I went to the Pacific Northwest Writers Conference in July
with two goals. I wanted to know if my
book was ready; where the quality of structure and writing was in relation to
books getting published. My other goal was to find a way forward. I pitched The Januarium to nine agents and two acquiring editors at the PNWA conference.
It’s been a month and a half since I sent out my last submission. How’s the manuscript doing?
Januarium Scorecard
|
|
No
|
Maybe, Edit and Resubmit
|
Yes
|
No response yet
|
|
Agents
|
4
|
1
|
0
|
4
|
|
Editors
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
Is the Story Ready?
Mmmmaybe. According
to feedback I’m getting from agents, probably.
Three rejection letters have mentioned specifically that the writing is
good. One agent even said expected sell,
just that she wouldn’t be the one to sell it. I’m not through the gate yet, but
the gatekeepers seem friendly enough. My
inner gamer hopes my Charisma is high enough, and wonders what die I should use
for an influence roll. But, seriously,
the feedback I’m getting is really encouraging.
Not, revise for pacing, or your characters are flat. So, while there are always things to improve,
I feel like goal one is met. I’m learning
The Januarium stands pretty well against books that are getting picked up for
publication.
The Way
Forward
See that 1 in the Maybe column? One agent sent me back all my copy with
extensive notes, and asked to see a revision.
I’m a week out from having it done.
The main assignment was to get a better grip on how good sci-fi opens,
specifically where in the story the unique mechanics of the alternative
universe are introduced. Turns out right
up front is the best answer, and I’ve added two letters between the main
character’s father and uncle as a preface.
I hope it’s enough. But for now,
goal two is met.
One Story the Numbers
Don’t Tell
There were three agents in particular that felt like the
best matches for The Januarium. One was
the first I submitted to, and the first I heard back from. She’s the Resubmit. The other two were the submissions I sent out
last, and they wanted the whole manuscript.
So as the responses trickle in and the No numbers stack up, I’m holding
out hope for those last two. As the
agent who said she’d be keeping an eye out for my book deal reminded me, all it
takes is one yes.
In the meantime, I’m waiting, and flirting with ideas for
novel #2. Anybody have good resources on
junk DNA?
