I just uploaded a little extract of the book--just a very short scene--so that you can have a look at it if you like. Any comments welcome: if I don't like what you say I promise not to pout or cry.

Here's a link (I hope!):

http://www.writewords.org.uk/archive/8725.asp

Jane, this has been bugging me…

"woe is me, I have an agent but I don't like him very much!" isn't really a dilemma I thought I would find too objectionable but I do

In one sense, I’m in a similar situation. My agent has been trying to get my first novel published for ages now, and we’ve recently decided to shelve it and wait until the next one is finished.

The difference – the BIG difference - is that I like my agent, and I trust him. Your agent is your partner. If you don’t like him how can you work together? Can you trust him? I know I wouldn’t be able to rely on an agent I couldn’t trust. So, for this reason alone, I’d say you need to find an alternative… someone you can bond with, and trust to promote your work in the best possible light.

Good luck

Dee

Jane - with all his talk of 'bidding war' and issuing challenges to editors, he sounds like a poltroon. Yes, ditch him. I suspect it's not a case of 'He isn't that into you' so much as 'Editors aint that into him'.

Joe

Joe, you make me laugh, you really do. Naughty. But probably right!

So far I've had one rejection, but with the proviso that they would be very interested in seeing what I write next--and that was from PFD, which is one of the big boys, so I am really pleased (at least it wasn't a flat no). My work (both the novel and some non-fiction stuff I've written) is now with another agent: much smaller, newer, perhaps hungrier. So the wait is on. Ergh. I'll keep you all posted.

Jane,

Maybe you shouldn't be too hasty in ditching this agent. Why not arrange a meeting and spell out what you expect and what you want. Be assertive and see if he is ready to agree to your terms before you sack him. You can view it as giving him a last chance, afterall, he stands to make commission if he does the work, so maybe he just needs a kick up the arse. Maybe he's in the wrong job.

Another idea, before burning your bridges, is to a word with someone else in the agency and tell them that you are unhappy and considering taking your business elsewhere. You never know, they might have already had other complaints about this guy. A bad agent doesn't necessarily mean a bad agency, but at some point the agency in question has to find out so they can kick the bad guy out.

just my two penneth

Colin M

Rather belatedly, here's my two cents worth. If ever there was a species, nay a breed, that ought to be wiped from the planet, it is that iniquitous clan called 'literary agents'! I spent seven years battling with UK publishers and their incestuous circle of agents only to decide it was a complete waste of time. Never had I experienced such a devious, dishonest and downright useless bunch of smug, self-grandising and decadent pack of parasites before or since. At the time, only the editorial staff in UK publishers came close.
Now you might think from the above that I have a low opinion of agents - well, just a touch! But that doesn't stop me from being pragmatic or a realist. I'm the first to admit that perhaps

Rather belatedly, here's my two cents worth. If ever there was a species, nay a breed, that ought to be wiped from the planet, it is that iniquitous clan called 'literary agents'! I spent seven years battling with UK publishers and their incestuous circle of agents only to decide it was a complete waste of time. Never had I experienced such a devious, dishonest and downright useless bunch of smug, self-grandising and decadent pack of parasites before or since. At the time, only the editorial staff in UK publishers came close.
Now you might think from the above that I have a low opinion of agents - well, just a touch! But that doesn't stop me from being pragmatic or a realist. I'm the first to admit that perhaps I was a bit unlucky. After all, I only tried twenty six agents and forty two publishers. I'm sure others have been fortunate enough to find the one or two who had solid principles, were very professional and really made an effort on behalf of their clients. If so, good for you and them and all the better for keeping things going. However, if disillusionment has set in then I would strongly recommend dumping the whole UK publishing scene, escaping the snobbery and lack of vision, and trying a good few US publishers. I waited nine years to get my first novel published. Three US publishers offered me contracts within weeks of getting the material! Nuff said?

C.B Barrie

So… no hard feelings, CB?

Seriously, you’re not the first one to say on WW that US publishers are more approachable than UK. Perhaps it’s the sheer population size?

Jane, have you made any progress yet? Be interested to know…

Dee

Well, despite my failure to sell the novel first time round, I still have some faith in the UK publishing system. After all, I used to work as an editor so I have to, really, don't I! I have experienced at first-hand how difficult it can be taking on books that you want, so I understand the process. That doesn't make it any easier for me now I am on the other side of it, though.

As far as finding a new agent goes, well, the story so far....

Soon after I started this thread (10 Feb?), I sent a query email out to an agent who I liked the look of, and enclosed a few quotes from editors who had already seen my novel. The agent phoned me the next day to ask if she could see the novel. I sent her the whole thing, along with a couple of non-fiction pieces I wrote; a CV; and a fuller list of quotes about my novel.

It took about a week to arrive with her, thanks to the postal system. She started to read it the next day and when she was only half-way through she phoned to offer to represent me. I have not yet met her, although we have had several long and encouraging talks on the phone. Until we meet I am not going to sign up with her, just in case. We hope to meet next week and once we have, if all goes well, I'll fill you all in on who she is. Then the poor thing will be innundated with requests for representation. That'll keep her busy.

So, one submission and bingo, I have a new agent. Hurrah! And I would not have had the ooomph to submit had you not all jollyed me along. So thanks to you all!

Very glad for you - fingers crossed for a fruitful relationship. If, however, things go askew my previous suggestion stands.

C.B Barrie

Well done, Jane. That's fantastic news. Celebrate!!!

Dee

Good news, Jane. Congratulations.

Joe

To follow up BARRIEBC's point about America - an agent I spoke to recently said that pushing Brit stuff over there at the moment is tough - unless you've got a Polyanna-ish, life-affirming story to tell - you know, 'The Five ****** You Meet in Heaven', sort of book. I guess the agent was generalising, but does go over there quite a bit, so the opinion was interesting to me because it came from a 'player' and not just someone with a letterhead. But 3 US acceptances after 42 publisher and 26 (?) agent rejections over here, that's spooky. Way to go, bro. And no need for an agent? 10-20% saved straight away. Susanna Clark seems to have cleaned up in the US with her 'English magic' book which Bloomsbury were promoting so heavily recently, and then there was Harry Potter. So maybe magic and whimsy are where it's at. I don't know if you write in that vein, CB? Anyway, Jane, keep us posted. I promise I won't bore your agent with my scribbles (should you take her on, and you do not repent of your intention to tells us who she is). She may forbid you to post Ambush of Shadows here. (Is that the one she saw?)

Congrats all round, Joe

Just saw this, Jane. Congratulations:-) Your book is clearly brilliant, even if it hasn't yet secured a sale. Let's hope that the new agent will work a magic that the old has not. Shyama

Congrats on getting a new agent, Jane. I hope this one delivers the goods!

Adele.