My query worked! Now what?

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JoNightshade

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Recently I sent out a slew of queries and responses are finally trickling in. About half of the packages I sent out included the first 20/50/whatever pages and a synopsis as requested by the agent; the others were simple query letters.

Today I got this response to one of my "query only" mailings:

"Can you please send me the first three chapters and a synopsis of the balance? One caveat, we do ask to review material on an exclusive basis and I hope you will agree."

Okay, first of all, is she referring to an "exclusive basis" in the event that they request the entire manuscript? I've never heard of asking for an exclusive on the synopsis and a sample chapter, which is what it sounds like she wants! Of course if this is the case I have a problem because I've already sent out the same thing to 30-something agents.

Now, oridinarily I might just go ahead and send it out regardless. However, this is no form letter-- it's been typed with my name, address, and the title of my novel. Is this just me or does that indicate a degree of seriousness?

Any advice appreciated.
 

Shady Lane

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All right, I'm not the most honest submitter out there, granted (I've been known to fudge if something is really exclusive) but I'd just send it. If she's not interested in the full after the chapters and synopsis, it won't matter who else the material's with. If she is interested....well, I'd play it from there.

I'm reluctant to agree to exclusives unless the possible next step is "Yes, I'll represent you" and not "Yes, I'll look at more." Too many opportunities to have your time wasted.

I'm sure I'll get bashed for this....
 

chartreuse

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"My query worked. Now what?"

Champagne?

Seriously, given all the circumstances I would go ahead and send it, but include in your letter the fact that some pages are already out there. You can then promise to not send out any more partials until you hear from her. (But I would include a time limit - so that you're not endlessly waiting to hear back.)
 

waylander

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This agent is asking for an exclusive on the partial. Exclusives on partials suck.
However at this point no-one else is reading the partial so you can offer an exclusive. I suggest you send it and specify a time limit e.g 30 days from receipt of the materials.
If anyone else asks to see the partial then you have to tell them it is out on an exclusive, but you'd be happy to send it to them when the exclusive has expired
 

JoNightshade

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Okay, I've decided to send it with the following text:

At your request, I am pleased to send you the first three chapters and a synopsis of my 96,300-word novel, [Title]. You had requested exclusivity; unfortunately, I have already sent out partial manuscripts to several other agents. Nevertheless, if you will be so kind as to take a look at my work, I will certainly keep you apprised of any developments with other agencies. Should you desire the full manuscript, it will of course be entirely exclusive.
 

JoNightshade

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I'd drop that last sentence. What if you get a full request first from another agency that doesn't insist on exclusivity?

Then they'll just have to wait a bit. I'm totally fine with agents asking for an exclusive on a full manuscript. It seems logical to me; they don't want to waste their time when you may end up signing on with someone else. In any case this agency is quite reputable and I am willing to take the risk. Actually, I'm surprised they requested anything, as they are listed as "very exclusive" in the Guide to Literary Agents.
 

DeadlyAccurate

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Then how about "Should you desire the full manuscript, I'll be happy to provide it on an exclusive basis if possible."

The "of course" forces you to live up to a promise that, through no fault of your own, you may not be able to.

ETA: A reason why exclusives suck for writers: it makes it nearly impossible for you to choose from among multiple agent offers.
 

JoNightshade

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Then how about "Should you desire the full manuscript, I'll be happy to provide it on an exclusive basis if possible."

The "of course" forces you to live up to a promise that, through no fault of your own, you may not be able to.

ETA: A reason why exclusives suck for writers: it makes it nearly impossible for you to choose from among multiple agent offers.

Let's just say this: If this agency wanted to represent me, I wouldn't care about shopping around. So I'm not sending any fulls out until I hear back from them (which will be soon judging on their super fast response to my query). Hence no moral dilemma with the inclusion of "of course." I actually mean what I say. :)
 

DeadlyAccurate

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I wish you the best of luck!

(which will be soon judging on their super fast response to my query)

I hope so. I wasn't so fortunate (though I never allowed exclusivity so it didn't matter). I had a query response in hours, a full request a day later, and an offer nine months after that. (The agent I signed with only took weeks from first request to offer, though.)

Since you're putting a deadline on the exclusivity, I hope you get responses faster.
 

Julie Worth

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I'm totally fine with agents asking for an exclusive on a full manuscript. It seems logical to me...

I've had only one request for an exclusive on a full. This is very rare. It also slows down the process, since most full reads don't result in an offer. Maybe one in five or ten.
 
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