I also hear back the same day, oftentimes within 5-10 minutes. Since it's upsetting you, I'd definitely try to phone her, though wait until you're in the right frame of mind, and maybe write down your main points. (I get flustered on the phone).
Taylormillgirl, I noticed you have a book with Disney Hyperion, congrats on that. One of my submissions is to there. They've had it 2 months already. Just wondering how long it took to hear back for you. How long was the wait for you with that one?
You need to take a breath and step back. Realize that this business you're in is a slow one. Even after acceptance, it's slow. You won't be getting daily updates or weekly notes unless there's a reason for you to get them.Well I called her finally and it didn't go like I would have liked. She seemed unprepared. Unprepared for a phone call she didn't know was coming, you mean? I asked her if she would like to call me back and she said she'd just look at my stuff now. She was taking time out of her schedule to try and resolve the problem for you. Another call would have meant a bigger delay and passing her schedule change onto others who also want a part of her day. Seemed to be fumbling with her email as we spoke. She was either referencing something for your questions or trying to finish whatever work your call interrupted. There was a lot she didn't know off hand and had to search for it. She's got a double digit client list "off-hand" is a lot to ask without prior notice. Had this bee a scheduled call, she would have had time to prepare. There was a submission that was of one of the four that was a pass. I didn't ask her why she didn't tell me, but I was thinking it. Maybe she was waiting to see if she got an offer before giving you bad news. I asked if she'll pitch it to more places and she said she will, but of course didn't know off hand to where. That will depend on how this round goes and what changes you might need to make to the MS given feedback (if any comes) from the rejecting editors.
And she hasn't finished reading my current ms. It's not a priority, as she can't send it out until your current submission is sorted and under contract. Other clients' work, which she CAN send out and thereby earn an income, takes precedence. but said what she read so far that it was the strongest of the three. That's all I got. You got a lot.
I seemed to be dominating the conversation because you started it and had the questions to ask; she was in the "response" seat, which is reliant on the "Asking" seat and if she was at all prepared it would have probably went better. Then you should have scheduled a call rather than just ringing her up. Now it's in limbo again. No it's not. The book's still on sub. The next book is in her "to read" queue. You're in good shape. I asked her to please email me when she has my ms. read and a new list of places, so maybe I put the fire under her ass. What fire? She can't force editors to read your work or respond any faster than they want to. She can't decrease their workload so they have the time to do so. She has other clients with viable works that she can be working on while yours is on submission. Once you get an offer, if you get an offer, then the priorities will shift again because yours is more pressing, but right now, it's not. Who knows.
you don't want to be the kid in the back screaming "Are we there, yet?" every two miles.
My agent never emails to let me know when there's a rejection. In fact, the only way I know who has it and where it's submitted is if I ask. I discussed this with him initially and he intentionally doesn't tell authors unless they ask because it allows us to control the amount of information we get and we don't have to stress over it too much.
Wow, this is a useful thread. Now I at least know it's normal practice--I mean, if I had an agent who didn't think it was necessary to inform me about such things, I'd scream Red Flag! right away because I'd assume it meant the agent was just tossing my ms in the air to see if it sticks.My agent never emails to let me know when there's a rejection. In fact, the only way I know who has it and where it's submitted is if I ask. I discussed this with him initially and he intentionally doesn't tell authors unless they ask because it allows us to control the amount of information we get and we don't have to stress over it too much.
Wow, this is a useful thread. Now I at least know it's normal practice--I mean, if I had an agent who didn't think it was necessary to inform me about such things, I'd scream Red Flag! right away because I'd assume it meant the agent was just tossing my ms in the air to see if it sticks.
Months can and will go by without a word from editor or agent.
Ahhh, having an agent is grand!
I can understand an editor not getting back to you after months and months, but not your agent. After you get your agent, months should NOT have to go by to hear from him or her. Sorry I'm not one of those types that would let months go by and not hear anything if you already have an agent.
But if there's no news, then what's she going to do?
You telling me I don't know enough isn't going to add anything.