mention that an additional agent is also reading ms?

mesh138 said:

An agent has requested 3 chapters. Do I mention that another agent is also reading the full MS?

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Did somebody ASK for exclusivity on the book?

Are both the partial and the full actually requested or just standard submission?

Does it say in the agent notes that they expect exclusivity?

Not enough information.

Regards,
Scott

Well, this isn't my question. Hope it's okay if I hijack it as my question relates.

Two of the agents I'm about to query said on their websites to mention if other agents have been queried. I have queried other agents. Three have requested partials. Now, my question is, do I name who has the partials? Or just say I've queried other agents? Or what? The three agents who have requested partials are top of their field, which is why it kind of sounds appealing to me to mention them. (Even though they will most likely turn it down.) But, it also sounds like it might be a bad idea to mention that anyone has asked for a partial. Opinions? Thanks so much!

As others have stated, unless the agent requires or requests exclusivity, it's not necessary to share that the manuscript is being reviewed elsewhere. Agents I've talked to have indicated that they assume that the manuscript is being circulated unless they ask for an exclusive. I don't know that every agent does this, but it would seem to make sense.

As far as naming specific agents, I've never been confronted with that particular situation, but my gut reaction is DON'T DO IT. It just seems like a bad idea to me for some reason. I hope some others can weigh in on that dilemma.

Kristen

See, I've always figured they would assume others are looking at it too. But, it actually says to state if you are querying other agents. I thought that would almost be a given. Thanks for your insight! I agree, naming names might be bad unless it gets much further into it and I'm actually asked.

I think it would be weird if they asked specifically for names. Frankly, it's none of their business unless you have a signed contract elsewhere. I would be surprised if that happened. It would make me uncomfortable, like a boyfriend or girlfriend asking you for the names of all your exes.

Kristen

I did not mention either querying other agents or how many partials were sent out to any agents. When I had fulls out and the agent asked for an exclusive I politely said it was not possible as other agents were reading it. They got the picture. It did not disuade them...they just asked me to let them know before I accepted any offers. When my top pick offered the other one did too and I made my choice. My point is if they love your manuscript (and they will have to - to be able to sell it) the process will go very fast. From query to acceptance for me took just over three weeks.
I did everything via email and was asked to email my manuscripts as word attachments...I merely asked them to let me know if they recieved them OK to let me know - which they were happy to do.
FYI a week before she offered representation my agent called to chat - I was dissappointed but my author friend said no that was great news as she was just checking out to see if I was nuts or not...When the call to offer representation came I was totally unprepared...but thrilled. My agent is terrific and I am working on book 5.

BTW I forgot to say that during the process the agents with the fulls did ask who was looking and I had no hesitation to let them know who was. It would have been awkward if I had not shared this and made it seem like I was not truthfull. My agent asked specifically who offered representation after I signed with her. If I had exagerated it would have started our relationship out badly. Agents want a reputable client the same way we want a professional agent...