And the journey continues! Normally, it takes months to hear back on a full request, but I got an email back from one of the agents after just six days. It was a rejection, but one of the kindest rejections I've ever gotten from someone.
I wanted to be sad as this agency is a powerhouse that represents Charles Baxter, Jill McCorkle, and Annie Proulx, and Stephen King among others, but really, I was so happy that this agent gave me such detailed feedback. It showed that she actually read it and seemed to enjoy most of what she read, so I was ecstatic (a lot of agents only read up to when they start getting bored or seeing things that don't work well in the novel--which a lot of times can be the first few pages).
So this brings the total number of fulls out down to four :( But, those fulls are out to top-notch people, so I still have my hopes up!
Meanwhile, I met with one of the professors on my dissertation committee who is a client of one of the agents who has one of my fulls, and she gave me some great advice. It's good to do your research and to be picky, because getting signed with an agent is like getting married--you want to be in it for the long haul. You don't have to marry the first person who asks you to prom, she said, and I had to laugh at that, because it's a good analogy.
It's a lot of pressure, because you want to make the right choice if the time comes, and you really hope that time actually does come.
*sigh* Time to get back to work and not focus on it too much anymore. There are papers that need to be written, lessons that need to be planned, chores that need to be done. I'll keep you updated, and if any of you are querying, too, let me know! We can do this together!
I wanted to be sad as this agency is a powerhouse that represents Charles Baxter, Jill McCorkle, and Annie Proulx, and Stephen King among others, but really, I was so happy that this agent gave me such detailed feedback. It showed that she actually read it and seemed to enjoy most of what she read, so I was ecstatic (a lot of agents only read up to when they start getting bored or seeing things that don't work well in the novel--which a lot of times can be the first few pages).
So this brings the total number of fulls out down to four :( But, those fulls are out to top-notch people, so I still have my hopes up!
Meanwhile, I met with one of the professors on my dissertation committee who is a client of one of the agents who has one of my fulls, and she gave me some great advice. It's good to do your research and to be picky, because getting signed with an agent is like getting married--you want to be in it for the long haul. You don't have to marry the first person who asks you to prom, she said, and I had to laugh at that, because it's a good analogy.
It's a lot of pressure, because you want to make the right choice if the time comes, and you really hope that time actually does come.
*sigh* Time to get back to work and not focus on it too much anymore. There are papers that need to be written, lessons that need to be planned, chores that need to be done. I'll keep you updated, and if any of you are querying, too, let me know! We can do this together!
Wow. That is a great response, so clear and precise.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!!
It was, Sandy! So grateful to this agent! Loved it that she took the time to respond so graciously.
ReplyDelete