tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post1867346275410185092..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: No Simultaneous SubmissionsBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-31287295759661910652009-12-19T14:15:20.339-05:002009-12-19T14:15:20.339-05:00I've self-published all my life and I'm no...I've self-published all my life and I'm now ready and prepared for an agent. This is a great and very informative blog. Thank you.East Harlem Journalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07105546959147497488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-33210548165791751712009-12-09T11:17:17.744-05:002009-12-09T11:17:17.744-05:00An author doesn't NEED an agent, I mean I'...An author doesn't NEED an agent, I mean I've sold 9 novels and several short stories without one, but I still would like to get an agent. Why? They can get you into the bigger NY houses, they can protect your interests as a writer from bad or iffy contracts, and the kind I want can give you great feedback on your writing. A good agent knows the ins and outs of publishing today and that alone is worth the price of admission in my mind.Pat Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08824114343214016153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-10306110616311145752009-12-09T10:49:06.156-05:002009-12-09T10:49:06.156-05:00Chiming in late with some thoughts on the comments...Chiming in late with some thoughts on the comments: Asking for an exclusive and declining to give one are both reasonable. Asking for a list of agents and publishers submitted to is unreasonable, imho verging on unprofessional, unless the agent has committed to representing the author. Also, did somebody ask why an author who's published many novels needs an agent? With a good agent, selling the manuscript is just the beginning. :) (Or did you mean, Why do you need a new agent?--the question the author answered.)Elizabeth Zelvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13944424094949207841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-35871286671366714502009-12-08T13:05:55.634-05:002009-12-08T13:05:55.634-05:00This is a very good subject and I feel that the an...This is a very good subject and I feel that the answer is very accurate. This is especially valid since most agents ask that authors wait 6 to 8 weeks for a "possible" response. Sending queries to multiple agents seems like the wise thing to do. Thanks Jessica!jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12722451148854280881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-8808448475626596172009-12-08T12:52:25.310-05:002009-12-08T12:52:25.310-05:00We journalists and writers can't afford to be ...We journalists and writers can't afford to be passive or deferential--but agents and editors EXPECT writers to be passive and meek and then they bristle when we don't do as we're told...We're not kids, we're adults, and we need to take charge of our lives. Waiting patiently by the computer or phone is not going to work. As they say: You're not the boss of me!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-76070640495865173872009-12-08T12:14:13.282-05:002009-12-08T12:14:13.282-05:00I had an agent recently ask me not only for a 5 we...I had an agent recently ask me not only for a 5 week exclusive on 50 pages, but they wanted to know every agent and publisher I'd subbed to. I can see the publisher part -- if I've subbed on my own and been rejected then that's a bridge I've burned. But why do they think I should divulge who I queried and was rejected by? What does that tell them?<br /><br />I ignored the request. I will simultaneously submit to agents until I find someone who wants my book. But given that I've been able to compile a list of well over a hundred agents who rep what I write, sending each one out individually, wait until I get a response before sending the next one? That would take years at best. How absurd is that?<br /><br />I agree with anonymous, would I want an agent like that?Pat Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08824114343214016153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-53797610255384345732009-12-08T11:55:03.426-05:002009-12-08T11:55:03.426-05:00I agree completely with those who are saying, be h...I agree completely with those who are saying, be honest about whether the partial is already out there. Lying may seem like the best thing in the short run, but it doesn't pay. Honesty to others and yourself is vital in this industry.Donna Lea Simpsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02136523034196552960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-59826631530414201302009-12-08T10:55:43.376-05:002009-12-08T10:55:43.376-05:00Please be up-front. I'm seeing a lot of commen...Please be up-front. I'm seeing a lot of commenters saying "just don't tell them it's with someone else", and while that might turn out just fine for you, it has a BIG potential to backfire. Agents know each other. And they talk. And sometimes even when they're with different agencies, they share office space. So if you have a full MS out with two agents and you've told them both they have exclusives, there is a greater than zero percent chance you'll be found out. And then your chances are 100% shot with both of them.<br /><br />Respectfully decline to give an exclusive. If there's a partial out with more than one person, say that it's being considered by other agents and that if an offer of rep is extended you'll let them know before accepting. If they say "Not good enough", go on your merry way querying other people.<br /><br />I think agents are totally within their rights to ask for exclusives. And writers are totally within their rights to decline them.