How many agents do you usually query at once?

juneafternoon · Jan 6, 2008

Hey! I've seen people all around who send five queries, ten queries, fifteen, twenty, etc (you get the idea) and then I've also heard you should send as many queries as you can, to at least forty or fifty different agents.

So, my question is, how many agents do you usually query at once?

Oh, and also, if someone bites and offers you representation, but it's not your dream agent, what do you do?

tbrosz · Jan 6, 2008

For me, the upper limit on queries was somewhat arbitrary. Too many queries out there at once became too difficult to track, although I assembled a Word document with tables that helped me figure out what was where. I've never seen an agent demand an exclusive on queries, although I suppose they could be out there.

This multiple-submission technique applies only to queries, including those with sample chapters. When you get around to an agent wanting to see a full manuscript, there are many agents who will not want to see a manuscript if you have one out there already. Most will let you know in their requirements if they are okay with simultaneous submissions.

As for somebody wanting to represent you, and not being the ideal agent (boy, would I like to have THAT problem), I generally get enough information about an agent ahead of the query process so that the likelihood of this is reduced. I suppose it could still happen. You never know what new information might come up in the initial negotiation process. It's a lot like online dating in some ways. Not everything shows up in the public description.

ORION · Jan 6, 2008

I queried 5 to 10 at a time then depending on the reaction either tweaked my query or tweaked my manuscript- I also was currently writing other manuscripts -

JoNightshade · Jan 6, 2008

juneafternoon · Jan 7, 2008

Haha Jo, well you got an offer of representation! Did you already sign with that agent or are you waiting on the others' replies?

Danthia · Jan 7, 2008

I sent out sets of 8-10. I chose my favorites and the ones I felt were the best fit for me first. I had top agents and brand new agents on this “top choice” list. I signed with one in the middle, who was the best fit for me.

As for the offer, it depends on what else you have out there. If you have other agents reading your full, you tell them you received an offer and let them decide if they want to do a quick read and possibly offer as well (most will). Then, if you get multiple offers, talk to all of them, look at all the variables and choose the best fit for you. Don't let size and fame sway you. Don't just go with the biggest name. Look at what they’ve sold, what they represent, where you fit into their client list. Do you have a personal connection when you speak to them? Do you think they’d be good to work with? Have you read their other clients’ work? Is it like yours at all? (That was a strong draw for me. My agent had a proven track record for selling novels similar in tone and style to mine, plus I loved/had bought half her clients’ books. I knew we liked the same kind of novel). Whatever criteria is important for you.

If this is your only offer, look at that agent and decide if they will be a good fit for you and help you get the career you want. Forget "dream agent" stuff. I had multiple dream agents -- they were all the ones I queried first

You want an agent that is a good fit and that is passionate about your work. Don't jump at the first offer blindly, but don't throw away a potentially great agent because they're not a "dream agent." You really have no way of knowing that without working with them. All you have is what looks good on paper.

And if you haven't already, check them out at Preditors & Editors and Writer's Beware. Lots of scams out there, and you want to make sure the agent making the offer is legitimate and reputable.

reenkam · Jan 7, 2008

Book #1: sent 2, waited a few months, sent 11 = 13
Book #2: sent 17 within a few days, then mentioned one in a B#1 status query = 18
Book #3: sent 4, then 1, then 4 over a week = 9

For Book 1 I was a newbie and didn't really know what was going on, which is why I had the huge break in between. Book 2 I just queried (what I see as) a lot.

Now with Book three I've decided to query only those agents that are dream agents, essentially. Well, top of the list agents, at least. I still might send another 5 later (I'm rewriting right now) but I now subscribe to the possibly unintelligent notion of querying few agents that I really want to work with, just to avoid getting an offer from one I'm only lukewarm about.

Carrie R. · Jan 8, 2008

I sent out about 10-13. One reason not to send too many out at once is that if you get no partial requests, it might be your query that isn't working and you can tweak it before querying more agents. So I've seen a lot of people who've sent out a ton of queries, but they do them in batches. I think that works well because not only can you tweak the query in between, but you can also "rank" which agents you're most interested in and query them first, etc.

If one offers but isn't your dream agent, I echo Danthia -- let your dream agent know there's an offer of representation on the table and ask if they're interested in reading the full (I'm assuming that you would have already queried the dream agent and hadn't yet gotten a response).

shyshybeing · Mar 2, 2008

How long to wait?

Okay, this seems to be the closest thread for my question.

