Resume

I just received a rejection to a query - because I am not a published author. Every other agent asking for a partial or full has asked for the material, but David Csontos of Frances Goldin Literary Agency asked about my credentials. The query must have been written well enough to intrigue, but rather than evaluate the material, this agent decided to evaluate my sales potential. Sure, it is easier to sell a published author's material. After all, everyone wants a proven winner.

The reason that David did not ask to see the manuscript was because I have not published before. Trying to be helpful, he recommended that I publish something, short stories or the like. Apparently, it does not matter that the skills needed to produce short fiction are different from those needed to produce a full length novel. Whoever he would submit to only wants someone who has already put something into print.

A good agent could sell an unpublished author's manuscript based on the quality of the writing and the uniqueness of the story. The problem is, the advance would be small, and Mr. Csontos probably does not want to trouble himself with the grunt work that would result in little financial reward. Chances are, he does not have the clout yet, and prefers to acquire some easier money.

Knowing that credits are a good thing, I should follow through on some vague notions to churn out some historical essays for the local Pioneer Press. It won't pay much, it at all, but a by-line is a by-line.