Here’s my take on this: though it is tempting to take an
agent (or editor’s) feedback on a pass and write back – great thoughts!!
Soooo…if I just change x,y, & z will you take another look?! My advice:
DON’T.
Why? Because really, if an agent (or editor) wants to see a
manuscript again – he or she will leave that option open in the pass letter.
Personally, I’d also apply this advice to wanting to
re-contact and re-submit a manuscript you sent months (or years) ago that you
got tons of feedback on and ended up revising – unless you’ve basically
re-written the novel.
I have never signed a client from a revision I did not ask to see (meaning: requested R&R’s, or, “I see so
much potential, this was SUCH a hard call for me, if you ever rework..” etc
does not apply to this blog post).
Of course, that doesn’t mean that I won’t say YES to taking a
look at a revised manuscript I’ve passed on, because honestly, there is ALWAYS
the chance someone will knock my socks off with a revision.
The problem is…I find that it’s really hard to feel motivated
to read a revised manuscript I didn’t ask to see. First impressions are hard to
beat; I know what’s coming plot-wise the second time, too, so the element of
mystery is completely gone – which means unless that hook really grabbed me in
enough the first time for me to ASK to see it again…chances are, it’s just not
for me.
Now, does that mean that you shouldn’t query an agent who has
rejected you before with a NEW work? Hells to the NO!
I LOVE getting submissions from authors I’ve rejected in the past,
as odd as that may sound. I HAVE signed clients that way - and through requested
R&R’s.
Why? Because an author is only going to be better the more
practice and time that passes; and if I saw something in the FIRST (or well,
latest as the case may be) manuscript to catch my eye…there’s a very good chance
there will be something even BETTER in the next manuscript.
Of course, this begs the question: why SHOULD you even
consider querying an agent who rejected you in the past…because when you sign
up, you want to sign up everything?
Two reasons:
1. That rejected manuscript…really may not have worked.
Period. And it doesn’t mean you suck as a writer, or that that agent isn’t for
you – it just…may not work.
2. If the agent DID request a partial, and passed…that still
means your ideas and initial writing caught his or her eye. The execution may
have needed more work than he or she had time or vision for – but a more
flawless manuscript may get you in the door…and open a window for thoughts on
how to re-work and revise that older manuscript so it DOES work.
Not that I suggest the latter; I am a BIG fan of moving on to
better and brighter things.
In sum: unless asked…move on. Revise the manuscript with
feedback…and query a fresh agent with it. Or start a new project and knock your
dream agent’s socks off!
