I spent this afternoon researching agents for Bell-Men. I haven't heard back from Pyr yet, but it's only been a few weeks and I reckon I ought to get ready to start querying. I actually did query one agent today just because he seemed like a good fit. I'm going to wait for his response too before I start sending out more queries.
My first step was to make a spreadsheet of agents I've queried for other projects. I was surprised that there weren't all that many, actually. I marked down which projects I'd queried about and I also marked down if they'd been a non-responder (because I think no response=no is rude and unprofessional; if you don't have time to respond, close to queries).
After that I made a new list of agents who might be interested in Bell-Men. I did research on each one and marked several off my list, either because they aren't taking on new clients or because they have some drawback like, you know, never responding to queries.
I've ended up with 22 agents. I have a fatalistic feeling that this time next year I'll have added 22 agents to my "already queried" list and will be retiring Bell-Men the way I've had to retire The Taste of Magic due to utter non-interest in the project.
Researching agents may be the most depressing part of the writing business.
8 comments:
Agents. *sigh*
(sorry...all I have right now)
But that's all you need to say. I agree wholeheartedly.
*sigh*
Good luck. I think your project sounds like just the shot in the arm that the industry needs right now.
Aw, that's sweet. Let's hope you're right (although I suspect if I do sell it, it'd just be lost among all the other urban fantasy books).
I'm not looking forward to that part of the writing process when I get there.
Good luck!
Well, that certainly doesn't make me want to hurry up and edit ; ) I say find an agent who doubles as an escort, and blackmail them.
Its looking like my agent search is going to be delayed - such a shame. :D
Fingers crossed you never have to give up on Bell-Men, but if you do, remember you do have some people who'd love to read it.
Jameson--Yeah, I'd much rather just write another book. It's easier.
Natalie--Do many agents moonlight as escorts? There has to be one, right?
Cate--Since Bell-Men is about as commercially viable as my writing is ever going to get, if I don't sell it, I'm just going to find a small press publisher that likes everything I write and send them all my crap.
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