• Guest please check The Index before starting a thread.

The McCarthy Agency

Trout

Registered
Joined
Oct 12, 2015
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
I met Shawna at a party in January; at her urging, I sent her the first chapter in an email. She said that her reading time was running six to eight weeks, but the next day she asked for the first three chapters and a synopsis. Less than two weeks after I sent her that, she asked for the balance of the ms. But now I'm at week nine-and-change and wondering whether (or when) to send some sort of follow-up email. How much extra time is polite, in such cases? Or do I just continue to hold?
 

Aggy B.

Not as sweet as you think
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
11,882
Reaction score
1,557
Location
Just north of the Deep South
I met Shawna at a party in January; at her urging, I sent her the first chapter in an email. She said that her reading time was running six to eight weeks, but the next day she asked for the first three chapters and a synopsis. Less than two weeks after I sent her that, she asked for the balance of the ms. But now I'm at week nine-and-change and wondering whether (or when) to send some sort of follow-up email. How much extra time is polite, in such cases? Or do I just continue to hold?

I would wait until three months have passed. Spring is a pretty busy time for agents with a lot of conventions and book fairs. (Not that they aren't always busy, but there is a concentration of events in the spring seems like.) And three months is usually the minimum for nudging on a full request. So, just sit tight for a bit longer.

Best of luck! :)
 

Trout

Registered
Joined
Oct 12, 2015
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Thank you! I'll take a few (more) deep breaths, then.
 

authorbriaburton

Registered
Joined
Mar 23, 2017
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Location
Florida
I recently queried Shawna McCarthy and received a request for the first ten pages (!!!) of an epic fantasy manuscript. I'm very excited, and also trying to do a little research on her agency. I've been scanning this thread to see about any experiences her clients have had with her, and there doesn't seem to be any recent info. I'm not finding much about her sales as a literary agent except 2005 and prior. Does anyone have any insight as to why the gap to present day? Or am I just not looking in the right places?
 

sisforspace

Registered
Joined
Jun 9, 2018
Messages
3
Reaction score
2
I just signed with Shawna and am currently out on submission! She seems so nice and enthusiastic so far--I'll let you know how things go.
 

mrsmig

Write. Write. Writey Write Write.
Staff member
Moderator
Kind Benefactor
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jul 4, 2012
Messages
9,881
Reaction score
7,167
Location
Virginia
I don't think so. The last address I could find for agent Shawna McCarthy and the McCarthy Agency, LLC was Hoboken, NJ. This agent, Sean McCarthy of Sean McCarthy Literary Agency, seems to be based out of NYC.

On Query Tracker, they have different email addresses. Ms. McCarthy's company doesn't appear to have a website.
 

Wizera

MG/YA Author and Playwright
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Nov 25, 2013
Messages
188
Reaction score
84
Huh. I think the "no website" thing was throwing me a little. Thanks!
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrsmig