Referral--Hooray and HELP!

Pisarz · Jan 17, 2007

I just got a wonderfully polite rejection from an agent on a partial. She said she liked my premise and that the writing was good. (WOW!). She's declining to pursue because the agency isn't doing commercial fiction right now. (I mentioned this dilemma on a previous post--turns out I didn't have to status query).

In addition, she mentioned that I might want to try agents X, Y, and Z--three agents from three different agencies. Go ahead, get out Snark's clue gun . . . but this is a referral, right? So besides wholeheartedly thanking the original agent (of course!), how do I approach the other three agents? Do I mention the agent's name, her comments, her entire email, what?

clara bow · Jan 17, 2007

First of all, congratulations! What a great exprience!

I think something simple and direct such as "Agent X, who had kind words for the premise and good writing of my project (in quotes if you have something specific) specifically/strongly suggested that I query you."

Or something along those lines.

Wow, good luck! Keep us posted.

Carmy · Jan 17, 2007

Wonderful news Pizars. Congratulations!

And a word of caution. Two years ago, a writer friend was referred to another agent because the one she'd approached didn't think it was right for her. Turns out these two agents were involved with the Edit Ink scandal. I hope I'm wrong and your referrals are legit, but check them out here and with P&E before you sign anything.

Good luck!

Maprilynne · Jan 18, 2007

I like Clara's wording. And do double check the refferred agencies, but that sounds good to me.

Maprilynne

Pisarz · Jan 18, 2007

Thanks, guys! I used something along the lines of Clara's wording in my emails this morning. I also mentioned that the origianl agent read the partial and isn't doing commerical fiction right now (somehow it seems like less of a rejection that way!).

Definitely legit--the agents are from Folio, Artists & Artisans, and Donald Maass.

victoriastrauss · Jan 18, 2007

Not really a referral, IMO--a referral is more like an introduction, and involves the referee contacting the person you're referred to and letting them know you'll be getting in touch. It's certainly a suggestion, though. I would not mention her comments--which won't mean very much to the other agents , who will want to make their own assessments--but I would mention that she suggested you query them.

- Victoria

popmuze · Jan 18, 2007

victoriastrauss said:
I would not mention her comments--but I would mention that she suggested you query them.- Victoria

In the past when I've had similar opportunities, I've merely forwarded the original email (but since there's three names in yours, I'd erase two of the other names) and then said, Agent X suggested I send you this...

mysterygrl · Jan 18, 2007

I vote with Victoria (I always vote with her because she knows her stuff): "Agent X suggested I contact you . . ."

I would not explain about how much Agent X read and why they passed. It seems a bit . . . messy. I think it focuses too much on the fact that the first agent passed and takes attention away from your pitch.

Pisarz · Jan 19, 2007

Thanks, everyone. I ended up with an email that included a bit of clarabow's suggestion and a bit of popmuze's. We'll see what happens. If nothing else, it was a nice compliment and reminds me that I'm not dead (in the publishing sense) quite yet.

HorrorWriter · Jan 19, 2007

Congrats, Pisarz. Good luck to you as well!

stormie · Jan 19, 2007

Good luck, pisarz, they're all great agencies.

Referral--Hooray and HELP!

Pisarz

clara bow

Li'l Rug Bug

Carmy

Maprilynne

Author Waiting in the Wings

Pisarz

victoriastrauss

Writer Beware Goddess

popmuze

Last of a Dying Breed

mysterygrl

Pisarz

HorrorWriter

It's a new dawn. It's a new day.

stormie

storm central