A reference, of course, to the old Eagles' song, Lyin' Eyes.

My novel on submission (through a reputable agent), a PI novel, has gotten nothing but rejections so far. Kind words from the editors, but rejections nonetheless.

My questions to Crimespacers: Does the fact that my main character is a private investigator severly hinder my chances of getting published? Is the private eye essentially dead in the current publishing world? Would I be better off changing the character's occupation, calling him something else?

My agent still (very much) believes in the book, but I'm kinda freaking at these initial rejections.

Any help???

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muchas! too bad I'm too far to buy you a drink when some discerning editor takes it!
You'll just have to fly over for my book launch party. :)
cool, and without a planeif I had to!
Are you saying that all P. I. novels no matter what time period they are set in are "dead in the water?"

I'm not saying that, and I certainly hope it isn't true, but it's the word around some campfires lately. Personally, I think the PI novel is due for a fat revival. Let's keep our fingers crossed!
fingers crossed. Hey maybe a good title: DEAD IN THE WATER! (i have a dead woman washed up on a river bank! lol
Great title!
I have to agree with Donna. I love PI's, male or female. They can pull off so much more than detectives...unless the detective is a cop who breaks all the rules! That said, I'm slogging away at my own edit of a police procedural... Just remeber to throw some ARCs to booksellers...they love 'em and will recommend you because of it :o) Hang in there!
Thanks, Maryann. I'll put you on the list for an ARC right now!
No problem. I love being able to read good books before they hit the front tables :o) I look forward to it !
I keep hearing that the PI novel is dead, but I keep reading good news by new writers (Declan Hughes and Michael Koryta come to mind), so I think the announcements of the PI genre's death are greatly exaggerated. I'm in much the same situation as you - represented by a respected agent whom I enjoy working with, getting generous rejections (my favorite: too good for paperback, not original enough for a series), receiving regular encouragement from the agent.

I think if you have a protagonist and a situation you believe in, you should stick with it. I've read in several places that authors who become successful generally have a vision and are guided by that. I'm not one of them, but I've seen too many examples to doubt the wisdom of that statement.
Thanks, Dana.

Too good for paperback?

If an editor told me that, I would have to run after them and shout, "No it's not! No it's not!" :)

I'd take a PBO deal from a major in a heartbeat.
Jude,
My thoughts exactly. I wanted to say I was willing to compromise on trade paperback, or even make a few choice changes to (un)make the grade. I mean, people are always making edits to get a book published. Why should we just assume those edits must be for the better?

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