When Your Agent Says "NO", by Hilary Wagner

You've battled through what may be the toughest step in your writing career to date. You landed an agent. You have representation, something to be very proud of. Next step: get published. Okay, an equally tough step...correction, even tougher. 

So what do you do when your own agent tells you "no"? In other words, your manuscript isn't clicking with him or her and they don't think your work is ready to send off to editors or maybe your latest manuscript is a complete bust and in their opinion shouldn't be sent at all.

It happens...and it hurts. 

Whether you've been published before or you're still trying to get published, a great agent is going to tell you when your work isn't up to par and should not be sent off to editors. If your agent truly respects you, they're going to tell you the truth no matter what. Agents only get paid when their writers get published, so a candid agent is truly looking after your best interests. The last thing you want is an agent throwing your work against editors' walls, just in the hopes something sticks, and here's why... many times, once and editor rejects a writer's work, they don't want to see work from that writer again. Of course there are exceptions, but why risk it? You've worked far too hard to land an agent, so listen to them, because once an editor from your favorite publishing house gives the dreaded "no", it could mean no forever. 

So, what do you do?

Talk it out with your agent. What were the major issues? Best case scenario your manuscript is salvageable. Perhaps your storyline went meandering in the middle or there's simply too many characters to keep track of. Some of the best books out there were completely rewritten several times over before they made it into print. Worst case, your agent thinks there not much worth saving and your manuscript will never see the light of day. If that's the situation, as much as it might sting, appreciate your agent's honesty, learn from your mistakes, pull yourself up by the proverbial bootstraps and get going on something new. Whether you spent months or even years on a manuscript you need to move on--as hard as that may be--and many times the best books come out of crushing disappoint and a new found fire.

Okay, but despite all of the above your heart is still dead set on getting this manuscript published, even after your agent says it's a no-go. Agents are agents for good reason, they know their craft, and an editor's thoughts will generally echo what your agent is thinking, but that's not always the case, so if you're still sure your manuscript is solid gold, at the very least compromise. Ask your agent if they'd be willing to share with one or two editors before completely letting it go. If feedback comes back similar to what your agent said, thank them profusely for helping you dodge a bullet! 

Bear in mind, even bestselling authors get told no by their agents or editors. It happens all the time. Nobody's perfect!

Long story short, we all want to succeed in this business and in order to do that we need to hear the good, the bad, and the very ugly when it comes to our work. Some of the most well published writers will tell you they've had some stinkers that have never and will never see the light of day, so don't despair. Once you get into your new story, you'll feel you have a new lease on life. 

A writer friend of mine, who is now a published mystery writer, has a wonderful mantra that we all need to follow. "Never give up! Never surrender!" 

Now get out there and write!