(WT) The Magdon Generations – agents, publishers and independence

Well today has been a mixed bag. It makes me smile how different the standards are for making approaches to Literary Agents and Publishing Houses. Most agree in a letter but then the quantity, length, detailed or brief synopsis differs massively between each of them. It becomes hard to meet the demands and as has been very thoroughly details “any deviation is an excuse to be put into the virtual bin.” 

Great as of the challenge wasn’t difficult enough I’ve got to write,  re-create and re-structure for each one. Don’t get me wrong I respect the trade and profession but can’t help but see an air of so many hurdles. I’ve gone for a different approach…..which sums me up quite well. 

Instead of conforming to the norms I’m being human with it all. I’ve already got enough knock backs, most of whom haven’t even asked for a sample but can obviously tell the story isn’t for them! And so my own game begins, give enough but not the whole and see if people really do take the time to read. 

And I n ow this annoys people, who am I to question what the professionals demand, I’m more than well aware in the published world being independently published and self published I am something of a creation of a more open manner of becoming seen. It doesn’t mean my stories are any less worth reading but I’m not one for just going with the flow……especially when I jump through every hoop for an approach and ironically either same almost personal sounding but generic rejection. 

Oh well! 

I think today I once again realised that hours spent pouring into approaches takes me away from what I should be doing, and that is writing the bloody story in the first place. 

Fame or support from the infamous big bears in the woods (agents or publishers) may or may not come and I can live with that. I have a job, a family and I’m lucky to have writing as my hobby that lets me do something a little different. 

So today is more of a rant I suppose, or else me trying to justify my non conformity but that’s what makes me….well….me.

As my old man dearly said once (and seems very true) I’m rather comparable to Marmite. Simply live or hate me!

So I will continue to send out approaches but they are not going to be my main focus. I won’t put my writing on hold spending hours of letters or adjusted this that or the other. The most important thing is to do what I really should be focussing on and that is writing. 

So I’ve managed another first draft chapter today and it’s nice to be back in my world. 

I know one day……some day…..people will know The Magdon as well as they know other more common stories. 

I refuse to believe otherwise!