Too Early?

(grasshopper) · Aug 23, 2006

I am unhappy with the performance of my present agent and I want to find a new one. Our contract says I can terminate the agreement for any reason after giving 90 days notice.

My question is:

Would it be okay for me to begin submitting queries to other agents during this 90-day waiting period?

Anonymisty · Aug 23, 2006

(grasshopper) said:
Would it be okay for me to begin submitting queries to other agents during this 90-day waiting period?

It seems to me that as long as you let the agents you are querying know that you're still under contract until such&such time, it should be okay.

But I'm often wrong.

Just out of curiosity (and not at all my business, but I'm nosy like that...) have you talked to your agent, to see if you can work out whatever problems you're having?

maestrowork · Aug 23, 2006

No.

During this 90-days, the contract is still in effect. Submitting to someone else would breach that contract and your agent can sue you if they want.

Wait until you're completely done with this agent.

(grasshopper) · Aug 23, 2006

Yes, Anonymisty, I have made it very, very clear to my agent that I am unhappy. The response from my agent is to ignore my concerns and even demonstrate a little irritation.

Anonymisty · Aug 23, 2006

(grasshopper) said:
The response from my agent is to ignore my concerns and even demonstrate a little irritation.

Wow, that's lousy.

Much luck in your search!

jchines · Aug 23, 2006

maestrowork said:
During this 90-days, the contract is still in effect. Submitting to someone else would breach that contract and your agent can sue you if they want.

Wouldn't that depend on the wording of the agreement? My first agreement, for instance, was for a specific project, with a one-year duration. (That year is come and gone, and it's been by virtual handshake agreement since then.)

I suspect the agreement might prohibit Grasshopper from signing with another agency, but I wouldn't assume queries would necessarily be a violation of the terms.

Zolah · Aug 23, 2006

(grasshopper) said:
I am unhappy with the performance of my present agent and I want to find a new one. Our contract says I can terminate the agreement for any reason after giving 90 days notice.

My question is:

Would it be okay for me to begin submitting queries to other agents during this 90-day waiting period?

This came up on Miss Snark not long ago, and the answer is a resounding NO. You're still covered by the contact and technically represented. That's the whole point of the 90 days. You'll foul your chances if you try to fudge this, because the other agents will think you're acting unethically and will not want to touch you with a barge-pole. 90 days may seem a long time to be without an agent fighting on your behalf, but forever is a lot longer, and that's how long you'll be without an agent if you break their code of ethics.

JanDarby · Aug 23, 2006

I was going to mention Miss Snark too. It would also worry me in terms of the gray areas of the representation contracts. What if the current agent actually got an offer in the next ninety days, but the new agent ended up closing the deal? I know that sort of thing is often addressed in the contracts, but it's messy and could lead to all sorts of misery. Better to make a clean break.

Besides, in the publishing world, much like the legal world, ninety days is no time at all.

JD

Cat Scratch · Aug 24, 2006

Patience, Grasshopper. (Sorry, someone had to.)

Sorry things didn't work out. Good luck in the future.

Too Early?

(grasshopper)

Anonymisty

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

(grasshopper)

Anonymisty

jchines

Got the hang of it, here

Zolah

Over the hills and far away

JanDarby

Cat Scratch

The Peacock Next Door