tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post4012951624891632941..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: Have I Been RejectedBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-21562293355197525482010-04-21T20:16:03.009-04:002010-04-21T20:16:03.009-04:00You need to remember we live in an age of non-resp...You need to remember we live in an age of non-response. It can sometimes be hard for me to get a response from editors who I am doing contracted work for!<br /><br />In a time when non-response is acceptable etiquette, you need to be more aggressive. If the agent has asked to see your manuscript, it's perfectly fine to pick up the phone and call. This can be intimidating for some writers, but it's a good business practice that becomes much easier the more you do it.<br /><br />It's probably all moot in this case after a year. But still, if I were the writer, I'd pick up the phone and call the agent to see what was going on, if only for the practice of doing so. The agent may not remember your manuscript at all. But, heck, there's that 1% chance it's under a couch or something. So you lose nothing by calling. And like I said, it will be good practice for the future.<br /><br />Good luck!joemullichhttp://www.joemullich.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-19382709918394004032010-04-21T00:10:06.177-04:002010-04-21T00:10:06.177-04:00I've just been tidying up my lists of where ev...I've just been tidying up my lists of where everything is, so this is very timely advice for me. Thanks.Sheila Deethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13465615546936319164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-77593996285050944232010-04-20T20:54:06.907-04:002010-04-20T20:54:06.907-04:00Ted has a good point. That being said, if you sen...Ted has a good point. That being said, if you send a SQ, attach your manuscript to the email. It will make it easier for the agent to respond to you. He/she won't have to dig through files. (An agent I visited with this week gave me this adivice.) Best wishes!Sharon K. Mayhewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07799235347319851345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-55145809118203717552010-04-20T20:48:50.406-04:002010-04-20T20:48:50.406-04:00Anonymous at 7:22-- actually not one but two agent...Anonymous at 7:22-- actually not one but two agents contacted me to say "oh yeah, I do want that" months later. Fortunately I had already signed with another agent.<br /><br />If I hadn't, would I have been tempted? I hope not.nauthornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-5128426444461085152010-04-20T20:46:29.295-04:002010-04-20T20:46:29.295-04:00To the questioner: I agree with the others; you do...To the questioner: I agree with the others; you don't want that agent to represent you.<br /><br />She'd never get around to submitting your manuscript, she'd never get back to you about anything, she gets a zero in communication. It does matter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-32707094068758967072010-04-20T19:22:50.782-04:002010-04-20T19:22:50.782-04:00I agree that following up is a waste of time (how ...I agree that following up is a waste of time (how often, after all, does an agent say "Oh, yeah, I do want that!" months later?!), but simply re-querying every 2 months until you get a response isn't a waste of time. There are only so many qualified uber-agents, after all, and no response doesn't mean no--only no means no!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-63719246582257401162010-04-20T19:20:06.797-04:002010-04-20T19:20:06.797-04:00Until the book is sold to a pub, keep pushin' ...Until the book is sold to a pub, keep pushin' it. Don't stop. You shouldn't be 'following up' on old prospects. There's only 2 tings to doL hit up new proespects and write new books. Anyting else is a waste of time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-4216776316145620222010-04-20T18:38:01.344-04:002010-04-20T18:38:01.344-04:00You are right that this is highly unusual, but it ...You are right that this is highly unusual, but it does happen. On the few occasions it happened to me, I later found out that there were extenuating circumstances; one guy had big-time personal problems, another guy just went out of business altogether. Wait a few months, make 2 attempts to contact (just in case the first doesn't go through for tech reasons), and then put it behind you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-9794532611953859092010-04-20T16:58:18.127-04:002010-04-20T16:58:18.127-04:00Oh yikes, I just realized that was no response on ...Oh yikes, I just realized that was no response on a full. In that case, I think I agree with Ted as well.Lisa_Gibsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17238496789960349077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-78935630400348177992010-04-20T16:57:19.666-04:002010-04-20T16:57:19.666-04:00I try to go by their website also. If it says you ...I try to go by their website also. If it says you can expect a comment, then I may check back. If it doesn't say anything, I assume no answer, IS an answer of 