Difficulty connecting with agent

I've looked back a few pages and I can't find this topic.

I was thrilled to snag a hungry young thing at a powerful agency for a book I wrote some time ago. But it didn't sell, and the young agent left the agency and quit agenting! (I think she went for theater since that's what she was always tweeting about.)

That left me in the hands of another more senior agent, who said he'd be glad to read anything of mine any time. I told him I was in fact working on something new, and I sent him that book when it was done (a few months later). After six weeks of silence, I sort of couldn't stand it and I wrote to him and asked very politely how it was going.

He apologized profusely -- stuff going on at the agency, busy hiring someone new, etc. -- and proposed a phone call appointment. He missed the appointment. More e-mails, he proposed another appointment. He missed that one. I've only called twice in this time, after his missed appointments, to make sure I hadn't missed him. Yesterday I called and left a message that it was fine with me if he wanted to step back from this book; all he has to do is shoot me an e-mail and I'll move on. I haven't heard back yet.

The time-frame for these two blow-offs is three weeks; he originally responded to me with a phone call proposal on May 24 and it's now June 13. One of these weeks was the BEA, so he's got an extenuating circumstance, but I'm still concerned. He inherited me from another agent and my first project didn't sell, so maybe he'd really rather not work with me. I'm okay with that, but I just need to know. And it's odd, he's got such stellar listings in Publishers Marketplace! Anyone else ever get put off like this on a phone convo or have such difficulty connecting?

Thanks for reading my story!

Thank you all for weighing in!

You have given me much to think about. I will be laboriously composing something tactful yet businesslike this weekend. It will be a tricky project, as the agent in question is always so sweet, accommodating, and knowledgeable on those occasions when I do manage to talk to him. Yes, I know it's my career, but he's so darn nice. It reminds me of a friend of mine who's very lazy with paperwork. Yesterday she found a bill that was hugely overdue, and she flew into a panic and paid it online. It's not that she's a deadbeat; she just has a certain attitude to those tasks. I wonder if my agent loves to deal with editors, the heat of negotiations, the industry side of things, but isn't so much into writers? A friend of mine, on the other hand, has an agent who always responds instantly -- and he's rude and indifferent! We can't decide who has it better/worse.

But you've all convinced me that I do need to take certain steps, and I most certainly will. Trixielox, your experience is very heartening. I'm glad you found an agent who suits you.

Again, thanks for your patience and your contributions.

Since you wanted me to keep you posted, folks, here's what just happened (late Friday):

I got an e-mail from him. He says he's not 100% sure they're the right agents for the book (very true since they inherited me from an agent who's left, and they don't have any sales of my type of book) --

And that's where I'd say he means "The book isn't good enough" --

BUT -- he'd like to talk to me about it (punchline: another phone call appointment for next week). This takes my puzzlement on a whole new turn.

I see three possibilities.

1. I guess -- hope -- he wants to refer me to an agent who would be a better fit. Preferably a powerhouse agent, wouldn't hurt y'know.
2. Or possibly he wants to close the relationship off with an actual phone conversation so as to be polite, an e-mail brushoff being too impersonal.
3. The other possibility is that he'll tell me the book needs a lot of work and he'll give me a general suggestion for improvement and a "We wish you the best in your literary endeavors."

Anyway, thanks again all for your suggestions. Presumably we'll know by next Tuesday or Wednesday, but if anyone wants to weigh in with an opinion on what I should expect, please feel free. Frankly, I could use the hand-holding, spine-bracing, whatever.

Okay, here's the update.

You will recall, the agent e-mailed me that we should talk "Tuesday or Wednesday." So yesterday (Tuesday) I called him and left a message. I resolved that that would be my last-ever call to him no matter what. He didn't call back or e-mail me. Radio silence from him today (Wednesday).

I feel very relieved, as I now feel free to pursue other agents. In fact, I have two referrals to two very good agents who expressed interest in repping me in the past. I've picked the one I like better and I intend to offer him an exclusive; if he doesn't want it then I'll offer the other agent an exclusive, and if she doesn't want it then I'll go wide.

I read my contract with lawyer-glasses and I have no obligations to the agent on this project.

Here's my final (for now) question. I really don't want to reach out to this agent ever again, not even to say "I'm seeking representation elsewhere. Let's call this an amicable parting." Do I need to do that, however? I'd just like to consider his silence my permission to proceed. My reasons are lousy, I admit -- mainly that the agent is a nice guy and a negligent agent for me and I prefer to avoid unpleasantness, even polite unpleasantness. On the other hand, it may be plain old courtesy for me to at least tell him what I'm doing?

What do you say? Do I e-mail him and then approach my next agent, or do I just go ahead and let him catch up with me if/when he ever gets around to fishing me up from the bottom of his to-do list?

Thank you, guys, for affirming what the little angel-arhooley on my shoulder is telling me.

KalenO, that's a great start. I've been agonizing over how not to sound all flouncy with the agent, and your way of putting it is quite nice.

ETA: SENT! He'll have it first thing tomorrow morning. I've done the right thing.