan is a well known author for teenagers, her blog is really useful and full of great advice:
http://www.helpineedapublisher.blogspot.com/
best of luck!

As it's got magic, then it is Fantasy.
YA is a relatively new genre and there are far more agents specialising in it in the US than the UK, so consider sending off to Agents that deal in Adult Fantasy, and others that deal in 9-12 Childrens fiction - you'll need to adjust your convering letter accordingly.

It is well worth doing your synopsis now as it'll show up if there are any plot holes that can then be filled in the editing/polishing stage.



- NaomiM