I got a rejection where the agent said they went back and forth and strongly considered the novel (so close!), but they didn't have a clear vision on how to market. What do you do to help prospective agents in this area? Better comp titles? Blog post on author site with a plan? #writingcommunity - ThreadSky

librarianofthunder.bsky.social • 13 days ago

I got a rejection where the agent said they went back and forth and strongly considered the novel (so close!), but they didn't have a clear vision on how to market. What do you do to help prospective agents in this area? Better comp titles? Blog post on author site with a plan?

#writingcommunity

Comments

shaynagrissom.bsky.social•13 days ago

Comp titles would be a really good place to start. A clear vision on how to market can be a vague rejection so I wouldn't read too much into it.

phoebeoh.bsky.social•13 days ago

sometimes it's also just the agent! one person might not see a vision for it, but another might have a clear idea of how to market. if you're confident in your pitch, i wouldn't worry too much about the other parts

librarianofthunder.bsky.social•13 days ago

I'm fairly confident in my pitch letter. I'm not getting obvious form rejections anymore and it's been revised, rewritten, critiqued, revised, stressed over, and revised. I just want to be proactive! I don't like just waiting!!!

author-rosie-dawn.bsky.social•13 days ago

Following to hear other writers’ opinions. I’m curious what is to be done as well!

jmacevoy.bsky.social•13 days ago

Marketing is a difficult beast, I wish I could say more.

But if I were in that position, I'd say focus on what makes your story stand out and who the audience would be. Depending on how you query, some agents might ask that.

serraleta.bsky.social•13 days ago

I haven't made it far in my old revisions in querying, but I have come up with some possible marketing ideas. While I get the need for comps, it's not something that fits for stories to say, "oh this is just like this other story!" Doesn't always work. Unique marketing ideas? Maybe? Hopefully?

johnwgant.bsky.social•13 days ago

A compelling pitch.

However, the real test should happen before you write it.

If you could not pitch it, do not write it.

maryamwebster.bsky.social•13 days ago

I got the publishing house all excited to publish my 9th book by presenting them with a pre-done marketing plan that they just simply rolled out with no further tweaks. I used to be in marketing so I’m good that way. But if that’s not you…

maryamwebster.bsky.social•13 days ago

…it would be a great to get a session with a marketing coach to devise such a plan. They may not go for it, but with a plan in house, it will give them an idea of how to roll out their own.

It also shows that you know your reader demographics and that there will be Hot Buys @ pub date due to that.

Comments

Posting Rules

Reply