MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - With this attitude, is it any wonder new authors don't trust the system?

Redfox · 08-13-2010, 08:32 AM

What Neil said. I already covered this in post #54 of this thread, but here's the breakdown:

1. Approx 90% (many say more) of the slush pile is either barely literate, or just plain wrong for that agent (e.g. romance novels sent to a TV script agent or vice versa).

2. Of the remaining 10%, 9 in 10 are competently written but just don't float that particular agent's boat - the writing doesn't suck, but it doesn't sing either. Maybe the writer has promise, but they need to work harder on their craft - and most agents don't have the time or interest.

So no, it's not a lottery by any means. Agents don't pick manuscripts out of the slushpile at random like lottery balls, they select on quality of writing and commercial promise plus subjective criteria (personal taste). Write to a publishable standard, and sooner or later you're likely to find an agent who loves your work (unless it's very weird!!).

Previous success in other markets counts for very little. Short stories maybe, self-publishing, not so much. Many many first novels are picked up by agents and editors from writers who have never sold a story in their lives. Novels and short stories are very different beasts, and an agent seriously isn't going to ignore a good submission package just because you have no track record.

Telling yourself you have no chance because it's a lottery is a self-fulfilling prophecy and frankly defeatist. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen

08-13-2010, 08:32 AM	#76
Redfox aka Anne Lyle Posts: 85 Karma: 437516 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cambridge, UK Device: Sony PRS-600	What Neil said. I already covered this in post #54 of this thread, but here's the breakdown: 1. Approx 90% (many say more) of the slush pile is either barely literate, or just plain wrong for that agent (e.g. romance novels sent to a TV script agent or vice versa). 2. Of the remaining 10%, 9 in 10 are competently written but just don't float that particular agent's boat - the writing doesn't suck, but it doesn't sing either. Maybe the writer has promise, but they need to work harder on their craft - and most agents don't have the time or interest. So no, it's not a lottery by any means. Agents don't pick manuscripts out of the slushpile at random like lottery balls, they select on quality of writing and commercial promise plus subjective criteria (personal taste). Write to a publishable standard, and sooner or later you're likely to find an agent who loves your work (unless it's very weird!!). Previous success in other markets counts for very little. Short stories maybe, self-publishing, not so much. Many many first novels are picked up by agents and editors from writers who have never sold a story in their lives. Novels and short stories are very different beasts, and an agent seriously isn't going to ignore a good submission package just because you have no track record. Telling yourself you have no chance because it's a lottery is a self-fulfilling prophecy and frankly defeatist. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen Last edited by Redfox; 08-13-2010 at 08:40 AM.