I was recently asked to pitch novel/series ideas to Guideposts.
I’d been very fortunate to have participated in writing six novels in their cozy series, the Church Choir Mysteries, now available again, in large print.
The Angel's Secret cover
After some serious contemplation, I developed a concept that I thought would sing to them. Initially, my pitch for a cozy inspirational series, called the Sisterhood of Shepherds, went well and I was asked to submit the usual 50 pages plus an outline.
Took a few weeks but I finally finished it, ran it by a couple of independent readers who loved it, and then sent it off to the managing editor. More weeks dragged by until I received a nice but negative email. Ugh.
I was crushed and disappointed; I thought my concept suited them to a tee. After a few days kicking myself and them, I decided, what the hay? I’ll submit it directly to some publishers.
Good friggin’ luck. The marketplace has changed dramatically since my first published mystery. I learned that you can’t get in most publishers’ doors without an agent.
Period.
Okay, I thought. I’ll try for another agent (am no longer repped by my original one). Did the research, got the emails and sent the whizbang series pitch to a dozen well-know agents who handle cozy inspirational work.
And waited.
Not too long though as the next day, I heard from two. Both interested and wanting to see…THE FULL MANUSCRIPT. Of course, I didn’t have one so I sent them the 50 pages plus the outline.
Again, both loved the pages and series concept but neither will commit until they see the completed manuscript.
Bummer! I had figured (arrogantly or naively) that my track record of eight published mysteries was sufficient to be considered by a partial submission.
Not any more…at least, not for someone like me. So now I’m beavering away, finishing the manuscript and hoping the agents will still be interested when it’s complete.
All this got me thinking: was I in a total dream world still expecting to snag an agent who would submit a partial to publishers?
I’d love to know if I’m in the minority so please, feel free to comment and bring me up to speed.
Tags: church choir mysteries, genre fiction, guideposts, literary agent, Publishing, writing how to