Advice please!

Great situation to be in.
Nothing has to happen until you have an offer of representation.
When you have an offer from an agent (or when you are having the talk that leads to an offer) is the time to mention the contact with the publisher.

If you get an offer from the new agent, you could e-mail the others if you'd be interested in them, but if you would just go with her anyway, you could simply withdraw.

As far as the first refusal--it's not a good thing. It's very limiting. Very. You're not signing a contract, so just politely tell her that you cannot promise right of first refusal at this time, but will discuss it once you've settled your agent situation, and that you'll keep her publisher at the top of your list.

Never put yourself in a limiting situation if you don't have to--and you don't. She won't shun you and drop interest simply because you won't grant it to her--but it's smart for her to try.

So, sort out who you want as an agent, hope they offer, and then discuss with them. In the meantime, do not give right of first refusal (not that you're signing a contract for it anyway).

Also, an agent wouldn't want you to give that up--it limits what they can do for you.

1. Should I email the big agent to let her know what the publisher said? Would this sway things in my favour at all?

Click to expand...

I'd say don't contact them to tell them but mention it when (if) you talk to the big agent. That is a personal guess.

2. Should I let the agent who helped me with revisions know about any of this?

Click to expand...

YES. If they are asking for revisions, they are interested in representing you. By accepting their advice, you have made a personal connection with them. It would be rude and unprofessional to not keep them fully appraised of the situation. If they know that you are being courted by other agencies, they may make moves to secure you with them.
If it were me, I wouldn't be specific about who has what and where. I'd act like an estate agent.

3. Do I bother saying anything to the two agents who requested my MS last week?

Click to expand...

Yes. You send them something to the effect of one of the following:

1) Dear Agent, Thank you for requesting my full MS. I attach it with this email. Please be aware the MS is currently out on multiple submission and I have recieved interest from several other agencies. Yours etc

2) Dear Agent, Thank you for requesting my full MS. Since submitting my intial chapters to you, I have received interest from a number of other agencies and am presently considering a number of options. Thankyou for taking the time to read and request further material from me; I will not be seeking representation from your agency at this time. Yours etc



It sounds like you have a fantastic book. My envy is tempered only by the fact you're a Hampshireite (I used to live in Whitchurch, up past Winchester).
Be polite. Be professional. You are in a strong position and if you are getting this kind of response from the industry, you must have a pretty damn good book and should not worry about not getting an agent because you ARE going to get one.
Even if you turn people down now, you can write to them in a month and mention that they were interested in you; are they still?

Best of luck with it,

T

let us know how it goes.

exciting stuff. I hope it all goes well

cspradbery said:

Update - had a phonecall today from the super agent. As promised, she read my MS over the weekend and has asked me to meet her next Monday. (We are away at the moment so this is the earliest date possible for me). I'm not counting my chickens yet but I'm hoping this is a very positive sign.

Also had an email from the original agent. She seemed pleased to be kept in the loop and said she will get around to my MS asap. Oh, also had another request for a full today - but I'm going to hold off on that until after my meeting.

Thanks again guys, you're great.

Carla.

Click to expand...

This is going to end well, I can feel it
It is a very positive sign that they want to meet you.

That's great news, Carla! I read your query a while back and knew that it wouldn't be long until you found an agent. Congrats!

HUGE CONGO RATS!!

Wow! Congratulations. I knew you had it when I read your current WIP excerpt in SYW awhile back. You are extremely talented and deserve this. How did you ever get in a situation where you met the CEO of the agency and publisher on the same day? Were you at a writer's conference?

Awesome news Carla, Congratulations!!!

Fantastic news! Wishing you all the best!

Woot!

*does small celebratory dance*

I remember your QL. It does not surprise me in the least that you find yourself in this delightful situation. Hugest congratulations to you and best of luck with it all.

cspradbery said:

Thanks everyone!

Yes, I was at a writer's conference. It was organised by a magazine I read and was a "how to get published" event. There was an author, a publisher and the CEO. When the CEO was talking I was sitting there thinking how nice and approachable he seemed so went and had a chat with him at the end. (The free champagne they were serving probably helped a little with the nerves!) It was such a random thing and I never expected anything to come of it. I guess it just goes to show that you can never be too pro-active with stuff like this. The publisher was lovely too - in fact I emailed her this morning to tell her the news and she has just got back to me saying she wants my agent to sub to her and this other editor she knows!

I have a little bit of work to do first - agent is hooking me up with an editor to polish the MS before we submit.

Thanks again for all the encouragement, it really does mean a lot to me.

Click to expand...

Having worked in PR for several years, I know how important it is to be pro-active. Our dreams and aspirations won't come true unless we are willing to take that leap. I'm so glad you did it! Well-done, and congratulations again!

Congrats!! That is so exciting!

Congratulations!! As soon as I read that you were going to meet the agent face-to-face, I knew they were going to offer representation (same thing happened to me). You must be so thrilled! Enjoy the victory

Wow, congratulations! You must have a really great book.