This is the email I got back from TFS (the very next day...)
Dear Beulah
Thank for you sending the extract. Though it shows you're a promising writer, I don't think we would be able to sell this. I'm afraid we can't take the time to go into detail when we say no to manuscripts and any brief comment can be misleading. My feeling is that you just need to keep trying.
With very best wishes
Barbara
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Sigh. There is the inevitable 'why'? Is it my book? My style? The subject? Does this mean publishers won't want it, or just that these people don't want it? Maybe I should just go write a new book! Or, yes I know what you are going to say Tehnuka, I should take it as a sign that this particular agent and I are just not meant to be together =P
Still, it is a weird feeling. I have gone to so much effort, changed everything, revolutionized the flow of the story. It's simpler, more logical, funnier... but it's still a flat line no. I love these characters and the story they have to tell so much, but I'm scared the whole world is going to say no to them. What do I do if that happens? Self Publish? I guess I am catastrophizing. One no is not the whole world. I've just got to keep trying. Faith is hard.
Sounds to me like you got a form response, so I wouldn't read too much into the lack of explanation (though it doesn't seem that nice) - even someone who wanted to give feedback might not do so if it's not the practise for their agency.
ReplyDeleteNot that I know anything about how agents operate.
My impression from looking at their website (assuming I've got the right one!) is that they don't do much YA, either(?)
Secondly, they definitely definitely DEFINITELY would not have told you to keep trying if they didn't think there was something there.
*hugs*
Hope we can talk soon!
Thanks darling *hugs* I am feeling a lot better today (though I was really drained yesterday and only lasted about an hour at work before the supervisor took pity on me and called someone else in to cover for me so I could go home and sleep). It was funny actually, because Adrina (my boss) took over my till and then when I was on my way out she gave me a hug and a stern talking to about letting stuff like this get to me. It's really awesome to be reminded that people have faith in me :D
ReplyDelete