I've had this email saved for a long time and apologize for only responding to it now. (In retirement, my life tends to operate on a three-month delay.) This really connected with me.
I've only published one novel. It came out from Crooked Lane Books in 2023 and I didn't have an agent. Since the summer, I've tried and failed to find an agent for my second novel. I'm getting a hint that this one won't sell, although now I'm pitching directly to smaller publishers that don't require agents.
Your experience is really instructive, though. Sometimes it's necessary to move on and succeed elsewhere. I may get to that point soon. I like writing short stories and have a couple coming out in 2026, but I really want to try another novel.
We'll see.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience. It mattered. I'll probably get started on that manuscript, hopefully sooner than three months from now.
I've had this email saved for a long time and apologize for only responding to it now. (In retirement, my life tends to operate on a three-month delay.) This really connected with me. I've only published one novel. It came out from Crooked Lane Books in 2023 and I didn't have an agent. Since the summer, I've tried and failed to find an agent for my second novel. I'm getting a hint that this one won't sell, although now I'm pitching directly to smaller publishers that don't require agents. Your experience is really instructive, though. Sometimes it's necessary to move on and succeed elsewhere. I may get to that point soon. I like writing short stories and have a couple coming out in 2026, but I really want to try another novel. We'll see. Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience. It mattered. I'll probably get started on that manuscript, hopefully sooner than three months from now.