Each time I was asked for a full and the agent asked for exclusivity I merely sent my manuscript and in the body of the email explained I was unable to give an exclusive as other agents were already looking at it and I would communicate any offers of representation I got before making my decision. This satisfied them all. When the offer came I let the other agents know and selected the agent I felt would best mesh with my personality. All of my queries and fulls were sent via email and only to agents that I was interested in signing with.
My point is that you never have to allow an exclusive. All they really want to know is that you will not sign with someone before they have a chance to finish reading. It is (I'm sure) really annoying to spend time reading a manuscript only to find out the author signed with someone else.
I was only asked once for an exclusive on a partial and again I declined the exclusive but went ahead and sent my partial. The assistant told me that because of that he merely moved my partial up in the order for reading. If you really have that much interest by other agents - it kicks up even more interest.
The way you have done it puts you in an awkward position. I would have sent out the full manuscript when requested but again add an email or cover letter explaining that an exclusive was not possible, but you would communnicate any offers of representation you recieved and allow him to respond.
What I would do at this point is to send your manuscript to him and not mention anything about exclusivity or how the other agents have responded.
In the future this is why you don't even think about exclusives. Agents will always ask but you never have to agree. I never had an agent tell me to wait or not send my manuscript when I declined an exclusive.
hope this helps
Pat
