How do you word a nudge email?

Kado · 08-10-2012, 02:13 PM

An agent has had my full for 6 weeks now and, though I know that's not a lot of time in agent land, their website does say to email them if they haven't responded by this time.

I'm just wondering how to go about wording the email without sounding desperate. Any ideas?

waylander · 08-10-2012, 02:40 PM

Did the agent acknowledge receipt? If not, that is the first thing to ask.
"Dear wonderful agent. On xx of xxx I sent you 'my fabulous book' as requested. Could you confirm that it was received."

Determination · 08-10-2012, 03:38 PM

For agents reading a full, six weeks is nothing. Three to six months is closer to the mark and despite what their website says I'd still be inclined to wait.

However if you feel you absolutely must I'd just send a short but polite one saying that you sent your manuscript titled XXX on such and such a date and they have now had it for six weeks. As per the guidelines on their website you are following up as you have not heard anything.

Kado · 08-10-2012, 06:31 PM

Yes, the agent acknowledged receipt straight away. Thanks for the advice and for wording ideas - that gives me something to go by. Determination, what you say makes sense. I guess I'll hold off nudging for a few more weeks.

Project Deadlight · 08-10-2012, 08:30 PM

Does the agency have P and B in their initials by any chance?

I'd nudge after 6 if that is what the website says. Is it an exclusive?

Smiley0501 · 08-10-2012, 08:54 PM

I nudged after 4 to 6 months even if the wait time said otherwise. 6 weeks is nothing.
My nudge e-mails look like this:

Dear [agent name here]:

I hope you are doing well, and I am just verifying that you received the partial/full/however much you sent manuscript of [TITLE here] I sent on [Month, day]. Please let me know if you are still considering it.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Name Here

SheilaJG · 08-10-2012, 09:01 PM

I've heard some agents say not to nudge until 3 months have passed, so that's what I go by. Unless it's an exclusive, but if it were, they should have told you how long the wait would be (presumably faster). Good luck!

Kado · 08-12-2012, 12:31 PM

Thanks for the examples guys. 'Let me know if you are still considering it' is the phrase I was looking for I think - great!

Samara Jensen · 08-12-2012, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SheilaJG

I've heard some agents say not to nudge until 3 months have passed, so that's what I go by.

I go with the three-month nudge rule too, although in my experience some agents take much, much longer to come to a decision on a requested manuscript and some never reply at all (sadly). Here's how I worded a recent nudge email:

Dear Agent,

I hope you don't mind me emailing. I just wanted to check in with you to make sure you received my requested manuscript and to see whether it was still under consideration?

Many thanks for your time.

With best wishes,

Samara Jensen

Six weeks isn't long to wait on a full but, if their website says to nudge after that time and you can't wait any longer, I don't see the harm. In the meantime though, keep subbing to other agents!

grover4232 · 08-12-2012, 07:53 PM

Has anyone had a positive response from an agent after nudging? After I haven't heard back on a submission for a while, I assume it's a rejection, and that by nudging, I'll only get that rejection sooner.

whirlaway · 08-12-2012, 08:28 PM

I got a "Whoops, I have no record of receiving your full. Can you please resend?" after a nudge.

Of course I was all polite and patient and waited 6 months before I nudged. Next time when I send a full, I'll ask for confirmation of receipt.

triceretops · 08-12-2012, 08:34 PM

I put "Client Check-in--Chris) in my subject line. Then:

"Hi, XXXXXX, just wondering if anything was popping on your end for XXXXXXX. Did you ever hear back from XXXXXX? It seems kind of slow out there, with vacations and such. I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits.

Cheers,

Chris"

Something like that. Just a polite inquiry, with a little sympathy added.

tri

Smiley0501 · 08-12-2012, 09:28 PM

Yes, I received a positive e-mail (it had gotten buried in her inbox) and she'd get back to me soon. The agent ended up getting back to me a day later with revision notes. (I was expecting another 4 week wait, 1 day was a surprise!)

triceretops · 08-12-2012, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smiley0501

Yes, I received a positive e-mail (it had gotten buried in her inbox) and she'd get back to me soon. The agent ended up getting back to me a day later with revision notes. (I was expecting another 4 week wait, 1 day was a surprise!)

