Just got a request for a partial as well. Kristoff, did she specify and particular format during your dealings (i.e. cover page for MS partial, double-space for synopsis, etc)?
-
Guest please check The Index before starting a thread.
Sorry I missed this.
No specific format was specified, nope. I just did the standard double spaced 12pt Times new Roman thang
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2010
- Messages
- 751
- Reaction score
- 81
- Location
- Lakeview, OR
- Website
- bryanrdurkin.blogspot.com
Any new info or experiences regarding this agency? I noted that her Publisher's Marketplace page still lists Nahvae Frost as a new agent, but according to this thread, that was several years ago. So apparently it hasn't been updated.
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2010
- Messages
- 7,063
- Reaction score
- 1,643
I got a very quick turn-around (I sent the query last night) request for a partial from Ms. McCarthy.
I had the same experience. Sent a query on 12/2 had a request for a partial the next morning.
My experience with Shawna McCarthy
I sent an e-mail query to her yesterday afternoon. This morning, I received a request for a partial. What I noticed on Querytracker stats is that her rejection rate is high on partials and fulls. Also, she's not listed any longer on AAR's website. Not sure what that means, but she does have some good clients and looks like she has plenty of experience in the publishing industry. I'm not impressed that she asks for hard copy submissions (wastes paper, cost money to mail, and is not expedient) and she does not have a website. In this day and age, I expect both. But...on the other hand, if what she does works for her, that's fine. My only real concern is that she does seem to be doing a lot of other things other than agenting, and my experience is that when an agent is also a writer, editor, teacher, etc., etc., they really are not as focused on their agenting as they need to be. But, maybe she's a great juggler, who knows? At this juncture, I'm just blowing wind anyway. She hasn't even received my partial yet! I can worry about the other stuff if she offers rep.
I sent an e-mail query to her yesterday afternoon. This morning, I received a request for a partial. What I noticed on Querytracker stats is that her rejection rate is high on partials and fulls. Also, she's not listed any longer on AAR's website. Not sure what that means, but she does have some good clients and looks like she has plenty of experience in the publishing industry. I'm not impressed that she asks for hard copy submissions (wastes paper, cost money to mail, and is not expedient) and she does not have a website. In this day and age, I expect both. But...on the other hand, if what she does works for her, that's fine. My only real concern is that she does seem to be doing a lot of other things other than agenting, and my experience is that when an agent is also a writer, editor, teacher, etc., etc., they really are not as focused on their agenting as they need to be. But, maybe she's a great juggler, who knows? At this juncture, I'm just blowing wind anyway. She hasn't even received my partial yet! I can worry about the other stuff if she offers rep.
I submitted my query via email and she requested the partial, and later the full, via email as well. She's been very responsive for me.
Does anyone know if the McCarthy Agency is still open? Have you queried lately?
It's not on Publisher's Marketplace, and like everyone else I didn't find a website -- but I've found there are still a few agents who just prefer paper subs with an SASE So I was wondering if she's still taking submissions.
It's not on Publisher's Marketplace, and like everyone else I didn't find a website -- but I've found there are still a few agents who just prefer paper subs with an SASE
So I was wondering if she's still taking submissions.
Last edited:
My contact with her was a year ago. A partial request, which I later nudged on and received a belated rejection for. (She said she thought she'd already mailed a response, but if so, I never got it.)
I see a report on Querytracker of a full request last August (2013) so unless something has changed drastically, I would guess she's still in the business.
Also, she does accept queries via email and several of the folks on QT reported emailing their partials/fulls. So, maybe she's moving away from the snail-mail stuff.
I see a report on Querytracker of a full request last August (2013) so unless something has changed drastically, I would guess she's still in the business.
Also, she does accept queries via email and several of the folks on QT reported emailing their partials/fulls. So, maybe she's moving away from the snail-mail stuff.
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2013
- Messages
- 406
- Reaction score
- 29
I just checked out her page here, http://agentquery.com/agent.aspx?agentid=509 Wow, aol.com! That surprised me. I always forget AOL is still around. Wonder why her publishers marketplace page is no longer around.
Means nothing. Some older agents still have emails through AOL. Mine does, and she's quite active in the market.
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2013
- Messages
- 406
- Reaction score
- 29
That's what I keep hearing. It still startles me though. I used to have a hotmail account from something like 1996 and now I can't even recall the username. I've just been using gmail for too long.
I'm scared because I have a row of books edited by her on my wall, and had I put two and two together I may never have approached her. Still, it's something to even get this far in the process with an agent, and I'm trying to let my excitement master my fear.
Hi StarWombat,
If you don't mind my asking how are things going with your submission? I ask because I've been -- well maybe not considering submitting my work to her agency -- but every so often I have a look and wonder if I should. Also when you say you have books edited by her, were they not edited well? Have a fab weekend and thanks!
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2011
- Messages
- 23,132
- Reaction score
- 10,903
- Location
- Where faults collide
- Website
- doggedlywriting.blogspot.com
Anyone got a link to a website for her or information on how to query. Looks like her most recent sale on publisher's marketplace was 2013. Anyone have information about anything more recent?
Her QueryTracker page has an e-mail listed. As for recent sales, I don't know. She's still responding to queries, though (again, according to QT).
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2011
- Messages
- 23,132
- Reaction score
- 10,903
- Location
- Where faults collide
- Website
- doggedlywriting.blogspot.com
When I queried her, I think I sent just the query letter. (Which resulted in a partial request.)
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2011
- Messages
- 23,132
- Reaction score
- 10,903
- Location
- Where faults collide
- Website
- doggedlywriting.blogspot.com
I queried Shawna McCarthy on September 15th with just the query letter. On the 16th she asked for the first ten pages, and on the 26th she asked for the first three chapters and the synopsis. Both requests for more, she told me to let her know if I get other offers, which seems like a good sign (or I could be reading too far into standard procedure.) Has anyone else had any recent dealings with Ms. McCarthy?
Edit: Rejected on November 3rd. Aw well.
Edit: Rejected on November 3rd. Aw well.
Last edited: