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

[Hathor]

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?

[veinglory]

The first thing to do, IMHO, would be to see what value this agent can really add to what you are already doing. If he is a top flight agent, it is worth the trouble and whatever he is doing is probably okay. If not....

[the addster]

I wouldn't get too concerned about an agent showing interest in a non-fiction book without having read all of it, most NF is sold on proposal alone. I also wouldn't be a bit wary about them wanting the proposal tweaked, that's almost a given.

I would be concerned that the particular hasn't made any sales on their own, especially since you still have some stuff working out there. I would tell them that you are awaiting responses from others, and seriously consider nudging those others.

[Hathor]

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.

[susangpyp]

Most non-fiction is sold on proposal alone. Even though my proposal was good enough to land my agent, we worked on my proposal and sample chapters (2) for about 4 months before shopping it. Prior to buying the book, the publisher wanted to see another one (which I had ready).

If this guy is at a great agency, they probably have their contacts. My agent was coming back into the publishing world after a hiatus and her background was that of an editor. Most of the publishers she spoke to had no idea who she was but knew the agency was top-notch.

I had another offer to consider when she came along and I spoke to both on the phone and made a decision in about a week.

You might want to have a phone conversation with him. When I spoke to my agent I knew we were a fit, but I had no idea about that until we spoke on the phone.

[DerekJager]

Here's my 2 cents:
--
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. (I'd ask him to read some more to see what he thinks. It's that simple--if he really wants to sign you, then you need establish upfront what you feel is strong/important about your book. So communicate with him.)

What does this mean? Shouldn’t he read the full manuscript before deciding upon representation? Or perhaps, he hasn’t definitely offered it yet? (As others posted, most agents read the proposal. My agent read my proposal and some sample chapters and signed me. But he DID call me immediately and "sold me" on himself and where he would send the proposal. So have this agent call you and talk to him, see how you do on the phone together.)

I don’t want to alienate perhaps the only one who would take on my book (actually, you DO--because if you aren't comfortable now, you will only be MORE uncomfortable as the months/years pass as he tries to sell your book! So, get the information you need! If he can't handle your basic questions--and they ARE basic--then you don't want to be represented by him.) , 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. (No need to nudge--just tell them directly that you've had an agent express interest in representing you and did they have time to read your proposal? That will cause them to either drop everything and focus on your proposal or at least tell you "no" or they will let you know in a day or two.)

1. Simply wait a few weeks and see if the situation resolves itself a bit. (No, always be proactive.)
2. Tell the agent that I want to see what other agents think. (No, tell the OTHER agents you have someone interested and let THEM respond.) Perhaps adding that I will get back to him in some reasonable amount of time (which would be what?) (No, the agent gets back to YOU, you don't get back to him/her.)
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. (There are basic questions to ask ANY agent before signing [which can be found on this site] and while sales is ONE of the questions, it's not the only/first one. Ask him about YOUR BOOK--who would he send it to, what does he think about it, your market, etc. It's not ALL about what he has sold, but how will he treat you, etc? And most of all, does he have a PASSION for your book?)
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. (No, see above. It sounds like you have QUESTIONS, so before you say no, ASK YOUR QUESTIONS--have him call you. Listen to his voice, etc.)
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. (No, that's what YOU want, but NF is sold by proposal. He should READ your whole proposal first--so you can talk about your proposal in detail.)

6. Nudge the other agents. (See above) The drawback I can see is that they may just tell me to go with my offer (no they won't--IF they asked for your proposal, they will want to read it and won't "give you up" that easily), 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. (You really must call this guy!)


So … what do you all suggest I do?
----
You may have done all of the above that I suggested, so if I misread your post, sorry about that. But have you picked up the phone to talk to him? For me and my NF proposal, I have five agents interested--one called me up and asked for more to read and then passed. The other three emailed their interest and two sent me contracts. The other one called me and we talked about the book in great detail, based on my proposal. I checked out the other agents and they were not that great, but he was, so I signed with him.

But you MUST talk to this guy and you'll pretty much immediately what you should do!

Good luck!

[Hathor]

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.

[Hathor]

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.

[Bluestone]

Just to add my two cents, especially in case you're second guessing yourself. I'm sorry about the disappointing outcome, but if an agent is turned off so easily by asking questions - unless they were offensive, pushy, inappropriate...you get the picture...he is obviously not the right person for you. You have a good attitude about it, which is great.

The best fit for you will feel like that - it's a relationship, albeit a business one, and has the nuances and gut feel of a relationship. Good luck with your querying and journey.

[Hathor]

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 ...

[Bluestone]

Hathor, you were so worried about the right way to approach the agent, I had no doubt you were polite and courteous. It definitely sounds like this agent had some other issues, and they had nothing to do with you.

Keep us posted.

[Hathor]

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.

[DerekJager]

Remember, like any relationship, you want someone who WANTS to be with you!

In this case, someone who is passionate about your story and has that passion when dealing with publishers.

And then, when it IS sold to a publisher, you want that group of people to also be passionate. It can take time, but think of the time you've already put into this project and you'll know it's worth waiting for the right person.

Good luck!

[Hathor]

You are absolutely right. Thanks