Slow Agents: Impatient Me

[Shady Lane]

So I have these two agents who've recently left me somewhat hanging.

Dream agent 1: Some of you might know this story. I sent her the original query in May. She asked for the full in August. In October, she wrote to me saying she loved the manuscript and that she thought we might be a good fit. She said she'd have a definite answer for me within the week. At the end of the week, she apologized and asked for another week.

At the end of that week, she said she was still really positive about the manuscript but felt it needed some editorial changes. She sent me a really long email with everything she wanted me to do. I was disappointed, of course, but the edits were GREAT and I implemented them ASAP. I finished, sent it to betas, and got everything checked over and finalized and fixed in two weeks. I sent it back, got an email from her thanking me for sending it. This was Halloween weekend.

And then...nothing.

So. At the end of November I finished another manuscript. Among other things, I sent an email to Dream Agent 1 asking if she'd like to see it. She replied immediately, said yes, and apologized for leaving me hanging so long. With my new manuscript, I also queried....

Dream Agent 2: queried in the end of November, responded the next day asking for the full. I sent it, he emailed me the same day telling me he loved it so far and was hoping to finish it over the weekend. On Monday, he emailed me, said he LOVEd it with capital letters (which made my heart skip about skeighty-eight beats) and asked if I could write him a synopsis to show his film and foreign rights people, to make sure everyone was on board before he offered representation. Like Dream Agent 1, he used the word representation. We emailed back and forth, just chatting, and by the end of the day I was absolutely crazy about him. He was so enthusiastic and incredibly positive.

I ran home from school, whipped up that synopsis, and sent it out that evening. He emailed right back, thanking me and telling me he'd get back to me soon. That was December 6th.

Since then...nothing. I sent him an email two weeks ago, and haven't received an answer.

As for Dream Agent 1, I email her every month or so and she apologizes profusely and tells me she'll have a definite answer for me within the month. Today's officially a month since the last time she told me "within the month."


Guys.

I'm going crazy.


Does anyone have advice? Or like...insight into what the hell might be going on? When is it okay to email these agents? When do I give up hope completely?


(For the record, yes, I have more queries out, and yes, I have about 10 partials and fulls out with other agents. Annnd yes, both these agents know exactly how old I am--though I'll probably be an old woman before either of them decides to take me.)

thanks...

[blacbird]

When do I give up hope completely?

The day before yesterday.

caw

[Shady Lane]

Thank you, blacbird. :)

[JoNightshade]

This is just a thought, but...

What if you told one of them that you would really like an answer because you also have another agent interested?

[Shady Lane]

I've thought about that. But...can I honestly say someone else is interested at this point? It's been so long since I've heard from either of them, it honestly feels like deception. Of course, if you guys think otherwise...

[rugcat]

This is just a thought, but...

What if you told one of them that you would really like an answer because you also have another agent interested?I think it's a good idea, both practically and karmically, to never shade the truth.

I also had some back and forth. I think it was 7 months between my original query and actually signing with my agent, although she was always responsive.

[JoNightshade]

Well at least one of them is still expressing definite interest. I would tell agent #2 that #1 is very excited about your project. All of this is true. :)

[Ziljon]

It could be that they're both in cahoots; their plan is to mess up a little girl with big talent and so earn points with their master, the devil. ;)

[Shady Lane]

It could be that they're both in cahoots; their plan is to mess up a little girl with big talent and so earn points with their master, the devil. ;)

This is what I'm thinking!



Jo, I know it's hard to tell from these summaries, but I'd say Dream Agent 2 is probably more interested than Dream Agent 1.

[maddythemad]

Aw, Hannah, that sucks. I had that experience with an editor, and yeah, it was extremely frustrating, upsetting, and disappointing. But just because they have been slow up until now does not mean they won't suddenly come to you with an offer! I'm sure they have just had a lot of other stuff they had to work out. And if not-- their loss. Someone else will notice how fabulous you are.

