The idea of the Insecure Writers Support Group is for writers to blog on the first Wednesday of the month about their fears, struggles and triumphs they have experienced with their writing.
Before I started submitting Book 1, I made a list of suitable agency that represented my genre and had similar types of books in their list. I've been submitting to the agencies in my list one or two at a time (mainly because I'm too much of a wimp to receive millions of rejections all at once).
Now I only have a few more agents to submit to and have reached over 50% of the second draft of Book 2. Do I widen the net of agencies for Book 1, which I would do if Book 2 wasn't anywhere near being finished? Or, once I've submitted to all the agencies on the list, do I concentrate on submitting Book 2?
I'm not sure how my poor little brain would cope with juggling submitting Books 1 & 2 and writing Book 3. But then am I ready to 'give up' on Book 1 (for now at least)?
I'm really not sure. It's something to think about over the next few weeks while I finish Book 2, I suppose. But any advice would be greatly appreciated :-D
Have you tried submitting to small publishers instead of seeking an agent? A lot of small publishers allow you to submit direct to them. Just a thought if you haven't tried it. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a tough choice to make, but I chose to self-publish because all that waiting around would stress me out too much!
It's another option to think about but I'm a bit scared to go it alone!
DeleteI'm currently querying one book and working on two others. For me, I plan to set a goal, if I query x number of agents and get nothing then I'm moving on to the next book. The thing is--how much do you love the book you're querying? The book I'm querying is deep in my heart and I'm taking a second look at it on maybe why I'm getting rejected. It's turned into me cutting two chapters and starting from a different point. But that's me. I have a hard time giving up on things.
ReplyDeleteMy point: Do what you can till you think you need to stop. It's all up to you and if you think it needs a break then do that, if not, then move forward. No one said you can't rework it while it's out.
Good luck!
Hi Christine and Karen and thanks for your advice.
ReplyDeleteI think I will work through my list of agents and then see how I feel. I don't want to 'give up' on my first book but I'll have to stop at some point - I can imagine my head exploding while submitting 5 different books!
I'm no expert on this, as I opted out of querying agents early on and went with a direct submit to a small publisher. But if it were me, I'd finish up on the original list for Book 1, and then focus on finishing the writing of Book 2. Then I'd set Book 2 aside for a bit, and widen the query circle for Book 1 and send out to them all at once. THEN I'd go back to book 2 with fresh eyes and edit/rework as necessary. Then I'd get querying for Book 2 - and now there's a longer list to send to (b/c of widening circle for book 1) while writing Book 3.
ReplyDeleteUm, sorry if that was oddly specific.
specific is good. I like being told what to do when I'm dithering!
DeleteThat's a really tough one. I've always found it easier to query a book when mentally I've moved past it and onto working on a new one - the rejection seemed easier to take. Good luck either way!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, Talli. Rejection doesn't get to you as much when you've put a bit of distance between you and your work.
DeleteI will be starting Book 3 once I'm ready to submit Book 2 so my mind will be more concentrated on that by the time the rejections come rolling in.
I love new things, so for me I'd be querying Book 2. The benefit is, you have Book 1 ready and willing to go when Book 2 is accepted. Therefore if you get a 2 book deal, you're able to honour it immediately.
ReplyDeleteI love new things too - it's the reason I couldn't finish writing a book for years as I was so keen to start the next, most fantastic book ever!
DeleteOoh, 2 book deal. I like the sound of that... *wanders off into daydream*
Most writers I know in Australia move without agents, so I'm not sure. I'd just keep going with the queries and start querying book 2 as well. Maybe sit down and write up all your options, like approaching small publishers directly or looking at representing yourself and producing your books. Good luck with making that decision. And keep writing!
ReplyDeleteHi Mama J. Thanks for finding/following me. I've returned the compliment.
ReplyDeleteAs Charmaine says, in Oz agents don't have the godly status they seem to in the US. We go it alone to the publishers. The biggest publishers in Australia have certain times when they open the doors to mss. This is when you have something ready to pounce. My Writers Centre in Brisbane has special days when they invite publisher reps to meet with any of us who have a ms ready.
Best of luck with those queries. I hope you get Book 1 out there. Keep on plugging away with Book 2, too.
Denise
Hi Charmaine and Denise. I didn't know it worked differently in Australia. Going it alone is an option to think about but at the moment I would still like to have an agent as they'll be far more clued up than me!
ReplyDelete