Hi all,

I hope this is the right place for this.

After about five years spent writing my novel, I've finally put an end on it and started looking for an agent.

As I read the myriad forums and blogs that are out there now, finding an agent seems incredibly daunting (never mind writing the damn thing and then rewriting it a million times as you struggle to get it into closer-to-acceptable shape!).

Those of you who do have agents, can I ask you how long the search took? How many did you have to approach before one took you on?

Thanks for any insight!

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PS I realize of course that I may never get an agent. I'm just wondering how long it takes people who do end up successful.

A friend sent out her first completed novel to ten agents last year and had signed with a really good one within something like a month. And after another month, she had a two-book deal with a huge publisher. Something similar happened to another acquaintance.

While I realise it's unwise to expect this to happen to me, I need to hear some real-life alternate scenarios.

Thanks in advance.

I began my novel in 2006 and have never found an agent. But I did send to a small publisher early this year and they took me on.
Very best of luck in your search.
Susiex

Six novels, thirteen years, assorted blind alleys with agents, a Masters for the seventh novel, seven submissions to agents with that, for which I got three rejections, one took me on and sold it, then three more requests for the full MS.

Emma

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There are some WWers with stories more like your friends'. We do still love them. Really.

Hiya, I've just signed with an agent ten years after beginning to submit and look for one! I think this would be my seventh novel (though admittedly the previous ones probably weren't worth taking on. It's been a long learning process, and with each one I've learnt a little more).


Having said that, getting an agent is no guarantee of the next step. So far the rejections are still rolling in!

Well, two rejections. I know that's not much, but just because an agent loves and believes in your work doesn't mean that you'll get a deal within a month! Or even at all with that book. It's a long, long process and each step up the mountain can take months or years. Then the next step can take as long. That's why it's good to find an agent who believes in your potential and career development, not just the one book.

Don't want to dishearten you, because there are some lucky/talented people that seem to breeze through it all much more quickly and smoothly!

Two small (5-6) batches of submissions, signed with an agent and got a two-book deal with a publisher a month later.

HOWEVER, I am now deep in lengthy rewrite hell with Book 3, no longer have a publisher and am beginning to feel I will never be published again! Think of it as an unpredictably long and bumpy road...

Thanks, all of you - it does sound very long and bumpy. It's good to see the variety of experiences. I will soldier on. (If you want me, you can find me in any thread involving bitching about the querying process!)

Best of luck with book 3, Becky. I'm sure if you did it twice you can do it again, so hang in there!