Hi everyone,

I'm now a proper member having being impressed with what I have read so far on the site (have been lurking for a few months.)

I am currently writing my first novel (thriller/drama/romance) and have sent a section to an agent who replied straight away and said that they think I write well, but were not sure if my novel would different enough for a crowded market. However they asked if I had approached anyone else (I haven't) and asked for the rest of what I have written (I am currently about a third of the way through).

This was a few weeks ago and I haven't heard anything since - is that a bad sign?

Also, can I take the feedback I've had so far as quite positive for a first approach?

I'm hoping that some of you more experienced members will be able to advise me. I hate waiting (although I know its part and parcel of writing) and am checking my emails almost obsessively!

Many thanks

Eve

Hi, Eve - and welcome to the site!

Well done on getting agent interest at this early stage and, yes, it is a fairly positive response (with the proviso of the "crowded market" comment). I'm not sure, but I assume you've sent the rest of what you've done to the agent? If that's the case, they do take an age, and a few weeks is a mere second in their timescales! Also, not much (usually) happens during August, as they're all away on their summer hols, so you may not hear anything at all till the autumn. My general rule of thumb is (if they've actually asked you for stuff) wait 3 months and then send a very gentle, very polite enquiry email.

In the meantime, I'd get seriously stuck in to finishing that novel, getting it edited and improving it to within an inch of its life and, of course, giving it the extra "edge" they seem to want. Also, my advice is don't send it anywhere else till you've actually finished and have edited it - agents/publishers aren't really keen on unfinished stuff as they want things they can use now. And you'll also be surprised at how much you'll change of what you've done once the whole thing is complete and you can get a real overview of the text!

Good luck!

A
xxx

Hi Holly

Thanks for your reply.

I do agree with you that I should complete the novel first. I actually emailed the agent for advice on when it was best to send the material out (have had conflicting advice) and he replied asking to see what I have, that's how it all started really.

I guess I'll just have to lock myself away for a few months and get it finished.

xx

Hello Eve,
welcome to the site, it took me a while to pluck up the courage (and the cash) to join but it's worth every penny, especially if you join one of the groups and start posting work.

I'm just revising a crime novel now, so I'm keen to know a bit more about your own book - it's funny, your agent experience reflects my own in a way. I had about 3 quarters of a book written and I sent it to AM Heath expecting to wait months for a reply, time I thought, to finish it and start the edits etc. They got back to me within a weekend (!) and the agent asked for the full ms. A week later (!!) he said he wanted to work with me on the book and sent me a two page email listing areas of improvement. I must have caught him on a slow day because it all happened so quickly.

Holly's advice is sound, and if I was in the same position again, I'd have waited just a few months more until the book was in as good a shape as possible. It really is worth it. And besides, as the publishing world moves as such a slow pace (for my sins I work as a reference editor and have been to quite a few yawnsome editorial meetings), there really is no rush.

keep going!

all the best

Luke

Hi Luke

Thanks for the advice - sounds like you were very fortunate. Funnily enough I also looked at AM Heath.

I guess it's just frustrating for me, because initially the agent seemed keen (coming back in a couple of hours and saying I write very well) and then silence...but they say it is the nature of the beast.

I guess before long I will have to be brave and upload my work. I currently have 5 different people reading my work and I find their advice so helpful.If you want to know anything about my book ask away

The agent also said that the market is very overcrowded which is frustrating - surely that means its very popular too ;o) Or am I just being too optimistic!!

no there's nothing wrong with a good dose of optimism. It keeps us going when the words just won't come. I was told by an editor at Random that the crime market is difficult to break into but the sales are there to prove it's still a popular genre with the book buying public so there is space for us still. You just have to read as much as possible, see what is out there, what the books have in common and try and fit that 'element' into your own work. A strong well crafted main character is important but I don't think you need to be gimmicky. Personally I'm not much taken with over the top murders or crusty archeologists who double up as crime-busting hard men/women. Once you've finished the book and taken a break from it, the revision process will help you find your missing link. I'm really enjoying editing and re-writing as I never expected to. It's great fun, like you're putting fine detail onto a sculpture or painting!

good luck, let us know how you get on. and join the crime group if there's space!