A quick update on my submissions. 5 queries and 4 rejections thus far. There was no helpful advice or any hints in any of these, just form rejections. I didn't really expect any personal comments as this first round primarily involved query letters only. I did send some sample pages to an agent who would be closing to queries soon, but no word yet.
In the meantime, I've been thinking long and hard about my manuscript and have been experimenting with some rewrites. A few months ago, I submitted as part of a contest. The well-respected agent gave me some advice that I've had a hard time getting past. Something along the lines of having too many characters and stories going on at the same time. I've debated and researched and debated this some more.
I really like multi-POV novels. Ones where we get in the head of Joan and Joan's boyfriend, John, as well as Joan's best friend, Jane, and Jane's on-again, off-again lover, James. This is what I enjoy reading most and, thus, what I've been drawn to writing. The problem with this is that there are agents who may like my genre but specifically do NOT like multiple POV's. Another problem with it is how to write the query explaining the multiple POV's. Query Shark gives some advice about this here.
I'm not doing rewrites to eliminate my style of multi POV but rather to trim the fat, so to speak. Narrowing down the chapters of sideline characters and beefing up those of the main characters. I'll try again with those submissions soon and pick agents who request sample chapters.
I'll keep you posted.
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