Dream agent AHOY! ...or not.

DarkDesireX · Aug 28, 2009

I submitted a query to my dream agent at the end of May. The ideal wait time on their site was 1-2 weeks. I waited four then sent a status request (as per the instructions on the website). At the beginning of August my agent posted that she was closing submissions until she got caught up.

That's a little background story so you guys know what's going on. I think it's important to mention that with my status request I also promised this particular agent exclusive "dibs" to my work until I got a response.

Now, I have two questions: does this prolonged wait reflect on the professionalism of my agent? She's on Twitter and FB quite a bit, so I know she's working but the fact that she's gotten so overwhelmed gives me pause. Not that I doubt her abilities but I am concerned that maybe she has too much on her plate as of now. Should I be?

Secondly, during this wait I've written a few more scenes for the novel. When I queried it was at approx. 76,000 words and now it's closer to 85,000 words. Should I send her a note of the differences or would that be considered unprofessional?

Calla Lily · Aug 28, 2009

Did the agent ask for an exclusive or did you offer it uninvited? If the latter, why? Especially if you knew this agent was swamped.

Everyone kicks back some way or other. I see many agents tweeting and such. I don't work 24/7; agents don't either. Agents relaxing on Twitter and such doesn't hit my radar. I'm revising a book in one window on my PC and checking AW/Twitter/ FB in another.

As long as I'm spouting my opinions

, I wouldn't mention the revised ms. See first if the agent asks for a partial/full. Then send the better version.

Cyia · Aug 28, 2009

DarkDesireX said:
I submitted a query to my dream agent at the end of May. The ideal wait time on their site was 1-2 weeks. I waited four then sent a status request (as per the instructions on the website). At the beginning of August my agent posted that she was closing submissions until she got caught up. Has she said anything about being caught up (is this the agent who opened a "window" for new submissions a while back?).

That's a little background story so you guys know what's going on. I think it's important to mention that with my status request I also promised this particular agent exclusive "dibs" to my work until I got a response.
Unless the agent read the query and requested pages on an exclusive basis, or specifies that when you sub to her it's on an exclusive basis, you've jumped the gun. All you did was send a query - one for which it doesn't sound like there has been any interest so far.

Now, I have two questions: does this prolonged wait reflect on the professionalism of my agent? She's on Twitter and FB quite a bit, so I know she's working but the fact that she's gotten so overwhelmed gives me pause. Not that I doubt her abilities but I am concerned that maybe she has too much on her plate as of now. Should I be?
No. It doesn't reflect on her professionalism, but it does reflect on your expectations. Unless she specifically states that she replies to all submissions, you may have to accept that "no response means no" and move on. "Dream agents" are a bit of a time waster - you want the "right" agent: the one who loves your book and will sell it.

Secondly, during this wait I've written a few more scenes for the novel. When I queried it was at approx. 76,000 words and now it's closer to 85,000 words. Should I send her a note of the differences or would that be considered unprofessional?
IFshe requests pages or asks for the full, then you can tell her the word count has changed. Sending another email when she hasn't made any sort of inquiry is definitely unprofessional.

I know you probably have your heart set on this agent, but you're handicapping yourself. She may not like your style, your personalities may not mesh, or she may even have someone with a similar concept already under representation.

Move on.

Danthia · Aug 29, 2009

DarkDesireX said:
does this prolonged wait reflect on the professionalism of my agent? She's on Twitter and FB quite a bit, so I know she's working but the fact that she's gotten so overwhelmed gives me pause. Not that I doubt her abilities but I am concerned that maybe she has too much on her plate as of now. Should I be?

No. She's has a lot going on and shut down submissions so she can focus on her job and get caught up. Everyone gets overwhelmed with work sometimes. She's doing the professional thing by handling her workload and taking care of her existing clients.

DarkDesireX said:
Secondly, during this wait I've written a few more scenes for the novel. When I queried it was at approx. 76,000 words and now it's closer to 85,000 words. Should I send her a note of the differences or would that be considered unprofessional?

Don't send her a note. She isn't even taking queries right now, so why bother her with a detail that doesn't matter. It's still within basic novel range and if she wants to see more, she'll ask for more.

There's also no need to offer exclusives, especially on a query. Many agents say don't even offer exclusives with your full manuscript. You want the best choice of agents and you have no way of knowing what agent is right for you until you talk to them and see how you work together. The more you query the better off you'll be in the long run.

DarkDesireX · Aug 29, 2009

OKay, you all said the same thing pretty much and thank you! I did want to answer why I ensured she'd be the only agent to look at it. It's listed on her company's blog that she particularlly hates it when she gets a query and then a few days later she gets a letter saying that the work is no longer open for consideration. I wanted to make sure she knew that I was only submitting to her.

DarkDesireX · Aug 29, 2009

Thanks, Cyia, I'll keep that in mind. I picked her because I like the projects she works on but I didn't consider the personalities bit.

scope · Aug 29, 2009

I agree with every word written by Cyia and Danthia, including this notion of how absurd it is for unpublished (sometimes published) writers to start out by seeking their "dream agent." As said by others, forget about one specific "dream agent." Right now you have no idea who your dream agent may be. Indeed, we ahould all want the "right" agent, as Cyia said, or "...or the best choice of agents and you have no way of knowing what agent is right for you until you talk to them and see how you work together (as Danthia said).

Ken Schneider · Aug 29, 2009

First, you shouldn't add to your mss after you submit. The book should be complete and revised and done/ polished before it ever leaves your house.

Many agencies are now stating that they will only contact you if they are interested in your work, and they will do that after a specified time as stated on their site.

If you haven't been contacted, move on.

Twizzle · Aug 31, 2009

DarkDesireX said:
It's listed on her company's blog that she particularlly hates it when she gets a query and then a few days later she gets a letter saying that the work is no longer open for consideration. I wanted to make sure she knew that I was only submitting to her.

She wasn't asking for an exclusive on your query. What she's saying is if you query her and get an offer from another agent in the meantime (or for whatever reason decide to pull the ms), contact her and let her know. Personally, I agree. It's a bit rude, I think, not to. But that's just me. Keep querying others in the meanwhile. Good luck!

Dream agent AHOY! ...or not.

DarkDesireX

I like tentacles!

Calla Lily

On hiatus

Cyia

Rewriting My Destiny

Danthia

DarkDesireX

I like tentacles!

DarkDesireX

I like tentacles!

scope

Commonsensical Maverick

Ken Schneider

Absolute sagebrush

Twizzle

Cluck that.