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06965380978953755823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-67284815392779069822009-12-08T08:35:41.967-05:002009-12-08T08:35:41.967-05:00On a side note to this topic I had a publisher ask...On a side note to this topic I had a publisher ask for my a large partial of my MS and asked for it on an exclusive. I already have a partial in a big contest with a publisher and have three other publishers who asked for the full MS when I was ready to send it in.<br /><br />I was honest and told the publisher it was out elsewhere already - and sent the requested partial in. She emailed me back that she was sorry, she wasn't going to break company policy and that I could email her again if I was not offered a contract from one of the others.<br /><br />My husband was on me to lie, but I wouldn't do it. I explained that a search could find what contest I was in and I didn't want to start off a business relationship being dishonest.<br /><br />Back to square one in the waiting game!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01534284446634705363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-82993944883960799692009-12-08T02:10:17.482-05:002009-12-08T02:10:17.482-05:00Actually this is easy. When the writer says "...Actually this is easy. When the writer says "states" it means it was a letter and it's simple to ignore parts of letters. The hard thing is when an agent calls you on the phone and asks for an exclusive. Hard to lie on the phone. Easy to ignore part of a letter. And it's not even unethical. Just because an agent responds saying they want an exclusive doesn't meant you have to agree or disagree. You can just thank them for asking to see the material and send it.<br /><br />-- recently got a response from an agent asking for a partial (just 20 pages or so) and states that simultaneous submissions aren't considered. I don't know how to handle this--Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-34358504532794322722009-12-08T02:09:53.586-05:002009-12-08T02:09:53.586-05:00Actually this is easy. When the writer says "...Actually this is easy. When the writer says "states" it means it was a letter and it's simple to ignore parts of letters. The hard thing is when an agent calls you on the phone and asks for an exclusive. Hard to lie on the phone. Easy to ignore part of a letter. And it's not even unethical. Just because an agent responds saying they want an exclusive doesn't meant you have to agree or disagree. You can just thank them for asking to see the material and send it.<br /><br />-- recently got a response from an agent asking for a partial (just 20 pages or so) and states that simultaneous submissions aren't considered. I don't know how to handle this--Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-56847267582922841942009-12-08T02:04:45.232-05:002009-12-08T02:04:45.232-05:00Let's be realistic: No one owes anyone anythin...Let's be realistic: No one owes anyone anything until they have a real relationship. An agent will ask to see your stuff, put it on a pile for six months, read two pages and throw it out without even sending a letter. (True met -- it's happened to me.) Writers, as a rule, are overly passive and deferential. Tell an agent anything she needs to hear to get him or her to read your stuff. Lie. No biggie. Everyone in business lies. EVERYONE. I am lied to many times every week because everyone is acting in their own self-interest. So what if an agent spends their time reading your book and then you to decide to go with another agent. Trust me: If you are successful, you will have many agents, and you will be screwed by many agents. Don't worry about screwing them until you care about them as a person. And they have to earn that -- just as you have to earn them caring about you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-64043016096733195932009-12-08T01:56:38.010-05:002009-12-08T01:56:38.010-05:00I have had a number of agents, and I wouldn't ...I have had a number of agents, and I wouldn't tell an agent that other agents were reading material if I thought that would deter anyone from considering it. (I would tell them if I thought it would get a quick read -- which I have done.) Bottom line: Life is tough. Just because I ask an agent to read my material doesn't guarantee I'll let that agent represent me if he wants to. I will do what's best for me, just as the agent will. So if an agent demands an exclusive, I'll lie and tell them it's an exclusive. Sue me. I've spend years and years writing my material and to hell with you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-25898620476343827612009-12-07T21:27:36.567-05:002009-12-07T21:27:36.567-05:00Jessica's advice is right on the money. Be hon...Jessica's advice is right on the money. Be honest. Other agents are reading your material. When I was searching for an agent, one agent asked for an exclusive, and I basically said just what Jessica said to say, and she read the material anyway and offered representation. I emailed all the other agents considering the material (partials and fulls--not the unanswered queries) stating that I had an offer of representation and asking where they were on the submission and their thoughts. They were all gracious and honest about where they were and what they thought. Some had read, some hadn't, some didn't like it, that's life.Allison Brennanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05598446973999304028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-70777189230081854722009-12-07T20:59:59.892-05:002009-12-07T20:59:59.892-05:00Great advice, Jessica!Great advice, Jessica!Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-70115557098377027002009-12-07T20:27:13.811-05:002009-12-07T20:27:13.811-05:00Writers, Agents, Editors:
