ARGH! Tired of waiting!!!

JoNightshade · Jun 25, 2007

It has been exactly one month and two days since I sent off my full to the agent who requested it. And yes, I am counting. I can't help it. And yes, I've used the time intelligently, as I am now 2/3 done with the next novel.
But I am soooooo frickin tired of waiting for a response!

I know it is too soon, I don't need to contact them, etc etc.

But I hate waiting!

Anyone else in the same boat who would like to commiserate?

Patience: Not my virtue.

Will Lavender · Jun 25, 2007

Heck, you're way ahead of the game: 2/3 finished with your next book while the first one's out on submission? That's pretty good. This will really work in your favor once you get representation, because your agent will be able to pitch a second project if there's not enough interest in the first.

Calla Lily · Jun 25, 2007

Agent has had mine for 2-3 weeks. Desperately trying not to count the days! Working on editing someone else's book and moving ahead with my mystery. Nowhere near your page count, Jo--I'm up to chapter 5.

Website says 8 weeks.

This is NOT me---> :popcorn:

This is more like me---> :e2hammer:

Okay, this too---> :e2BIC:

Pass the ~~chocolate~~. Gin and tonic.

janetbellinger · Jun 25, 2007

Well, nobody has my manuscript at the moment, cause I'm seriously considering giving up writing altogether and just being a reader instead of a writer. There are so many good novels out there to read. I could read a different one every day of the week and still not run out of good reading material.

Geist · Jun 25, 2007

janetbellinger said:
Well, nobody has my manuscript at the moment, cause I'm seriously considering giving up writing altogether and just being a reader instead of a writer. There are so many good novels out there to read. I could read a different one every day of the week and still not run out of good reading material.

I have no idea why you're giving up writing, but whatever the case, perhaps you should switch to non-fiction and write book reviews, or be an editor.

Ed

janetbellinger · Jun 25, 2007

Ed, I have already gone that route, in fact I have recently had some non-fiction published on the web. I need a challenge and submitting is no challenge anymore, it is just defeat.

MidnightMuse · Jun 25, 2007

I've had a partial out for 5 weeks now, still no word. I keep telling myself it took 3 months from query to request for partial - so I should expect at least 3 months from partial to (crossing toes) full.

Doesn't help the ol' brain pan much, though. Patience might be a virtue, but it's not one of mine.

Bouncing between "She might love it" and "She's sure to hate it" is my hobby these days. Well that, and working on a complete revision of the sequel "just in case".

JoNightshade · Jun 25, 2007

MidnightMuse said:
Bouncing between "She might love it" and "She's sure to hate it" is my hobby these days. Well that, and working on a complete revision of the sequel "just in case".

I know, isn't that the worst? I keep fluctuating between the two possibilities: Dreaming of my cell phone ringing, me answering, some far away agent offering me representation, fantasizing about how much my book deal will get... And alternately envisioning said agent glancing at the page after my first three chapters (which I previously sent) and going "heck no, send it back!" ::Sob::

zahra · Jun 25, 2007

JoNightshade said:
I know, isn't that the worst? I keep fluctuating between the two possibilities: Dreaming of my cell phone ringing, me answering, some far away agent offering me representation, fantasizing about how much my book deal will get... And alternately envisioning said agent glancing at the page after my first three chapters (which I previously sent) and going "heck no, send it back!" ::Sob::

Ooh, I know. My screenplay is with a funding body that answers within 8 wks, and it's now been 9. Thing is, they were interested in the 1st draft of the work I've now resubbed. Their rejection, with nice letter, came on Day 30.

My imagination, when I'm ~~drunk~~ full of positive energy sees them all around a table (either at the Groucho or at their offices, depending on my mood) arguing the merits and demerits of my film. I see one of them, young, handsome, intelligent, being particularly passionate about it. Then there's the less jolly scenario: it's in a corner of a file cabinet somewhere, where the secretary chucked it and forgot about it once the big-wigs said they didn't want it - on Day Three.

swvaughn · Jun 25, 2007

I have booked passage on the waiting boat. Apparently, the waiting never ends...

Try beating something up. (Inanimate objects -- unless you want to spend your wait time in jail) Works for me.

