Need advice -- (possible) offer with the proposal under consideration by others

I am trying to figure out my next step.

I have been querying for a nonfiction book (completed) since February. I have had 8 negatively resolved nibbles, i.e., those who passed after requesting the first 50 pages or so, my book proposal (which contains a sample), or the full manuscript. I currently have 8 others outstanding, 2 that asked for the first 50 pages and the rest asking for proposals. Two submissions were sent at the end of June and the rest came in mid July. I also have 20 unanswered queries that are still possibilities since not nearly enough time has passed to write them off.

One who received a proposal has contacted me to say that he “would take this on.” However, he thinks the proposal needs to be rewritten. In particular, he wants the tone in my first chapter to be reflected all the way through. But the tone of my chapter summaries reflect the tone of the other chapters themselves, which he has yet to read. And he hasn’t asked to read.

What does this mean? Shouldn’t he read the full manuscript before deciding upon representation? Or perhaps, he hasn’t definitely offered it yet?

While his firm has made many sales, I know of none he has personally made. His background is as an author and journalist. He said that the firm’s principal agent would contribute to the sales efforts for my book -- but this other agent has actually personally rejected my book. (This other agent requested no information, indicating that he was trying to sell a similar book but finding resistance. I don’t think the books are that similar but I won’t go into all that here!)

I don’t want to alienate perhaps the only one who would take on my book, but I would also like to know what the remaining 7 more experienced agents think, none of whom have really had the information long enough to nudge them I would think. Barring any other information, I would prefer one of the others. I guess -- unless you all tell me that a new, gung-ho agent with time on his hands could be better. So confusing.

So what do I do?

1. Simply wait a few weeks and see if the situation resolves itself a bit.
2. Tell the agent that I want to see what other agents think. Perhaps adding that I will get back to him in some reasonable amount of time (which would be what?) …
3. Specifically ask the agent what sales he may have made, mentioning what the principal agent said about my book and so I doubt his happy contribution.
4. Tell him thanks but no thanks, since he (a) has made an offer without even reading the book, (b) has rejected the tone of much of the book (which isn’t going to change -- too long to explain here), (c) has offered the “happy” contribution of someone who has actually rejected the book and is trying to sell a book that he views as competing, and (d) has made no sales personally that I have been able to discover. I could include an explanation or not.
5. Tell him that I don’t want anyone to represent the book without reading it first and asking if he wants to see it. That would give me time to see what the other agents do.
6. Nudge the other agents. The drawback I can see is that they may just tell me to go with my offer, which may not be a firm one and could change if he wants me to change the substance of the book (the only way the “tone” for many portions is going to change).

The agent has also made other suggestions about changing my proposal which may be worthwhile to explore. But I don’t want to lead him on.

Quite frankly, from my earlier querying experience, I didn’t expect the abundance of nibbles I am now facing. But I rewrote the book and my query and now my success rate is much better.

So … what do you all suggest I do?

The concern with nudging is that most have had my proposal for little over a week. It seems way too early to nudge ...

I know most NF is sold on proposal, but most NF is sold before the book is completed (or so I've read). For an unknown, unpublished type like myself, I would think they would want to read the book. Indeed, I've received requests for fulls in the past and had established agents telling me to send the proposal and, if they like it, they will request the full.

Wouldn't an agent be a more knowledgeable proposal tweaker and enthusiastic book advocate for having read the book (assuming it has been written)?

The apparent lack of sales by this particular agent does concern me, although I've yet to officially confirm it with him. I've just seen no sales from googling, he isn't even mentioned in places like Preditors & Editors or querytracker, and I've seen no sales mentioned in his blog. But I don't want to be a hypocrite either, criticizing agents for wanting only published authors but then wanting them to have lots of experience.

One of the outstanding nibbles did come back today as a form reject, so maybe in the next few days I will know better what my position is.

I appreciate the ideas you two have shared. It helps me sort out my thoughts to talk to others.

Thanks all for your detailed advice. It has ended up that I had to delay things (including thanking you all) because I didn't have internet (or phone) due to a major storm and then I had to go out of town for a few days. But now I'm going to move forward.

I emailed a careful statement of my questions, and he promptly said I had talked him out of it. I'm not quite sure what I said that did it. But we obviously were not on the same page, or a good match, or whatever.

I guess it was not to be. I'm not that disappointed, so my heart must have known what my head couldn't quite articulate.

Thanks, Bluestone. I don't think that what I asked or said was inappropriate or offensive. I thought about my words carefully and polished the email. If I'd just said yes I think things would have fallen apart shortly, and I would miss a chance at the other agents currently reviewing the proposal. I'll keep my fingers crossed on those.

I suspect the biggest factor was that he had said that the principal agent at his firm would help sell the book, too. (I think he mentioned this because his initial email mentioned two books in the field his firm had recently placed. I then had asked who had represented them, and it was this other agent.) I felt I had to disclose that I had queried that other agent, who had turned me down and said he was trying (so far unsuccessfully) to sell what he viewed to be a competing book. If I hadn't mentioned this, it would have been dishonest. And the agent would have found out shortly on his own ...

Thanks. I think talking to people here is what is keeping me sane I hope I soon hear something positive from someone else who asked for my proposal.

You are absolutely right. Thanks