Time Frame Jitters

popmuze · Apr 18, 2007

I signed with an agent about a month ago and finished touching up my non-fiction proposal, incorporating some of her suggestions, a few days later.

After a couple of weeks I inquired as to whether the proposal had been sent out yet was told it hadn't gone anywhere and wouldn't for another few weeks, since the agent was going to be out of town.

I'm wondering if this is slow or normal and what other questions I should be asking the agent at this point.

ORION · Apr 18, 2007

It's normal if the agent will be at the London book fair.
Don't obsess. If you trust the agent they will know when to submit. Sometimes they like to create a bit of a buzz. Mine was going to be submitted after the frankfort book fair in Oct and didn't get submitted until the week after Thanksgiving.
Chill.
They will give you a list of the editors when they submit.
You can easily turn into a pest at this point.
Don't.

KCH · Apr 19, 2007

What Orion said. Knowing when to submit is part of the game. Timing is an issue for all kinds of reasons. Maybe it's an industry event or vacation. Also, there's an agent's inherent knowledge of the market, knowing who and when to strike. Best time to sell snowblowers isn't gonna be June.

Hang in there! Stay confident.

Maprilynne · Apr 19, 2007

Listen to Orion, she coached me through this kind of delay too. At this point, it ALL normal.

Time Frame Jitters

popmuze

Last of a Dying Breed

ORION

Sailed away years ago

KCH

Maprilynne

Author Waiting in the Wings