When Do You Become An Annoying Client?

BrookieCookie777 · Aug 27, 2007

Hi again guys! Sometimes I think I ask too many questions. Sometimes I will ask a question - and ask it again in about a week if no one responds. My agent is great - I just think sometimes they are thinking " OMG just leave me alone! What was I thinking signing this person!" I'm never rude. But I'm new to the whole agent thing and sometimes I just don't understand how things work. I am also the low man on the totem pole I guess you could say. Everyone else at this agency is a big wig . . . I've been published many times but never as a book author. I've done more articles, activity books etc than I can count - but I'm no Suess yet. I feel afraid to ask things I guess because I feel like I've been given this huge oppurtunity and I don't want to blow it by seeming like I know nothing!

When do you become that annoying client that no body likes? Geeze - I wish there was a handbook for this sort of thing! =)

DeadlyAccurate · Aug 27, 2007

Well, daily emails requesting status would probably be a bit annoying.

BrookieCookie777 · Aug 28, 2007

Well that makes me feel a bit better. I never email every day. Maybe at most once a week.

Redhedd · Aug 28, 2007

Ooh, I know exactly how you feel!! I've been on submission since the beginning of August, but my agent told me that he didn't expect anything to happen during August and that he would wait until after labor day to "nudge" the ones who have it and send more out. I've emailed him for various reasons a few times this month, and every time I sort of cringe, hoping I'm not turning into That Author. And, yes, I also wonder if he's second-guessing signing me. LOL

ishtar'sgate · Aug 28, 2007

Depending on the question, maybe you could address it to someone else. I kept agent questions to a minimum but I had tons for my publisher. If I had a marketing questions I'd ask someone in marketing. If I had a contract question, I'd ask someone from that department. If it was strictly editorial I'd ask my editor. If you could spread around your questions maybe you wouldn't feel like such a pest.
Linnea

Jamesaritchie · Aug 28, 2007

Annoying

You know the cliche of the kid on a trip with his parents, and he keeps asking, "Are we there yet?"

This is when you become annoying. Honestly, there's seldom a reason to e-mail or call an agent out of the blue. Be patient. Assuming the agent is any good, when she has something you need to know, she'll contact you.

If there's something you really need to know, such as what this or that means in a contract, it's fine to ask your agent. But status should take care of itself.

BrookieCookie777 · Aug 28, 2007

I feel you Red! I know when my contract expires I don't want to be pushed off the train! =) Fear is a booger.

Thanks Ishtar. I'm not at that stage yet, but my agent has an assistant so if I have questions I will try addressing her if it is less important.

James - thanks for the info. I'm sure you are right. I will fight the urge to ask "Are we there yet?" and I will make sure I tinkle before we leave the house. lol ; ) Your advice is priceless. Thanks for putting me in my place.

What would I do without AW?! I guess that's a retorical question "Like how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop? The world may never know . . ." I couldn't succeed without all your help guys! Somebody get me a commercial . . . I can be the AW spokes-woman.

God bless you all! Thru and Thru!

Stijn Hommes · Aug 29, 2007

If your questions are about agenting and publishing in general, you can probably find the answers by reading agent blogs or ask your questions here at AW. I'd definitely do all I can to bother the agent as little as possible.

BrookieCookie777 · Aug 29, 2007

Thanks Hommes. I'm going to fight the urge to ask any more questions. =) God bless you all!

Irysangel · Aug 29, 2007

Granted, there is a difference between emailing every week and saying "News yet?" and emailing once a month (or once every two months). I wouldn't advise dropping off the face of the planet, mind you. But once a month/every six weeks is a pretty good happy medium for me submission-wise. I think it keeps you on the radar without being a pest.

Every situation with every agent is different, though. You have to find out which one is best for you.

BrookieCookie777 · Aug 29, 2007

Thanks Iry. Vewy helpful advice . . . oh dear, *vewy* I've turned into Porky Pig. That's when you know deadlines are getting to you! :e2writer:

Thanks again for the advice! Helpful as always!

jennifer75 · Aug 29, 2007

BrookieCookie777 said:
When do you become that annoying client that no body likes?

When you forget your pants, but remember your cowgirl boots.

Irysangel · Aug 29, 2007

Deadlines do stink.

Best thing to do is immerse yourself in another project, or do what I did - mark on your calendar that you cannot call your agent for a 'check in' before THIS DATE.

Seeing it on the calendar gives you something to look forward to and makes you more willing to wait to meet your goal. What seems like an eternity to us is probably not so long in agent world.

BrookieCookie777 · Aug 29, 2007

Jennifer . . . don't you just hate when that happens? :roll:

Hey that's a good idea Iry! I'm going to do that right now. =)

When Do You Become An Annoying Client?

BrookieCookie777

DeadlyAccurate

Absolutely Fazed

BrookieCookie777

Redhedd

Demon Wrangler

ishtar'sgate

living in the past

Jamesaritchie

BrookieCookie777

Stijn Hommes

Know what you write...

BrookieCookie777

Irysangel

She of Many Names

BrookieCookie777

jennifer75

SupahStah!

Irysangel

She of Many Names

BrookieCookie777