I don't wanna send the partial

Miss Plum · Jun 1, 2010

I imagine this has been discussed before, but I've doinked through ten pages and I can't find it, so here goes.

What do you do when you get a request for a partial and for various reasons you've decided since the time you sent the query that you don't want this agent to rep you? I'm thinking, send the agent a polite note saying I've decided to go in another direction with my project. Is that about right?

For the sake of completeness, here are my reasons:

1) It's evident that the agent didn't pay attention to my genre: graphic novel. (This has happened with a few other agents, although the vast majority of them read the query correctly.) He requested the first 30 pages -- which is not nearly the same thing as 30 pages of a novel since it's a much larger proportion of the manuscript -- and a word count, which is meaningless with a graphic novel since half the words won't be in the published book -- they're description and layout instructions for the artist. The agent did NOT request any sample art, which he should have if he wanted to get an idea of the project.

2) Since I received the request, I've done further research and found out some unpleasant things about the agent, and I wouldn't have queried him to begin with if I'd been aware. Yes, doing things a little backwards here, but better late than never.

So what do we say? Polite note saying I'm going in a different direction?

Thanks, all.

KTC · Jun 1, 2010

Couldn't you simply not reply to his request?

ishtar'sgate · Jun 1, 2010

Miss Plum said:
So what do we say? Polite note saying I'm going in a different direction?

Thanks, all.

Good thing you found out before you invested any more time in them. Yes, I think you're right. A brief note or email to that effect is a good idea. You never want to totally burn your bridges.

Miss Plum · Jun 1, 2010

KTC said:
Couldn't you simply not reply to his request?

I was thinking about ignoring the request, but I worry about the bridge-burning thing.

KTC · Jun 1, 2010

Miss Plum said:
I was thinking about ignoring the request, but I worry about the bridge-burning thing.

Me? I would worry about burning the bridge by emailing a kind email telling him you changed your mind. you don't know how he'd take it. Crushed egos and all.

Cella · Jun 1, 2010

I wonder if he may just forget altogether that he requested it from you?

KTC · Jun 1, 2010

Cella said:
I wonder if he may just forget altogether that he requested it from you?

That's what I was reasoning.

Wayne K · Jun 1, 2010

I'd send a short note saying I've decided not to go forward with the project.

Shadow_Ferret · Jun 1, 2010

I agree with KTC. Chances are the agent has already forgotten they sent the request.

Miss Plum · Jun 1, 2010

Thanks, all. I think I'm going to do what a large number of agents do: act as though the query was never sent.

OctoberRain · Jun 2, 2010

Miss Plum said:
Thanks, all. I think I'm going to do what a large number of agents do: act as though the query was never sent.

I don't know if this is the right thing to do, but if it were me, I'd act like I never received the request. Spam ate it. Darn.

shaldna · Jun 2, 2010

I wouldn't ignore it. That's not only rude and unproffessional - after all, don't we all complain about agents not responding to us? - but remember that agents request very little of what they are queried with, chances are, he'll remember the project.

In my experience agents and editors alike may not remember the query, but if they have taken time to request it then they will remember the project.

I would send a polite note.

Amadan · Jun 2, 2010

There's no downside to a polite note saying, "I've decided to go another direction with this project." OTOH, ignoring the request completely gets you nothing, and possibly burns bridges. (Even if you want nothing to do with this agent in the future, maybe s/he talks to other agents and at some point might remember you: "Oh yes, I actually asked her for a partial and she never responded. Probably not a serious query.")

The only reason I can think of for ignoring the request is that you want to avoid potentially uncomfortable interactions. That's not smart or professional.

jscribbles · Jun 2, 2010

I agree you should respond politely. I've seen several agents recently tweet about requesting material and never getting it or a response. They remember.

Smish · Jun 2, 2010

I'd send a note. It's the polite and professional thing to do. I wouldn't elaborate on your reasons, of course. I'd just send a quick note that says something along the lines of, "Thank you for your interest, but I've decided to go in a different direction with this project. Thanks again, Miss Plum."

Miss Plum · Jun 2, 2010

Okay, now you've convinced me to go with my original idea. Polite note, different direction.

ChaosTitan · Jun 2, 2010

shaldna said:
I wouldn't ignore it. That's not only rude and unproffessional - after all, don't we all complain about agents not responding to us? - but remember that agents request very little of what they are queried with, chances are, he'll remember the project.

In my experience agents and editors alike may not remember the query, but if they have taken time to request it then they will remember the project.

I would send a polite note.

This.

Ken · Jun 2, 2010

... you could just tell them everything you've said here: that they responded to your query in such a way that suggests they didn't even read it. The feedback would help them to get their business in order which would also be a benefit to future writers who submit to them. Just be polite about it while being perfectly upfront. And if that winds up burning a bridge who cares. This agency isn't any good as you have determined so why would you want to ever be rep'd by them? No need to stoop. You'll get a good agent yet ;-)

Gillhoughly · Jun 2, 2010

In the subject line:

RE: Request for partial of Title by A. Writer

Dear Agent,

Thank you so much for your interest and time, but I'm shelving my project for the time being.

Yours truly,

A. Writer

-----------------

Chances are VERY good the agent won't remember you unless you don't give a courtesy reply.

Good manners don't cost anything. Sure, they didn't read your proposal, maybe they mixed it up with another proposal, but telling them about their shortcomings ain't gonna endear you to anyone. Even unpleasant agents gossip with their cronies.

Act like a professional even when the other guy doesn't.

Act like a professional especially when the other guy doesn't.

I don't wanna send the partial

Miss Plum

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

ishtar'sgate

living in the past

Miss Plum

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Cella

Cella

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Wayne K

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

Miss Plum

OctoberRain

I triple dog dare you.

shaldna

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

Amadan

jscribbles

Who killed my sea monkeys?

Smish

Reads more than she writes.

Miss Plum

ChaosTitan

Around

Ken

Gillhoughly

Grumpy writer and editor