(And I started FIGHT CLUB today!)

[Shady Lane]

Aw, Hannah, that sucks. I had that experience with an editor, and yeah, it was extremely frustrating, upsetting, and disappointing. But just because they have been slow up until now does not mean they won't suddenly come to you with an offer! I'm sure they have just had a lot of other stuff they had to work out. And if not-- their loss. Someone else will notice how fabulous you are.

(And I started FIGHT CLUB today!)

That makes everything better. :D

[JoNightshade]

I think it's a good idea, both practically and karmically, to never shade the truth.

Party pooper. Why did you have to appeal to my conscience?

Feh. Rugcat is right.

Stupid conscience.

[KAP]

Does anyone have advice?

Make voodoo Dolls labeled "Dream Agent 1" and "Dream Agent 2."
And get some sharp pins.

Hang in there. Sounds Like DA1 will come through and this will become a distant memory of a successful author. Maybe give DA1 doll a poke or two anyway, but go ahead and turn DA2 into a pin cushion.

[wayndom]

The only thing you can do is query other agents. From the sound of your story, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding an agent -- maybe not your dream agent, but a good one, nonetheless.

Keep querying until someone definitely wants to represent you, then, if you still want Dream Agent #1, call her and tell her to shit or get off the pot. Though I have to say, she sounds awfully flaky. And there's another consideration: If she's unable to commit to your novel now, she still won't have that level of commitment if she accepts it because someone else wants it. You don't just want a good agent, you want an agent who's totally in love with your book -- 'cause that's the kind of commitment that's necessary for an agent to sell the book to publishers.

So keep querying. You'll get there.

[Shady Lane]

But...DA2 is my favorite...:( :(

[Shady Lane]

The only thing you can do is query other agents. From the sound of your story, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding an agent -- maybe not your dream agent, but a good one, nonetheless.

Keep querying until someone definitely wants to represent you, then, if you still want Dream Agent #1, call her and tell her to shit or get off the pot. Though I have to say, she sounds awfully flaky. And there's another consideration: If she's unable to commit to your novel now, she still won't have that level of commitment if she accepts it because someone else wants it. You don't just want a good agent, you want an agent who's totally in love with your book -- 'cause that's the kind of commitment that's necessary for an agent to sell the book to publishers.

So keep querying. You'll get there.

I totally agree. I'm still sending out queries all the time...still getting requests, and still getting rejections. But I'm honestly terrified of falling into this same situation with another agent. This whole thing is like a frickin nightmare, really. I never ever thought you could get this close and still feel like you're stalled in the garage.

And I know these agents don't sound great right now...but I swear they're both agents at established, well-known agencies that you've probably all heard of. They're at agencies that are churning out six figure deals in their sleep. According to the interweb, their clients are deliriously happy...and I'm basically all alone in my limbo.

[roskoebaby]

I'd wait six weeks before statusing DA1. As for 2, well, he isn't responding to the status, so I'd think about the other partials and fulls you have out. If he comes through, AWESOME. But you shouldn't wait around for him(although I know you're not)

And again, this is coming from the query devil on your shoulder. hehehe

[Shady Lane]

Six weeks from when she told me a month, or six weeks from now?

[wayndom]

I've thought about that. But...can I honestly say someone else is interested at this point?

No, but you can honesty say, "I need an answer now, or my request for representation is withdrawn." If she asks if someone else is interested, tell her that you feel she's had more than enough time to decide, and the time has come.

From everything you've said about these flakes (and no matter how good they are at selling books, they're flakes), you don't really have anything to lose at this point.

Cutting her loose could be very good for your mental health. But if you do, don't look back -- don't follow her career, track what she's sold, etc. Forget her, and get on with your life. If you could do this well at 16, you have nothing to worry about in terms of your future.

[KAP]

Isn't it odd they can be so encouraging and then nothing. I'm at a loss, but I hope it works out. Looks like great advice from Wayndom (not that I'm the ultimate judge of great advice).

