How long to wait before nudging on a full

mommygoth

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Apr 27, 2014
Messages
125
Reaction score
7
Location
North Carolina
I got a request for full on September 18th, just a few days after sending the query. I sent the manuscript via email that same day, but haven't heard anything. That may be completely normal (almost a month) or it may not. Just wondering how long to wait before checking to confirm it didn't get lost as spam. I know how crazy busy these guys are, and I don't think they would necessarily follow up if they didn't get something they asked for. They just don't always have time.
 

JoyMC

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Sep 13, 2010
Messages
1,212
Reaction score
181
Location
Seattle-ish
Website
www.joymcculloughcarranza.com
Unfortunately one month is nothing. If you can find a stated time they usually take with fulls, either in their own guidelines, or through Query Tracker or the like, give them at least that long and probably add on another few weeks, and then you can nudge.

My agent took five months to offer (and she was a same day request). Before that, with previous manuscripts I had agents take up to a year with fulls.

I know how easy it is to agonize that they didn't get it, but try to relax. 99% of the time those emails go through. Every now and then things get lost in the shuffle, but it's not the norm.

In the meantime, work on something new! It's the only way to keep yourself sane.
 

mommygoth

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Apr 27, 2014
Messages
125
Reaction score
7
Location
North Carolina
Thanks - that kind of context is super helpful. I am definitely working on the second book, just didn't want to leave the first one languishing alone outside school when the bus has already left.
 

Treehouseman

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jan 24, 2013
Messages
1,090
Reaction score
102
Gosh, the wait for fulls is super-long. About 4 months is kind of standard, for my querying experience, which is sadly extensive and protracted!
 

Phaeal

Whatever I did, I didn't do it.
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Feb 11, 2008
Messages
9,232
Reaction score
1,897
Location
Providence, RI
My wait times on fulls varied from 8 months and counting (at which point I had another agent) and overnight (my agent.)

Chill for another couple months, I'd say. (It would be a good idea, I think, for agents to send out a one-line "Got it!" email, just so we aren't tempted to poke, "Didja get it, didja, didja???")