Despite the fact that I have a niggling feeling that my current novel (my 3rd full novel) will probably be a better book to send out, I have begun the query stage with my first novel "Valen". I guess one may always feel that one's current novel is better due to greater emotional attachment and a vague sense of shame at one's completed works. I must explore that further at some point.
But the focus now is compiling a list of agents which appear suitable and attractive. I was initially amazed at how many agents specify that they will not receive science fiction or fantasy. On further reflection, I can see how agents who would welcome such genres would be suffocated in queries and submissions. It strikes me that readers of these genres would somehow be more inclined to write. I base this purely on the fact that such genres are often linked to more bookish (note, not necessarily academic) audiences with possibly more sednetary time on their hands. This is not a value judgement, merely an observation.
However, reading through lists of agents and clocking more websites of an evening that I have ever done before, it is quite disheartening to have one's chosen genre rejected before even the query stage. "Valen" is, in essence, a fantasy novel, but told from the experience of one main character who tends to miss things and doesn't get the full story. Something which may not work, but I want to see if it does. And like everything, I am sure it has been done before.
But, back to the point - it is difficult to keep researching when the genre is not universally appealing. With a wry smile I tell myself that it is good training for the forest of rejection slips that will be forthcoming and I plod on.
The key is striking a balance between plodding for an agent and starting number three - the latter would be more pleasant and be entered into with gusto; the former represents a significant commitment to becoming the published author I so earnestly desire to be. Call me Plod. Tonight anyway.
The short section of Valen that I read was quite compelling. Get it published, I want to finish reading it.
ReplyDeleteIs the third book the third in the series, or a standalone?
ReplyDeleteA fantasy with a less-than-clued-in protagonist can certainly work, and work well.
I think it's less that fantasy and sci-fi are less well received, and more that they're so specialised, and popular, that many agents accept that the genres are outside their area of specialty.
I was at a talk by Iain M. Banks a number of years ago, and his experience was interesting.
ReplyDeleteAs I recall, he wrote a couple of novels, couldn't get them published. The wasp factory was his third or fourth novel. I suspect you'd lose nothing by sending around the second novel as well: because it's your second one, you'll have become a even better writer than you were for the first one :0)
I don't know who you're in touch with in the Irish writing community, but Michael Carroll would be a good person to have a talk with, maybe advise on a strategy. He writes Young Adult SF.
Best of luck with it all!
Hugh
I also think it is a matter of specialist agents.
ReplyDeleteHilary