Agent Submission

[phillipjpug]

Hello!

I sent a manuscript to a literary agent and he loved it. He asked me for more manuscripts to get a feel for my breadth. He responds very quickly, and told me that he would get back to me shortly. So, my question is does anyone know what this could be a sign of? Is he possibly evaluating offering me representation or am I just getting too excited?

Thanks!

 

[Woollybear]

I would be very hesitant... Based solely on the details you've given here, this sounds more like a scam than a legitimate agent. Are you willing to offer more details? For example, did you send your manuscript unsolicited, or did you query with a query letter, after which the agent asked for the full manuscript? Is the agent with a reputable agency? How long in the business? Etc.

 

[phillipjpug]

Originally, I submitted to them on a workshop from writers digest. They critiqued me and loved my manuscript so much they wanted it in their mailbox. They are a very reputable agency.

They have published many authors, but I don't think it's appropriate for me to say which agency. No offer yet. haha

 

[lizmonster]

Did he ask for more completed manuscripts, or did he ask what else you were working on?

If this is a rejection, along the lines of "loved this one but can't sell it; you got anything else?" I might go ahead and send a different book.

If it's "Loved this book! What else are you working on?" I'd describe my other projects and how complete they are.

If it's an offer of rep, I'd hang on to my other manuscripts until the agency contract is signed.

If it's "Please send more full manuscripts!" without a hard offer of rep? That'd be a no.

ETA: Did not realize OP wrote picture books. I stand by ^^^ for longer work, but the situation sounds much less suspicious when we're talking about picture books.

 

[phillipjpug]

They read my second manuscript already and said they will respond shortly. That's it. They are picture books if that makes any difference.

But I know he's reputable because it's a very well-known literary agency. I just can't figure out if he will offer representation or not.

 

[Woollybear]

Originally, I submitted to them on a workshop from writers digest. They critiqued me and loved my manuscript so much they wanted it in their mailbox. They are a very reputable agency.

They have published many authors, but I don't think it's appropriate for me to say which agency. No offer yet. haha

Oh, this sounds much better then.

Good luck!

 

[lizmonster]

They read my second manuscript already and said they will respond shortly. That's it. They are picture books if that makes any difference.

AH picture books are way outside my area of expertise. If you don't get a hard answer here, maybe try the Writing For Kids forum.

 

[phillipjpug]

Thanks so much all! I'll post in the Writing for Kids thread.

 

[Maryn]

Shoot, I just suggested there that people post replies here, since you already had replies here. Let me go delete that.

 

[Brigid Barry]

FWIW, I see a lot of "if submitting a picture book include the whole thing" when agents request pages on Query Manager.

 

[Undercover]

With picture books, I've definitely heard that agents ask for more manuscripts after that. Sounds exciting! Just make sure you do your research.

 

[VeryBigBeard]

I agree with others in urging caution at least until you have something more firm. Especially as relatively few established agencies advertise in Writer's Digest.

They have published many authors, but I don't think it's appropriate for me to say which agency. No offer yet. haha

No legitimate agency will ever mind you asking other authors about them, or mentioning that you've queried. Indeed, that's typical writer-talk and it's standard practice to notify an agent if another agent requests a full anyway.

Agencies that are well-established want authors to talk about them, see what they've repped, and take an interest in their work. That's how they do business. (They also don't "publish" authors--they represent them to publishers. This is an important distinction as it means no agent can guarantee you success, another thing legit agents will be up-front about.)

Less legitimate agencies, however, often pretend to be offended if you mention them anywhere because that attention is unwanted when their business is charging fees. If the agency has a problem with you doing your research or offers to publish your work, it's not an agency you want to be represented by in the first place.

If you really, really don't want to share which agency it is, at least check through the database here and at Writer Beware. Any established agency will have a thread here.