Be patient or be persistent?

What I often do

Greetings JohnP!
I have sent samples with a delivery confirmation just so I know it was delivered. Many times my samples have been lost via US mail. That hasn't happened to me since I opt for the del. confirmation, I have often given the agent a call too. Other don't but I do. It is okay to do this. Just be upbeat, hello, and just checking to see if you rec. my mss / reading samples. Say no more. Don't ask when you can expect to hear back either. Say thank you for your interest and good bye!
It is wonderful that an agent asked for the sample. Often an agent will e-mail you a reply or contact you via e-mail if you put it in your query letter. Don't sweat it either way. It takes time and the fact that there is an interested soul out there thank God!


Now, start querying other agents to get your mind off this one and IF this one passes.

If this one said 30 days to reply then only after 30 days call again.

All good wishes I send your way~

patience

Be patient, at least for another month. Nothing on earth is as annoying as a writer who isn't patient.

Jamesaritchie said:

Nothing on earth is as annoying as a writer who isn't patient.

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Well, I can think of a few things that are more annoying... like Old Navy commercials, for instance, and the fact that you can never wipe off all the grass clippings off your shoes before you get in the house, so there are always a few stray grass blades that make their way into your house after you mow the lawn, and...

Um, yeah. I'd definitely vote for "be patient," too. And like James, I'd say to wait two weeks beyond their stated response time-- then call to follow up.

Good luck with it, John! I think your topic is very timely.

Peter Miller requested a partial after an email query, and unfortunately I failed to note the response time on those materials, but as I recall, it took a couple of months. It might take longer for a positive response, if more people have to look at it.

Annoying

JennaGlatzer said:

Well, I can think of a few things that are more annoying... like Old Navy commercials

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Oops. Yep, I forgot about Old Navy commercials.

Okay, the second most annoying thing in the world is an impatient writer.

Glad you called

I believe that you and work work will be fine. I am glad you made the call. Often when I was an editorial assistant, it took me weeks to get through the submissions THEN I had to direct it to who I thought would be the BEST reader for the author. That person took as much time as needed to even take it out of his / her mailbox. My advice is to now give it time, wait, and begin your next one.

You can make another follow up call in a couple of weeks.

All good wishes I send to you and hope this is the BEST agent for you & your work.

PMA is a legit agency. However, they do tend to have a lot of agents who come and go there. They are great people, but it's very possible that the agent you submitted to, unless it was Peter himself, is no longer there. I would suggest sending another email, directly to Peter, and inquiring about your manuscript's status, or better yet, call. It can't hurt, especially if you express it as simple concern that your material has been received.

Jamesaritchie said:

Okay, the second most annoying thing in the world is an impatient writer.

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Me personally, I can't stand this "unwritten" rule. I think it sucks. How impatient is an editor at deadline time?

OneTeamOneDream said:

Me personally, I can't stand this "unwritten" rule. I think it sucks. How impatient is an editor at deadline time?

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Very. But unless you're an editor, it doesn't matter. Impatients wirters are annoying, and generally shoot themselves in the foot far mnore often than not.
And dealines have nothing to do with what we're talking about here. Deadlines come about because of a contractual agreement between the writer and the editor. When you give your word to an editor that something will be done by a given time, the editor has every right to be impatient.

Impatient at other times just comes across as pestering and annoying. Patience really is a virtue. Impatience isn't.

Jamesaritchie said:

Impatient at other times just comes across as pestering and annoying. Patience really is a virtue. Impatience isn't.

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Tell that to people who have waited over a year...just to get a rejection. But wait, they were told "have patience, its a virtue." I see your point, but ......

That's why you go on to other projects and forget about the one you sent out. I have a calendar program that pops up with set reminders for dates--set it two weeks beyond the date they gave you then send a follow up e-mail, letter, or make a phone call. Before that, let it go and work on the next project.

Shawn