Please flame this Ijit. (Or give me helpful advice – your call)

Arquebus · Oct 8, 2009

So this is what I did. I queried a guy at a pretty nice boutique agency way back in February on my novel. He replied in short order he wanted a full. Fantastic. So… I kept querying, didn’t think too hard about him or the others who were sitting on my fulls.

Just today, as I’m going over my list of who is still holding my stuff, I realize to my horror I have a full out to an agent at the same agency, had no idea I had done this. She requested said full in early September. (NB: I’d pinged the first guy in July about had he had a chance to blah blah blah, heard nothing. BUT. I sent the stupid fricking email to the agency’s info@ address, not the fricking stupid agent’s fricking real email. Mighta been forwarded, might notta) So… you see my problem. I can either assume the first agent’s not interested (it having been many many months), and simply wait for the second one, or I can dash off an apologetic email to both saying exactly what happened. But then I look like an Ijit and maybe alienate the live, second agent. What's a writer to do?

Thanks, all.

CaoPaux · Oct 8, 2009

Since this is a general procedure question, I'm moving it to Ask the Agent.

SJWangsness · Oct 8, 2009

Just be honest about your mistake. You won't look like an eejit (preferred spelling in Ireland); you'll look like a decent person.

Danthia · Oct 9, 2009

I agree. Email them, explain the situation, apologize and ask how they'd like you to proceed. Stuff happens. Agents understand this

The Troubadour · Oct 9, 2009

I agree that communicating with them about this ASAP is the best move for you at this point. And who knows, perhaps it will afford you the opportunity not only to get an update on the manuscript's status, but provide a little competitive element between agents for your book. At least, that's the hope, right?

Vermilion · Oct 9, 2009

This happened to me once, well, not exactly the same situation. But I basically queried an agent at the same agency again, and she requested for partial (while I already sent the partial to another agent). I realized my mistake before I sent the partial, so I wrote her an apology and she was nice enough to offer to take a look should the other agent decided to pass!

I'd suggest you write to the second agent you sent your full to and explain the situation ASAP. Hopefully, she has not spent time to read your full yet, then she wouldn't be so pissed.

katiemac · Oct 9, 2009

I don't think it will hurt you if you write the second agent who asked for the full in September and explain someone in the agency has already been sent the manuscript.

However, you sent the first agent a full in February and have heard nothing? Even after you send an e-mail six months later? Unless there are weird outstanding circumstances, this guy isn't interested.

Arquebus · Oct 15, 2009

Many thanks

To all who replied. That was most helpful.

Please flame this Ijit. (Or give me helpful advice – your call)

Arquebus

CaoPaux

Mostly Harmless

SJWangsness

An unknown known

Danthia

The Troubadour

I'm famous. You just don't know me.

Vermilion

Sleepless in Asia

katiemac

Five by Five

Arquebus