Zeno agency

[chopper]

mistri: a full? *applause*

hold yr head up! that's a damn good score!

 

[DarkRaven]

I didn't realise their submissions windows were so rare, as until I finished my novel I hadn't looked around too much. Then I thought, uh oh, I'm doing urban fantasy, is that really what they want? But they asked for the partial and then the full, so now crossing fingers they they like the whole thing.

Congratulations!

And I think that urban fantasy has a better shot with them than my high fantasy/crime/political thriller/legal thriller mix has. My bookshop in town has a whole section dedicated to it now.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Well, I joined the noble roll calls of nos!

 

[alchemist]

Booo! Commiserations.



Although "The Call of Nos" gives me an idea...

 

[Abernovo]

Commiserations springs, and alc and chopper. (sorry not seen this thread for a while).

Good luck to anyone still in.

 

[Ursa major]

Well, I joined the noble roll calls of nos!

Sorry to hear this.

Although "The Call of Nos" gives me an idea...

I expect the protagonists will come to blows....

 

[Serendipity]

Commiserations Springs... but keep trying...

As for the 'Call of Nos' coming to blows... um... when it comes to blowing my nos(e) in a strong paper hankie, I normally leave a hole behind, 'cos the paper ain't strong enough. Have to use kitchen towels for the job instead... does this add to your ideas, Alc? [Yes, it's all too true ... why me?]

 

[Boneman]

Sorry to hear that, Springs. You know there are better fish in the sea, and your net is getting better and better, so keep casting!

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Thanks, all. Chin is up, no tissues required, although I do hope Boneman is right.

 

[Boneman]

I'm always right! When it comes to others' talents, anyway...

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I second alchemist's "booo" and will add a "hisss" of my own.

But it's Zeno's loss, and will be some other agency's gain.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

You're all lovely and fab and the people to go to when one needs reminded to keep going! they did say if I left it a while I could submit a second mss (Inish) in a month or so. I was in two minds which to submit anyway.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

But that's very encouraging. Obviously they like your writing.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

But that's very encouraging. Obviously they like your writing.

I found them very easy to deal with and open to questions - within reason, they are very busy. I have about three agents/ agencies who I have dealt with a little now and they are all very approachable. It is nice to know they're all human! But the yes was very welcome!

 

[Brian G Turner]

they did say if I left it a while I could submit a second mss (Inish) in a month or so. I was in two minds which to submit anyway.

Sounds good - I suspect they'll be flooded by a deluge at the moment, and more likely to cherry pick than normal. Submit when the flood subsides.

 

[Abernovo]

Good stuff, springs.
Glad to hear they said submit Inish.

 

[Kissmequick]

You're all lovely and fab and the people to go to when one needs reminded to keep going! they did say if I left it a while I could submit a second mss (Inish) in a month or so. I was in two minds which to submit anyway.

Perhaps the MS you subbed just wasn't one they felt they could sell, but invites to 'sub something else' are a really encouraging sign (usually that you're past the majority of the subs, but that you need to have written the right book). They wouldn't say it if they didn't think it'd be worth their time to look.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Thanks, KMQ, I hope so.

Annnndddd another door opens - an independent press have just asked for a full of the one just rejected.

 

[Kissmequick]

A request to send something else possibly* means you are at 11+ on this list (Slushkiller, scroll down for the list of reasons for rejection). Once you're there, it's perhaps a matter of finding the right place to rep/pub you. (OK unless your book is TOO niche/unmarketable)

Really, this is good news. As far as it goes -- they may not feel they can sell Inish either, but it's a sign that any problems are not with the writing as such (there may be some that they'd work on with you), but with marketing/audience/possibly contacts.



*I can't, obviously, speak for agents here. But if they thought your original MS was badly written in any way, I really doubt they'd ask for another.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

That's fab, KMQ! An gave me some giggles.

I have been very encouraged by responses to my stuff recently - with AC, all negative feedback was about the originality of the concept - which I hope I've addressed - and with Inish, it's been demographics. I think - hope! - it's a matter of keeping plugging and learning from that feedback. And applying it to the current wip. Honestly, though, how I ever thought it was easy and I'd just shove my wonder-manuscript out. . Oh dear.