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Historical Fiction/One Agent says been done, other Agent says submit it??

On my novel, a somewhat similar story was done about 30 years ago and an Agent says I should forget it,but another Agent says mine is different enough to submit it. An author who does similar works says forget it, an editor says do it???

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Permalink Reply by Stacy-Deanne on January 5, 2010 at 10:51pm

Hi Jack,

First off, all stories have been done before. No idea is unique. What counts is how unique the work is compared to others. But no novel is going to present an idea that hasn't been done a thousand times. It's not possible.

Now...

Always remember this, agents and editors are people just like everyone else. They have different tastes and opinions. What one agent might love, another could hate. What one editor might believe is overdone, another might find it unique. The key to giving a rebirth to a novel with a very old premise, is to write it in the most unique way possible if you think it won't stand out. But from what you are saying, this is normal and what every writer deals with. There is never one book that everyone loves or feel the same way about. It's the same with book reviewers. Some reviewers will hate a book and say it ought to be set on fire, but another might say it deserves an award.

My advice, forget the ones who say don't do it and do it. If you've got some that are cheering the project on (an agent and editor you mentioned), then that's good incentive to see that some people will be interested in the work. We can't please everyone and writers must remember this. You can write the greatest book in the world and there is always going to be two people at least who have very different opinions about the work.

Also, it depends on how many people you speak to. If you have a chance to pitch your novel to agents/editors at a conference of say, over fifty agents and they all say, "nope". Then that is something to listen to. But if you get different opinions, just chalk it up to real life. You also gotta do what's in your heart. I bet 80% of the novels published today (including famous works) would not be in print if the author listened to every single opinion.

I say go for it. There are millions of agents and editors. The key is finding the right one at the right time and getting that book on the table of the person who loves it. Don't sweat the small stuff because believe me, you're gonna have to go through bigger challenges than this even after publication.

Best Wishes and Good Luck!

http://www.stacy-deanne.net

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Permalink Reply by Stacy-Deanne on January 5, 2010 at 10:57pm

Historical Fiction? I didn't see that at first. I hate to call people names but whoever told you that your work isn't new enough or whatever is an idiot. Do they realize what Historical Fiction means? If it's Historical, nine times out of ten the plots will be done over and over. That's part of the genre. I've read some HF and most of them had the same exact plot or premise but the books were still good in their own way. It's up to the author to take that generic plot and weave it into something that seems different and that will keep readers interested.

I suspect the person you spoke to wasn't knowledgeble about Historical Fiction or they would know that in that genre, it's almost impossible to come up with new ways to present a plot because it does deal with history. Remember also, every agent and editor does not know what they are talking about. This person sounds like they never read HF because you definitely wouldn't say that if you have.

I can't tell you how many western HF novels there are with the SAME exact plot to a T and have been selling for years and still are.

Best Wishes!