To follow up or let it lie, that is the question. A gentle e-mail nudge to a big name at a big New York Agency has gone unanswered after a week, and he's had the full manuscript for the past seven months. One man's prompt response is another man's eternity. Maybe there is a prompt response, that is, an implied no.
The most recent rejection followed close on the heels of a reminder that the agency's time limit had expired two months ago. Although addressed to me, rather than Dear Author, the contents were dismally generic. Sympathetic characters remained anonymous, as if the agent had not taken the time to read enough to pick up a name here and there. In the end, he recommended doing revisions, although what needs revising was left to my imagination.
Some agents do take the time to make very specific recommendations, but it seems as if no two people have made the same ones. For every agent who could not relate to the characters, there is another who related to them. Ultimately, the most rewarding critique is one in which the author learns that the writing is good, the characters are well-developed, but the agent just isn't into the story. He's just not into you, so find another partner for the dance. The United States Post Office thanks you for your continued patronage.
No comments:
Post a Comment