D4EO Literary Partners (Robert Diforio)

[smallthunder]

Greetings --

I just heard back from Bob Diforio, who asked for the first three chapters of my novel a little while ago. He is the first agent who has read chapters and gotten back to me. I have two questions -- the first: How should I interpret his e-mail rejection? That is, he wrote:

Dear Nadine -

Thanks for the look. I have to pass, as I am simply
swamped with work at present. As is attested by the fact
that it took me two weeks to get back to you.

I wish you every success with another agent.

Best,

Bob

Should I take solace in the fact he didn't pan my novel, tell me to take up knitting instead of writing? Or is he such a nice guy -- which seems very possible -- that this is actually what his message means?

Second question: I've had a good feeling about Bob Diforio from the beginning -- maybe it's just something about guys named "Bob"? No, really -- my second question is: Is it proper/appropriate to ask him if he would consider my book again sometime in the future? That is, if no one else wants to represent me by a certain date he suggests is more convenient for him?

Any/all advice gratefully accepted!

[sarbruis]

There's nothing you can interpret. The book wasn't right for him. That's what just about every single agent will tell you. Don't look into rejections too much. There's very likely nothing there except a bunch of words that everyone else gets (ie, a form rejection). Unless it's a personal hand-written note that references your specific novel, just keep writing and writing and writing and sending more and more queries and whatnot out until you get an agent that wants to represent you.

For your second question: If he doesn't want it now, he probably isn't going to want it two months from now. You can query him again, but you'll just get the same response, and he'll most likely recognize the title (or your name or the query) unless it's been quite a while. If you want to change the story dramatically, then send it again, but only if there're major differences that may change his mind. He's a legitimate agent though; he reps that Treasure Trove book that's sold a zillion copies about the real-life treasure hunt.

[smallthunder]

Thanks, Sarbrius, for your input -- kinda silly of me to try and read into such an innocuous e-mail rejection, no? I guess I was expecting "no, thanks" or "not really my cuppa" and the "too busy" bit threw me. That, and the fact he was the agent I had most wanted to work with ... now, I'll just sit here and wait for the others to get back to me ... doing my best to appear more worldly wise ... jaded ...

[Kasey Mackenzie]

It's perfectly proper to query the same agent a second time, however, from what I've read _not_ with the same book. If you really want this particular agent, I would polish up a different work, wait at least a few months, and then send him the second work along with a different query letter. In the meantime, I would continue querying other reputable agents. Perhaps you'll find another agent that's a great fit for you. If not, you've lost nothing in the interim. Good luck!

[Julie Worth]

Originally Posted by smallthunder

I wish you every success with another agent.

This is the only line of importance.

[HConn]

Rejectomancy is a fine old tradition. It's rarely fruitful, though.

I would send him a brief thank-you note, saying "Thanks for taking the time to consider my work," and little else.

Good luck.

[BrookieCookie777]

Anybody know anything about DE40? Do they sell to major publishing houses?

Thanks guys. What would I do without you!

[Julie Worth]

There's already a thread: <snipped>

[BrookieCookie777]

Thanks Julie. I posted on that old thread but it's not showing up yet. Do you know if Bob Diforio is legit?

[Dawno]

Julie, it's ok to post a thread in this forum asking for references on an agent (unless there's already a thread *here* and I did a search, I didn't find one). The other thread is in Novels and not specifically about D4EO but rather asking for input on a rejection from him. I should go check the index...brb.

yes, there's an old locked one - http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=915

not much info there, at the time he looked ok.

[Julie Worth]

Originally Posted by Dawno

Julie, it's ok to post a thread in this forum asking for references on an agent (unless there's already a thread *here* and I did a search, I didn't find one). The other thread is in Novels and not specifically about D4EO but rather asking for input on a rejection from him. I should go check the index...brb.

yes, there's an old locked one - http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=915

not much info there, at the time he looked ok.

Sorry. I didn't notice it was in novels.

[Manat]

Bob is completely legit. He was at NAL 17 years for a time as VP sales and also as President and CEO. He reps fiction and non fiction, has repped Clive Cussler, has authors on the NYT list, has tons of sales and rights sales etc.

* as to the PA stuff. I'm assuming the poster might have been confusing selling a book to publish america, with listing a sale on publisher's marketplace.

[CaoPaux]

Originally Posted by Manat

Bob is completely legit. He was at NAL 17 years for a time as VP sales and also as President and CEO. He reps fiction and non fiction, has repped Clive Cussler, has authors on the NYT list, has tons of sales and rights sales etc.

* as to the PA stuff. I'm assuming the poster might have been confusing selling a book to publish america, with listing a sale on publisher's marketplace.