Excellent! You're on your way!

cheers,

tri

grover4232 · 08-13-2012, 05:09 AM

Oh, that's cool! I guess there is a reason to nudge then.

Debbie V · 08-13-2012, 10:41 PM

I usually double the wait time posted before nudging. If I have no proof of receipt - some of my stuff goes the old fashioned way - I'll include a fresh copy of the manuscript.

Dear Agent:

At your request, I sent you a copy of x on date y. Since I have not heard from you, I'm wondering if the submission never arrived.

To refresh you memory, pitch here.

Please find enclosed x, for your convenience.

If I received confirmation, I'll just ask for an update on the status of x sent on y date. My e-mails use the subject line Status Query: x: Genre or age group. I write for children.

Kado · 08-14-2012, 01:29 PM

Thanks for sharing your nudge emails Samara, Triceretops and Debbie. I really appreciate it.

I was wounding about what to put in the subject line too, so that was helpful. Obviously, I have a general idea of how to go about all this but it's useful to see how other people go about it (especially when it comes to getting the tone right) and it's good to share these things.

Corinne Duyvis · 08-14-2012, 09:14 PM

I once had a positive response on a nudge for a short story--I got an R&R that ended up leading to a sale. Woo!

Unless instructed otherwise, I tend to just hit reply on the previous e-mail trail (and of course leave all prior e-mails intact so they can easily confirm I'm not making things up). I figure that's the best way to keep it from ending up in spam.

J.Reid · 08-16-2012, 08:25 AM

Grover, I've signed and sold books that the author had to nudge me on. Stuff happens.

As for text, I always like this one:

Dear SlackerAssBonBonChewingTelenovellaWatchingAgent:

WTF Snookums?? You can't have anything better to do than read my Tome of Terror do you? Get with it.

If you run that through the Google translator WriterSpeak-->AgentSpeak you'll get this:

Dear Agent:
Thanks for requesting my manuscript Sharks Rule on 1/1/05. I'm emailing just to check in to see if you're still considering it.

Thanks for your time.

WriterDude

jeffo20 · 08-16-2012, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.Reid

Dear SlackerAssBonBonChewingTelenovellaWatchingAgent:

WTF Snookums?? You can't have anything better to do than read my Tome of Terror do you? Get with it.

WriterDude

*Copy > Paste > Send

(2 minutes of thumb-twiddling later)

WTF? Rejected? Why, why why?

Susan Littlefield · 08-16-2012, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.Reid

Grover, I've signed and sold books that the author had to nudge me on. Stuff happens.

As for text, I always like this one:

Dear SlackerAssBonBonChewingTelenovellaWatchingAgent:

WTF Snookums?? You can't have anything better to do than read my Tome of Terror do you? Get with it.

Thanks for your time.

WriterDude

And that from an agent!

Luprec · 01-18-2013, 03:17 AM

I've got a full out with an agent who has no guidelines regarding this on his website. He's had it for about 7 weeks, and I was thinking that was a bad sign, until I read this thread.

I was going to nudge, but now I'm not sure...

mayqueen · 01-18-2013, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luprec

I've got a full out with an agent who has no guidelines regarding this on his website. He's had it for about 7 weeks, and I was thinking that was a bad sign, until I read this thread.

I was going to nudge, but now I'm not sure...

Seven weeks isn't long in Agentland. The standard rule is to nudge at three months. If there are no other guidelines on the website, wait until three months to nudge.

FCameron · 01-18-2013, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luprec

I've got a full out with an agent who has no guidelines regarding this on his website. He's had it for about 7 weeks, and I was thinking that was a bad sign, until I read this thread.

I was going to nudge, but now I'm not sure...

Patience!

Yesterday, I received an email from an agent after NINE weeks of having my full. She's supposed to call this afternoon to discuss whether I'm willing to revise from romantic mystery to a thriller. Yes, I'll do that!

