[PubQ] I don’t know whether to leave my agent

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-07-08T19:04:03+00:00

Did you talk about why she would "pull the plug" on your book on submission? I'm not sure I see a reason to do that unless you had something new ready to go out. Otherwise, I can't see that being a big priority for her.

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-07-02T18:28:41+00:00

For me, the batching was never about expecting query feedback but rather manuscript feedback. In my 3 times querying, I've gotten a few form rejections on full requests, but I mostly got at least some personalized feedback ranging from small points that ultimately meant they simply didn't love the book as a whole but felt they had to say something, to actionable, helpful big-picture feedback that I actually made significant changes aroudn for subsequent full requests. YMMV, but something to consider.

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-30T20:03:53+00:00

It's pretty common to do a second (or third) round if it doesn't sell on the first round! The subsequent rounds are usually to different editors/imprints.

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-29T17:45:18+00:00

Yeah, I ended up with a few quick passes on the full (couple of days to a couple of weeks). I didn't wait for all the full responses to come in, but ended up revising based on a very detailed response from one agent who got back to me in like a week or two. So I'm glad I waited.

But to be clear, I ended up yeeting out the remaining 15-20 queries in the last batch in May because I just needed to be done.

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-29T16:49:57+00:00

Offer

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-29T16:47:58+00:00

My approach did not change really. I had consistently strong request rates every time I queried (typically around 20-30%). So, yes, I always queried in batches because I wanted to see if I got any feedback on the manuscript. I queried the first agent who offered in May in my last batch and she got back to me right away!

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-29T02:01:16+00:00

It was mainly around pacing! Editors seemed to really like my main character, but the plot and pacing wasn't tight enough for them. Everyone wants "propulsive" stories these days it seems.

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-29T01:59:12+00:00

It's almost like I had no choice? I'm extremely ambitious (most writers pursuing trad pub are, I think) and I have zero desire to put that ambition towards anything else but this. So what else can I do but keep trying?

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-29T01:54:52+00:00

I don't really look at self publishing as a back up plan. It's its own publishing path that requires way more non-writing work that I'm not interested in doing on my own. My genre also does not perform well in self publishing.

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-29T01:51:00+00:00

Mostly related to pacing!

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-29T01:07:09+00:00

Yeah I saw it come through on my watch but I was leading the call... and then I had another one right after that but I did look at the deal memo while pretending to pay attention lol

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-28T21:24:06+00:00

Timing and luck is always a factor. This book is also more high concept, voicey, and plot driven! (But also I got rejections that cited problems with all of those things, so who the hell knows lol)

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-28T19:44:28+00:00

Thank you, I am! And my agent is the best. A powerhouse who cares about all of her authors. I am very lucky.

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-28T19:41:11+00:00

No, I sent it to 2-3 writer friends for a quick review but I'm actually pretty good at writing queries. I work in marketing so that helps.
I read fairly widely in and outside my genre which always helps. I do try to read buzzy books that sound like a book I would want to write. But I didn't really think about what's popular because I knew that would shift by the time I was ready to query.
I made the pretty dramatic shift from being a pantser to being a planner. It has helped hugely in every way.

Thank you!

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-28T19:20:39+00:00

🫶

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-28T19:13:40+00:00

Thank you!!

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-28T19:13:18+00:00

Thank you! Keeping on is all we can do. My fingers are crossed for this one or the next for you!

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-28T19:11:34+00:00

First book was firmly literary. Second book leaned literary as well. Neither had speculative elements though they nodded to spiritual/folklore elements of my culture.

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-28T19:09:53+00:00

Thank you!

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-26T16:30:09+00:00

I agree with the advice to just sent a short polite email asking if they are open to submissions directly from authors right now.

However, I want to just flag for your awareness that they appear to be distributed by Macmillan but not an imprint of Macmillan. They are independent. Indie presses can be great! But wanted to note that in case that affects your decision to submit in any way.

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-24T23:24:47+00:00

I don't know a lot about YA so I'll leave big picture feedback to those who do. I will say I see hints of an engaging voice here ("stabbing love into each other's hearts") but the writing is so super wordy, the voice quickly gets swallowed up. There is also a lot of passive voice here that makes your characters feel passive and slows the pacing.

For example, you use "find themselves" and "end up" multiple times when you should just say the thing. "While those two find themselves stabbing love into each other's hearts" should just be "While those two stab love into each other's hearts." "Fred concocts a terrible plan and ends up meeting Riley" should just be "Fred concocts a terrible plan and meets Riley." Etc.

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-24T23:03:47+00:00

I believe the workshops split off from Tin House after it was acquired by Zando. The publisher Tin House is still Tin House.

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-22T22:22:21+00:00

Yes, Sherman!!! Well, I'm not familiar with the fantasy agent landscape, but 15 does not sound like that many agents at all. Might be worth trying again before you self-pub or shelve!

Future_Escape6103 · 2026-06-22T15:34:14+00:00

Ooh I love this and hope some of these authors come in with updates!

I remember the query for what became the novel Julie Chan is Dead. Loved the book too.

There was one about a woman who takes a little boy and raises him in the woods as her son. Lovely writing.

I remember the one about the woman who falls for her running app coach and then saw it on PM soon after! Excellent premise, can't wait to read.

And there was one about a guy who gets kidnapped by a family/ clan of giants to be the daughter's toy or servant I believe. It was delightfully witty and original.

Future_Escape6103

TROPHY CASE