Wednesday, August 12, 2015

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WOW! To all my faithful followers, I ask: Is this timely or not?

NOT!

I just got this note in my email.

Dear Paul,

Hi there, and thanks for thinking of me! I just reviewed the opening pages of BRIDGETOWN HIGH, and I must say -- the concept of your novel intrigued me. I've been looking to build my YA fiction list, so I was looking forward to your pages.

That having been said, I'm afraid I'm going to have to pass on your project because I didn't really connect with your writing voice as much as I would have liked. Your narrative flowed well, and you're definitely a competent writer -- I just thought your opening scene was slightly too emotionally overwrought, to the point where I found myself unable to sympathize with Mark, despite his terrible tragedy. Perhaps you could approach the scene from a different angle, one that's more heart-wrenching in a subtle way?

I wish I had better news for you -- I always like to remind writers that regardless of my subjective opinion, there are lots of agents out there. Who knows, someone might just feel that "spark" for your project and want to represent it as it currently stands. Please continue to persevere, and I wish you the very best of luck in securing representation!

My best,


If I had gotten this a bit earlier, I might have been able to mull it over and see what I could do to improve things.


Oh, well
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About Paul West

Paul West is a freelance writer and novelist. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Paul claims to be a "Prune Picker," though he now makes his home in Taylorsville, Utah.

You can follower him on Twitter: @PaulWWest

Published: Wednesday, August 12, 2015

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