[Shady Lane]

No, but you can honesty say, "I need an answer now, or my request for representation is withdrawn." If she asks if someone else is interested, tell her that you feel she's had more than enough time to decide, and the time has come.

From everything you've said about these flakes (and no matter how good they are at selling books, they're flakes), you don't really have anything to lose at this point.

Cutting her loose could be very good for your mental health. But if you do, don't look back -- don't follow her career, track what she's sold, etc. Forget her, and get on with your life. If you could do this well at 16, you have nothing to worry about in terms of your future.

As much as it scares me to admit it...you definitely have a point.

So maybe I give her two weeks (for that cushion-past-the-deadline thing) and then email her? Tell her I really need an answer?

[roskoebaby]

Shades, I meant in two weeks.

[brokenfingers]

No, but you can honesty say, "I need an answer now, or my request for representation is withdrawn." If she asks if someone else is interested, tell her that you feel she's had more than enough time to decide, and the time has come.

From everything you've said about these flakes (and no matter how good they are at selling books, they're flakes), you don't really have anything to lose at this point.

Cutting her loose could be very good for your mental health. But if you do, don't look back -- don't follow her career, track what she's sold, etc. Forget her, and get on with your life. If you could do this well at 16, you have nothing to worry about in terms of your future.Hmmmm... I have to disagree. That would be silly to turn them away. Why burn a bridge?

They've already expressed interest which puts you 90% ahead of the game. And you're not losing anything at this point. You still have queries going out and are still awaiting other replies. It isn't like they're actually holding anything up.

It's the wait that's killing you and I understand that. Just send them a nice email asking about the status of your ms and expressing the length of time that's passed since you last asked, along with their promised response time etc.

It's easy for strangers to advise you to say "Screw them." After all, it isn't their work that's so close to seeing fruition.

Relax and try to find ways to otherwise occupy yourself. Again, I understand it isn't easy and it's frustrating as hell, but that's life. Believe me, there'll be plenty of other instances like this in the years to come.

Unless, they're doing something that is actively preventing your manuscript from finding a home, and so far that doesn't sound like the case, just ride it out. Send gentle reminders that you're still there.

Remember, they've just come off the holidays and are probably backed up with whatever it is that agents and editors do. Probably a bunch of tea-parties and wine-tastings. Or maybe reading works and re-edits and final proofs etc., taking the pulse of the market, traveling to meetings around the country, and hammering out deals with publishers.

Good luck. :)

[Nateskate]

First, lots of congrats on getting this far. If these people loved it, no doubt you'll be published. The question is only who will win your hand and who will wind up eating crow?

Hang in and keep pressing on. It's only a matter of time.

Nate

[Shady Lane]

I think I'm eating crow right now....

But thanks for the encouragement :) and thanks for the advice, brokenfingers. I'm just so muddled up right now...I feel like there's something more constructive I can be doing at this point besides writing/querying/status-querying/ripping my hair out.

[Little Red Barn]

Shady I agree with Broken Fingers, I think just chill for awhile with them. I know it's very hard. :Kimmi who is biting nails waiting on responses back from pubs:
Good luck, sweetie.

[donut]

Shady, I don't have any great advice, I just wanted to commiserate over your situation. I remember the day you got word from DA1 that she was going to talk to her peeps, etc., and I was SO SURE you'd have an agent the very next day. I have to admit, I've been following your saga since then, and I'm truly shocked at how long these two have left you hanging. Even as an observer, it's painful to think of how close you can be, and yet still be stuck in limbo.

My own sad story is somewhat similar: a friend of a friend of mine showed my manuscript to a film agent at a BIG BIG name agency. She's not a literary agent, but she's a huge name who has deals in PW all the time and obviously knows everyone in town.

