Sick Children and Agents

Yesterday my daughter had the glassy-eyed stare. I went ahead and booked an appointment, just to play it safe. But this morning I had the old dilemma of–”Do I send my son to daycare or not?” He didn’t technically have a fever, but he looked pretty tired. I debated and ultimately decided to give him one more day. Besides, this is exam week and it’s much easier to take time off. More writing time for me!

I finished one book proposal (mailed it yesterday!) and I’m now focusing on fixing the synopsis of another book I have finished. I’d like to mail that out by the end of the month. The proposal is fairly solid, but the ending of the book needs revamping. I think if I added a few more chapters to clarify, it would work. It brings me to a few issues, though. I can’t send it to Mills & Boon until they’ve made a decision on His Chosen Bride. That means the only avenues for it are single title houses.

One thing I learned from last year’s conference is that the single title houses really won’t buy from new authors unless it’s a book concept that will sell itself. One good example–Carpe Demon (a soccer mom is secretly a demon slayer). Now see, from the concept alone, I’m intrigued. I’d buy the book simply because it sounds fun, not because of the author. If you’re a new author, particularly one who writes historicals, you have to have a concept that is groundbreaking, new, and vivid. Plus, the fabulous writing on top of that. Herein lies the problem. You can only take it so far with historicals. There aren’t really new plots, so you have to find new and intriguing characters.

The other problem I face is that most single title houses won’t look at unagented writers. I’ve been really wavering on this one because I have a better chance of getting a fabulous agent if I have a book contract in hand. I then have the leverage to e-mail my top pick agents and get a serious look. I don’t know whether to pursue it now, considering the historical market is so tight. Mills & Boon doesn’t require an agent, and that’s why I haven’t been actively going for it. Sure there are young, wet-behind-the-ears agents out there, but they make me nervous. This is my career. I want someone who loves number-crunching and the financial bottom line because truthfully, I don’t want to think about subrights and contract clauses.

Anyone have thoughts on the whole agent dilemma?