I never Tell . . . Should I?

Maprilynne · Oct 8, 2006

At what point should you tell agents that your manuscript is being looked at by other agents? It seems pointless to me unless someone asks for an exclusive, then of course you have to tell them no can do. But I've heard a couple of agents comment that they want to hear if the full is out or if you have a bunch of partials, etc. What do you think? I think it is too close to bragging but I've heard some good results from it. <shrug>

Maprilynne

Marlys · Oct 8, 2006

I can only think of a few instances: if someone asks for an exclusive, or if an agent offers representation. In the first case, you can say, "Sorry, other agents are taking a look, but I can either send it to you as well, or give you an exclusive if it doesn't fit their lists." In the second case, you might want to contact other agents to see if they're interested in offering before you sign.

If they ask point blank if other agents have it, I don't see any reason to lie. Publishing is a small world, and it's hard to know who knows whom, so getting caught in a lie just doesn't seem worth the risk.

Storyteller5 · Oct 8, 2006

Miss Snark talked about this in her blog, I believe. If you get an offer of representation, you should advise the other agents looking at it to give them a chance. Otherwise you don't need to advise them.

just_a_girl · Oct 8, 2006

Storyteller5 said:
Miss Snark talked about this in her blog, I believe. If you get an offer of representation, you should advise the other agents looking at it to give them a chance. Otherwise you don't need to advise them.

That sounds right to me. Why give them more power when they already have so much??

just_a_girl · Oct 8, 2006

P.S. How likely is it than an agent would find out? If they ask for exclusivity and you go ahead and submit to other agents, how will they know? Agents receive dozens of manuscripts per month, what's the chances of them mentioning yours to another agent that happens to be reviewing it as well?? Anyone have any thoughts on this or experiences??

Need to know!!!!

blackbird · Oct 8, 2006

just_a_girl said:
P.S. How likely is it than an agent would find out? If they ask for exclusivity and you go ahead and submit to other agents, how will they know? Agents receive dozens of manuscripts per month, what's the chances of them mentioning yours to another agent that happens to be reviewing it as well?? Anyone have any thoughts on this or experiences??

Need to know!!!!

It's bad protocol and universally frowned upon. Sure, you might get away with it without them knowing, but as everyone says, the agent business is a small world (much moreso than we often assume!) and you'd be surprised how much they talk amongst themselves. They may or may not find out, but on the off-chance they do, you're pretty much toast. Not worth the risk especially if said agent is one you'd really like to work with.
Plus, it doesn't help your repuation with the other agents you might query if they happen to discover that a writer has engaged in underhanded practices. It's not only a smaller world than most us realize, but (for all the competitiveness of the business) a much more loyal one than we often realize, as well.

aruna · Oct 8, 2006

just_a_girl said:
P.S. How likely is it than an agent would find out? If they ask for exclusivity and you go ahead and submit to other agents, how will they know? Agents receive dozens of manuscripts per month, what's the chances of them mentioning yours to another agent that happens to be reviewing it as well?? Anyone have any thoughts on this or experiences??

Need to know!!!!

Just don't do it. It's a matter of YOUR integrity, and it does pay to be truthful.

Several agents asked for my ms, and I had it out with six of them. It was taking ages, so i sent out a second round of submissions. One agent in that round asked for an exclusive. I told her I couldn't, as it was already out with other agents, but thanked her for her interest.
She quickly replied to thank me for my honesty, and to say she wants to see it anyway and would give it an immediate read. I sent it, got my immediate read - and an offer of representation.

Keep your karma clean; that's how it works.

HorrorWriter · Oct 9, 2006

Maprilynne,
You don't have to mention to agents that you are querying other agencies. Most agents know that if you are querying them, then you are also querying several other agents as well. If they don't know that, then they are nitwits. You only have to tell if you offer an exclusive, or if someone has offered you representation, and you are thinking of taking said offer.

FloVoyager · Oct 10, 2006

Personally, I'd hesitate to tell any outright lies. Even discounting the integrity issue, "Oh what a tangled web," and all that.

just_a_girl · Oct 10, 2006

Agents are the biggest liars out of everyone.

CaitlinK18 · Oct 10, 2006

If the agent has your work on a non-exclusive basis, you need only tell if they ask. Cameron McClure of Donald Maass asked who else was reading when she requested my partial, and I think a few others did too...most of them didn't ask and in that case you don't need to tell.

If you are offered representation, it's good protocol to give other agents considering the material 24 hours to respond either declining or giving you another offer to consider.

just_a_girl, I'm sorry that you had a bad experience with your agents, but a legitimate one who is passionate about your work can be your greatest advocate in publishing. They're not all sharks.

Kasey Mackenzie · Oct 11, 2006

just_a_girl said:
Agents are the biggest liars out of everyone.

Now that's professional and rational!

While I sympathize with anyone who has had a bad experience with an agent, making blanket (and insulting) statements about an entire profession as if it applies to them all does not win you any points. In fact, it serves to undercut your position far more than it helps.

I never Tell . . . Should I?

Maprilynne

Author Waiting in the Wings

Marlys

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Storyteller5

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just_a_girl

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blackbird

aruna

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HorrorWriter

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FloVoyager

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just_a_girl

CaitlinK18

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Kasey Mackenzie

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