I was sending out email queries to the top 12 agents on my list, one per day, regarding possibly representing my first novel. Two responded - practically overnight - that they were not interested, and that's fine. Agent #7 asked for the first 100 pages, approximately 1/3 of my book.

My question is, is this still a query? If she had asked for the full manuscript, I would, of course, stop sending queries until her period of exclusivity was over. But it's not a full, it's a partial, and no mention of exclusivity was ever made by email.

How long do I wait before I start sending out more queries?

IceCreamEmpress · Mar 2, 2008

shyshybeing said:
Agent #7 asked for the first 100 pages, approximately 1/3 of my book.

My question is, is this still a query? If she had asked for the full manuscript, I would, of course, stop sending queries until her period of exclusivity was over.But it's not a full, it's a partial, and no mention of exclusivity was ever made by email.

Then it's not an exclusive, and you can send out as many queries as you want.

Agents don't automatically get exclusives, even when they have your full--they have to ask for them, and you have to grant them.

triceretops · Mar 2, 2008

Sent out in blocks of ten and tweaked accordingly.

Tri

Doodlebug · Mar 7, 2008

Glad to have run across this thread!

I have a similar question...when should I begin sending nudge letters? I certainly don't want to be pushy, but if you send a query to an agent and hear nothing after a few months, is it a good idea to send a note? Or even an e-mail?

Thanks guys and gals!!!

stormie · Mar 7, 2008

I sent out queries in blocks of ten, the first batch to the ones I really felt I'd connect with. From those, two asked for partials and then fulls. As they were reading (which can take time), I'd send out another query as a rejection came in. After about twenty queries, I had several requests for partials, and three for fulls. When the agent I originally wanted to rep me offered representation, I notified the other two reading the fulls.

TheWritingGuy · Mar 7, 2008

Doodlebug said:
Glad to have run across this thread!

I have a similar question...when should I begin sending nudge letters? I certainly don't want to be pushy, but if you send a query to an agent and hear nothing after a few months, is it a good idea to send a note? Or even an e-mail?

Thanks guys and gals!!!

I've seen several agent websites that say they won't respond to a query if they're not interested.

waylander · Mar 7, 2008

Doodlebug said:
Glad to have run across this thread!

I have a similar question...when should I begin sending nudge letters? I certainly don't want to be pushy, but if you send a query to an agent and hear nothing after a few months, is it a good idea to send a note? Or even an e-mail?

Thanks guys and gals!!!

I resent the query until I got a response.

shyshybeing · Mar 8, 2008

Queries and exclusivity

Thanks to all who answered my question. I have been lurking here for many months, and find this a great place to get information.

I have resumed sending queries. I am about to start on my second batch (of 12).

As far sending nudge letters, I have found that many agencies list some indication in their submission guidelines. I make a short note of those when I send my query, but when the end of their 'time' arrives (and I would 6-8 weeks if they haven't specified), I would double-check their submission guidelines to see if I missed anything or if anything has changed.

Thanks again!

AuthorGuy · Mar 16, 2008

Query letter tweaking

Carrie R. said:
if you get no partial requests, it might be your query that isn't working and you can tweak it before querying more agents.

How do I tweak, is the question? I hate, loathe, and despise writing query letters in the first place. How am I supposed to tweak it when I have no clue if there's a problem with my letter at all, or what the problem is?

Marian Perera · Mar 16, 2008

You could post your letter in the Query section of the Show Your Work forum and see what responses it gets.

caromora · Mar 16, 2008

Read up on what a query letter should contain (try checking Miss Snark's archives, also Rachel Vater's blog, and Nathan Bransford's as well), read lots of successful queries (Google), and then compare yours. Revise as needed.Then post it and let people point out its flaws.

AuthorGuy said:
How do I tweak, is the question? I hate, loathe, and despise writing query letters in the first place. How am I supposed to tweak it when I have no clue if there's a problem with my letter at all, or what the problem is?

How many agents do you usually query at once?

juneafternoon

Return of the Jedi

tbrosz

Got the hang of it, here

ORION

Sailed away years ago

JoNightshade

has finally arrived

juneafternoon

Return of the Jedi

Danthia

reenkam

aka cupcake

Carrie R.

Procrastinating, clearly

shyshybeing

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

triceretops

Doodlebug

stormie

storm central

TheWritingGuy

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

shyshybeing

AuthorGuy

Marian Perera

starting over

caromora

Still alive. Kind of.