Saturday 26 November 2011

This waiting game

...is a doldrum time. I sent my manuscript off to two of the four agents who've expresed an interest in seeing it. After one week I heard from one of them to say that the subject of my novel is a worthy one on which to write but that the novel itself wasn't to her particular taste. Not alot to be gleaned from this !She did encourage me to continue to send it out. I haven't heard back from the other agent- who shall for the moment remain nameless,but I would be very excited if I would be offered representation with them.

Meantime...yesterday I got an email informing me that 'Sweeping up the Village' has made the long list for the 2012 Harry Bowling Prize for new writing.The shortlist will be announced in January.

I've done no writing since submitting my novel to agents and it feels odd, like something is missing from my life.I am going to start up again next week, with the reworking of some short stories.I have missed writing short fiction. I've been treating myself though -went to Gothenburg to stay with my friend Mikeal for loads of tango and been to the opera, theatre and cinema. Shortly off for a reunion lunch with the City writers crowd,to share and hear everyones news.

Bren Gosling

1 comment:

  1. Interesting to read about the agent response above. Didn't you have four agents who asked dot read the novel? Surely she would have known what sort of novel it was from the City course reading and your subsequent contact? I suppose the economic climate may be having an effect on the type of books they think they can place - thrillers and celebrity memoirs and cooki books seem to form most of the Top 50.

    Seems to be a similar situation with Mike B who sent an agent a script who particularly asked for it and then the agent sat o it for a long time.

    The whole process fills me with terror.

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