Distinguished agent wants a partial, but...

[Homer]

A veteran agent with a top firm wrote in response to my e-mail query saying she'd look at a partial, but only on an exclusive basis. I have three other partials out on request and a few others to agents whose submission requirements asked for partials. Most them have had the partial for several weeks. Any ideas how I should deal with this? I really want her to look at the partial, but even if I could I'm not so sure I'd give her an exclusive on a partial unless it were for a limited time. I can't believe it's the norm to give exclusives on partials.

[popmuze]

I had this exact situation happen recently where I had the manuscript out at several places. I wrote back to the agent stating the case and she agreed to look at it on a non-exclusive basis.

[icerose]

You can't give exclusivity after the fact. Explain that it is already being read by other agents on a non-exclusive basis and thus you cannot give exclucivity after the fact, but express that you would be happy to send a partial for her/his consideration.

[jchines]

Just be honest. They may be willing to waive the exclusivity. They might be willing to wait until you hear back from the other agents.

With that said, I've got mixed feelings about agents wanting exclusives on partials. Exclusives are annoying enough on a full. If you granted it, I'd at least suggest asking for a time limit.

[Saundra Julian]

We should all have this problem! Good luck and congratulations...

[ChaosTitan]

Forgive me if this sounds dense, but I'm curious.

Can't Homer still grant this agent an exclusive? Wouldn't that just mean that he can't sign with another agent during the predetermined amount of time that this other agent is "exclusively" reviewing his partial?

[Homer]

Forgive me if this sounds dense, but I'm curious.

Can't Homer still grant this agent an exclusive? Wouldn't that just mean that he can't sign with another agent during the predetermined amount of time that this other agent is "exclusively" reviewing his partial?

Exclusive means that she's the only one reading it.

[Carrie in PA]

Exclusive means that she's the only one reading it.

Well then, it's not really an issue. You *can't* give her exclusivity. Just be honest and if you really want her, you can tell her that you're willing to give her first refusal within X time frame.

Good luck!!

[Inky]

Two ways to look at this: asking for an exclusive--

1) I would take it as a compliment. It (and maybe I'm patting myself on the back here to feel better) means you must have written something that made said agent sit up and say, "hey...I must get this in my hands right now, and make sure no one else has the opportunity to grab it"....soooo..ye' must 'ave written somethin' quite interestin'!

2) The flip side of exclusive...it's like going on job interviews. What if you interview for a job...and you REALLY are down to your last dollar...only potential employer says: "while we're considering you, you are not allowed to go on any other interviews"....never mind they may get back to you in the alloted time you've asked....would you really strap yourself down like that?

Difficult call. This is a business. One manuscript at an agents office for the duration of time requested/agreed means that amount of time none other is looking at it...and if the agent declines????

I envy you...but you're in a tough spot. Go with your gut instinct.

[PeeDee]

If it were an exclusive read on the full manuscript, I'd be pretty happy for you, because that probably means she thinks your writing is worth having and worth ensuring that it doesn't slip away.

An exclusive read on a partial (i.e., sight unseen) is a potential good sign (she thinks your story is the most stunning thing, EVAR) or it's just a strange business practice.

I think if you write to her, as mentioned, and point out that it's already out to other people, then that's a reasonable thing to do. After all, she knows the business, she'll understand that what it involves is sending the same bulky twenty page packet out to five different people at the same time.

It's like marriage and mistresses, really.

(er, or perhaps it's nothing like that at all.)

[Jamesaritchie]

Forgive me if this sounds dense, but I'm curious.

Can't Homer still grant this agent an exclusive? Wouldn't that just mean that he can't sign with another agent during the predetermined amount of time that this other agent is "exclusively" reviewing his partial?

Actually, I think this is an excellent idea. When you get right down to it, an agent probably doesn't care how many others are reading a manuscript, as long as she knows none of them are allowed to grab it.

Promising this agent you won't take any other offer of representation until after you hear from her should be close enough to an exclusive to satisfy her.

[Maprilynne]

Actually, I think this is an excellent idea. When you get right down to it, an agent probably doesn't care how many others are reading a manuscript, as long as she knows none of them are allowed to grab it.

Promising this agent you won't take any other offer of representation until after you hear from her should be close enough to an exclusive to satisfy her.

That's what I've done now a couple of times. I write them an e-mail saying that I would love to send them the partial exclusively but that I can't because others are reading it. But I would, of course, be happy to keep them apprised of any developments and give them ample time to respond. They've always agreed to it so far. I'm waiting to hear back from an agent who seemed more insistent on an exclusive that the others so I guess we'll see, but it's worked for me thus far . . . hmmm, three times I think???

Good Luck!

Maprilynne

[Cathy C]

That sounds like an excellent compromise to me, too. Good luck with it!

[Homer]

Thanks for the great advice everyone. I'm following it. I hope it works. It's comforting to know, in any event, you only need one agent.

[herdon]

As others have suggested, I would respond letting the agent know that the work is being reviewed by other agents at the moment but that you would be happy to give her an exclusive once you have heard back from the other agents.

