1. Medazza

    Medazza Active Member

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    Advice on querying tactics

    Discussion in 'Traditional Publishing' started by Medazza, Feb 15, 2021.

    So my novel has had some great feedback with lots of full MS requests but it’s not quite there- the rejections are lovely and positive but they remain rejections.

    One agent suggested some improvements- and I think he spotted a few weaknesses in the MS.
    He said if I make the changes he’d be interested in seeing it again and whatever I write next.

    2 agents still have the full MS but I now feel it’s not my best work! Do I just let this play out or email them and explain, look I really want to work with you. I’ve had another agent say they want me to make some changes that I agree with. And say to them I’d love to know what they think about what they have but also if they’d be interested in the changes.

    I’m over thinking this I know....

    Any thoughts?
     
    Last edited: Feb 15, 2021
  2. Fiender_

    Fiender_ Active Member

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    If either of the agents currently reading your MS offer to represent you, you can ask them what (if any) changes they would recommend, and you can mention that you have made some changes to the MS after sending the versions they read. Writers revise all the time so it shouldn't surprise any agents that you already have an updated manuscript.

    I'd recommend having a quick list of those changes on hand in case it comes up during a phone interview (so you can say "I tightened up Sally's character arc by focusing more on her motivations and less on her suffering, so she has more agency and doesn't always seem like a victim", as opposed to "Sally does this now in chapter one instead of this, and she does this differently in chapter two, etc.")

    If they don't agree with the changes you made, even though you feel they made the story stronger, that might be an indication you and this agent won't be compatible in the long run. If they also ask for a revise and resubmit like the other agent did, you can possible work in their advice into your next version and see if it makes you feel even better. If they decide they aren't interested and don't ask for a revise and resubmit, there's probably no point in mentioning that you have an updated version. If their decision to pass was narrow enough that the updated version would have changed their mind, most agents probably would've asked for the R+R.
     
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  3. Medazza

    Medazza Active Member

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    Thanks, that’s helpful. I’ll collate my planned changes into a more formal and useful note.

    Is it worth me pre-emoting the agents who have the original MS though?
     
  4. Fiender_

    Fiender_ Active Member

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    I'm not 100% sure what you mean by pre-emoting. :oops:

    I would recommend not sending them any further messages to them for a while. Agents are usually very busy and it might be months before they read your story. After six months, or so, it's okay to nudge them with a quick "Hi there, hope all is well. This is Mesazza, and I sent you this manuscript, and I was just hoping to get an update on your status with it." Some agents might have different preferences for nudges stated on their websites or twitters.
     
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  5. Medazza

    Medazza Active Member

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    Thanks, I meant ‘pre empting’ (bloody autocorrect!) but I think you are right. I just need patience - and as we all know that’s tough when querying
     

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