Dream agent asked for partial ... do I send out more queries, or just wait?

bobbiewickham

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Hi all, I am new here ... what a cool resource this is. Thanks for all the great info.

I am just finishing my first (nonfiction) book. I sent out a few queries and was asked for a partial submission from my very first choice, this total super-agent in Manhattan! Shocking! Yay! Freakout! I worked really hard on the full proposal, using the exact instructions provided on Ms. Super-agent's website.

Should I wait for her to get back to me, or keep sending? If I keep sending, and I am lucky enough that another agent shows interest, would it be okay to write to the super-agent (or her assistant) and say that someone else is interested? What would the correct etiquette be?

Many thanks in advance-- Maria.
 

DeadlyAccurate

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Unless the agent asked for exclusivity, you can keep sending. And you don't (and shouldn't) mention to any agent that other agents are interested until you actually have an offer of representation. They assume you're shopping around.

Congrats on the partial request and welcome to the boards.
 

waylander

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Absolutely keep sending it out.
I've lost count of the number of partials I've had requested. I know I've had 9 full manuscript requests and I'm still searching for representation.
 

bobbiewickham

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Thank you so much, not least for your patience with a noob. I sent out to five more this morning.
 

clara bow

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what everyone else said. i got a rquest from a top dawg agent, too--10 months ago. i slowed down my query-sending, but now wished i hadn't. i gained one advantage in that enough time had passed for me to discover another really great agent to whom I might not otherwise have submitted, but it doesn't outwieigh the cost.

so yeah, keep sending!