Two Weeks Are Up... Do I Say Something?

ericsmithrocks · Feb 12, 2009

After a pitch, an agent dropped me an email, saying she was interested. Woot! She asked for two weeks of exclusive reading, and I agreed.

I was curious, when is a good time to follow up with the agent? I'd hate to be pushy or annoying, thus ruining my chances. Then again, what if the email went right into her SPAM folder or something?

Any advice?

Thanks all!

Eric

Maryn · Feb 12, 2009

Eric, I'd suggest you give her another week, then inquire gently. If you don't get a prompt reply saying she's reading you next, tell her to take her time but that her exclusive has expired and you'll continue querying other agents in the meantime.

Scary, huh?

Maryn

Gillhoughly · Feb 12, 2009

Welcome to AW! :welcome:

You should hear from her in about 2 weeks.

But give her six before sending a short "May I ask about the status of my submission?

Most agents are not that fast. They get 100's of queries every week. Imagine getting 25 letters a day that need a reply, then add in reading the sample chapters. I don't know how they do it!

Make sure she doesn't charge fees of any kind and that she is legit in other ways, too.

Make sure her site displays titles by writers you know and that she has sold to publishers you've heard of, and check her on the P&E website and the Bewares & Background Checks forum here on AW.

Good luck!

An agent's slush pile....

ericsmithrocks · Feb 12, 2009

Maryn said:
Eric, I'd suggest you give her another week, then inquire gently. If you don't get a prompt reply saying she's reading you next, tell her to take her time but that her exclusive has expired and you'll continue querying other agents in the meantime.

Scary, huh?

Maryn

It is scary! And exciting.

Yeah Gill, I imagine things must get preeeetty crazy with all those queries. She's a legit agent, I'm always sure to research everyone I query. Thanks for the welcome!

You guys are all so great.

qwerty · Feb 12, 2009

If an agent asks for two weeks exclusivity, she knows you are not in a position to offer your work elsewhere, so should be courteous enough to get back to you.

In your shoes, I'd give it three weeks then drop a line asking if she can confirm receipt of the material. That's not being pushy or annoying, it's just wanting to know if the stuff was safely received.

scope · Feb 12, 2009

She asked for two, being an exclusive you're kind of tied up, we know she'll probably be late, wait a total of four weeks and send polite but firm email re status (I'd give her one more week after which I'd tell her if no reply must withdraw exclusive arrangement but ask that she still consider).

Amy R. · Feb 12, 2009

Gillhoughly said:
An agent's slush pile....

LOL. That's how I always pictured an agent's desk.

But, Eric, I'd wait two more weeks and then inquire politely. And congrats on the request!

Julie Worth · Feb 12, 2009

ericsmithrocks said:
After a pitch, an agent dropped me an email, saying she was interested. Woot! She asked for two weeks of exclusive reading, and I agreed.

After two weeks have passed she no longer has an exclusive and you're free to continue shopping it around. In fact, I wouldn't have stopped sending out queries and partials during that time, as the exclusive is only for a full. If you granted an exclusive for a partial, that's a mistake, becuase then she can ask for another exclusive and keep you hanging.

MsGneiss · Feb 12, 2009

You can just send her a note telling her that you are going to submit the manuscript to other agents, since the exclusivity period ended. Don't give her an ultimatum, just a courteous FYI.

IceCreamEmpress · Feb 12, 2009

sleepsheep said:
You can just send her a note telling her that you are going to submit the manuscript to other agents, since the exclusivity period ended. Don't give her an ultimatum, just a courteous FYI.

Yes, this.

Get ready to start querying again. No harm done.

vrabinec · Feb 12, 2009

I never understood the exclusive thing. I can see why an agent would ask for it, but once I'm ready to let fly, I'm sending letters out a dozen at a time. I just don't see what advantage a writer would gain by agreeing to give an agent exclusive rights for any length of time. If the work is good, sign me on. If you don't think it's good enough, then I'll be bangin' on other doors. I dunno, maybe I'm a little too influenced by Miss Snark.

Gillhoughly · Feb 12, 2009

I agree, vrabinec. Excellent point.

Miss Snark is against "exclusives", and normally I'd say stuff it to this agent, but two weeks is a short enough window.

Be wary of an agent who wants an exclusive and for a longer period of time.

It is not to the writer's advantage to have a query sitting on a desk. Such things are easily lost or forgotten.

You can always say no thanks. There are plenty of excellent agents who do not ask for an exclusive.

That in mind, I withdraw my suggestion to wait 6 weeks.

Give her that time window, then a polite query, then move on if she says no.

In the meantime, be working on your next book so your head doesn't explode.

If you sell this one the agent will want more from you ASAP.

Sirion · Feb 12, 2009

Gillhoughly said:
An agent's slush pile....

Hey! I think I see one of mine in there.

Two Weeks Are Up... Do I Say Something?

ericsmithrocks

Maryn

I Tried

Gillhoughly

Grumpy writer and editor

ericsmithrocks

qwerty

exiled Brit

scope

Commonsensical Maverick

Amy R.

Julie Worth

What? I have a title?

MsGneiss

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

vrabinec

Dipwad

Gillhoughly

Grumpy writer and editor

Sirion

practical experience, FTW