Phaeal · 01-19-2013, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.Reid

Dear SlackerAssBonBonChewingTelenovellaWatchingAgent:

WTF Snookums?? You can't have anything better to do than read my Tome of Terror do you? Get with it.

Aw, you had to remind me? Ever since they took Abismo de Passion off the air, I've been in a deep depression.

But then you call me Snookums!

You rock. Here's a contract.

08-10-2012, 02:13 PM	#1
Kado practical experience, FTW Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Isle of Wight Posts: 236	How do you word a nudge email? An agent has had my full for 6 weeks now and, though I know that's not a lot of time in agent land, their website does say to email them if they haven't responded by this time. I'm just wondering how to go about wording the email without sounding desperate. Any ideas?

08-10-2012, 02:40 PM	#2
waylander Who's going for a beer? Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 5,188	Did the agent acknowledge receipt? If not, that is the first thing to ask. "Dear wonderful agent. On xx of xxx I sent you 'my fabulous book' as requested. Could you confirm that it was received." __________________ Behind the smile, there's danger and a promise to be told.

08-10-2012, 08:30 PM	#5
Project Deadlight practical experience, FTW Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: The Midlands, UK Posts: 598	Does the agency have P and B in their initials by any chance? I'd nudge after 6 if that is what the website says. Is it an exclusive? __________________ Latest Blog: Travels Without Charley

08-10-2012, 08:54 PM	#6
Smiley0501 Lurker, now activated. :-) Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: The Northeast, USA Posts: 2,075	I nudged after 4 to 6 months even if the wait time said otherwise. 6 weeks is nothing. My nudge e-mails look like this: Dear [agent name here]: I hope you are doing well, and I am just verifying that you received the partial/full/however much you sent manuscript of [TITLE here] I sent on [Month, day]. Please let me know if you are still considering it. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Name Here __________________ You can call me ~Smiley~ Places you can find me other than AW: Blog! Twitter (tweet tweet) V!0L3NT D3L!GHTS: (67,000) R&R sent in. bites nails forever TH3 R0S3 K!NGD0M: (74,000) Trunked forever.

08-10-2012, 09:01 PM	#7
SheilaJG practical experience, FTW Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,484	I've heard some agents say not to nudge until 3 months have passed, so that's what I go by. Unless it's an exclusive, but if it were, they should have told you how long the wait would be (presumably faster). Good luck! __________________ "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." - Carl Sagan Represented by Molly Ker Hawn of The Bent Agency Twitter

08-10-2012, 03:38 PM	#3
Determination Is watching you Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Just to the left of normal Posts: 310	For agents reading a full, six weeks is nothing. Three to six months is closer to the mark and despite what their website says I'd still be inclined to wait. However if you feel you absolutely must I'd just send a short but polite one saying that you sent your manuscript titled XXX on such and such a date and they have now had it for six weeks. As per the guidelines on their website you are following up as you have not heard anything.

08-10-2012, 06:31 PM	#4
Kado practical experience, FTW Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Isle of Wight Posts: 236	Yes, the agent acknowledged receipt straight away. Thanks for the advice and for wording ideas - that gives me something to go by. Determination, what you say makes sense. I guess I'll hold off nudging for a few more weeks.

08-12-2012, 12:31 PM	#8
Kado practical experience, FTW Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Isle of Wight Posts: 236	Thanks for the examples guys. 'Let me know if you are still considering it' is the phrase I was looking for I think - great!

08-12-2012, 07:53 PM	#10
grover4232 New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 30	Has anyone had a positive response from an agent after nudging? After I haven't heard back on a submission for a while, I assume it's a rejection, and that by nudging, I'll only get that rejection sooner.

08-12-2012, 08:28 PM	#11
whirlaway New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 20	I got a "Whoops, I have no record of receiving your full. Can you please resend?" after a nudge. Of course I was all polite and patient and waited 6 months before I nudged. Next time when I send a full, I'll ask for confirmation of receipt.

