Well if you've been following me on Twitter you will know I've had a reply from the agent who was looking at my full manuscript of my revised Dr Midas and the Pirates. Sadly the whole thing had come back so I knew it was going to be bad news.
She wrote : "Publishers are being increasingly choosy about what they take on and many have cut back on the volume of books they acquire. This has a knock on effect and I have to be equally choosy. Unfortunately I didn't think that your work had that elusive "stand-out" quality that I am looking for, although I did enjoy your lively style," and went on to wish me well.
This is obviously a difficult time for publishers just as it is with other companies, and it seems to me they really need to be certain of guaranteed big sales before they'll sign a writer and this is the case with agents too. Perhaps I need to get all of you to pledge to buy a copy!!!
Anyway I've done as I always do, sent it out again to another agent.
I'm also going to have a go at the two Pure Inspiration writing competitions, being run this summer by English Heritage and being promoted by two very successful children's book writers.
The first has to be based around Whitby Abbey and will be judged by Yorkshire author G.P Taylor. Winning stories will be published in a special English Heritage book.
Graham received loads of rejections himself before self-publishing. Promoting the competition, he said: "When you are an unknown author, getting that first break can be extremely difficult. This competition will give several authors the chance to have see their works in print, hopefully uncovering some bright new talent for the future."
The second has to be based around Lucky Spot, a crystal horse made of suspended crystals, by Stella McCartney at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Northumberland, and will be judged by the author of Skellig, David Almond.
Winners of the Belsay competition will receive signed books, and the overall winner will receive a year's free membership to English Heritage.
The Whitby competition runs from 19 May to 4 September 2009, with entries welcomed from writers of all ages and abilities - although they must use Whitby Abbey as an integral part of the story.
There are four categories that will be judged separately:
* Ages 11 and under (maximum story length: 500 words)
* Ages 12 to 16 (maximum story length: 1250 words)
* Ages 17 to 21 (maximum story length: 2500 words)
* Over 21s (maximum story length: 2500 words)
All entries should be emailed to [email protected], no later than 12 noon on Friday 4 September 2009.
The Belsay stories can be set at any time: past, present or future, or indeed, be set in the real world or a parallel world, as long as Lucky Spot remains an integral part of the story. They must be submitted by email to no later than 12 noon on Tuesday 7 July 2009.
For more details visit http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.20852