Another Agent Question: Need Help

klow · Jul 17, 2008

I never thought I'd find myself in this situation after such a long period of frustration with this process...but here I am. I'd love any advice you can give.

I sent queries out recently and got responses back from several agents wanting to see my material. I admit the work is non-fiction, but the novel thread seems very active today and I'd love to get help asap so I can email this particular agent right back.

Three agents now have my book proposal. A fourth agent email me today asking for the proposal to be sent to her electronically. Her agency asks for a one week exclusive period to thoroughly read and assess materials.

Here is the problem. Three other agents are looking at the proposal. Do I just email this fourth agent and let her know and ask her how she would like me to proceed? I don't want to lose out on the other three agents...and I don't want to lose out on this fourth one either.

Rejections are the pits. I'd like to optimize my chance for good news, yet I obviously can't give this agent an exclusive if the other agents are looking at it. Advice?

Momento Mori · Jul 17, 2008

A fourth agent email me today asking for the proposal to be sent to her electronically. Her agency asks for a one week exclusive period to thoroughly read and assess materials.

Her agency might say they want an exclusive, but has the actual agent asked for an exclusive? If not, then send it to her and say in the covering email that it's sent on a non-exclusive basis. If she has asked for one, then you can still send it but tell her that it's already under consideration with 3 other agents, but you will respect the one week exclusive before sending it to any other agent.

Hope it all goes well!

MM

James D. Macdonald · Jul 17, 2008

"I regret that I cannot offer an exclusive at this time."

klow · Jul 17, 2008

Thank you both!
So, if she has requested a one week exclusive, should I just let her know that I regretfully cannot grant it at this time and go ahead and send the proposal? Or let her know I will send the proposal when I can grant her this exclusive.

I am sorry to be so unsure...and confused. I just want to email her back before she forgets about me!

jbash · Jul 17, 2008

exclusive

Tell the agent that you can not grant her an exclusive at this time because the material is out with other agents. Ask her if she would be willing to read the proposal anyway under the condition that you would inform her immediately if you receive another offer of representation and that you willl not accept such offer without giving her an opportunity to read the proposal. It is then up to the agent to decided how she wishes to proceed.

Momento Mori · Jul 17, 2008

Klow, has she actually asked for a one week exclusive?

MM

klow · Jul 17, 2008

jbash,
I like your suggestion.

MM,
She wrote in her email "Please review the submissions requirements on our site, and if agreeable, email me your proposal." I went to the site and this is where the requirement of a one week exclusive is noted.

Again, I really, really appreciate everyone's help.

ORION · Jul 17, 2008

Then send it.

Momento Mori · Jul 17, 2008

Email her that you can't give her an exclusive because it's already with 3 other agents, but ask if she's still willing to look at it on that non-exclusive basis. Don't offer her an exclusive on it, but wait and see what she comes back and says (given that her agency only asks for a 1 week exclusive, I'd be surprised if it's a deal breaker).

MM

klow · Jul 17, 2008

Will do! Thanks again everyone.

Jayswords · Jul 17, 2008

Let us know how you get on with this, please. I have little grasp of how to handle agents.

klow · Jul 17, 2008

I will.
Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Sending good thoughts your way, too.

*Pudge* · Jul 17, 2008

Good Luck!!!

klow · Jul 17, 2008

Jbash,
You’re the man...or woman!
I just heard back from the agent and she said I could send her the proposal on a non-exclusive basis based on my agreement that I will not accept another offer of representation without giving her an opportunity to read the proposal. You are the one who suggested I include this in my note to her. Thank you.

Now with all this excitement I am going to be really upset if none of these agents end up being interested!!!

Pudge, thanks for the happy dancers.

Alpha Echo · Jul 17, 2008

Oh I'm invested now. I look forward to hearing how this turns out for you!

David I · Jul 18, 2008

klow said:
I just heard back from the agent and she said I could send her the proposal on a non-exclusive basis based on my agreement that I will not accept another offer of representation without giving her an opportunity to read the proposal.

That's the story of how I got my first agent.

It makes a lot of sense, especially for novels--no agent wants to plow through a whole novel, get all excited, and find out that you've already signed elsewhere!

MelancholyMan · Jul 18, 2008

klow said:
I sent queries out recently and got responses back from several agents wanting to see my material.

So why are you down? All I ever get is, 'no'. But that doesn't surprise me. Have you seen the absolute crap getting published on the thrillerwriters website? OMG!!! A thriller about a plane that gets hijacked, no kidding, and the passengers take over the plane, but when they kill the bad guys, there's no one left to fly it. Oh, I can't put it down! Are you kidding me? What complete B.S. I think I'll write a story about an intellectual, misunderstood ogre who lives in a swamp. Or some highschool kids putting on a musical. Or a guy who gets kidnapped by terrorists and has to build a metal suit to get out. Or, or, a box of snakes on a plane that accidentally gets opened during flight.

No wonder readership is down. Trust me, if agents are turning you down that's probably about like critics saying a movie is bad. If they all hate it then it will probably be the best movie of the summer.

-MM

Another Agent Question: Need Help

klow

Momento Mori

Tired and Disillusioned

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

klow

jbash

Momento Mori

Tired and Disillusioned

klow

ORION

Sailed away years ago

Momento Mori

Tired and Disillusioned

klow

Jayswords

klow

Pudge

Getting on with it, slooowly

klow

Alpha Echo

I should be writing.

David I

MelancholyMan

Wear Thick Armor