Today is the last day ...Writers, Agents, Editors: <br /><br />Today is the last day to RSVP for @jimsissy's #holidaybash! <br /><br />Party with your contemporaries online, complete with white elephant presents! <br /><br />http://bit.ly/6eGLc6 <br /><br />Will be brilliant fun -- the event of the season! : )Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-47525156063298520642009-12-07T19:11:10.085-05:002009-12-07T19:11:10.085-05:00Excellent post. Thank you!Excellent post. Thank you!Larissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08874147599272424056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-67592810745206776352009-12-07T18:33:51.057-05:002009-12-07T18:33:51.057-05:00I agree that in today's market, writers should...I agree that in today's market, writers should never mention the status of a work's submission process except to say "available" or "no longer available." Who has it or how many agents have it is proprietary business information that is not to the writer's advantage to disclose, ever. If an agency does request "exclusivity," simply say "Okay" while continuing to seek representation elsewhere. To do anything less is shooting yourself in the foot.<br /><br />I guess one disaadvantage of newbie writers seeking advice on agent blogs is that, naaturaally they're going to get advice that favors the agents, not necessarily the writers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-46364071131302633952009-12-07T18:27:00.781-05:002009-12-07T18:27:00.781-05:00"I've had ONE agent ask for a two-week ex..."I've had ONE agent ask for a two-week exclusive on a partial. I told her that partials were already out at other agencies, and she then asked that I please not accept any other offer before giving her a chance to review my materials. There was no problem."<br /><br />It cold have easily gone the other way on you. Agent could have said, PASS!<br /><br />In this case, the action that would have maximized your chances would have been to say "Okay, you have the exclusive." This reply makes them feel better, but legally means or implies absolutely nothing, since you have no contract with them. Tell 'em what they want to hear while you continue to seek representation. Until it's contracted, it's available. It's that simple. Do what's best for you. Disclose nothing unless you're being offered a contract.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-47280481308023183902009-12-07T18:23:22.693-05:002009-12-07T18:23:22.693-05:00Correction to my above post: that hsould have been...Correction to my above post: that hsould have been: "It's available until it's CONTRACTED" (by an agent).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-42287087600478663142009-12-07T18:22:08.959-05:002009-12-07T18:22:08.959-05:00Even on full's, I wouldn't disclose any in...Even on full's, I wouldn't disclose any info on an unsold manuscript. It's available until it's sold. Period. Mention nothing except that it's available.<br /><br />To do any less is to voluntarily decrease your own chances of a timely sale.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-33916110667145830882009-12-07T18:18:31.540-05:002009-12-07T18:18:31.540-05:00"I recently got a response from an agent aski..."I recently got a response from an agent asking for a partial (just 20 pages or so) and states that simultaneous submissions aren't considered. I don't know how to handle this."<br /><br />Just send the Q and don't mention anything about where else you might or might not be sending it. You've got to always do what increases your odds of being consideration for publicaiton--not what makes it easier for the agents.<br /><br />In the unlikely event that they do reply favorably to you, at that point you can let them know if another agency or publisher is seriously considering the work.<br /><br />But never do anyhting to decrease your own odds. Mum's the word. It's YOUR business. Keep it yours. The agencies are just trying to avoid spending time on projects they will have to compete for and possibly lose. that's their problem, not yours. Q 10 agents at a time, with a new Q going out every 30 days until you've exhausted all agents that handle your genre. Then, try small presses. if that fails, it's self-pub or stash in the drawer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-49965458194616065852009-12-07T18:10:36.866-05:002009-12-07T18:10:36.866-05:00Could the letter writer possibly be mistaken? By &...Could the letter writer possibly be mistaken? By "no simultaneous submissions", could the agent simply be saying that s/he does not want simultaneous submissions within his or her own agency?<br /><br />I work in a medium-sized agency, with about nine other agents. It becomes a problem when a writer queries everyone within my agency at the same time, but doesn't tell any of us that s/he did it. Several times, more than one of us has asked for a full, not knowing that another agent in-house is already looking at it.<br /><br />Just wondering.<br /><br />And I agree: Exclusives are a bad idea. They limit a writer's choices.<br /><br />ColleenThe Swivethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00685468276187421753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-68938866677969188622009-12-07T18:04:25.828-05:002009-12-07T18:04:25.828-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.The Swivethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00685468276187421753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-9120125688830989532009-12-07T16:34:12.450-05:002009-12-07T16:34:12.450-05:00This is the first time I've come across the co...This is the first time I've come across the concept of an "exclusive." I'm still not up on all the publishing industry lingo, but I think for now, I'd best stick to simply finishing my novel before getting sucked into all the jargon that may end up getting in my way. eh?Voidwalkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06688751100806767843noreply@blogger.com