Hunting for an agent/publisher . . . again, dammit!

[B.R.Stateham]

Here I am hunting again for a lit agent and/or publisher for A Taste of Old Revenge, the second book in my Turner Hahn/Frank Morales sereis.

What gets me is this; go to all the sites that lists agents and what you get are the same lists over and over again. The same names. The same agencies. If, in the past you contacted them once and they said not only no but 'Hell, no!" what's to make me think they're going to change their minds?

It's enough to make an old codger like me grumble in his bowl of oatmeal.

[B.R.Stateham]

I like both of your attitudes, Joh and Pauline.

[Jon Loomis]

Fuck 'em. Publish it yourself on Kindle, and keep ALL the money.

[Pauline Rowson]

I know the feeling. It took me years and three self published novels before I got a publisher despite having secured an agent - twice! That's two different agents, for two different books and neither could get me a publisher then. Now I have seven crime novels published with number eight out next year.
So the message is this:

If you wish to be a writer
And to move the hearts of men
To make the sad heart lighter
By the magic of your pen,
Keep on writing, never falter
Never cherish fear or doubt
For the views of men will alter
And success will find you out.

I don't know who wrote this, but it's inspiring for writers, and I hope it helps you. Good luck.

[Benjamin Sobieck]

I'd leverage the fact the book was under contract at one point in time, and then wasn't. That's got to be worth something.

[I. J. Parker]

Dana is right. Also, the staff changes in the various agencies. You may get a new person at the old address. Good luck!

[Dana King]

It's a different book. They may find something in this story they thought was lacking in the other.

Something that worked for me was to check the acknowledgment section of books similar to yours. Authors credit their agents. This way you know this agent not only handles books similar to yours, but has actually sold at east one. Then the Internet can come in handy for their contact information.

Good luck, BR.