I would also check the website for a response time and, if no standard response is given, ask her what her standard response time is. You'll want to know this to figure out if it is really worth it to give her an exclusive look. A few weeks is fine, anything more than 4-6 weeks and she shouldn't be asking for an exclusive.

Personally, I wouldn't even mentioned being happy to send her a non-exclusive -- simply mention that it is out to others right now and you can send it to her on an exclusive basis once you have heard back from them. If she is okay with reading it on a non-exclusive basis she'll tell you. But, I don't see anything wrong with offering it either -- It's more of a personal decision.

However, I would say that if an agent asked for an exclusive look at anything less than the entire manuscript I'd put one check in the 'bad' column for the agent. Now, hey, if this is a big-time agent who cares, right? It isn't like you are gong to turn down an offer of representation because she wanted an exclusive look. But if you are not sure about the agent this would be something I would raise an eyebrow about.

[ChunkyC]

There's nothing I can add to the good advice you've already received in this thread, Homer. So let me just wish you 'good luck' as well.

[popmuze]

I would just like to add that I don't think an agent's asking for an "exclusive" has anything to do with whether they think your project is hot stuff.

My feeling is that some agents just do business that way, probably because they feel that they're hot stuff--and therefore can get away with it.

[Homer]

I would just like to add that I don't think an agent's asking for an "exclusive" has anything to do with whether they think your project is hot stuff.

I agree. How much can an agent know about a novel from a query letter? On the other hand, since a huge percentage of unsolicited queries get outright rejected something must have piqued her interest.

[Homer]

However, I would say that if an agent asked for an exclusive look at anything less than the entire manuscript I'd put one check in the 'bad' column for the agent. Now, hey, if this is a big-time agent who cares, right? It isn't like you are gong to turn down an offer of representation because she wanted an exclusive look. But if you are not sure about the agent this would be something I would raise an eyebrow about.

She and her firm are well known.

[Jamesaritchie]

I would just like to add that I don't think an agent's asking for an "exclusive" has anything to do with whether they think your project is hot stuff.

My feeling is that some agents just do business that way, probably because they feel that they're hot stuff--and therefore can get away with it.

The do it for the same reason editors ask for no simultaneous submissions. It's the same thing, and is done for the same reason. An agent is simply saying "No simultaneous submissions." No one wants to spend time evaluating something, particularly something as long as a novel, only to have it snatched away at the last minute.

There's nothing at all wrong with this policy, at magazines or with agents. The writer doesn't have to send anything to that agent, and shouldn't unless he's willing to grant an exclusive.

[SonoranWriter]

I have my full ms with an agent (#1) on an exclusive at the moment. Before I granted her the exclusive, I'd sent a partial to another agent (#2) I much prefer, and she's now asked me for the full ms. Obviously I have to wait until the exclusive time period expires next week before sending it.

My dilemma is - what if agent #1 offers representation, while I prefer agent #2 and want to wait to see if she offers representation? Will #1 expect me to immediately accept her offer or can I delay making a decision for a month or two? Will she be happy to wait that long while agent #2 reads my ms, or will she be annoyed that the exclusive was essentially "wasted" because I'm still not giving her "first shot" at representing me?

If #1 and/or #2 doesn't make an offer then it's a moot point - but if #1 does, and it could happen any day now, I'm not sure what to tell her.

[Homer]

I have my full ms with an agent (#1) on an exclusive at the moment. Before I granted her the exclusive, I'd sent a partial to another agent (#2) I much prefer, and she's now asked me for the full ms. Obviously I have to wait until the exclusive time period expires next week before sending it.

My dilemma is - what if agent #1 offers representation, while I prefer agent #2 and want to wait to see if she offers representation? Will #1 expect me to immediately accept her offer or can I delay making a decision for a month or two? Will she be happy to wait that long while agent #2 reads my ms, or will she be annoyed that the exclusive was essentially "wasted" because I'm still not giving her "first shot" at representing me?

If #1 and/or #2 doesn't make an offer then it's a moot point - but if #1 does, and it could happen any day now, I'm not sure what to tell her.

I think it depends on how big a difference between them. If both could get you an audience at the big pub houses maybe don't blow the bird in the hand. But if #1 is a newbie and #2 is Amanda Urban, I'd risk it.

[Homer]

It worked! Thanks all for the good advice.

[popmuze]

You've got to be more specific.
Did the agent agree to read the partial on a non-exclusive basis? Or did she settle for reading it exclusively later?

[Carrie in PA]

You've got to be more specific.
Did the agent agree to read the partial on a non-exclusive basis? Or did she settle for reading it exclusively later?

That's what I was wondering!

[Homer]

You've got to be more specific.
Did the agent agree to read the partial on a non-exclusive basis? Or did she settle for reading it exclusively later?

She agreed to immediately read the partial and full synopsis on a non-exclusive basis and try get back to me in a month. Meanwhile, I assured her I'd keep her posted regarding developments.