Begbie · Jun 25, 2007

Unfortunately, once you sign with an agent, the term "waiting" often takes on new meaning. It's grueling.

JoNightshade · Jun 25, 2007

Begbie said:
Unfortunately, once you sign with an agent, the term "waiting" often takes on new meaning. It's grueling.

:

uts hands over ears and shakes head vigorously:: No, no no noo!!!!

Well, I think, at least if I had an agent, I would know what to tell people. Right now, when people ask what's going on, I have to find creative ways to tell them I'm in limbo. Having an agent would feel so much more OFFICIAL.

Prawn · Jun 25, 2007

JoNightshade said:
It has been exactly one month and two days since I sent off my full to the agent who requested it.

Did the agent request a 30 day exclusive?

reenkam · Jun 25, 2007

I sent out a full 3 months and 7 days ago. I sent a follow up email a couple days ago and it's "still under consideration."

Since then I finished one novel and I'm halfway through another.

This waiting thing definitely feels like a form of punishment.

johnzakour · Jun 25, 2007

I truly believe waiting is the worse part of being a writer.

Of course that's why next projects were invented. To keep you busy while you wait.

JoNightshade · Jun 25, 2007

Prawn said:
Did the agent request a 30 day exclusive?

Nope, not at all. In fact I have no indication how long the period lasts, and there was no request for exclusive. The only agent who would request an exclusive is STILL looking at my partial. Geez.

scully931 · Jun 25, 2007

Two months and one day waiting on my full. I don't know why it is not bothering me more. Perhaps it is because it's an exclusive and so I can't send out more queries at the moment. Kind of nice not to have that pressure. (for a good reason) I just sit and write the next book and wait. Of course, everytime there is a message on my phone I secretly hope it's a voice I don't recognize calling from a New York agency with an offer. But, it's usually just a wrong number for the people who had my phone number FIVE YEARS AGO. :rant:

NeuroFizz · Jun 26, 2007

Take up a hobby, like starting a new WIP.

Cassidy · Jun 26, 2007

yeah, i can so relate. i've got THREE full manuscripts out there (young reader, young adult and YA reluctant reader). it's way too soon to hear back about two of them, but the third has been out two months... with an editor who's accepted one of my other books... so i jump a mile every time the phone rings. arrghh.

and yes, i'm working on something new... but it's hard to type when you have to keep your fingers crossed!

Sandy J · Jun 26, 2007

I know where you're coming from, and I understand your frustration! :Hug2:

However, it only gets worse from here. I have had a partial at a large house for six months with no word yet, and that is not unusual at all. I have a published friend who has had a proposal with a well known editor for over a year, and the editor asked for more time. :rant:

Patience is a virtue, it just isn't one of mine. Hang in there!!!

Sandy J · Jun 26, 2007

JoNightshade said:
:uts hands over ears and shakes head vigorously:: No, no no noo!!!!

Well, I think, at least if I had an agent, I would know what to tell people. Right now, when people ask what's going on, I have to find creative ways to tell them I'm in limbo. Having an agent would feel so much more OFFICIAL.

It does help to have an agent on your side. On the other hand, then people think you should immediately sell because, after all, you have an agent. I struggle with what to tell curious people, and I have finally settled on saying something about publishing being a slow business and that my agent is working hard on my behalf. People who aren't in publishing just don't "get it."

Shady Lane · Jun 26, 2007

I sent a query to one of my favorite agents two months ago...beginning to think he's not going to get back to me.

MidnightMuse · Jun 26, 2007

I just yearn to be able to use My Agent in a sentence.

ap123 · Jun 26, 2007

YES!!! I can relate. I have a full out with an agent, tomorrow is 3 full weeks. I know, it's ridiculous to be antsy this quickly, I've had the full out before, and didn't get to this level of obsession until 2 months had passed.

I think that might be the bad part to Bewares and Background checks, it seems to me that others heard back more quickly. Then again, maybe those are just the posts I focused on.

Waiting, waiting, waiting. Ugh.

Southern_girl29 · Jun 26, 2007

I'm just about to join the waiting game. I've been doing research on agents and I've got a list right now of 15. I've got a game plan. Now, all I have to do is come up with a decent query.

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