As I mentioned in my last post, I’m currently working through a list of literary agents who appear to be a good match for my latest novel, a work of psychological fiction titled The Girl and the Tutor. Every submission requires a different configuration of pitch and synopsis. Here’s the latest information I’ve been sending out:
The Girl and the Tutor is a topical novel with its focus on historic offences and would make a good book club read with discussion around the individual journeys of the two main characters. Although middle aged, Stephanie continues on a path of personal development where the teenage Carolyn grows into an emotionally-stunted adult due to her obsession with the maths tutor who let her down. To include diversity in the novel, Stephanie’s housemate is a successful business woman with Gujarati/Ugandan heritage. Prior to Covid-19, I volunteered in Uganda and with the fiftieth anniversary of the expulsion of Asians by Idi Amin approaching, I feel this is timely.
So far I’ve submitted to forty agents and the reply rate is as follows:
5 standard rejection letters
2 personal responses with words of encouragement
1 full manuscript request
Some interest in the The Girl and the Tutor has come from Twitter pitch parties where authors are invited to pitch their work using the 280 characters allowed in a tweet. The Insecure Writers Support Group ran pitch party last week and I participated with the following tweet:
JEWELL x QUINTANA (this refers to comparable authors)
Menopausal journalist rediscovers her mojo. Ugandan housemate spruces things up. Old mate does Come Dine With Me. But what about the missing teenager? Her story of infatuation, exploitation and angst provides an unforgettable twist.
If nothing else, I’m finding this pitching malarky a lot of fun!
the writer is a lonely hunter 
This is a fascinating journey, Gail. Thank you for the update and for bringing us along 🙂
Glad to have your company on this journey, Jim.
Well done, Gail, on that full mss request and the personal feedback. Both as rare as hen’s teeth!
Fingers crossed for the rest of the journey.
Thanks, Sally!
Great update! And good luck! Can’t wait to see it in print. 🙂
Thanks, Christina. I figure it’s worth trying all the different options.