I half-way knew when I sent her my latest novel there was strong chance my agent wouldn't want to represent it. This book is very dark and quite a departure from the one she signed me with. Thus, the news last night was a disappointment, but not a shock.
My experience of working with Eleanor Wood has been nothing but positive. I highly recommend anyone who writes science fiction or fantasy to query her; she's a lovely woman--warm, professional and dedicated--and a responsive agent. Any time I had a question, she always got back to me promptly. Her comments on my work were both supportive and incisive, and I valued her feedback.
Plus, she found an editor at Tor (I mean, like, Tor. Tor! Squee!) who wanted to make an offer on my first novel. If the economy hadn't tanked at an inopportune moment, I probably would have been able to celebrate publication this year. You can't ask for better than that.
So I'm a little sad now, but still hopeful. If I did it once, I can do it again, and I am nothing if not bull-headed. This is a setback only.
Plus, as these photos show, there are bigger problems a person could have. I've got a wonderful life, and I'm thankful even to have a shot at getting published--the luxury to strive for more than just the necessities of life is a great gift.
But dang--does this mean I have to write another query letter?!?
Thanks to Writtenwyrdd for the link to volcano photos! Aren't they gorgeous?
20 comments:
Bummer. The volcano of the economy threw the ash of bad timing into your sky of publishing, causing your flight to the land of the published to be delayed.
Delayed, not canceled, mind you.
I'm really sorry to hear this, but as Peter says above, it's just a delay. I worry about this myself. My agent is waiting for a rewrite of a novel and if he doesn't think he can sell the book once he's seen what I've done with it, that's that with him and I'll be in the same boat you're in. I try not to think about it. I try not to hold my breath. I just try to write well. We'll see what happens.
Let us know when you have a new agent!
Ah yes. The dissolution of a promising relationship is crappy, no matter how you slice it.
Sorry to hear you need a new agent. I'm sure you'll find one.
I'm sorry to hear this... I'm sure it can't be fun for you, even if you knew it was a possibility :( But I'm glad to hear you're keepin' on keepin' on.
Although I've never read any of your fiction I've enjoyed your tweets and blog posts. And anyone who blows up snowmen and teaches folk how to build killer robots is right up there on the cool scale :-) I'm glad you're taking this in stride because you write the genre I read and I'm looking forward to reading your books!
Well sis i think it is time you make a e-book edition and start selling it through your blog.
I will be the first to buy a copy, so you have at lease one sale guaranteed.
I have been seeming more and more authors selling there own books of late. Maybe the economy is hitting you all.
PS I am getting to the point of needing to resort to B&E to get to read your book, and that is a lot of work from Iceland.
Peter: Hee! Now if I could only take a cab to the land of the published... Sarf's Travels keeps suggesting I smuggle myself across the border!
Scott: You have the right mindset; worry about the things you can control, and deal with what you can't if and when it comes up. We all hope the quality of what we've written can win over anyone, but the truth is everyone has distinct tastes.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that your agent loves your rewrites!
Sarah: Thanks, Sarah! This breakup was as gentle, and I am still feeling positive.
Maybe Genius: Thanks for your kind words. Isn't there that goofy old song that has the line in it, "The race is long, and in the end it's only with yourself"? I kinda feel that way about publishing.
Dale: Aw, thanks! Your kind words really gave me a smile and a warm, squishy feeling, there. I shall do my utmost to get a book into your hands someday! :)
Sarf: Well, it's not necessarily something I would never consider, but if I sell my book as an e-book, then I can't sell it to major publishers; I would have reduced its potential profit margin by too much by taking the electronic rights for myself.
And the fact is, you can make a lot more money working with a major publisher than you can on your own. The average self-published book sells something like 25 copies--mostly to the author's friends and family.
Plus, I really, really want to see my book on store shelves. That's a personal benchmark for me.
Tell you what: If, by next your next birthday, I have no publishing deal for my first book (Dark Heir), then I'll send you a copy of it.
No burglering my apartment, though! :D
Crap. So been there. We'll talk more soon. In the meantime let's go attack some writing slackers, because that'll make us feel better...get out the toenail pulling device...
McKoala: *clackclackclack* Oh, hey--I feel better already! :D
I'm sorry to hear it, JJ, but you are my hero for taking it in such stride.
You'll get there, my friend. Bring out your inner Goblin and get cracking on that query :-)
Sorry to hear your bad news.
On the plus side, you've demonstrated you can bag an agent, which kind of takes away some of the uncertainty regarding the sharpness of those old bull horns.
I just hope it won't be too long before you snag another — with both projects, perhaps.
Merry: Never fear! The Goblin has already applied her elbow grease. I queried two agents via email this morning, in fact.
Whirlochre: But so many bulls. So many horns. However, you're right it helps my hopefully-not-misguided confidence to know for certain this can be done by mere mortals.
Condolences, Goblin. I know exactly how you feel. While I know it's rough, I'm glad you aren't giving in to the mindset of "this is my fault." You know your writing is keen and strong and imaginative. We can't control editorial budgets and others' personal tastes but we can control the quality of our writing, and you've got oodles o' that. I'll be waiting to hear the next happy announcement soon enough.
Oh for goodness sake! That sucks. On the other hand, sometimes you have to change tracks to get to your destination. I sincerely hope and believe this change means you will find a new agent who will find you the right publisher at the right time SO I CAN FINALLY BUY YOUR BOOK!
does this mean I have to write another query letter?!?
That would have been nearly my first thought too!
So sorry the timing was off, and that's really the crux of it, bitter though it may be. No lack or fault of yours.
That's truly unfortunate. I'm sorry you're going to have to work up another query letter, but I've always found that a closed door opens another one. This just wasn't the right opportunity for you, and the one you're waiting for is hanging out there somewhere.
This is an absolute bummer to hear. I'm sure it's ten times worse being in the situation. You'll find anoter agent, though. I also follow that line of, "If I did it once, I can do it again." Once I finished my first novel-length story, I knew there was no reason I couldn't write another.
Good luck.
Josh: Ah, thanks Josh. We'll both get back there someday! :)
Kate: Hee! Thanks for the enthusiasm, and you're absolutely right that sometimes you've just got to head down a different path than the one you expected to be on.
In fact, there's a joke about that...
Q: How do you make God laugh?
A: Tell Him your plans.
Bernita: Very true, and there were a lot of authors--many already published--who ended up back at square one because the economic downturn hit the publishing industry so badly. I'm just another of those, but with a lot less far to fall.
Eric: Thank you! I've already crunched out a new query letter, in fact. There's nothing like a jolt to get you moving!
Sabrina: Hee! I basically started writing my previous novel because of something like that. I'd written a 50,000 word piece of fanfiction and thought, "Hey. That's a novella. If I can write a novella, I can write a novel. Why don't I?"
Oh, *hugs* and *chocolate* and *red wine*. It sounds like it wasn't a good fit but still, it's disappointing.
There's more hugs and red wine here if you run out (sorry, chocolate is a bit scarcer).
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