Impatient in Indiana

[lrs]

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?

[smlgr8]

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.

[Jersey Chick]

Check the agency guidelines. Wait that amount of time and then it's ok to drop an email, I think.

[lrs]

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.

[smlgr8]

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?

[lrs]

They were all a request from a query sent.

[smlgr8]

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.

[lrs]

Thanks! 6 weeks sounds good, I think i'll do that.

[kristie911]

I just wanted to say "Good Luck!" Hopefully at least one or two will result in requests for fulls! :D

[lrs]

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!

[Sonarbabe]

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. :o

[smlgr8]

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!

Yes, indeed, good luck!

Here's hoping you will get requests for more long before 6 weeks pasts anyway!

[lrs]

Thanks guys! you're so supportive! I really appreciate it and I'll definitely let you know if i hear anything positive.

[ZannaPerry]

Hey! I'm from Indiana! Where have you sent your work, Irs? I have not a real clue where to even start.

[lrs]

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.

[ZannaPerry]

Nope, that doesn't help at all. :(

[Julie Worth]

Nope, that doesn't help at all. :(

Try AgentQuery (http://www.agentquery.com/).

[ZannaPerry]

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.

[Robyn]

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.

[LilaDubois]

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.

[Josie]

Sorry, LilaDubois, what's "RT" ?

[LilaDubois]

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.

[Josie]

Thanks. I knew what RT was as soon as I went away from the computer.

That always happens. Did you enjoy RT?

Cheers, Josie :)

[LilaDubois]

It was enlightening in a lot of ways. A ton of fun for sure.

[Kasey Mackenzie]

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!!!

[lrs]

Dang kasey! A full based on 5 pages! they must be good. Way to go! I have a partial with Jessica Faust too and she's had mine for about the same length as yours. so we are waiting together!

Oh, some good news. I wrote a time travel awhile back and got very little interest. People told me tt were out. Anyway, i changed the first chapter and as a last resort sent it to a couple publishers last week. This week one of those publishers emailed me and asked to see the full! sent it just last night and am now waiting once more!

[Kasey Mackenzie]

Apparently, I am pretty darned good at query letters and openings. I've had several fulls requested based off on the query letters and the first chapter, and 1 full requesed based on the query letter and first 5 pages. Now, if only the rest of the book could live up to that!!! =)

And good luck with the time travel!!!

[Josie]

Kasey

Did you ever have one of us to request a sample of your query letter?

Is that something you would do? If not don't worry, I'll look for other samples.

Cheers, Josie

[Kasey Mackenzie]

Kasey

Did you ever have one of us to request a sample of your query letter?

Is that something you would do? If not don't worry, I'll look for other samples.

Cheers, Josie

Oh, I don't mind at all. I think I've posted one or both on SYW, but I'll post them here for you, too. Hopefully you'll find one or both helpful. They're actually two separate query letters regarding two different manuscripts.

The first (this is the one both agents are currently considering):

One feisty, half-trained psychic and one fallen angel with the devil’s own charm stand between the mortal world and the forces of evil. Better start praying.

Storm O’Malley’s psychic gifts have spun out of control. Years of abuse at the hands of her grandmother forge her into the metaphysical equivalent of a hurricane--gale-force destructive power subject to the whims of no mortal being. Or immortal, for that matter. The supernatural beings known as Pathlighters are ready to write her off as a lost cause after she nearly kills one of their own. Deciding to give her one last chance, they compel their most unorthodox member to take over her training. There’s just one small catch: Damien’s no ordinary angel.

Also known as the Fallen, the first Pathlighter in a century to betray the Host by aiding a demonic member of the Diablerie, Damien claims he’s seeking redemption and needs her just as much as she needs him. Storm must join forces with this sinfully sexy angel if she wants to control her volatile powers and stop a vicious murderer. But as the two dodge killer demons, a sinister cult, and the half-succubus siren who inspired Damien’s fall from grace, they just might decide the forbidden attraction raging between them is worth giving up life--and heaven--to taste

Where Angels Fear to Tread is a 98,000-word urban fantasy novel containing elements of romance and suspense that should appeal to fans of Rachel Caine, Laurell K. Hamilton, and Kim Harrison. It is a standalone novel but sequels could be developed if desired. I am including the manuscript’s first few pages with this email for your convenience.

This is my third completed novel and could be marketed as paranormal romance as easily as urban fantasy. I am an avid reader of your livejournal, as well as the journals of a few of your clients. I believe Storm is the type of strong yet flawed heroine that you prefer to read about. I would welcome the chance to work with your agency and look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time.

The second (this one had two requests for fulls based off the query and first chapter):

In Reborn in Fire, my 85,000-word paranormal romance, mythical creatures walk among us, but none are allergic to sunlight, stakes, or silver.

Cassidy Grant just died for the first time.

Reborn in the ashes of her own death, Cass becomes a human phoenix. She wakes up in the midst of flame after being murdered: naked, disoriented, and completely unharmed. A stranger rescues Cass before her murderers can return. His touch ignites her as surely as fire’s caress, but he forces her to face facts she would rather deny. She is no longer quite human, and a group of fanatics will stop at nothing to kill her a second time. Permanently.

Jake, the man who rescues her, possesses the same affinity with earth that she does with fire. And though as indestructible as the dragons his kind are named for, he is vulnerable to the magic drawing him to Cass. A magic that will drive him crazy--literally--if he can’t make her his. Now his sanity depends upon convincing the woman he rescued that she should bind herself to him for the rest of their not-so-natural lives.

Skeptical Cass must learn to harness her newfound abilities and trust that Jake’s feelings for her won’t flash and fade away. The only alternatives are madness--or being used as a pawn by her murderers to destroy all she cares for. Including Jake.

I have enclosed a synopsis, the first three chapters of the manuscript, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for your convenience. While this manuscript stands alone, it could easily become the first book in a series. Please let me know if you are interested in seeing more. Thank you for your time.

My query letters tend to be slightly on the long side because I try to make my mini synopses sound like jacket copy on real books. However, I never go over one page, and usually don't fill the entire space, and so far they seem to get a decent response rate.

Hope this helps!!!

[Josie]

Thanks, Kasey!!!

I like the way you start out the synopsis in the query.
.
Very descriptive, and an attention grabber.

Great examples.

Cheers, Josie :)

[author_martina]

Great information Kasey! It always helps to see what actually worked.

[Kasey Mackenzie]

You're welcome, and thank you both! And yes, I love looking at successful examples from others.