Author: Honey Pen
Date:   05-01-05 16:45

Hello. I've been lurking here for a while and have been so impressed with the advice given I decided to go ahead and take the plunge and join. Hopefully I can do a good turn at some point also.

My question is, how do you proceed with the second novel in a series (different main characters) when the first one didn't sell? Or, how long do you wait before you give up on a first novel? And the priginal question: what percentage of agented novels don't sell? I know so much depends on the agent, but I would like to know what others' experiences have been.

Here's the history:

1. Got an agent last year with a thirty-year-old NY agency that has a great track record. She sent my manuscript out to a bunch of editors (maybe 10).
2. Received interest from a major publisher in Nov. but they wanted a rewrite before they'd make an offer, which I did over the holidays.
3. Agent submitted the rewrite.
4. New agent (same agency) took over after the first one quit.
5. Before the interested editor had a chance to respond, she was laid off in massive cut back.
6. New agent sent out a few (don't know how many) more rewrites but then asked to read my as-yet-unfinished second novel.

I'm writing in an established genre with a new bend to it. My agent doesn't think it's a problem. She suggested maybe my first agent oversubmitted. I'm hesitant to proceed with the planned series if I can't even sell the first one. I'm not exactly a spring chicken. : )

I've been a bit depressed lately, and I'm pretty sure this writing THING is causing it.

Thanks for any and all responses.

Author: Mya Bell
Date:   05-02-05 12:34

What percentage of agented novels don't sell? I suppose it depends upon the effectiveness of the agent.

For successful agents with mid-range agencies, I have a few figures, but would still have to extrapolate from those.

Mid-range, reputable agents with whom I've spoken get about 65 to 100 queries a week. Of those, only about twenty or thirty queries make the first cut. Out of those, as far as I can determine from the small amount of information I have, only a couple of the manuscripts sell (after the agent has looked at partials and fulls).

Aggressive, well-connected agents may sell more--I don't know. New agents or less effective ones surely sell less.

So, still speculating, but it would appear that about two percent get placed with publishers (which would be consistent with the 98 percent rejection figure I've heard people toss around).

But I don't have any "in-between" information. Out of the twenty or so queries that make the first cut and the two or so manuscripts that sell, how many authors were offered formal representation? Your guess is as good as mine.

Long odds to be sure and it may widely from one agency to the next.

--- Mya Bell

Author: Harper
Date:   05-02-05 19:33

Wow, what a roller-coaster ride you've had. That's a hard one and I can understand that you would be discouraged. BUT if you take away the down side, you've had two agents and one editor on the line, which means you've got something good. Don't give up now!

Author: Richard Lewis
Date:   05-03-05 05:11

I agree with whole heart and complete liver with Harper.

Author: Honey Pen
Date:   05-03-05 10:21

Thanks Mya. I did feel lucky when I got an agent; I didn't know the percentages were that small. Someone in my writing group said 50% of agented fiction sells but didn't know where they heard that. I was hoping there might be hard numbers/sources out there somewhere that I'd missed. As if that would give me a better ability to predict!!!

Richard and Harper, thanks for the encouragement. Liver and all. : ) I was devastated when the interested editor was laid off, but I'm of a Churchill mindset:

"Never, never, never give up" --

(But I may have to reconsider genres.)

Author: David Little Eagle Rivera
Date:   05-04-05 13:37

Hello Honey Pen,

Reading your post was like looking in a mirror, sort of. I have not yet attempted to publish my first novel,novella, or whatever it might turn out to be (The changes I am making are blowing my mind, indeed), but I am carefully looking around for a publisher to consider my current work. While I cannot speak of "agented successes," I can definitely relate to the spiritual "down-swing of writing (at least from a songwriter's point of view). One thing I ask of you, my friend, is that you never let it get you down. As it stands, just reading what you have written here has captivated me ... and inspired me as well. I'll keep cheering you on, even as a greenhorn author. And to all the others, I must say what an honor it is to be part of this wonderful site. Nagwv' dohiya - Peace, ale adadoligi - and blessings to you all.

Little Eagle

Author: Honey Pen
Date:   05-06-05 07:43

Thanks Little Eagle--

I agree about this site. So much wisdom at the mere touch of a button . . . or keyboard . . .

Author: Greg Kosson
Date:   05-12-05 11:56

But be careful with the "never give up" thing. It does a number on you to write half a dozen novels that don't sell. You can honestly tell yourself you have remarkable tenacity, but you can also feel bitter and as though you've done nothing but deluded yourself. And it certainly can take the joy out of writing.

Most people either quit or become published long before this point, so there aren't a lot of folks around who can tell you first hand the potential emotional effects of "not giving up." They're not something to strive for!

May things be very different for you.