Nope. Mr. Bly's book came out in Feb 2007 (175pp, $19.95). Dig in the bowels of NEPAT for the discussion of it, including PA bragging about signing the wrong Bly. At the time, several folks asked Mr. Diforio "WTF?" and, IIRC from my own correspondance, he hadn't a clue about PA. August would have been the first "real" royalty check....

[BrookieCookie777]

Thanks Dawn! This thread is very helpful. I read something on the thread that Julie gave me about them selling something to PA . . . I couldn't find any proof to back that up - but PA in any sentence sends me running away quickly! =) Maybe one of you mods can look at that thread for me and see what you guys think?

Their sales records on Publishers Marketplace show three New York Best Sellers . . . which is rather tempting I must admit. I just don't see how someone who sells a NY best seller . . . would be associated with PA?

[David McAfee]

If it helps, they rejected my query, so you know they don't take every writer who contacts them.

[BrookieCookie777]

Thanks guys. Makes me feel much better. I'll keep you guys posted. I don't know what I'd do without my friends at AW! =)

God bless you all!

[BrookieCookie777]

Oh and that's ok, Julie. I found that novel thread helpful as well. =)

[donroc]

Instant reply to my query -- asked for full ms by email -- in one day "took it upon myself to send it to _______, Editor at ______ Publisher. After publisher rejected it, he said he had too much on his plate to represent me. Go figure.

[midwife]

Originally Posted by donroc

Instant reply to my query -- asked for full ms by email -- in one day "took it upon myself to send it to _______, Editor at ______ Publisher. After publisher rejected it, he said he had too much on his plate to represent me. Go figure.

I've heard that he does that and that is why I would not query him. This is just my opinion, so take it for what it's worth, but if he is showing it around without actually signing you, isn't he "using up" your chance with that editor? Can the next agent (who might actually sign you and be with you for the long haul) still pitch to that editor? I want an agent who will commit to representing me BEFORE going to editors on my behalf.

I would be interested in other people's opinions on this.

[Julie Worth]

Originally Posted by midwife

I've heard that he does that and that is why I would not query him. This is just my opinion, so take it for what it's worth, but if he is showing it around without actually signing you, isn't he "using up" your chance with that editor? Can the next agent (who might actually sign you and be with you for the long haul) still pitch to that editor? I want an agent who will commit to representing me BEFORE going to editors on my behalf.

I would be interested in other people's opinions on this.

If he pitched it to an editor, he probably knows that editor and had reason to believe it was a good fit. If it wasn't a fit, then it wouldn't fare any better if it came from an agent the editor didn't know. I don't have a problem with this at all.

[donroc]

Forgot to add cloing quote mark and mention that my same novel will be released sometime in 2008 by another publisher anyway.

[Dave.C.Robinson]

I don't care for that practice either.

[herdon]

In my opinion, an agent should never show your manuscript to a publisher if you have not signed with him. It's bad business for the agent, and bad for the writer.

Personally, I'd contact the editor (email), ask if the agent actually queried the manuscript and mention in the email that the agent did not have permission to be querying the manuscript and that you are not signed with that agent.

If an agent places a call and asks if a publisher is interested in a book about (short synopsis) that's one thing -- testing the market it understandable though I'd think editors would become quickly annoyed -- but sending in a manuscript without permission is very unscrupulous in my opinion.

[Julie Worth]

Originally Posted by Havlen

In my opinion, an agent should never show your manuscript to a publisher if you have not signed with him. It's bad business for the agent, and bad for the writer.

A few agents don't use a contract, but Diforio isn't one of them. Still, what if he'd asked first? What if he called and said, hey, I'm kind of booked up, but I have one editor in mind where this might be a good match. What if I shoot it over to him? Would you have bitten your tongue to keep from screaming yes, my God YES! Or would you have said, no thanks, I'll keep looking?

[herdon]

Originally Posted by Julie Worth

A few agents don't use a contract, but Diforio isn't one of them. Still, what if he'd asked first? What if he called and said, hey, I'm kind of booked up, but I have one editor in mind where this might be a good match. What if I shoot it over to him? Would you have bitten your tongue to keep from screaming yes, my God YES! Or would you have said, no thanks, I'll keep looking?

It really doesn't matter what I would say given that hypothetical situation. It doesn't appear he asked, and an agent shouldn't submit scripts for authors he doesn't represent without their knowledge. I, for one, wouldn't submit anything to this agent knowing that I don't know who else he's going to be sending it out to.

If one person wouldn't want their script to go out to editors without their knowledge/permission then that it one person too many.

As for me, it would depend on the editor, the manuscript, and the agents credentials. Personally, I'd much prefer an agent that is taking me on as a client and not my manuscript on as a short project.