Blogger: Rachelle Gardner
Like any worthwhile endeavor, the job of being an agent has its upsides and downsides. But one of the hardest parts is when I know I have a good book that people will like, but publishers aren’t biting. This is when the agent job requires passion and persistence. Not to mention creativity.
When all the publishers I’ve targeted for a certain book have declined, it’s time to go back to the drawing board. First I talk with the author about why this might be happening. It could be any number of reasons, for example:
→ The author doesn’t have a big enough platform to impress the publishers
→ The book has a fatal flaw in form or content
→ The book has a strong premise but weak execution, or vice versa
→ The market isn’t open to that type of book
→ There are too many books of that type on the market so the bar is very high
I’ve dealt with all of the above issues on books I’ve represented. The author and I try to determine which obstacles we can overcome, and which we can’t. If there are problems with the book itself, we first have to go in and try to fix the problems. Then I have to find more publishers to whom we can submit.
Sometimes it’s a timing issue. I have one book that we started submitting six months ago and we got nothing but rejections. But I’m seeing some changes on the horizon, whispers on the wind of the social landscape that tells me this book may have it’s time… in a few more months. So we’re doing a few things: improving the book, coming up with a better list of publishers, and keeping up with the news to try and determine when the right time will be to send this out again.
Sometimes, especially on fiction, editors aren’t impressed enough with the writing. That particular book might not end up being published. But I’m encouraging my client to work on that second (or third or fourth) book. If I represent them, it’s because I believe they can write publishable books, so we’ll keep going.
The point is that it’s challenging for both authors and agents when the book doesn’t seem to be selling to a publisher, and the real work begins. Trying to figure out why, and what to do about it. Keeping our spirits up and remaining persistent. I have a trite-sounding saying on the wall of my office: “NO = Next Opportunity.” Cheesy, but it’s true.
This is one of the reasons it’s so important that I only take on projects I truly believe in. When it comes to this part, the hard part, my belief in the author and the project will motivate me to keep going, keep pounding the pavement to sell that book… even when I feel like I’m pounding my head against a wall.
Some of you have been in this situation (or you currently are). If so, take heart: you’re not alone. It’s just one more challenge in this exciting world we call book publishing.
Have you had to deal with challenges like this in publishing? How did you deal with it?
“. . . when the book doesn’t seem to be selling to a publisher, and the real work begins.” Ah, ignorance–as in back when I thought that the first draft was the hard word–was bliss! Your clients are fortunate to have you pounding the pavement on their behalf, Rachelle.
Thanks, Shirlee. I consider myself fortunate to work with such fantastic clients!
With your record, it’s hard to imagine a publisher not jumping on board with your judgement and faith in a work. Do you usually approach a team with a project? Will there be some for and some against? The majority rules setting? But for the writer, even though it’s a hard place to be, it seems a blessed place to be … because someone, outside of yourself, believes in your work and is pounding the pavement for you, with you.
love what you said, Shelli!
Thank you, Julie. xo
Shelli, you have the right idea – we work hard to protect our reputations with the publishers so that they trust we’re bringing them high-quality projects. But they still have to make their own decisions – usually based on metrics and P&L’s.
I haven’t been in that place, but I know a few friends who have waited for a long time before their books were picked up by a publisher.
*Speaking future tense here: as a writer, if I knew my agent believed in my story, in me, I think it might make that frustrating wait time a little easier. It seems like when this sort of thing happens, it seems like you have to just deal with the disappointment, dig in and do the work. And then leave it up to God.
Don’t just leave it up to Him, Jeanne. Recall the parable of the widow and the unjust judge, and petition Him without ceasing.
* You will find an agent who believes in your work. Agents are human, and so are we here in this community who see you as a towering talent. We believe in you, Jeanne.
Of course. That is an important reminder to foundation our work in prayer. All aspects of the process.
However, as always, it is difficult to know when we are asking for the wrong thing!
I sure hope authors find the journey a little easier when they have a partner and advocate along the way. It’s why I do what I do!
Well, not in publishing, but in life. A person very close to me said that his/her (no specifics here) prayers to God for my healing had been answered…and the answer was ‘No’.
* After going through the feeling of “Gee, I REALLY didn’t need to hear that!”, what does one do?
* Fight harder, and trim one’s psyche and soul down to raw killing steel. Going up against death, someone’s going to lose this battle, and it won’t be me.
* I suspect that this can be an analogue for the writer’s journey. But I’ll leave that for others to discern, except to say this –
“Make the word ‘no’ as a red flag to an anger-management-challenged bull.”
Oh my goodness, Andrew. You’re still here, and that says a lot. I’ve had people try to lead me astray in what they claimed was a message from God. I don’t know this person’s motive, but lean into God. He will give you strength. I continue to pray for youi.
Oh Andrew, that “no” definitely falls under Rachelle’s NO=Next Opportunity. And no one else would handle that opportunity with the same insight, humour, knowledge and voice you bring to the table.
Andrew, if any of us had the gift of e-healing you’d be fine by now because lots of us are praying for you and we won’t stop.
“For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.” 2 Corinthians 1:20.
We find our yes in God. This beautiful scripture can carry us through the darkest of times. In our suffering we can still find God and his ‘yes.’ You are a stalwart encourager in this community. God’s favor continues to rest upon you. That you have defied the odds is proof of that.
The power of ‘no’ and ‘stop’ deflate when they cause us to lose hope. There is ALWAYS hope. I’m glad you fight the good fight. BRAVO!
“Make the word ‘no’ as a red flag to an anger-management-challenged bull.” EXACTLY!
I so agree with this. I had an agent who couldn’t sell my manuscript, and well-meaning friends urged me to self-publish. Something in my gut said no. Not yet, anyway. I later hired an author/editor who was an immense help, and after some diligent work, a small press offered me a contract. I’m glad the earlier ms didn’t sell, because it was half the story it is now. And it just won an Eric Hoffer Finalist Award.
Congratulations, Linda!
That’s wonderful, Linda.
Linda, congratulations! That’s often the way it works – the long delays can give a writer a chance to improve. Way to go!
I love your saying, “NO = next opportunity.”
I had an agent turn me down and suggested I find my voice. So I studied and worked on making my voice come out. I recently got feedback from a contest complimenting my strong voice.
I’ll continue to persevere until something clicks.
Thanks for your encouraging post!
Praising the Lord for your NEXT OPPORTUNITY, Jackie!
PRAYING IT IS SOON!
Love you,
Jackie, kudos to you for taking that advice seriously and doing the work!
So far, I haven’t faced any of those. But, I’m eagerly looking forward to them when I’m done with the story I’m working on. I’d keep on pounding, hopeful that when the time comes, I’d find enough strength to persevere. It doesn’t take a year to be sell-able or near-perfect.
What an encouraging post! I love the “NO”=Next Opportunity. It reminds me of a friend who used to say, “It’s not a DIS-appointment. It’s HIS-appointment.” In her sweet southern drawl, she would remind me of God’s sovereignty over all things…
I would so like to subscribe to your blog, but I do not see the option anywhere to do so. Please advise. Thank you.
I think you’ve identified a glitch, Colleen. We’re getting it fixed. Thanks for bringing it to our attention!
Rachelle, I love the B&S blog and read it every day, but there is another problem I’d love to see fixed. The font is very small and hard for us 20-20 vision folks with old eyeballs. Sometimes I stack reading glasses just to see it clearly. Think your person could up the font size, too?
I appreciate this post VERY MUCH!
I’m delighted that you found it helpful, Joy. Thanks for letting me know!
This have been very inspiring, Rachelle. I hope to work with you soon on my upcoming project.