Picked an agent, but what about the others?

[jordijoy]

Okay, I've picked a new agent. Now what do I say to the others I've queried...if they should query back asking for a partial? (which just happened;) )

[Saundra Julian]

Lucky you! Just send a note and let them know you have already signed with another agent. BTW, congratulation!

[CaroGirl]

I dunno. But congratulations. I'm highly jealous of your predicament.

[Horseshoes]

Make the note a bridge-keeper.
"I am certain I would have been very happy working with you and perhaps we will have an opportunity to do so in the future, however, I received and accepted an offer just prior to your request for the sample chapters. Thank you so much for your interest."

[jordijoy]

Make the note a bridge-keeper.
"I am certain I would have been very happy working with you and perhaps we will have an opportunity to do so in the future, however, I received and accepted an offer just prior to your request for the sample chapters. Thank you so much for your interest."

I love this, can I plagiarize you, just this once?

[waylander]

Yeah. Be nice.
Agenting is a small world. People talk and you never know when you might need to find another agent.

[jordijoy]

Yeah. Be nice.
Agenting is a small world. People talk and you never know when you might need to find another agent.

Aint that the truth, I'm on my third.

[Elektra]

Look, Meggy! We can use our tar and feathers (and sporks) after all!

[amber_grosjean]

I agree, you will never know if you will ever need another agent so send them a really nice letter thanking them and letting them know you have aquired an agent but wish to keep their information. If they like you now, they should like you later so be polite and professional.

Congrats on getting that agent too. I wish I could find one (one that doesn't put a charge down first lol) Who's got the money to fork anything over before they actually begin working anyway. Congrats!!

Amber

[HourglassMemory]

I have wondered about this.

What if you send out several queries to several publishers and more than one accepts?
It seems that the way to solve it is to send a polite letter to the ones you decline.

[job]

Make the note a bridge-keeper.
"I am certain I would have been very happy working with you and perhaps we will have an opportunity to do so in the future, however, I received and accepted an offer just prior to your request for the sample chapters. Thank you so much for your interest."

I don't know whereas I would leave quite this much of a door open. The agent is going to see what you're doing,
and he's going to think ...
"Wow, they just barely signed and already they're flirting with the guy at the next table.'

Agents don't want to sign somebody who's looking for the next agent before the ink is dry. This is not the dream client.

Maybe a businesslike ...
'Thank you so much for looking at my ... /asking for my ... / offering to .../ taking an interest in ... Cookies and Milk for the Magi. I just signed with Excellent Agency, so I'm withdrawing the manuscript from consideration.
Yours truly

[Provrb1810meggy]

Look, Meggy! We can use our tar and feathers (and sporks) after all!

Ha ha. This board is crawling with agented and published people. It gives me the creeps. Just kidding. It isn't creepy, just envy-inspiring.

Anyway, congratulations on getting an agent! I agree with Job. I don't think you should include the part about maybe being able to work together in the future, because you should at least be thinking of staying with your new agent long term. Just be very polite. Thank them for their interest and say that you have signed with someone else. Be brief.

And again, congratulations.

And it's not like I'm really all that jealous. Well, OK, maybe I am.

[ZannaPerry]

Yeaaah, I'm going to have lots of questions when I finish my story and looking to find an agent....tons!

[giftedrhonda]

I agree with job--I'd keep it short and sweet.

[DeadlyAccurate]

Send them a note:

"It's not you. It's me. I'm just in a different place in my life at the moment, and I'm just not that into you right now. Maybe someday."

[Elektra]

Dear Loser,

That'll teach you for being so slow.

Sincerely,
jordijoy

(Or, you know, what job said)

[mscelina]

you guys are soooooooooooooooo bad. ;)

[Bo Sullivan]

Congratulations - I am hoping to be in that situation when the nine agents I have queried, answer me.

Well done!

[Raphee]

congratulations

Don't write that to the other agents. :)

[Berry]

I have wondered about this.

What if you send out several queries to several publishers and more than one accepts?
It seems that the way to solve it is to send a polite letter to the ones you decline.

For publishers? Don't do that. Really, just don't do that unless they specifically say simultaneous queries are OK. Often, by the time they get back to you with an offer the editor has done a ton of work. For example, they may get your MS read by several people, consulted with Marketing to see if it fits into the list, gone to several editorial meetings and talked up your book, and finally gotten Legal to sign off on the offer.

And then you say, "Enh, no thanks..."

And then they get annoyed.

[jordijoy]

For publishers? Don't do that. Really, just don't do that unless they specifically say simultaneous queries are OK. Often, by the time they get back to you with an offer the editor has done a ton of work. For example, they may get your MS read by several people, consulted with Marketing to see if it fits into the list, gone to several editorial meetings and talked up your book, and finally gotten Legal to sign off on the offer.

And then you say, "Enh, no thanks..."

And then they get annoyed.

So true!!

[CaroGirl]

For publishers? Don't do that. Really, just don't do that unless they specifically say simultaneous queries are OK. Often, by the time they get back to you with an offer the editor has done a ton of work. For example, they may get your MS read by several people, consulted with Marketing to see if it fits into the list, gone to several editorial meetings and talked up your book, and finally gotten Legal to sign off on the offer.

And then you say, "Enh, no thanks..."

And then they get annoyed.
If I sent them only a query, how the heck did they get my ms? I agree with not sim-subbing an entire ms, or even partials, but queries? This business is too slow not to query more than one agent or publisher at a time.

[Julie Worth]

If I sent them only a query, how the heck did they get my ms? I agree with not sim-subbing an entire ms, or even partials, but queries? This business is too slow not to query more than one agent or publisher at a time.


As long as you haven't granted exclusives, I don't see anything wrong with sending out simultaneous MSS, either to agents or publishers. Your only duty is to let them know when the book becomes unavailable. (Though I wouldn't do that until I had a signed contract in hand.)

[RainbowDragon]

Okay, I've picked a new agent. Now what do I say to the others I've queried...if they should query back asking for a partial? (which just happened;) )

Dear Agent,

I really thought I wanted to work with you, but your request for a partial just didn't hold my attention all the way through. I was hoping for something a bit more existential, a bit less direct, a bit more...not in all lowercase letters. Good luck finding clients elsewhere.

Sincerely,
Already Signed Somewhere Else :P

***

No, really I would probably say something about how grateful I am for their request, but I must regretfully decline to send the partial because it and I are movin' on up...

Congratulations!!

[jordijoy]

Dear Agent,

I really thought I wanted to work with you, but your request for a partial just didn't hold my attention all the way through. I was hoping for something a bit more existential, a bit less direct, a bit more...not in all lowercase letters. Good luck finding clients elsewhere.

Sincerely,
Already Signed Somewhere Else :P

***

No, really I would probably say something about how grateful I am for their request, but I must regretfully decline to send the partial because it and I are movin' on up...

Congratulations!!
Smiling all the way to the bank...I hope.

[jordijoy]

Send them a note:

"It's not you. It's me. I'm just in a different place in my life at the moment, and I'm just not that into you right now. Maybe someday."

This would make my day, but tomorrow...I'm not so sure(smiling)