When is it okay to send your query?

xcomplex · Apr 15, 2010

So there was this one literary agency that I sent a query to exclusively. My reasoning was because they are PERFECT for my novel and because someone recommended I grant exclusivity. Asides from that I queried it right before the Easter weekend and their maximum answer time is 2 weeks which will be tomorrow. Does that mean that tomorrow I can start to query others since they didn't reply? They are supposed to answer to everyone but I didn't get a response, please advice guys and thanks!

ChaosTitan · Apr 15, 2010

I've never heard of someone granting exclusivity on a query. Exclusives are usually granted on partial or full manuscripts (and whether or not you should do this is another thread entirely, and there are several of them on AW debating the merits).

Agents expect you to query widely.

CaroGirl · Apr 15, 2010

Yeah. What Chaos said. Don't waste any more time and get those queries out there!!

xcomplex · Apr 15, 2010

Yes I know, but I didn't when I sent it! Do you guys think its okay to send the queries now even though I granted exclusivity to one?

CaroGirl · Apr 15, 2010

xcomplex said:
Yes I know, but I didn't when I sent it! Do you guys think its okay to send the queries now even though I granted exclusivity to one?

How did you "grant exclusivity" to this agency? Did you just write in your query letter "I'm granting you exclusivity on this query?" Did you include a time limit or end date in that statement or refer to their guidelines on turn-around times in any way? If their guidelines stipulate a specific turn-around time, I'd say work within that.

wheelwriter · Apr 15, 2010

Yes. Think of it this way - you gave an exclusive that ends tomorrow. If you send out a batch of query letters right now, it's unlikely you'll hear anything for a while. If another agent requests either a partial or a full today, send it tomorrow if you'd like, so you're honoring your initial promise to your dream agent. That original agency is under no obligation to you, and you are under no obligation to them. Good luck.

Lucy · Apr 15, 2010

Oh I agree with the others. That sounds like a terrible thing to do. Query widely, don't limit yourself.

An agent being "perfect" for your novel is no guarantee that they will see it that way. Please don't hinder yourself by thinking that way.

If an agency wants an exclusive on a full manuscript, you can grant it if you want to, but until then, start sending more queries.

Danthia · Apr 15, 2010

One note to add here...

You really don't know who the perfect agent for your book is. Plenty of agents look great on paper, and one of them might be perfect for you, but an agent who loves your book, knows who to submit it o and will back you all the way to get it sold is the "perfect" agent for your book. And sometimes you don't know who that is until you query a lot of them and find out more about them and how they work. The "perfect" one might work in a way that drives you crazy, and one you never gave a second look at might click with you.

CheekyWench · Apr 15, 2010

Danthia said:
One note to add here...

You really don't know who the perfect agent for your book is. Plenty of agents look great on paper, and one of them might be perfect for you, but an agent who loves your book, knows who to submit it o and will back you all the way to get it sold is the "perfect" agent for your book. And sometimes you don't know who that is until you query a lot of them and find out more about them and how they work. The "perfect" one might work in a way that drives you crazy, and one you never gave a second look at might click with you.

I agree with this sooo much.
I queried who I thought would be the perfect person; then read their blog, twitter, checked here etc...

And I'm actually glad the person passed.

scope · Apr 15, 2010

xcomplex said:
So there was this one literary agency that I sent a query to exclusively. My reasoning was because they are PERFECT for my novel and because someone recommended I grant exclusivity.

It's beyond me to understand why anyone would grant exclusivity in a query letter. Fact is, although I realize there are always some rare exceptions, I'm basically against granting exclusivity at any time. It ties up the writer and can lead to all sorts of problems.

I say the following because I believe someone has to say it.

I imagine you are relatively new to the writing and representation scene, and if so, you are bound to make mistakes. However, some mistakes can be avoided if you first take time to gain as much knowledge as you can about writing, representation, and everything associated with publishing (this has nothing to do with your manuscript). Needless to say, you can post any question you want on these boards and get great advice -- as you already have received from others. But that's a temporary--and a terrific-- fix if you are not familiar with how things work.

You say that the agency is "perfect." Why? What do you know about them and specifically the agent to who you submitted your query? For how long did you grant them an exclusive? Since you say their maximum reply time is 2 weeks, did you cut the exclusivity on a specific date 2 weeks out?

Asides from that I queried it right before the Easter weekend and their maximum answer time is 2 weeks which will be tomorrow. Does that mean that tomorrow I can start to query others since they didn't reply? They are supposed to answer to everyone but I didn't get a response, please advice guys and thanks!

I would send them an email tomorrow and say that you are withdrawing the exclusivity since the 2 weeks are up but you would be delighted to have them continue to consider you -- or something like that. Meanwhile, when you are ready start sending multiple queries out.

Good luck.

s

Jamesaritchie · Apr 15, 2010

The query letter is not the place to grant an exclusive. I'm all for giving a good agent an exclusive, but not until after they ask. You didn't grant this agent anything because she has nothing to have an exclusive on.

I think sending out a big bunch of queries at the same time is always a bad idea, but feel free to send any others you have ready.

Twizzle · Apr 16, 2010

Danthia said:
One note to add here...

You really don't know who the perfect agent for your book is. Plenty of agents look great on paper, and one of them might be perfect for you, but an agent who loves your book, knows who to submit it o and will back you all the way to get it sold is the "perfect" agent for your book. And sometimes you don't know who that is until you query a lot of them and find out more about them and how they work. The "perfect" one might work in a way that drives you crazy, and one you never gave a second look at might click with you.

I want to frame this, I want to turn it into a t-shirt, I want to paint it on a ginormous billboard, and then I want to write this across the sky for the whole world to see.

Giant Baby · Apr 16, 2010

Danthia said:
One note to add here...

You really don't know who the perfect agent for your book is. Plenty of agents look great on paper, and one of them might be perfect for you, but an agent who loves your book, knows who to submit it o and will back you all the way to get it sold is the "perfect" agent for your book. And sometimes you don't know who that is until you query a lot of them and find out more about them and how they work. The "perfect" one might work in a way that drives you crazy, and one you never gave a second look at might click with you.

Twizzle said:
I want to frame this, I want to turn it into a t-shirt, I want to paint it on a ginormous billboard, and then I want to write this across the sky for the whole world to see.

What Twizzle said, by which I mean what Danthia said.

I was absolutely certain I knew who the perfect agent for my book was when she offered. I positively, 100% knew, knew, knew it.

Three conversations later, I signed with someone else. There is no perfect agent at the querying stage, but there are scads of potential perfects. Query 'em all! (Judiciously, of course...)

Twizzle · Apr 16, 2010

Giant Baby said:
I was absolutely certain I knew who the perfect agent for my book was when she offered. I positively, 100% knew, knew, knew it.

Three conversations later, I signed with someone else. There is no perfect agent at the querying stage, but there are scads of potential perfects. Query 'em all! (Judiciously, of course...)

*nods*

I call it The Universal Law of Querying: Everything you think you know, you so don't know.

I'm seriously turning this into a t-shirt, though. Seriously.

When is it okay to send your query?

xcomplex

Fantastic Fantasy!

ChaosTitan

Around

CaroGirl

Living the dream

xcomplex

Fantastic Fantasy!

CaroGirl

Living the dream

wheelwriter

Not a runner, running.

Lucy

sky with diamonds

Danthia

CheekyWench

O.o

scope

Commonsensical Maverick

Jamesaritchie

Twizzle

Cluck that.

Giant Baby

Oh, the humanity.

Twizzle

Cluck that.