So I mailed off a packet for my book–WHAT BROTHERS DO–a 2010 Faulkner/Wisdom Semifinalist, to an independent publisher today. They are a big one, one with multiple best-selling authors on the NYT and LA lists. There was a time I said I would not submit directly to a publisher, because I really do and still do want an agent, and when you submit to a publisher first, you limit what your agent can do when you finally get one. It’s best to let the literary agent, who is trained, educated and experienced in the industry and who has connections and knows people you don’t know, do the work they are being paid to do when they take part of your income for selling your book. I have no problems with the agent relationship. I want an agent, badly, but I want the right agent, for the right book, who will do the right job for the money.
I will find the right one.
My problem is, I have these novels that have no genre. I’ve submitted to several agents, and I’ve received some very positive responses. Agents have told me, paraphrased here, that the writing is solid, my tone and voice are well structured, and that the concept of the novel was intriguing, interesting, and even three of them have said they wanted personally to read the book and find out what happens. But of every agent who has praised the book, they all are saying the same thing, “I don’t know how or who to sell it to…” why? Because it has no genre.
I AM GENRE-LESS
