Ok to query when the manuscript is already out?

[lostlore]

Any good rules of thumb about making queries when the manuscript is already being (non-exclusively) read elsewhere?

I initially started out with a good half-dozen queries at once, with the plan to send out a new query the very instant a rejection came back.

But now I'm in the position where several agents are reading partials and fulls, all very good agents I'd be happy to have on my side. At this point, if one of them says yes then contacting the others and making a decision would be easy.

Meanwhile time's advancing, I'm not married to any of them yet, and I must be prepared for the worst. So is it prudent, when in this position, to pitch another good agent if you happen to have a hot lead -- or is it better to wait until all or most of the manuscripts come back rejected before sending out any more queries?

[DeadlyAccurate]

I held off for a while, just because I didn't want to let things get crazy (in keeping things straight in my head.) But if you have a great lead, I don't see why you shouldn't jump on it.

[KCH]

If the agents are already aware it's non-exclusive, it doesn't really change the picture for them--or you--if you're courting 1 other or 10 other agents. Go for it.

[Will Lavender]

Absolutely. Keep querying. Create a Word document with all the agents you've sent it to, all the agents who are reading, and all the agents you plan to send it to.

If a writer gets into this thing where he/she is thinking, "I'll just stop querying because one of these agents is bound to accept it," that's a bad place to be.

The chances are slim that a writer will find a good agent anyway. Might as well tilt the odds in your favor by sending out as many queries as possible.

[victoriastrauss]

Since this isn't a question about a specific agent, I'm moving it to the Ask the Agent forum, where it seems a better fit.

- Victoria

[Kristen King]

I agree, if it's not exclusive anywhere, you can submit it wherever you want, and you should take advantage of any leads you come across and with which you're comfortable. Just keep track of where you're sending stuff.

kk :]

[lostlore]

The chances are slim that a writer will find a good agent anyway.

Been thinking about this line. Are you saying that good agents are hard to come by (opposed to mediocre or worse) or that a good agent is hard to get even for a good writer? Very few deals in fiction at least are unagented so if a writer wants to get published, a good agent is almost a necessity.

People say there are lots and lots of agents but if you narrow down the type of work I think you'll see the same few names in Publishers Weekly.

[Toothpaste]

I think Will was just being cynical, echoing the typical mantra of "it's hard to find an agent" but specifying "good agent" I guess possibly in reference to scams and such, after all it is easy to get those bad agents.

From my experience and the experience of my friends, there are quite a few good agents out there, and more than a few to sign new talent. You just have to have a product they want, and to be persistent. Don't worry too much about what Will said. Some people, myself included, need to state the odds in order to, in a weird way give yourself good luck. There is a sense that if you think postively (The Secret be damned) you'll get cocky and then end up on your a**. Untrue, but a superstition nonetheless.

Good luck with everything!

[ORION]

Hey toothpaste aren't you supposed to be out of town?

BTW keep querying until you get a contract!

[Toothpaste]

Not till Thursday Orion!! Just hibernating while doing my edits!

[Julie Worth]

Once you get a full request, you just know that the agent is going to love it, but sadly, that's generally not the case. Count on five to ten manuscripts out there before an agent makes you an offer. If you wait 3 to 6 months on each, that could take years. So best to do it in parallel.

[Pisarz]

One caveat about querying in parallel: If the MS isn't well-received by the agent currently reading, that means either that you haven't found the right fit or that the MS still needs some work.

I, of ever-lower self-confidence, am in a similar predicament right now. I've stopped querying because if I go 0 for 6 with the material out there, I'm going to want to revisit it. (I'm 2 for 9 with previous submission of partials--the 2 being part of 6 under consideration).

This may or may not apply to you, but it's something to consider. Especially if you're pretty close to throwing darts at your own picture all day like I am. Did I type that out loud? Never mind. But still. It's a caveat worth noting.

[Julie Worth]

One caveat about querying in parallel: If the MS isn't well-received but the agent currently reading, that means either that you haven't found the right fit or that the MS still needs some work.


Absolutely! Don't expect agents to be your beta readers.

[lostlore]

Once you get a full request, you just know that the agent is going to love it, but sadly, that's generally not the case. Count on five to ten manuscripts out there before an agent makes you an offer.

I'm looking around and finding some variations on this number. My instinct agrees with you, I'd think it's conceivable for a work of literary fiction to have 5-10 agents give it a full read before an agent falls in love and offers representation, but some people have recently said that if you get to the point where agents request the full, and more than one reads it and says 'pass' then the problem is the manuscript. I think I just heard four passes on a full means a dead project.

[lostlore]

One caveat about querying in parallel: If the MS isn't well-received by the agent currently reading, that means either that you haven't found the right fit or that the MS still needs some work.

If that happens it might be the hardest part of the process: when you think ms is ready, even on further examination and rereading, and endless, endless comparison ... and yet the requesting agents blow you off.


This may or may not apply to you, but it's something to consider. Especially if you're pretty close to throwing darts at your own picture all day like I am. Did I type that out loud? Never mind. But still. It's a caveat worth noting.

If it's any solace to you out there, this paragraph's a keeper. It's one for the books.

[giftedrhonda]

My thought on the issue, lostlore--4 passes on a full means just that--4 agents didn't love your project enough to want to rep it. There are HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS of legit agents out there.

Query until you hit at least one hundred queries sent. I'd send in batches of 5-10 so you know if you need to tweak your query or your manuscript as you go along.

I wouldn't stop querying unless the agents are all telling you the same things about your manuscript if they reject it. Don't put all your eggs in one, or even five, baskets.

And good luck!!

[Pisarz]

If it's any solace to you out there, this paragraph's a keeper. It's one for the books.

Thanks! :D