Offers, Fulls, and emotional wreckage...

Hi all,

long time lurker in need of advice!

A month ago I sent out my queries to my top five agents. All five requested the full which I never in a gazillion years thought would happen. I cannot stress this enough: I love all five of these folks, or they wouldn't have been on that list. I researched them to death and all are awesome.

Awesome Agent One has offered representation.
Awesome Agents Two through Five are getting back to me next week (after I let them know I had an offer on the table).

I've followed all the protocols, been straight up with everyone and kept them all in the loop. Thing is... I feel awful, like whatever I do I'm wasting someone's time. I'm not sure what to do!

A) Do I email two through five saying no thanks and take the amazing offer on the table?
B) Do I wait until all of them have had a chance to respond and then choose, even if it means keeping Agent One waiting despite the fact they don't seem too happy about that?
C) Do I nudge everyone and see what they think? At least that way they know that if they sign me that they're getting an emotional wreck for a client.
D) Do I keep drinking this bottle of wine, quit complaining and finish the Christmas chocolates?

I keep swinging back to A because honestly, this agent and their agency are fab, and at the end of the day just because I've got fulls with the others doesn't mean they'll offer. Plus Agent One got back to me lightening fast and is super enthusiastic... and yet everything I read tells me to do B. Plus Agent Two knew about the project a while ago and was really encouraging about it, so I feel like I owe them at least the chance to voice their opinion. And Agent Three is reading it despite being on vacation in another country.


I think I'm going for option D.

Can anyone who has been in this situation give me some advice, please? I'm an emotional wreck clutching a wine glass and a half-eaten box of chocolates.

The first agent knows, Cornflake.

What you're suggesting was exactly the path I was following until another writer I know basically implied it was shittier to NOT just accept Agent One, who I would love to rep me, and to hang on to see what the other agents thought as well. Does that make sense? I've spent all day wondering if she was right and whether I'm wasting people's time.

Does that make a bit more sense?

@Cornflake, all of the above. It was a good discussion, and we're on the same page. Also you're absolutely right, pulling out now would be wasting their time.

@Cyia, thanks, that's what I thought and why I proceeded the way I did - I was just thrown by the well-intentioned advice from my friend.

Thanks both. I will stick to my planned course and wait until the end of the week to make my decision.

@Blackbird - I know; believe me if I heard someone say what I did I'd roll my eyes. I have never even had a request for a partial before, and half the time not even a form rejection.

@Cornflake - um.. there's a lot of empty chocolate boxes. I've moved onto the jelly babies.

@Jennifer - thank you, and yes it is an awesome problem to have - but it wasn't something I was even slightly prepared for. I think we all get so used to rejection that genuine interest comes as a complete shock.

Again, thanks to everyone. I'm sticking with my original course of action and resolved to enjoy the process as much as I can.

Thanks everyone, I will be following Jennifer's advice to the letter - will be speaking with Agent Two this afternoon!