Wednesday 23 August 2017

The End of the Fairy Tale?


This was not the post I thought I was going to be putting up today but, sadly, life doesn't always go the way you'd like it to.

After the post about finishing my novel called Not Giving Up and the one following that about my glowing RNA New Writers' Scheme report, A Small Step closer, I had hoped that the next post I wrote would be giving you good news.

Sadly, it's not to be.

This afternoon, I had a telephone call from my agent. Imagine my excitement! But she wasn't ringing to tell me how much she loved the novel... or about the next step... or even that there was work to be done together. Instead, she was ringing to say that, due to changes within the agency creating greater workloads, they would no longer be able to give the time needed to work on a debut novel. In other words, with regret, they would be having to let me go.

After feeling so elated at having finished the novel, and after having had such positive response from my RNA NWS reader, you can imagine how disappointing this was to hear. It's also sad because I got on well with my agent. It doesn't seem five minutes ago that I was writing the post in which I told you how my submission had been picked out of a slush pile of 10,000 and how it felt like winning the lottery.

But I refuse to be disheartened and this is why:

  • I now have TWO novels to offer a new agent
  • I have the fabulous words of my RNA NWS reader to give me the confidence to start the whole process again
  • I will now be able to self-publish more collections of my magazine stories

I know it's not the news you wanted to hear but it's not the end of the road... just the beginning of a new journey.

One that I hope you'll continue to travel with me.

38 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry to hear this, Wendy, but you have an amazing attitude towards adversity, and I know you will soon find that this closing door leads to other open ones.

    Your summary at the end of the positives is just perfect, and while I know you will be sad to no longer be working with your agent (I remember well you post about how you found each other), you are going to go from strength to strength. <3

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  2. Keep going Wendy, you have a lot of writing experience and that means you have so much to offer the world of writing. The agency loss will be another's gain. Good luck with your novels.

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  3. With your positive attitude, Wendy, and with two good books to offer, I'm sure we'll soon be reading that you've found representation with another agent. Good luck with your search! xx

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  4. Maybe this new chapter in your writing life will be a better one with greater opportunities and further successes. Wishing you lots of luck. x

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    1. Onwards and upwards, Debbie. Good luck with your own NWS submission.

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  5. No, not the news we wanted to hear, Wendy, but you have such a great attitude and a wonderful work ethic. I'm sure it's just a matter of time. Wishing you only the best of good luck

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  6. Aww, that must have been a blow, Wendy, but... Look what happened when you got made redundant and the same will happen now because of your positive attitude xx

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  7. I'm so sorry, Wendy. This happened to me too, when my agent left her agency, and it is so disappointing. But as we all know disappointment is part of the business of writing, and there are other agencies out there, and publishers who take unagented submissions, so there are plenty of opportunities. Good luck, and keep us posted.

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  8. Well done you, Wendy, for having such a positive attitude... and you are absolutely right. It's a strange thing because everything you read /hear seems to point you in the direction of having an agent, and as you say when you get one it's like winning the lottery, but it doesn't always work out. I recently parted company with mine because I didn't feel they were working in the direction I wanted to go. I felt hugely empowered when I left them, and am enjoying being agentless at the moment. That's not to say I won't seek another at some point, but I'm not going to rush into it. I'm sure the right path for you will be one that finds its way to you, probably when you least expect it! xx

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    1. Thank you, Emma - very excited to be able to bring out a new collection!

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  9. How disappointing for you, Wendy, and how brave to share your experience with us and generous – it is important for other writers to know some of the the things that can happen, forewarned is forearmed and all that. At the same time, you are absolutely right not to stay down-heartened, I am sure it is absolutely not the end for an accomplished writer such as yourself, as you say, just beginning of a very exciting new chapter. Courage! xx

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    1. Actually, it is very exciting! Thank you for your kind words.

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  10. Feeling sad for you Wendy but also positive that you will find another agent soon. Life's funny in the way that often one door closes and another one opens. And as you say you now have two novels to offer another agent I feel sure you have so many good things ahead of you xx

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    1. I've had two magazine stories published with the title, 'As One Door Closes'... maybe it's an omen!

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  11. After your joyful blog about your RNA report, this new post takes us to the other extreme. What a blow - and yet you have taken it on the chin. I know you must be hugely disappointed and upset but you have clearly settled on the best attitude that will carry you through what comes next. All I can say is, good luck. And also: thank you - this is such an honest blog.

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  12. Oh Wendy, how disappointing for you. Keep going hun, I always think that things happen for a reason and you're too good an author for it not to come good in the end. x

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    1. I am also a believer of thngs happening for a reason, Lynda :)

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  13. That sucks, Wendy! Their loss. You might be a 'debut novelist' but you're certainly not a debut writer. I'm sure you'll get snapped up by someone else.

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    1. Here's hoping, Kate. A story in both The People's Friend weekly and the special yesterday helped to soften the blow.

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  14. Sorry to hear this, Wendy. I'm glad you're already looking for the positives.

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  15. I think this is just the climax at the end of Act 3 in your fairytale, Wendy. You can make your own happy ending :) xx (and I think the new novel is fabulous, the best thing you've written)

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  16. Although this is disappointing news for you, Wendy, there is no doubt that your writing skills and your positive response will take you through this temporary setback. There is so much to look forward to and I'm sure you won't have long to wait before it all starts happening again xxx

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  17. So sorry to hear this, Wendy, but I just know you will get there-you are amazing!x

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  18. The exact same thing happened to me, several years ago, Wendy, and I was really upset at the time. I'm certain you'll find another agent, or a publisher, very soon :o)

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  19. Gosh - that must feel so frustrating, Wendy, to have circumstances beyond your (and that of your agent's) control throw a spanner in the works. I really admire your positive approach though and am sure it's only a matter of time before another agent or publisher snaps up both those novels. xx

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  20. Oh Wendy, what a disappointment. I like your attitude though - keep going and you certainly are further along the line in many respects - you know that your work has the necessary qualities to attract another agent and publication. Good luck with them turning up soon!

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  21. What a bummer, Wendy. Such bad luck. But as everyone else has said, your incredibly positive attitude will make a massive difference. The ability to stay positive is a huge asset in a writer. Best of luck and keep smiling C x

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  22. Ah, the ups and downs of writing life. But just think how far you've come, and will still go! Looking forward to your next story...

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  23. I am sorry to hear this, Wendy. It's happening all too often, I'm afraid. No consolation, I know, but don't give up. You're too good a writer to give up. I speak from experience when I say, have a good cry or kick something (not the cat), or scream, and then do it yourself. I can't tell you how empowering it is to publish as an Indie Author. Expensive, but very satisfying. Good luck. xx

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