Successful query..NOW what?!

Red-Green · Jan 18, 2008

I am experiencing a moment of headless chicken-tude.

On Monday I mailed the first query letter for a lit/suspense novel I finished about three months ago. I did it on a bit of a fluke, just thinking, "Ah, I'll kick this out there and see how I feel about it after it's gone."

Weeeeell, ten minutes ago, Agent e-mailed to say, "Please send me the full on exclusive." Uh...right-o, then. Wasn't exactly expecting that on the first query.

So, what the heck do I do now, besides obviously sending her the MS? Specifically, what sort of note should I send with it, if any?
(I plan to include a copy of my original query.) Should I add anything about the book or me, or should I just say, "Thanks for requesting the full and here it is and thank you thank you thank you"? Or some slightly calmer, more professional version of that, I suppose.

Please advise.

geardrops · Jan 18, 2008

(Not published. Never queried. Only relating advice I've seen.)

Add a professional note. Something like "Thank you for your interest in my work (see attached query for reference). As requested, I have sent my full MS."

Make sure to get the timer on that exclusivity. If they're hot on it, they should be able to tell you Yes or No within weeks. I'm not sure if you are the one who says "I'm sending this with three-week exclusivity" or if they delegate it, but make sure there's a drop-dead date on that one.

That's all I've got.

Also:

:PartySmil

PS

Not to be a shadow, but... you double-checked this was a legitimate agent, yes?

I'm not doubting. I'm just curious for your sake

heyjude · Jan 18, 2008

I have no advice, just wanted to offer a big

WOO-HOO!!!!

a_sharp · Jan 18, 2008

You have the right idea except for the gush. It's another business correspondence, but make sure you refer to the title in your letter. Address the package to whoever responded (agent, assistant, reader) and make sure to add "Materials Requested" on the outside cover.

Way to go. That's an awesome record, Red.

Red-Green · Jan 18, 2008

a_sharp said:
Way to go. That's an awesome record, Red.

Don't worry, I've been paying for it with my other query effort--that novel's score is 11 queries, 11 form rejections.

Thanks for the advice and reminder about "Requested." It's e-mail but I still bet it's important to put that in the subject line.

Red-Green · Jan 18, 2008

dempsey said:
Not to be a shadow, but... you double-checked this was a legitimate agent, yes?

I'm not doubting. I'm just curious for your sake

Thanks for worrying for me.

Yup, I like to do my "due diligence" on the front side--check out the agent's legitimacy before I query.

SageFury · Jan 18, 2008

congrats on the hook hope it pans out for ya =)

geardrops · Jan 18, 2008

Redzilla said:
Thanks for worrying for me. Yup, I like to do my "due diligence" on the front side--check out the agent's legitimacy before I query.

Excellent

I had a feeling you did homework, I just have paranoia built into me.

Straka · Jan 18, 2008

good luck! I hope it works out for you.

Devil Ledbetter · Jan 18, 2008

That's fantastic Red! Best of luck to you.

escritora · Jan 18, 2008

Good luck, buddy boy.

ChaosTitan · Jan 18, 2008

First, congrats on the full request! That's awesome!

Second, exclusives suck. I know you said you sent the query on the fly, but if you decide to continue querying while this submission is out, you can't send out any more requested material until the exclusive has expired.

If you chose to send it on an exclusive basis, make sure you specify a time limit in your cover letter. Four weeks should be plenty. Never send out an open-ended exclusive.

Red-Green · Jan 18, 2008

As she didn't specify a time-frame for the exclusive, can you all suggest some phrasing for me to specify it?

ChaosTitan · Jan 18, 2008

"Enclosed please find the requested full manuscript, XXX, available on an exclusive basis for X weeks."

Or something close.

geardrops · Jan 18, 2008

ChaosTitan suggested 4 weeks.

I've heard a similar number from Miss Snark.

As far as phrasing ... ETA, looks like Chaos has you covered.

IceCreamEmpress · Jan 18, 2008

3 weeks or 4 weeks or 30 days--those are the timeframes I've encountered with exclusives. Pick whichever one works best for you if the agent didn't specify.

And WOO-HOO! for you!

juneafternoon · Jan 18, 2008

Congrats!! I wouldn't send, like stated about, an exclusive for more than four weeks. Make sure you clarify how long you're allowing the exclusive, and never ever ever make it indefinite, cos agents have a way of taking their own sweet time.

Again, congrats!

bluemoonscribe · Jan 19, 2008

Something along the lines of

"Thank you for your interest in TITLE HERE. The full manuscript is enclosed as requested. I will refrain from submitting queries to other agents for (LENGTH OF EXCLUSIVITY REQUEST.)

Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely

YOUR NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE NUMBERS
EMAIL ADDRESS"

Congratulations!!

Twizzle · Jan 19, 2008

or better yet, here's the mss you requested but sorry, I'm unable to grant exclusivity on it. you could do that, too.

and congrats! that's exciting.

Birol · Jan 19, 2008

So, have you sent it yet?

Bubastes · Jan 19, 2008

Just wanted to chime in and say congratulations!

Prawn · Jan 19, 2008

I agree, four weeks is plenty. And after four weeks, you could e-mail them, but you should start submitting again even if you don't hear back from them. I had to chase someone after an exclusive ran out, and the eventual answer was no. If they want you they will likely get in touch with you in four weeks.

Congrats!

MMWyrm · Jan 19, 2008

Just wanted to add some congratulations and a big woo-hooo!

Chase · Jan 19, 2008

Never dealt with an exclusive, except when an agent was reading a manuscript, I naively thought it was professional not to send out more queries.

What do you (and others) think of something softer, perhaps along the lines: "If you need more than four weeks' exclusive, please e-mail me for an extension."

Congratulations!

escritora · Jan 19, 2008

"If you need more than four weeks' exclusive, please e-mail me for an extension."

That's a good line. I like it.

Successful query..NOW what?!

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