What do you do when your first novel doesn't land you an agent?

Dan Brown published several books before finding true recognition with 'The Da Vinci Code'. JK Rowling had 27 rejections prior to finding an agent. John Fowles famously went to his publisher with the 'French Lieutenant's Woman' and when they asked if he had anything else produced a couple of other manuscripts that went on to be true classics.

So what do you do when your first novel doesn't land you an agent? Despite your utter faith that not only is it a great read, well written and taps into everything true to today - empowering women, supporting victims of violence, love, family and friendship?

Keep writing of course. Find something new, different, stand out. The story that someone else will believe in, enough to stand by you, support you and help you to achieve your end goal. To be published. Write.

Submitting a Manuscript

I've just received my first rejection letter from a literary agent. It's liberating. Rejection isn't as bad as one might expect. Admittedly it was a very nice letter saying that as a small agency they take on very few of the many writers who approach them each year and, having reviewed my work, feel they are unable to effectively represent me.

Now that is a gentle fob off and it's clearly a standard response but they didn't laugh at me. Some young intern didn't shoot off a cynical, sarcastic missive suggesting I don't give up the day job just yet. For that I thank them.

The downside to this is having followed all the advice from my adult education class, as well as other blogs, I only submitted my manuscript to one agent.  I waited 9 weeks for their response.  Combining this timeframe with  JK Rowling rejection statistics of 18 rejections before finding a publisher it would take me 162 weeks to find an interested party. That is 3.12 years.

I'm not the most patient person in the world but surely that would truly test the commitment and self belief of any author.

The good news is I've since googled 'multiple submissions.' The general rule of thumb is that it is acceptable to make multiple submissions to agents so long as if and when someone does indicate an interest in your work you let the others know.

So go on, get your work out there, give it a go. I truly wish you the best of luck and really hope that soon we have some good news stories to share.