Received the most prompt, well written and informative rejection of my short writing and querying career the other day. Mr. Mecoy is an agent for John Corrigan, a mystery novelist who writes stories that revolve around the PGA. I thought he would be a perfect match for my manuscript Toe the Line. He explained about the marketability of such mysteries in his rejection:
"Thank you for the opportunity to consider your novel for representation. While I do appreciate the widespread interest in the sport, I am afraid that I do not feel that sports and mysteries mix all that well. Over the years, I've done baseball mysteries, Formula 1 and NASCAR suspense novels and, yes, Mr. Corrigan's golf books and none of them have broken out. I don't know if it's the genre's gender bias or the fact that people who love to get out and do or see these things don't want to read about them. Unfortunately, mystery editors as a group (at least the ones I know) share my prejudice against this sort of novel. So, I regret that I can only offer you all my best wishes for your future success with an agent who hasn't had my experience and who can find an editor who hasn't been infected with this particular sort of cynicism."
A few posts ago I asked which was more important, marketability or writing. I'm beginning to think that marketing is more important. I'm also beginning to think that a change in writing tactics on my part is called for.
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