'No'.Lisa_Gibsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17238496789960349077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-48044608581789176742010-04-20T16:50:26.238-04:002010-04-20T16:50:26.238-04:00Like everyone else is saying, I'd assume the a...Like everyone else is saying, I'd assume the agent isn't interested and move on. If you are bothered enough, though, you could check the agent's blog or website to make sure there haven't been any extenuating circumstances delaying her response...although I couldn't imagine what would delay someone from responding to a full they were interested in for that long.Kristin Laughtinhttp://kristinlaughtin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-18916454383426872332010-04-20T15:52:10.816-04:002010-04-20T15:52:10.816-04:00I'd pick up the phone and speak to him/her. Th...I'd pick up the phone and speak to him/her. Then you'll be able to draw a line under it.<br /><br />He/she might not like you to call? What does that matter, when you no longer want this agent to represent you?Lexihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14404818053292364819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-47459245290661123142010-04-20T15:11:40.729-04:002010-04-20T15:11:40.729-04:00Hi all-
I am the person who wrote this entry about...Hi all-<br />I am the person who wrote this entry about the agent. Thanks for all your advice. I tend to agree: if this is how the agent operates at this stage, then who's to say the same thing couldn't happen at the next? If so, it's probably best to find out sooner rather than later! I'm moving on--have been for quite some time, and since then, have had other requests for fulls (and yes, ALL have followed up and responded so far!). BTW, this is a larger, more reputable agency--which shows, I think, that size and reputation have no relevance when it comes to proper etiquette.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-6682560050862731932010-04-20T14:17:42.994-04:002010-04-20T14:17:42.994-04:00You would think after requesting a FULL, that they...You would think after requesting a FULL, that they would at least have the courtesy to say "no, thanks." I've heard of queries being ignored into silence, but this is a bit much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-29812336330498582462010-04-20T13:42:47.552-04:002010-04-20T13:42:47.552-04:00I just spoke with my agent yesterday. I am a clien...I just spoke with my agent yesterday. I am a client, and he sold my first mss last year (July 09) and it's being published in 2011. Contracts have been signed, advances paid, authors ques's filled out. We're often in touch. So, when I read this post I laughed a little. Not out of spite but thinking about my convo w/him yesterday:<br /><br />Me: "Have you, um, had a chance to look at my new mss?"<br />Him: "It's in my stack."<br />Me: "So you'll get to it."<br />Him: "Yes."<br /><br />I asked him if he had a reader. Yes, but he ultimately reads everything. The reality of "having an agent" isn't someone who gets your work and turns it around in two seconds. I knew that going in. It took a very long time from writing a letter to him to receiving an agency contract. About as long for him to place the mss. A little bit less time to get the contract and advance (in two parts, part two being later than part one.) <br /><br />These days, when I read this sort of post i.e., trying to "figure out" the agent, I always think of my past and current experience. It takes a while for people to get back to you. Maybe my advantage was that I knew that going into it. Or, that I got a positive response and trusted that would - as it has - manifest into something.<br /><br />Last night, I googled something that lead to a guy who maintains an email list of agents. He publishes his correspondance with them, taking them to task for (__________ <<< everything), arguing, whining, the whole nine yards. It was somewhat of an embarrassment to read. Although he has, "The last word" - or, a public one - in the end, he didn't win anything. It was too painful to read the whole site, but my guess is that Mr. Argumentative still doesn't have an agent - just a long list of emails.<br /><br />The reality is, if you chose to step out of line - "Take that, agent!" - they don't care. And someone else more patient than yourself will take your place or move forward.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-16115981517171589562010-04-20T13:29:34.723-04:002010-04-20T13:29:34.723-04:00The quantity of submissions often stop agents from...The quantity of submissions often stop agents from being able to have a more personal approach at the beginning stages...but after two ignored requests for an update on a requested sumbission...I agree that they might not be the right fit for you.Raquel Byrneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-7696017563994841212010-04-20T13:14:14.772-04:002010-04-20T13:14:14.772-04:00Definitely move on. I'd count that as a rejec...Definitely move on. I'd count that as a rejection. For me, anything over six months is a rejection by default.Creepy Query Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-88110591458047798592010-04-20T12:19:26.899-04:002010-04-20T12:19:26.899-04:00I agree also. I wouldn't want anyone this lame...I agree also. I wouldn't want anyone this lame as an agent anyway, but I would send another email politely saying that as you haven't heard from them, you are reclaiming your "offer". Nothing wrong with that.