Response time to requested query?

[writeon]

This is my first post. I wasn't able to find a similar question answered, so I am asking -- how long is it reasonable to wait before getting a response to a query letter from an agent? I met with this agent at a pre-arranged appointment at a conference. I had submitted a query letter to her in advance, which we were to discuss at the appointment. The hope, of course, was that she would be interested in my novel and agree to represent me. Well, she didn't like my query letter and requested that I write a new one (marketing is my downfall) and send it to her with "requested information" on the envelope. I did that on June 29th. Am I being unrealistic in hoping for an answer by now? I know that with story submissions months can -- and do -- go by before a writer hears back. Should I just stay patient, send an Email, call, drop a note, or what? I'd appreciate some guidance! I don't want to be a nudge, but I don't want to be asleep at the switch either. Thanks for any advice.

I'm so grateful to have a place to ask my questions!

[Aconite]

writeon, I'm confused about your situation. Do you mean that the agent didn't like the query letter you sent her to get her interested in your novel? If so, whyever would she ask you to rewrite and resubmit your query letter, instead of either turning you down or requesting sample chapters? Or is she expecting you to come up with the query letter she uses to shop your novel around to publishers, which is something she should be writing herself if she's representing you?

[cwfgal]

I'm also a little confused about your situation but if I understand it correctly, you sent a query only. Is that right?

As for response times, most agencies list their's on their web site and/or in one of the agent listing resource books. Look this agency up and if the response time noted has gone by, then by all means contact the agent for follow-up.

Beth

[writeon]

You are exactly correct. The agent didn't like my query letter and asked me to rewrite it and send the redone one to her . I have no idea why she didn't either reject my novel outright or ask for sample chapters. Maybe she was giving me a second chance to do better with the query letter before committing to asking for chapters. Maybe it was a test to see if she likes my writing. I honestly don't know. When we spoke, the agent said my book sounded better than she had expected from my query letter. It never occurred to me that she might be using me to come up with a letter she can shop around to publishers since she never asked to represent me.

I left the conference feeling like a D (can't bear to say an F!) student because she didn't ask for sample chapters, but I felt that at least there was a modicum of interest because she didn't just say sayonara. Time will tell, I guess.

At any rate, thanks for your feedback. If you have any other thoughts, I'd be happy to hear them.

[writeon]

Yes, I just sent a query. That's all I was asked to send.

I did check this agency's web site to see about response times, but it's not there. That's a good tip though about looking the agency up (It's Debra Fishpaw Agency, by the way) in an agent listing resource book. I will do that. Thanks a lot for the feedback and any other thoughts you may have.

[writeon]

Yes, I just sent a query. That's all I was asked to send.

I did check this agency's web site to see about response times, but it's not there. That's a good tip though about looking the agency up (It's Debra Fishpaw Agency, by the way) in an agent listing resource book. I will do that. Thanks a lot for the feedback and any other thoughts you may have.

[Euan H.]

When I was looking for an agent, I got a response to the majority of my queries within a month. A handful took more than a month, and an even smaller number (2, in fact) took more than two months. (Some didn't bother replying at all.) So if you sent it on June 29th, I would wait until at least August 29th. My experience has been that if they're going to reply, almost all agents will do it within two months. At leats for queries, anyway.

Cheers,

Euan

[writeon]

Thanks, Euan. Your answer gives me a helpful frame of reference.

Take Care,
Writeon

[Aconite]

writeon, the Debra Fishpaw Agency has a (short) thread in the Bewares and Background Check forum here on AW: http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13862. This agency has red flags, including the fact that she charges fees and has "sold" books to vanity/scam publishers. If I were you, I'd forget about worrying why she did what she did (odds are, it didn't have anything to do with the quality of your work) and spend my time looking for a better agent instead.

[writeon]

Wow, Aconite, interesting information! Thank you so much. I actually feel a little better about my work, though worse about the pitfalls in this writing life. Well, that's why I picked my name -- I will WRITE ON, despite the aengst! Thanks for the help. It really does take a village, you know?

Best wishes,
Writeon