Well, out of the blue, this woman calls me on the phone and tells me how much she LOVED my ms, and she was going to show it to every agent she knew until someone picked it up. And she did send it to one big deal agent, who read it, but didn't fall in love, blah blah. She assured me that she'd send it to the next person on her list right away... and I didn't hear anything. Sent her a friendly note, no reply. Waited a few months, sent a note to her assistant, no reply. Waited a few more months, sent another note... nada. I don't even know if they ever sent my MS out again.

What happened? How can someone be SO excited and then just disappear? I feel like maybe I said something at some point that pissed her off, but I have no idea what. All I can do is write her off and keep trying.

[Raphee]

Shady,

I would advise you to hang in there. Query more and wait for the agent; the one who fits 'YOUR' bill.
No need burning bridges with the dream agents.
When you do get a solid offer of representation from some other agent, go back To DA1 and DA2 and let them know you need an answer. That is if you want to. At that point you would be on solid ground.
Best Luck.

[Will Lavender]

Shady, I don't have any great advice, I just wanted to commiserate over your situation. I remember the day you got word from DA1 that she was going to talk to her peeps, etc., and I was SO SURE you'd have an agent the very next day. I have to admit, I've been following your saga since then, and I'm truly shocked at how long these two have left you hanging. Even as an observer, it's painful to think of how close you can be, and yet still be stuck in limbo.

My own sad story is somewhat similar: a friend of a friend of mine showed my manuscript to a film agent at a BIG BIG name agency. She's not a literary agent, but she's a huge name who has deals in PW all the time and obviously knows everyone in town.

Well, out of the blue, this woman calls me on the phone and tells me how much she LOVED my ms, and she was going to show it to every agent she knew until someone picked it up. And she did send it to one big deal agent, who read it, but didn't fall in love, blah blah. She assured me that she'd send it to the next person on her list right away... and I didn't hear anything. Sent her a friendly note, no reply. Waited a few months, sent a note to her assistant, no reply. Waited a few more months, sent another note... nada. I don't even know if they ever sent my MS out again.

What happened? How can someone be SO excited and then just disappear? I feel like maybe I said something at some point that pissed her off, but I have no idea what. All I can do is write her off and keep trying.

Dang, tough story. I hope you're querying that novel; seems to me that if you can get one person to love it that much, others must follow.

Good luck to both you and Shady.

[~grace~]

So there's this old Avengers episode where there's a guy hanging out in an office, and then an ASSASSIN comes in and it's all really scary, and the assassin takes out a gun and shoots--

--and a flag unfurls saying "Bang!"

Then the assassin hands the man a card saying, "You have just been murdered."

http://losvengadores.theavengers.tv/graficos/eps_justbeen_title.jpg

And then if the guy doesn't cough up a bunch of money, there really will be a murder the second time.


I think this plan could easily be adapted for literary agents.


http://scifipedia.scifi.com/images/8/8f/The-Avengers-series.JPG

[triceretops]

Forget the email. Send two snail status letters to both of them TODAY. Wait for a response. Glacial speed--glacial speed going on here.

Tri

[JeanneTGC]

I think I'm eating crow right now....

But thanks for the encouragement :) and thanks for the advice, brokenfingers. I'm just so muddled up right now...I feel like there's something more constructive I can be doing at this point besides writing/querying/status-querying/ripping my hair out.
There is something more constructive you can be doing -- write another book. And another. Because regardless of whether DA1 or DA2 or DA to be announced offer representation, the next thing they're going to ask is what else you have for them.

Keep in mind that the true 'dream agent' is the one that's actually right for YOU. Just because an agent has the super-duper reputation doesn't mean they will work well with your style. I don't care if my agent is world-famous -- I care that she knows all the editors, has their respect, and can get my books in front of them.

And, if DA1 and DA2 are interested enough to keep you hanging, then surely DA to be announced will be interested as well, and may have a response style closer to what you would like.

[GJB]

Shady Lane,

I've been there, couple times, even had several agents write, "Don't sign with anyone else, until you and I talk," then a long wait, then a rejection. Others in my writing group have experienced the same thing AFTER they signed with their oh so big dream agent. In other words, some agents like this little game with a talented Newbie (Now I have a wonderful agent, who did not play these games).

