What do you think this means?

[writerterri]

As Miss Snark says, exclusives stink!

Well, her and I agree on something.

 

[Soccer Mom]

My little beta child, loved the story. Moo is a winner. I think it means good things.

 

[writerterri]

8 months later and How Cow was rejected.


They made me wait 8 months! Dorks.

 

[Kate Thornton]

Yes, I waited that long for a rejection from Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine. It stinks, Terri - but we both gotta mooooove on.

How Cow will find a place out there!

 

[victoriastrauss]

As Miss Snark says, exclusives stink!

Plenty of other agents don't agree.

- Victoria

 

[Cath]

8 months later and How Cow was rejected.

That's a shame, Terri - but keep sending it out. I remember thinking it was really cute when I saw it in Share Your Work.

 

[writerterri]

Yes, I waited that long for a rejection from Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine. It stinks, Terri - but we both gotta mooooove on.

How Cow will find a place out there!

Yep, this time I'm sending out lots of them.

 

[writerterri]

Plenty of other agents don't agree.

- Victoria

Hi Victoria!

I'm wondering how so. I know how it's terrible for me to wait, but why do some require exclusives and why don't some agents mind that? 8 months is a long time.

Terri

 

[writerterri]

That's a shame, Terri - but keep sending it out. I remember thinking it was really cute when I saw it in Share Your Work.

I'm glad you liked it. Thanks.

I know someone will pick it up. I just know it. Off to do more research...

 

[Soccer Mom]

I've got a story that's been held hostage since last Sept. I really want it in this magazine, so I'm toughing out the wait, but it stinks.

Sorry about How Cow. Moooooooooove that story back out of the barn.

 

[writerterri]

I've got a story that's been held hostage since last Sept. I really want it in this magazine, so I'm toughing out the wait, but it stinks.

Sorry about How Cow. Moooooooooove that story back out of the barn.

Yes it does. Thanks, darlin!

 

[Maryn]

I don't have anything out at the moment, but I'm planning to adopt a strategy I read about here. (It was ages ago, so I have no idea what thread. Sorry.)

The agent or editor who's my first choice and asks for an exclusive can get it--but I'm imposing a time limit a bit longer than their typical response time. Say it's usually 2 months. My cover letter might say, "Enclosed is my manuscript for MARYN'S BRILLIANCE as requested in your letter of March 21, 2007. I'm pleased to give XYZ Agency exclusive rights until June 30, 2007."

No threats about what might happen after that date, which is one and a half times longer than their stated response time. If they didn't write, email, or pick up the phone by June 30, I would have no qualms about sending it to others starting July 1.

Maryn, who can't wait 8 months for anything, except babies

 

[writerterri]

Yea, that's too long when the web site said it would take 3 months. I was willing to give 5.


Oh, well.

 

[victoriastrauss]

Hi Victoria!

I'm wondering how so. I know how it's terrible for me to wait, but why do some require exclusives and why don't some agents mind that? 8 months is a long time.

No agent should ask for an eight month exclusive! I know that some ask for six, and I think that's unreasonable too. Three months is long enough, IMO. Some agents ask for only a couple of weeks.

The argument for exclusives is, basically, time and money. A good agent won't consider offering representation unless she carefully reads and evaluates your manuscript. It takes time to do this--time that will be completely uncompensated if the agent doesn't make an offer, or if she offers and then fails to sell the book. Under those circumstances, it's understandable that an agent would want an exclusive on the manuscript, so she can be confident that she won't be investing her time only to have someone else snatch the book out from under her.

This is a personal preference. Some agents insist on exclusives (but will often be willing to waive them if you let them know the ms. is being read nonexclusively elsewhere). Some agents don't ask for exclusives. It really depends.

Speaking for myself, I wouldn't grant an exclusive of longer than three months, and I'd never grant an open-ended exclusive. If the agent doesn't state a time limit for the exclusive, you should set one yourself. And I would never grant an exclusive on a partial--which an increasing number of agents seem to be asking for.

- Victoria

 

[Braydie]

I don't have anything out at the moment, but I'm planning to adopt a strategy I read about here. (It was ages ago, so I have no idea what thread. Sorry.)

The agent or editor who's my first choice and asks for an exclusive can get it--but I'm imposing a time limit a bit longer than their typical response time. Say it's usually 2 months. My cover letter might say, "Enclosed is my manuscript for MARYN'S BRILLIANCE as requested in your letter of March 21, 2007. I'm pleased to give XYZ Agency exclusive rights until June 30, 2007."

No threats about what might happen after that date, which is one and a half times longer than their stated response time. If they didn't write, email, or pick up the phone by June 30, I would have no qualms about sending it to others starting July 1.

This is a great idea - a very good solution.