On multiple submissions

My take on this is that most agents expect you to query broadly. I do not mention, in my query, that I'm sending it out to others.

When an agent you have queried, however, asks for an exclusive submission--a partial or a full--the rules change. If an agent requests an exclusive, the ball is back in your court. You set the terms as to how long you will allow the agent to read your submission before you send it to others. This does not mean, though, that while an agent is reading an exclusive, you necessarily need to stop querying other agents. Just that you can't send them your MS until the first agent weighs in. If that agent exceeds your expiration date and doesn't respond to you, I think I'd feel free to send the partial or full to other agents if they ask for it.

P.S.

I've heard a lot of writers--and agents, too,--say that it is poor form and unrealistic for an agent to expect an exclusive query. I would agree.

Since this is a general question rather than a question about a specific agent, I'm moving this from Bewares to Ask the Agent.

Most agents have no problem with multiple queries. You don't need to say that you're querying others, or let the agent know who else you're approaching.

- Victoria

At your early stage on the game I wouldn't recommend that you query agents who require exclusive submissions. I'd recommend you research agents, make a prioritized list of same, and send out your query letters.

Right or wrong, some agents only want to receive exclusive submissions, although I think that's somewhat of a rarity when it come to initial queries. With such agents look at their guidelines and you will see how many weeks (or months) they each take to reply. So, if you submit to such an agent and they say 6-8 weeks to reply you have to wait a minimum of 2 months (assuming rejection) before you can send out another quer letter. That doesn't make too much sense to me, but it's your decision.

I don't think a agent has any business asking if you are querying others, but I really don't think many do. After all, if you are submitting to an agent who only wants exclusives, you are silently telling them so. And if your submit to an agent who does not require exclusivity they know you are submitting to others.

There was a suggestion on another writer's forum I frequent as to why a writer shouldn't send multiple queries. If you have a group of agents that are considered your "A-List," query one at a time. Some agents do send suggestions for changes even if he/she doesn't accept you. If you have expended all of your A-Listers and decide to make the changes, it's too late.

The very first agent I queried was an A-Lister. I only queried her and was lucky enough to receive a request for a full read. While she rejected me, she gave a page-full of suggestions, which have made my book even better. I now have another agent with a partial read.

This being said, since that first query, I have sent multiple requests for agents. I do realize how long it can take for an answer, but if you're new, being patient isn't a bad investment in your manuscript.

I admit to believing a writer, especially an unpublished one, should query on a regular basis, not one at a time. That's not to say send out 50 query letters tomorrow, but it is to say that you should make a plan and work your plan. This is particularly true if your work is tme-sensitive.

Once you have that dynamite query letter, and a prioritized list of the agents to whom you want to submit (let's say it's 40), why not send out 5 queries a week? That gives you time to incorporate any changes you wish, and it also insures a steady and complete flow to all of the agents (the last group--if necessary--going out 2 months after you started).

I'm against sending out one at a time and waiting on a reply. Will they reply? How long will it take them? How long should you wait? If their guidelines say 4-6 months, are you really going to wait 6 plus months before submitting to another agent? Anf if they do reply will they have anything meaningful to offer?