<br />Incidentally, I know an author who spent a long time getting an agent and now she has that agent, said agent doesn't respond to her emails - even with three books under the belt! I guess the lesson is that even when you have an agent, some of them are just lame human beings. End of story!Sion Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05251349568547180733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-51853597414025836372010-04-20T12:16:47.511-04:002010-04-20T12:16:47.511-04:00I agree also. I wouldn't want anyone this lame...I agree also. I wouldn't want anyone this lame as an agent anyway, but I would send another email politely saying that as you haven't heard from them, you are reclaiming your "offer". Nothing wrong with that.<br />Incidentally, I know an author who spent a long time getting an agent and now she has that agent, said agent doesn't respond to her emails - even with three books under the belt! I guess the lesson is that even when you have an agent, some of them are just lame human beings. End of story!Sion Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05251349568547180733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-53685000863741318402010-04-20T11:48:00.714-04:002010-04-20T11:48:00.714-04:00I find myself in the situation that Philangelus de...I find myself in the situation that Philangelus described. I'm waiting to hear from one agent on a full, and meanwhile, an agent at the same agency, who was closed to submissions when I queried, is now accepting them. And she'd be a better fit for my book. I wonder if after six months to a year (don't you think that's a reasonable amount of time?) you can pull your ms from consideration from the agent who hasn't responded to a few status requests?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-53726952446926769352010-04-20T11:47:03.612-04:002010-04-20T11:47:03.612-04:00"Some writers have the ability to let a submi..."Some writers have the ability to let a submission go the minute it’s sent."<br /><br />If you're going to be a writer for the long haul, and you're not just screwing around between jobs, this is the only sane way to approach all submissions.ryan fieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13361694356025572544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-16893433701211546462010-04-20T11:22:43.814-04:002010-04-20T11:22:43.814-04:00Sadly, I think this might be becoming more common....Sadly, I think this might be becoming more common. I've had it happen three times with my current manuscript. But at least I know that they're agents I wouldn't want to work with. When my current WIP is finished, I won't be sending anything to them again.Connie Kellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10774616533630985219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-12279015303396824612010-04-20T10:42:52.150-04:002010-04-20T10:42:52.150-04:00This is a prime example why you need to be queryin...This is a prime example why you need to be querying and sending out to other agents all the time. If you ever grant exclusives, do it only under a very tight timeframe. Also don't be above violating the agreement. Agents and editors are not gods. They are fallible and sometimes flakey.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-76016555220342953752010-04-20T10:31:46.350-04:002010-04-20T10:31:46.350-04:00I'm also going to agree with Ted and the other...I'm also going to agree with Ted and the others. Given that you have politely asked for a status twice with no response, there is very little chance that the full didn't get through. And if three pieces of correspondence have fallen through the cracks, the agent's communications system is too flawed. You would be frustrated trying to communicate even if you signed with that agency. <br /><br />There are many fantastic agents out there who communicate professionally. Hold out for one who is both responsive and enthusiastic about your work!Martina Boonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-49976925933490291672010-04-20T10:28:30.484-04:002010-04-20T10:28:30.484-04:00Philangelus, actually, I doubt that the second age...Philangelus, actually, I doubt that the second agent would pull representation at that point, although I could be wrong.<br /><br />To the writer, I'm really sorry this happened to you. I wonder if the agent realized how hurtful this is.<br /><br />And I agree with Ted too! :)<br /><br />If I were you, I might like some closure. It's up to you, but I might send the agent a letter saying something like: I appreciate your interest, but it appears that my work is not a good fit with your list. I'd like to remove my MS from your consideration. Thank you for your time.<br /><br />That way it's done and over, and doing this may take some of the sting out of the whole thing.<br /><br />Good luck to you - keep on!Mirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02558405035294107657noreply@blogger.com