My take on your story. 1) Know that you are blazingly talented, and will find the right agent for you, an agent full of excitement and honesty. DA1 and DA2 might not be the one.
2) Forget them unless and until another agent sends you her/his contract, then a polite, "If you are still interested, please let me know. In fairness, I owe the offering agent a very quick response, though I still admire your agency." When I got my offer of representation, I did that--and got a wonderful response from another in thirty-six hours.
3) Get out more queries, polish up your good works, and feel confident you do not want to sign with an agent who views you as a plaything to fiddle with only in spare time and after more important tasks are done. g.

[johnzakour]

Agents keep time different than normal people. It's just how they are. If you really like these agents be patient and work on another project. Drop a monthly reminder but don't force their hand that won't get you anything.

(There are lot more writers out there than agents. At this stage you need them more than they need you.)

[rwam]

As hard as it's been for you, Shady, this gives the rest of us LOTS of hope. I've still got 3 agents with my full, 2 of which I have reason to believe have read it but I've not gotten my rejection. Part of me is like, "Well, they couldn't have liked it THAT much, otherwise they would've called....how good could it be?" But when I hear how enthusiastic DA1 & DA2 were about yours and now even YOU are waiting, well, that just illustrates how slow agents can be with debut authors whose works they love.

Thanks for sharing....I needed this.
Rob

[Birol]

Shady, I don't mean to rain on your parade, but I'm concerned. The fact that both of your dream agents responded favorably and initially quickly makes me wonder who they are, if they're on the up and up, because if we're talking about the odds of this happening... well... I'm not saying it couldn't, but I also firmly believe in the old adage about, "If something sounds too good to be true...."

Sincerely,
The Giant Wet Blanket

[Shady Lane]

I'm PMing you, Birol. :) And don't worry. My parade is already sufficiently soggy...

Thanks so much for all the help/commiseration/encouragement, guys. I'm considering the snail mail idea...but why is that better than email? (Not trying to sound skeptical...just honestly curious.)

[Will Lavender]

Shady, I don't mean to rain on your parade, but I'm concerned. The fact that both of your dream agents responded favorably and initially quickly makes me wonder who they are, if they're on the up and up, because if we're talking about the odds of this happening... well... I'm not saying it couldn't, but I also firmly believe in the old adage about, "If something sounds too good to be true...."

Sincerely,
The Giant Wet Blanket

I don't know. I think it probably happens all the time. Happened to me a couple of times. The agent might like the concept but thinks the MS itself needs a bit of work. Shady goes from being at the top of the stack ("This is a great concept!...") to near the bottom ("...but the strucutre/plot/whatever needs a bit of work."), thus the delay.

[Nateskate]

I think I'm eating crow right now....

But thanks for the encouragement :) and thanks for the advice, brokenfingers. I'm just so muddled up right now...I feel like there's something more constructive I can be doing at this point besides writing/querying/status-querying/ripping my hair out.

Well, you are doing something which is gleaning the thoughts of others on a subject that's very important.

You are continuing to query. In the meantime you have two choices concerning these two agents, act or react. Essentially you can plan subtle reminders at intervals, which seems most prudent at this point. Some might nag or send a passive aggressive letter, and that almost always backfires.

It sounds like they like you and like the story. Worst case scenario is that they're overworked or lazy, in which case you benefit from keeping the query process moving. If two liked it, ten will. Eventually you'll find someone that jumps on it.

For what it's worth, I went through a similar anxious wait before I got my publishing deal. It's very frustrating until they say yes.

[Bartholomew]

I'm really curious about who these agents are.

[popmuze]

As someone who has published a lot of books and had a lot of agents, I find many interesting issues here. The first thing that leaps to mind is that maybe neither of these agents is really your "dream" agent. No matter how long you wait for an agent to say yes, the next phase of waiting for an editor to say yes could be even longer. If these people are hard to communicate with now, in time they may not get any easier.

