Agent question

The Otter · Apr 14, 2007

I hope this is the appropriate place for this question.

I recently had an agent ask to see my full manuscript after I sent a query and sample chapter. I sent it to her. She says that her response time averages about four weeks. It's been about a month and a half, now. I'm thinking about sending an e-mail to make sure she received the manuscript, but I worry this could be seen as pestering her for a faster response (really, a month doesn't seem like enough time for an agent to read a whole manuscript, so it's probably a good sign that it's taking longer...I hope.) So, should I ask, or just sit tight for now?

clara bow · Apr 14, 2007

I recommend sitting tight, and then emailing after 2.5 to three months, especially since she *did* specify a response time. 6 weeks is still the same as about 4, really. In the wacky world of publishing, that is.

kristie911 · Apr 15, 2007

Give her a little more time...6 weeks in agent time is nothing.

And for future reference, when you send a full, include a self-addressed stamped postcard for the agent to drop in the mail to you when she receives the manuscript. That way, when you get the card in the mail, you know the agent not only received it but opened it too!

spike · Apr 15, 2007

Here's the other side. I had an agent request a full be emailed to her. So I dutifully sent if off and waited. And waited. And waited.

After about 12 weeks I started to get antsy, but I was advised that 12 weeks wasn't a long time to wait. After 16 weeks, I sent an email inquiry.

She never got my original mss. At some point, the internet must have eaten it.

Of course, she asked me to re-send it, and now I'm waiting. And waiting. I just wished I had checked on it at the 6 week period.

KCH · Apr 15, 2007

I know I'm a bit of a contrarian on this, but imho, a politely worded, short status check is not pestering. It's good business. Agents state a response time so that they don't get buried in over-anxious followup inquiries. Since it's now two weeks past that stated response time, a polite inquiry as to status would not be lumped in that category.

In addition to spike's cautionary note, there's the old saying, "Out of sight, out of mind." Agents and editors juggle multiple balls, and their days and weeks can easily get away from them. Things in their to-do box that aren't jumping up and biting them in the rear tend to stay in the to-do box.

Invariably, when I've had to give a little nudge, the response has been fairly swift and even grateful, e.g. "So sorry it's taken me so long. I've been up to my eyeballs in___. Thanks for your patience."

It's been my experience that patience has a shelf life. After too long, it may start to seem more like lack of interest or enthusiasm.

Carrie in PA · Apr 15, 2007

kristie911 said:
Give her a little more time...6 weeks in agent time is nothing.

And for future reference, when you send a full, include a self-addressed stamped postcard for the agent to drop in the mail to you when she receives the manuscript. That way, when you get the card in the mail, you know the agent not only received it but opened it too!

Oh, now THAT is a GREAT idea!!!!

Will Lavender · Apr 15, 2007

KCH said:
I know I'm a bit of a contrarian on this, but imho, a politely worded, short status check is not pestering. It's good business. Agents state a response time so that they don't get buried in over-anxious followup inquiries. Since it's now two weeks past that stated response time, a polite inquiry as to status would not be lumped in that category.

In addition to spike's cautionary note, there's the old saying, "Out of sight, out of mind." Agents and editors juggle multiple balls, and their days and weeks can easily get away from them. Things in their to-do box that aren't jumping up and biting them in the rear tend to stay in the to-do box.

Invariably, when I've had to give a little nudge, the response has been fairly swift and even grateful, e.g. "So sorry it's taken me so long. I've been up to my eyeballs in___. Thanks for your patience."

It's been my experience that patience has a shelf life. After too long, it may start to seem more like lack of interest or enthusiasm.

I agree with this.

Writers seem to be scared of agents and editors, for some reason.

They're human beings. They need writers to make a living. Nothing wrong with standing up for your work by checking on its status. If the agent is perturbed by an e-mail asking her a simple question that would take her 30 seconds of her day to answer, then that's not an agent that I want to work with.

Novelhistorian · Apr 15, 2007

I agree. Don't be scared. In such cases, I send an e-mail identifying the ms. by title, genre, and a few words about setting, so that the agent might place the book in her memory, and say I'm wondering whether she's had the chance to look at it yet. Usually, I get a reply saying when she thinks she'll get to it. And if I don't, I assume she wasn't interested, and that I'll get a rejection in the mail--which invariably happens.

kristie911 · Apr 15, 2007

Will Lavender said:
Writers seem to be scared of agents and editors, for some reason.

I think we see them as being so far above us, seemingly unattainable, that we're frightened of them. For example, look how many threads are started worrying about fonts, address labels, titles, etc. Little things that agents and editors are not going to let stand in the way when they recognize good writing and a good story.

It's just one more thing for us writers to stress over...and for some, another excuse to use when we're rejected. "That editor (or agent) rejected me because I (insert excuse here)." But never because it was bad writing!

Agent question

The Otter

Friendly Neighborhood Mustelid

clara bow

Li'l Rug Bug

kristie911

Happy to be here

spike

Mostly Ignored

KCH

Carrie in PA

Write All The Words!

Will Lavender

Everything is what it seems.

Novelhistorian

kristie911

Happy to be here