Seeking an Agent for a substantially revised book

[A. Marc]

Hello All,
I am new to trying to publish. I am even newer to this discussion group so I hope I am in the correct place.
I wrote a work which I sent around to numerous agents and got nowhere. Since then I've learned a lot about the process of getting help to improve my writing and my work, such as using Beta readers and a copy editor plus have substantially revised it on my own. I'd like to think it is now a much better work -although that's such a subjective view.
I am interested in trying the agent/publisher route again before self publishing. I would appreciate any suggestions as to how to go about this other than submitting now to those I haven't tried before. Is it feasible to go back to the same agents or is that just contrary to their policies and a waste of time?
Thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Andy

[Kerat]

Hey Andy, I'd say work on your query, you'd be surprised what a good query letter with a good pitch can do. I would also suggest going back to the old agents. Just don't go in with any hopes but rather to shoot your shot.

[Judy]

Yes, you can go back to the same agents. If the book needed as much as you indicate, they may not have read much of it. Change the title when you resubmit. Also know what your genre is and follow the "requirements" of your genre. Look at your novel again in terms of the elements of story telling - character, plot dialogue, setting, POV and theme, individually. Stories must have these well developed. Also see that you have the tools included, suspense, conflict and empathy. Good luck!!

[J.]

I'd say definitely change the title. Otherwise, give it a go, with a good query letter.

[Karl]

I agree with Kerat, Judy, and J. You also need to edit your book before sending it to an editor. This is before e-mailing it to a literary agent. Using programs, such as ProWritingAid and Grammarly are helpful. Literary agents will reject a query if you neglect to say the book has been edited by a professional. Copy Editing and Line Editing are what editors offer. It is a learning process that will expand into natural behavior. You have to swallow and make up your mind to meet the challenge and accomplish your goal with a positive mental attitude. Best of luck, Andy.

[J.]

1. Sending out the book before it's ready. You always want to make certain that your book is in the absolute best shape, including proofing and copyediting before it is sent out. Then you check the agent's web site for their submission rules and follow them to the letter.
2. Work on your query letter. That's what will persuade an agent to read your work.
3. Can I resubmit to the same agency. Depends. I have heard from people in the trade that in larger agencies (though the covid situation may have changed this) the first read is usually done by a newbie or even an intern. Because publishing is fluid - with people being promoted, changing jobs, the internship ends - the first reads may not be done by the same person who initially read the submission. So, can you re-submit to an agent? A qualified, yes, unless the agent specifically prohibits it, or tells you they don't rep your category.
4. Because not all agents or publishers publish in all genres, you want to find the best match - you may want to try the web site Agent Query.

[Wmba]

Andy wrote: "Hello All,
I am new to trying to publish. I am even newer to this discussion group so I hope I am in the correct place.
I wrote a work which I sent around to numerous agents and got nowhere. Since ..."

Learn how to use the key reference material like Writer's Market to check what agents handle your genre.

Use the reference material on how to market your book. That includes how to properly query an agent. How to write a book proposal. yada yada

Then check out the agents' websites and do exactly what they tell you they want.

Finally be sure your mss is rock rock solid wrt the 5 levels of editing.
(Yes some say 3, one source even said 19, most say 5, but you need more than the lowest level SPAG)
The key is the top one which is development editing.
Pantsing is a sure way to get rejected.
And forget anybody who mentions Stephen Hawking or even Stephen King as they are fooling themselves.
You are not a Stephen King. Not yet. But Rowling and Patterson are planners which is what the majority of successful ones are.

Nail the plot and the other stuff is easy to fix.

Make sure the plot is a zinger. Remove needless detours down rabbit holes or side trips.
Ensure the verbiage flows easily. And finally check SPAG.

Consider changing the title to fit the revised book better.
I always let the title jump out and slap me in the face when I do the final read through to triple check things.
I would never name it at the beginning or even in the middle. Maybe after a full draft, but usually at the very end.

Only send the full mss when they ask for that.
(Unless their web site instructions said to do that initially else query first)
Do start with queries before sending mss to those who want a full mss.

If you targeted the right agents and wrote a killer query and followed up with a marketing plan then they should beg you to send the mss.

Submit.

I would start with agents and publishers you had not tried yet, to give the others a while to forget your first attempt, although chances are nobody would remember you anyway. Especially if they are a large outfit as they would use readers to filter the sludge pile before an agent every touches it. But if you had tried the right agents the first time then you will have to chance sending things to them again.

[Talia]

Andy wrote: "Hello All,
I am new to trying to publish. I am even newer to this discussion group so I hope I am in the correct place.
I wrote a work which I sent around to numerous agents and got nowhere. Since ..."

My breakthrough novel (my 3rd,) was picked by an agent to whom I resubmitted. Eighteen month prior she had rejected the manuscript with a glorious rejection letter, so I found ways to make the book respond to what bothered her ("Publishers look for more suspense,") by fixing it and submitting it to prestigious awards--and winning. I wrote to her again, and she called me right back. She sold it to HarperCollins.

Here are my additional thoughts: Agents get hundreds of queries each week. I doubt that they keep a list and then compare new queries to old records. Nevertheless, changing the title can help--if the response was a canned one, not a personal note.

Also your query is important. Work on it according to articles you may find on www.QueryTracker.net and others sites.

Good luck!