Yes, this is so true! I recently submitted to a (newer) agent. They rejected the MS, saying that while another one of my books (which I'm going indie with) sounded right up their alley, they didn't feel the connection with this one. And while I appreciate the honesty, I also got a weird vibe of like...would you only have been my agent for that one book? Didn't even question whether I should have nixed my indie plans and submitted the other book to them, b/c their response felt very "I pick up books" and not "I pick up authors." May just be growing pains, since this person *just* became an agent, but I definitely second favoring an agent who's in it for your entire career and you as a writer—not just that one book of yours they liked.
I hope I get the chance to put your questions into effect, Kristen.
You have undoubtedly covered this topic previously, but could you write a few salient points about preparing a synopsis to give to an agent? Should it be one-page, or can it be more? Should it contain spoilers? I would appreciate a refresher on this.
If this is your first novel and you don't have a tremendous platform then, unfortunately, you probably need to finish the entire manuscript. Books do get sold on proposals or ideas but that is usually when a celebrity is involved or someone else with a huge platform or sometimes you can sell your next book that way if your first book did well. Any other questions, I am here!
Thank you Kristen for your magnanimous post and reply to Laura's pertinent question. As I'm in the process of writing my first literary fiction novel, Kristen, your insights are invaluable in imagining the future of my first novel 🤗
Yes, this is so true! I recently submitted to a (newer) agent. They rejected the MS, saying that while another one of my books (which I'm going indie with) sounded right up their alley, they didn't feel the connection with this one. And while I appreciate the honesty, I also got a weird vibe of like...would you only have been my agent for that one book? Didn't even question whether I should have nixed my indie plans and submitted the other book to them, b/c their response felt very "I pick up books" and not "I pick up authors." May just be growing pains, since this person *just* became an agent, but I definitely second favoring an agent who's in it for your entire career and you as a writer—not just that one book of yours they liked.
This is sooooo important - their response felt very "I pick up books" and not "I pick up authors."
Such a red flag. I'm glad you spotted it!
I hope I get the chance to put your questions into effect, Kristen.
You have undoubtedly covered this topic previously, but could you write a few salient points about preparing a synopsis to give to an agent? Should it be one-page, or can it be more? Should it contain spoilers? I would appreciate a refresher on this.
Thank you,
Voron
Of course! I'll do this in an upcoming post. Stay tuned!!
Should one try to find an agent when they already have a fully finished and edited manuscript?
If I’m at the stage where I have a concept, I have a draft of the first quarter of the book… is that enough to try to find an agent?
If this is your first novel and you don't have a tremendous platform then, unfortunately, you probably need to finish the entire manuscript. Books do get sold on proposals or ideas but that is usually when a celebrity is involved or someone else with a huge platform or sometimes you can sell your next book that way if your first book did well. Any other questions, I am here!
Thank you Kristen for your magnanimous post and reply to Laura's pertinent question. As I'm in the process of writing my first literary fiction novel, Kristen, your insights are invaluable in imagining the future of my first novel 🤗
That’s very helpful, thanks!! I guess I will keep writing and stay on the path! 💪🏽
Happy writing!