08-12-2012, 08:34 PM	#12
triceretops Super Browser Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: In a van down by the river Posts: 10,192	I put "Client Check-in--Chris) in my subject line. Then: "Hi, XXXXXX, just wondering if anything was popping on your end for XXXXXXX. Did you ever hear back from XXXXXX? It seems kind of slow out there, with vacations and such. I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. Cheers, Chris" Something like that. Just a polite inquiry, with a little sympathy added. tri __________________ BLOG http://guerrillawarfareforwriters.blogspot.com/ WAR GATE http://www.amazon.com/The-War-Gate-e...9233675&sr=1-1 WOLFEN STRAIN http://www.amazon.com/The-Wolfen-Str...vglnk-c1189-20 Planet Janitor.

08-12-2012, 09:28 PM	#13
Smiley0501 Lurker, now activated. :-) Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: The Northeast, USA Posts: 2,075	Yes, I received a positive e-mail (it had gotten buried in her inbox) and she'd get back to me soon. The agent ended up getting back to me a day later with revision notes. (I was expecting another 4 week wait, 1 day was a surprise!) __________________ You can call me ~Smiley~ Places you can find me other than AW: Blog! Twitter (tweet tweet) V!0L3NT D3L!GHTS: (67,000) R&R sent in. bites nails forever TH3 R0S3 K!NGD0M: (74,000) Trunked forever.

08-13-2012, 05:09 AM	#15
grover4232 New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 30	Oh, that's cool! I guess there is a reason to nudge then.

08-13-2012, 10:41 PM	#16
Debbie V Mentoring Myself and Others Join Date: May 2010 Location: New York Posts: 1,339	I usually double the wait time posted before nudging. If I have no proof of receipt - some of my stuff goes the old fashioned way - I'll include a fresh copy of the manuscript. Dear Agent: At your request, I sent you a copy of x on date y. Since I have not heard from you, I'm wondering if the submission never arrived. To refresh you memory, pitch here. Please find enclosed x, for your convenience. If I received confirmation, I'll just ask for an update on the status of x sent on y date. My e-mails use the subject line Status Query: x: Genre or age group. I write for children.

08-14-2012, 01:29 PM	#17
Kado practical experience, FTW Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Isle of Wight Posts: 236	Thanks for sharing your nudge emails Samara, Triceretops and Debbie. I really appreciate it. I was wounding about what to put in the subject line too, so that was helpful. Obviously, I have a general idea of how to go about all this but it's useful to see how other people go about it (especially when it comes to getting the tone right) and it's good to share these things.

08-14-2012, 09:14 PM	#18
Corinne Duyvis She of the Comfortable Shoulders Join Date: May 2010 Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands Posts: 718	I once had a positive response on a nudge for a short story--I got an R&R that ended up leading to a sale. Woo! Unless instructed otherwise, I tend to just hit reply on the previous e-mail trail (and of course leave all prior e-mails intact so they can easily confirm I'm not making things up). I figure that's the best way to keep it from ending up in spam. __________________ * Blog * Website * Twitter * The Fourteenery Represented by Ammi-Joan Paquette of Erin Murphy Literary Agency. OTHERBOUND: a YA fantasy about a boy from our world who's spent ten years involuntarily witnessing the life of a servant girl from another world every time he blinks--and what happens when he finally learns to communicate with her. Available 2014 from Amulet Books.

08-16-2012, 08:25 AM	#19
J.Reid Sardonicus Rex Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New York Posts: 126	Grover, I've signed and sold books that the author had to nudge me on. Stuff happens. As for text, I always like this one: Dear SlackerAssBonBonChewingTelenovellaWatchingAgent: WTF Snookums?? You can't have anything better to do than read my Tome of Terror do you? Get with it. If you run that through the Google translator WriterSpeak-->AgentSpeak you'll get this: Dear Agent: Thanks for requesting my manuscript Sharks Rule on 1/1/05. I'm emailing just to check in to see if you're still considering it. Thanks for your time. WriterDude

01-18-2013, 03:17 AM	#22
Luprec figuring it all out Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: California Posts: 89	I've got a full out with an agent who has no guidelines regarding this on his website. He's had it for about 7 weeks, and I was thinking that was a bad sign, until I read this thread. I was going to nudge, but now I'm not sure...

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