Slightly Perplexing Good News From That Agent

[dr_pretentious]

Remember how, back in June, I had this weird, wonderful pitch session with an agent? Because writersweekend had praised the manuscript so highly to her, the agent insisted that I should send my work, even after I told her my big project was too long and totally disassembled for revision, and that the project I thought I could write to the current constraints of the market was barely started. So before the Solstice, I mailed out three chapters of the ubernovel, along with a short story that gives the gist of a stand-alone prequel that's not even outlined yet.

Today I received a request for a full manuscript. Yes, a real live agent actually read my work, and, after reading it, still wanted to see more. Of course I did the dance of joy, scared my cat with my exuberance, etc., and then sat down to reread.

As far as I can figure out the odd counterpoint between the form letter and the brief, enthusiastic, handwritten note on the bottom of the form letter, it seems that the manuscript she requested is the one she knows--or knew in June--that I haven't really begun to write yet. That novel consists of the eight pages I sent her, plus some scrawly, telegraphic, bullet-point notes to myself.

I really, really hope she remembers my assiduous, repeated efforts at full disclosure, because it's considered Bad Form to pitch work as if it were finished when it's not. So now I have to take her up on her if-you-have-any-questions-contact-me invitation.

Something good is in danger of happening. I'm scared to death of fucking it up.

Comments

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

:::Weird, freaking out ecstatic dance:::

Not coherent! Bloody excited! Aaaaahhhhh!!!! Coolcoolcoolcoolcool!!!!!!

:::More weird, freaking out ecstacy:::

[calene.livejournal.com]

Woohoo! That's wonderful! Good luck!

[jeneralist.livejournal.com]

:::Happy Dance:::

OK, now it's time for ruthless editing:

"Something good is in danger of happening. I'm scared to death of fucking it up" becomes
"Something good is happening. I'm up."

[skyefyr.livejournal.com]

The danger of something good happening is high. Embrace it. I can't imagine you fucking it up. You want it too badly and even more importantly you deserve it. You've worked hard to get here, enjoy the ride.

And Congratulations!!!

[pagandelight.livejournal.com]

this is wonderfull! Congrats!

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

I like this.

[radiotelescope.livejournal.com]

Well, yay.

[oaktavia.livejournal.com]

WAAAAAAA HOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

{another rendition of dance of joy & ecstasy}

I'm been firmly convinced that you'd own me that autographed copy since the beginning!!

Go get 'em!!!
huzzah! huzzah! huzzah!

[puckmls.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow. Friggin' WOW. That is terrific!

Speaking for myself, I can't wait to return to the wonderful world you created -- which is now even more wonderful, from what you've shared in your LJ posts.

So, yeah -- go get 'em!

[reynaud.livejournal.com]

Congrats! No, I do not think you'll come close to fucking it up. Of course, now it seems as if you'll actually have to finish you're editing.

Say, how long do you think this novel is going to end up being?

[dr-pretentious.livejournal.com]

If I can get the manuscript page count (double-spaced, etc.) down to 800 pages, I'll be overjoyed.

[shakti-lemaris.livejournal.com]

:::joins in the dance:::

I am so excited for you !!!

[reynaud.livejournal.com]

Eh, I've seen quite a few 1000 page novels out there.

[dr-pretentious.livejournal.com]

The market has shifted a lot since those novels were bought by their publishers, and even when the market was more favorable, it was unusual for first novels by unknowns to be that long.