Another "silence from agent" question

wombat · Oct 20, 2009

OK, so, a while ago, my agent suggested that we should break up, because she hadn't been able to sell my book.

I said I had another couple of things nearly finished and asked if she'd be willing to take a look at those first, and she said yes.

I have since sent her those two things and have been waiting for several months. I did double check about a month ago to make sure she had gotten them, and she said yes and was looking forward to reading them soon.

But... we are talking about MONTHS. Like I sent her one of the things in May. I'm thinking I made a mistake not going along with the breakup suggestion and clinging to this relationship when she obviously wanted out.

Is this is a normal amount of time to have to wait? Or should I suck it up and admit that she just isn't that into me and move on?

Judg · Oct 20, 2009

Talking as a non-expert here, why don't you just send her another email and tell her that she is still welcome to read the MSs, but that you will start querying other agents now?

Lucy · Oct 20, 2009

I think you should move on. If she still considered you a client, she'd be talking to you.

ChaosTitan · Oct 20, 2009

If wombat signed an agency agreement, she can't query anyone else and move on until that agreement is officially terminated.

May is a pretty long time, but it isn't completely unheard of. Agents will always prioritize their selling clients over the unsold ones. It hurts to hear, but it's part of running a business. If your agent has a large client list, it's possible she's been kept busy with their needs.

Personally, though, I'm leery of an agent who suggests you part ways because she can't sell one book. Most agents sign authors for their careers, not for a single book, so if the first doesn't sell, they move to the second. Or the third. They don't just give up.

William Haskins · Oct 20, 2009

Lucy said:
I think you should move on. If she still considered you a client, she'd be talking to you.

i'd sever the relationship.

Lucy · Oct 21, 2009

ChaosTitan,

Most agreements have a 30 day clause. When the agent suggested they go separate ways, she fulfilled her obligation under the contract.

mathewferguson · Oct 21, 2009

Since May is a long time to wait from someone who is meant to be your employee.

Pull out the agent contract and see what the termination clause is. Probably 30 days in writing.

Did you see some copies of rejection letters and get a list of people/publishers your agent pitched the manuscript to?

wombat · Oct 21, 2009

I think it's seven days in writing. I wouldn't be comfortable assuming that her intial suggestion counted - I really need to make a decision and contact her if I want to move on. I do have a list of editors who rejected the book, although not copies of the letters.

It is right on the one hand that she is supposed to be working for me, but on the other hand, it's totally unlike having an employee because I can't just go out and hire another agent tomorrow. I had to send out about a hundred queries to get this one, which is why I am reluctant to pull the plug and am procrastinating by posting here instead of emailing her and confronting the situation.

ChaosTitan · Oct 21, 2009

Lucy said:
ChaosTitan,

Most agreements have a 30 day clause. When the agent suggested they go separate ways, she fulfilled her obligation under the contract.

Not of the clause requires termination in writing, as wombat just said it did.

wombat, I understand the hesitation. It's impossible for me to know if you have a bad agent or just an inattentive one. But it's definitely something you need to approach head-on. Confrontation sucks, but you won't make progress without it. Good luck.

StoryG27 · Oct 21, 2009

If I were you, I'd just send a friendly short email, asking when she can get back to you about the manuscripts you sent and ask what she thought about them. If she replies, saying she hasn't read them, then it's time to ask why and when will it be done. If she doesn't reply at all, then I'd say it is time to officially terminate the contract, and send out another hundred queries. Having an agent who will do nothing for you is worse than not having an agent at all.

waylander · Oct 21, 2009

You have a contract with this agent, you are a client. You are allowed to phone them to get an answer.

wombat · Oct 21, 2009

You are all correct. I know this. But please continue to beat me over the head with it, this is exactly what I came here for.

Irysangel · Oct 21, 2009

From my experience, if an agent is not excited about a project, no amount of nudging is going to make them read it. Coupled up with the fact that the agent was the one who approached the "Maybe we should see other people" thing, I'd say this is a polite way of hoping you will go away.

(Mind you, we don't know the whole situation so I'm only responding to what we are given here.)

I'd follow up with the agent and ask what the time frame is for feedback. Or call. And then make a decision one way or another.

Good luck! It's a tricky position to be in.

wombat · Oct 21, 2009

It's done. Thank you all.

Another "silence from agent" question

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