I have my partial with 3 agents right now. Its been about 3 weeks. I know, not that long, but I'M DYING to know what is going on with it. So my question is, how long have you had to wait, generally for a response. And have you noticed if longer is better or worse? The one time I got a request of a full, it was super fast, like I sent my partial on friday and they wrote back on monday wanting to see the full (a legit agency, btw). So I was wondering, do you think if an agent really likes something they get to you quicker? or no?
Impatient in Indiana
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Unfortunately, I don't think their is any tried and true response to this. I think it pretty much varies. Plus right now as the RWA conference just wrapped up, response times are going to be slower. Just recently I got a request for a full after three months. On the other hand I got a request for a full after 20 days. I think agents for the most part are faster on their responses than editors are, but depending on how high up on the agent popularity ladder that could make a difference too.
Anyway...not much help, I know.
Anyway...not much help, I know.
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Check the agency guidelines. Wait that amount of time and then it's ok to drop an email, I think.
Thanks guys! Of course not one of the 3 agents has guildelines as to how long to wait for a partial. Do you think emailing them after a month to make sure they got it is too soon? I dont want to bother them.
Were the partials as a result of requests in response to a query letter or are they agents that automatically say in their guidelines, 3 chapters/synopsis/query all at the same time?
Well I always think caution myself, so I would say not to followup before 6 weeks have past. Which I realize means you have to wait another 3 weeks which can be torture, but being too anxious can be a turnoff I would think. It's too bad they didn't give you any ideas as to how long they typically take.
I just wanted to say "Good Luck!" Hopefully at least one or two will result in requests for fulls! 
thanks Kristie! thats what i'm hoping too. lol. Its just killing me waiting especially because when i sent the query they responded so quickly wanting the partial. Guess I expected them to respond quickly to request the full too. Getting my hopes up, we should know better by now!
I sent a query to an agent on Dec. 28th and got a request for a partial in May! The funny thing about that one was, I'd already sold the book to a publisher back in February and had completely forgotten that I'd even queried that agent.
Thanks guys! you're so supportive! I really appreciate it and I'll definitely let you know if i hear anything positive.
Hey! I'm from Indiana! Where have you sent your work, Irs? I have not a real clue where to even start.
I bascially go with the RWA list of approved agents. I already got rejected by one. She sent a really nice rejection letter though, where she listed what she liked. But didn't really say what she didn't like, which doesn't help much.
She sent a really nice rejection letter though, where she listed what she liked. But didn't really say what she didn't like, which doesn't help much.
Thank you Julie Worth. I just found out this afternoon, however, that a friend of my mom's is in fact a publisher. She built her own publishing company. I will have to get in contact with her and ask what she thinks.
see i'm in the same boat.. i sent a followup email to the agent who has mine and still no response.. not sure what to do next.
I too am playing the waiting game. I pitched a story at RT, the editor advised me of some new guidelines, so I revised. I didn't actually submit it until July (the edits were harder than I thought).
And now I am twitchy with waiting. I shouldn't be, it's only been a few weeks, but I've been working on this story for SO LONG! sigh.
And now I am twitchy with waiting. I shouldn't be, it's only been a few weeks, but I've been working on this story for SO LONG! sigh.
Sorry! It's short for Romantic Times Convention. It's in April each year, and there are some editor and ageant appointments. I had an ageant apointment there.
Thanks. I knew what RT was as soon as I went away from the computer.
That always happens. Did you enjoy RT?
Cheers, Josie
That always happens. Did you enjoy RT?
Cheers, Josie
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I'm in the same holding pattern atm, too. I have one of my urban fantasies/paranormal romances with two agents right now. Rachel Vater has the full (she requested it based on the query/first 5 pages and said that it was "one of the best urban fantasy openings" she had ever read. She said to status query after 3 weeks, but I waited closer to 7 and queried 2 days ago, so far no response but I know she's very busy) and Jessica Faust at BookEnds has the partial (she's had that for 5 or 6 weeks I believe). So I feel your pain. Waiting is sooooo hard!!!
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