What does this say about the agent?

Elektra · Nov 14, 2006

The other day I got a form letter from an agent. I'm about to toss it aside, when I catch the second line and see--it's actually asking for more material. This is a definite form letter, it doesn't even pin down the category ("send the first three chapters of your children's or YA novel). Now, I try not to read too much into these things, but this seems like it's flashing, in giant neon letters, "We're too busy to bother."

What do you guys think?

Oh, and also: I double-checked P&E. Definitely a legit agency.

WackAMole · Nov 14, 2006

I dunno..if they are indeed a legit agency, I'd tend to give them what they asked for..what have u got to lose?

You can always so no in the end.

popmuze · Nov 14, 2006

It seems like agents get so many submissions these days that everything they write back can seem like a form (and may well be a form).
One day, if you're lucky, you'll get a form saying, "We'd be pleased to offer representation."
Then some time later another form, "Random House would be pleased to publish your manuscript..."
It's like trying to reach a real person at a major corporation on the phone, you just get machines.
The age of the human voice is coming to a close.
I see a novel in this: 2084.

NeuroFizz · Nov 14, 2006

Agents have hundreds of queries to go through each month. This agent has asked for a sample of your writing. This is a good thing. Send it and hope for the best. It your work is something he/she likes, the next communication will be more personal. If not, it will probably come back as another form letter. But, he/she will have read some of your work. That's a chunk of the agent's time devoted to you, regardless of the response format. Don't read too much into how an agent responds (one way or the other), just give him/her what he/she wants with a polite thank you.

icerose · Nov 14, 2006

They are too busy to respond personally, but they did take the limited time they have to read your query and send a form letter requesting more which requires them to spend even more time on you, so it is a positive sign. Some of the agencies get as many as 100 queries a day, which is the lowest priority on their list, the second lowest is reading partials, the third is reading fulls, the fourth is signing new clients, the fifth is taking care of current clients, the sixth and top is making sales, talking with editors, and so on and so forth. Good agents are extremely busy.

Here is an excellent blog on what an agent's life is like.

http://raleva31.livejournal.com/29588.html

ChaosTitan · Nov 14, 2006

Send the pages.

Cross your fingers.

Keep mailing queries.

Siddow · Nov 14, 2006

Congrats! You've sent the partial now, haven't you?

Momento Mori · Nov 14, 2006

Like everyone else has said - if it's a legit agency and they want a partial then send the pages (unless you've already accepted a deal with another agent).

jpserra · Nov 14, 2006

Elektra said:
The other day I got a form letter from an agent. I'm about to toss it aside, when I catch the second line and see--it's actually asking for more material. This is a definite form letter, it doesn't even pin down the category ("send the first three chapters of your children's or YA novel). Now, I try not to read too much into these things, but this seems like it's flashing, in giant neon letters, "We're too busy to bother."

What do you guys think?

Oh, and also: I double-checked P&E. Definitely a legit agency.

It's worth the price of postage.

If you shine, they'll probably give you the time of day.

John Serra

Cathy C · Nov 14, 2006

Good heavens, YES! Send the requested.

You'll never know whether the agent was on the way out of the office and shouted an order to his/her assistant on the way out the door to "Ask this author to send a partial!" or was out sick and called in the request, or some such. If you get taken on, feel free to ask over drinks.

But in either event, definitely send it and good luck!

seun · Nov 15, 2006

Hell yes, send it. I had a form letter requesting three chapters after I queried. It's taken them a few months to get back to me; they've requested the manuscript based on the chapters. Send it now.
Right this second.
Go on.
Have you done it yet?

JustinThorne · Nov 15, 2006

People spend way too much time over-analyzing the hidden messages in rejection letters, let's not start over-analyzing requests for more material!

There are no hidden messages in rejection letters - they aren't interested.

There's no hidden message in this request for more material - they are interested.

Crack on.

aghast · Nov 15, 2006

who cares if its a form letter or a personalized letter its still either a rejection or an invite, agents are very busy and they dont usually have a lot of time to personalize every letter especially for something as mundane as requesting a partial or full - but really who cares, its an invite to send more stuff so go ahead and send it - i mean what do you expect, personal valet service with hand towels? you are not their clients (yet)

Kasey Mackenzie · Nov 15, 2006

Do you have any idea how busy agents are? =) Of COURSE you send what they requested, whether it's a form letter or not, and thank your lucky stars they asked for more. And that you didn't throw the letter out without reading it!!! Some of my requests for further material have been obvious form letters. This doesn't bother me at all, I'm too busy being excited that they actually asked for more! =)

sfecphory · Nov 15, 2006

I'm not sure what you want them to do. How should they request your material? They requested it. Send it.

What does this say about the agent?

Elektra

Don't Call Me Sweetheart

WackAMole

WTF?!?!

popmuze

Last of a Dying Breed

NeuroFizz

The grad students did it

icerose

Lost in School Work

ChaosTitan

Around

Siddow

I'm super! Thanks for asking

Momento Mori

Tired and Disillusioned

jpserra

Recovering Gumshoe

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

seun

Horror Man

JustinThorne

www.justinthorne.com

aghast

Kasey Mackenzie

One Hit Wonder?

sfecphory