Did the first agent ever respond to all your revisions? Maybe this is where the agent is having a problem. Does the first agent now have two separate novels of yours? I'm not sure that was the greatest idea. But if the second didn't thrill her as much as the first, or the revision didn't thrill her as much as the original, this could be causing second thoughts.

Did the second agent ask for any revisions at all? If not, which version are you sending around to other agents, the original or the revised?

I wouldn't try any blackmail type pressure on either of these agents. You don't know what's holding them up on their end and pressure from you is pretty much guaranteed to doom the relationship--even if they sign you.

At sixteen you're getting a valuable lesson in the secret part of the author's life--waiting. Whether it's waiting for a beta's response, an agent, an editor, a reviewer or the reading public.

That's why writing well is the best reward; it's the only place where you have full control.

[Shady Lane]

I'll rep 'em to ya, Bart.

Molly--neither are exclusives.

ETA: To popmuze--agent 1 responded telling me she has recieved the revisions, but has not critiqued either specifically. She does have two different manuscripts, but I don't really see why this is a problem...

Second agent did not ask for revisions. He seemed happy with the manuscript as is. Agent two has a different manuscript than the one Agent one asked me to revise. Crazy, I know.

[young_zee]

BETTER SLOW AGENTS THAN NEXT DAY AGENTS WHEN YOU HAVENT FINISHED THE MS!!!!

COUNT YOUR LUCKY STARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Shady Lane]

BETTER SLOW AGENTS THAN NEXT DAY AGENTS WHEN YOU HAVENT FINISHED THE MS!!!!

COUNT YOUR LUCKY STARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


UM YOU GOT YOURSELF INTO THIS MESS!

[Shady Lane]

UPDATE:

I just got an email from Dream Agent 2 telling me he'll be in touch soon.

[Shady Lane]

You have your own thread. Go there, please.

[Paichka]

Shades,

Well that's good!

You need to keep your head up -- the fact that you've gotten this far AT SIX-FRACKING-TEEN is huge! I'm 25 and I can't get my HUSBAND that excited about my work, let alone two of my dream agents.

You have gotten some amazing advice, plus some commiseration. I have no advice, but I am wildly impressed with you -- I mean, my sister is 16, and I love her to death, but she's more of the "OMFG Txt me, Schmeeld00d" crowd than the "write a whole load of books" sort of girl. So like I said, wildly impressed.

Great and wonderful things are going to happen for you -- just keep on keepin' on, and keep your head on straight in the meantime. :) Patience is a virtue, even if sucks sometimes.

GOOD LUCK!
Britt

[juneafternoon]

It's weird how two agents are both pulling the same stunt simultaneously. Have you talked to either on the phone? (Not saying you should call them, but have either given you the call yet?)

I'm interested in knowing who these agents are.

[johnzakour]

I'm still all for taking a big breath and being patient. I know it's hard. I too am curious as to who the agents are.

[Diane]

Since you have two completed manuscripts that two separate agents are bonkers over, I would immediately make a list of more agents to query. Dream Agents who leave you sitting around for many weeks on end -- not so dreamy, in my book. You don't need "magical big-time agent," you need "agent who loves your stuff and will communicate with you."

Plus, if you get more expressions of interest, you have leverage with DA1 and DA2 that you don't have now.

More dates to the prom are better than fewer.

[Shady Lane]

Since you have two completed manuscripts that two separate agents are bonkers over, I would immediately make a list of more agents to query. Dream Agents who leave you sitting around for many weeks on end -- not so dreamy, in my book. You don't need "magical big-time agent," you need "agent who loves your stuff and will communicate with you."

Plus, if you get more expressions of interest, you have leverage with DA1 and DA2 that you don't have now.

More dates to the prom are better than fewer.

Ha, I'm worrying at this point that I've queried about everyone there is...at least 40 agents for MS 1, at least 20 for MS 2.