When is an agent going to get back to me on this?
I’m wrapping up a series of writers conferences from this spring so I have dozens of hopeful clients who’ve sent in follow-up requests. They are waiting for me to let them know if I will offer them representation. Patience is so hard, especially when you’ve been pushing toward your publishing dream. If you’ve wrestled with how or when to follow-up with an agent after an initial submission, today’s post is for you!
By the way, if we met this spring at a writers conference, whether online or virtually, I’m thrilled that you took my suggestion and subscribed to the Books & Such blog! Give me a shout out in the comments below and tell me where we met!
Today’s Question: If you’re seeking representation, when should you exercise patience and when should you proactively reach out to a literary agent?
Here are three scenarios that you may encounter:
PROBLEM: No response to your initial query for more than a month.
SOLUTION: Be Proactive
If you’ve submitted a query to a literary agent and it’s been more than a month with no response, you can reach out again.
IMPORTANT: Before you send the follow-up email, double-check that you are querying the right agent for your project. Some agents, especially well-established or top tier agents, will not respond to queries that do not match what they represent. They also may not respond if they are not accepting new clients at the time.
If you haven’t heard from a good agent (who is accepting new clients), chances are that his or her lack of response is because they are taking care of their existing clients or they’ve received an overwhelming number of queries that make it challenging to respond to each one.
How do you coach yourself through this?
First, practice QTIP: Quit Taking It Personally. Be kind to yourself and don’t jump to conclusions. You can’t know if the agent has read your query or formed an opinion about your project. All you know is that he or she hasn’t responded. So, when negative thoughts perk up, say: “I’m going to QTIP this. I am not going to take the lack of response personally.”
Second, if you really believe that this person is the right agent for your project, wait a month and send a follow-up note. Keep it brief. It’s helpful to let the agent know the date that you submitted the original query. It’s also helpful to include the title of your project and that you look forward to hearing from them once they’ve reviewed it. If there is an editor or publisher interested in seeing your project, add that into your follow-up note as well.
Finally, if you haven’t heard from them after a few months, here’s a line that I’ve adapted from a popular online dating coach: It’s time to activate the most powerful four-letter word: NEXT! Move on to the next agent and don’t look back.
PROBLEM: Waiting for the agent to review your full proposal or full-length manuscript
SOLUTION: Patience
Every hopeful author loves it when an agent emails or says the magic words: “I’d love for you to send me your full proposal.” You fire off that email and then, the daily email checks begin. After a few weeks, you start playing the mental game of “should I or shouldn’t I send a follow-up?” Can anyone relate?
I can’t speak for all agents, but outside of working with my existing clients, here are a combination of three possibilities that may explain your wait time:
- I’m reading your proposal and considering whether I have the ability to coach you through the development process before I can represent you to a publisher.
- I’m searching for whether I can find a publisher for your project, whether it’s your genre, plot or the current size of your platform.
- Your proposal or full manuscript is in my workflow. I haven’t been able to finish it, but I will.
This is why QTIP is important. As agents, our job is to help you be successful, so we need time to do our due diligence. If you tend to overthink or get impatient, you can coach yourself by saying, “Take a deep breath. The answer will come.” Hang in here!
PROBLEM: Agent has asked for heavy revisions OR asked you to build your platform.
SOLUTION: Patience AND Proactivity
I have a category in my Google task manager called “Wait List.” This is where I keep track of a list of are wonderful writers, but I’m unable to sign them right now. Some writers need to work on their proposal, others are writing a new manuscript or their platform needs to grow.
A few months ago, I wait-listed a potential client. Months later, they proactively reached out to me with the desired results. It was a joy to sign the author because the client is now positioned for success in publishing, not just being represented.
If I have to delay representation, I always add, “Look, unless Jesus comes back or God takes me home, I’ll be here when you’re ready to submit your query.” While I can’t offer any guarantees, I’ll gladly revisit a representation conversation if a potential client takes the time to do the right work and delivers the requested results.
You may feel like Cinderella racing against the clock’s strike at midnight, but slow down. Take the time to do this right. Speed isn’t a guarantee of success. If you’ve heard from an agent who loves your work or you, but they can’t sign you until XYZ is complete, this is a time to take a deep breath and do the work the right way, not the rushed way.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: What’s the hardest part about waiting for an agent to get back to you? What self-coaching tips do you have to share with others who are waiting for representation?
What Washed Ashore in the Storm
“Speed isn’t a guarantee of success.” I love this message. The Lord encourages me not to finish my manuscript as though I’m running a race. I’m to finish as though I’m birthing a child and allow time for every part to form properly. Thank you for this message; it arrived at the perfect time!
Hi Andrea! I’m glad that today’s post encouraged you to slow down and not feel so pressured by time. You’ll get there and we’ll be here cheering you along the way.
So many typos and grammar errors in this post. It’s only a blog entry, honestly. How long would it take to proofread? Or take the prolific advice everyone gives out to hopeful writers and get a friend or colleague to proofread? “Because sloppy grammar and spelling will cause an agent to put your submission straight into the trash.”
I just so love that literary agents and people who work in the publishing industry keep giving advice to hopeful new authors with no contacts.
But how many of them only get published because they work in the industry and know people? And/or because they know how to work the system of agents and publishers. And/or because they know people who think they know exactly what’s ticking the right boxes in the “market” this month … even though their book won’t be on shelves for two years?
But God forbid anyone should actually just write a really good book, and get it evaluated on its merits. Surely publishing can be more than a freakin’ election campaign.
Good morning Rita, thank you for stopping by the Books & Such blog. You’re right. I blew it on proofreading well. My apologies for the less than professional manner that this post was presented. I hope that I’ve corrected the typos.
Second, one of the reasons that we host this blog is to be that connection for authors to publishing. So, I hope that you keep coming back and we’d love to serve you.
Thank you for your reply. And also for editing the typos. I do appreciate you taking the time!
The thing is, even on the submissions page for Books and Such Literary Management, I noted that an author has some interesting hurdles, such that the connection of UNKNOWN authors to publishing seems almost impossible.
In an initial “query”, a one-page submission, the author is supposed to explain her actual book in only one paragraph. The rest of the submission is to “Highlight your vision for marketing your book, [and] your writing experience”, among other trivia. When did authors become maids-of-all-work? Why would an unknown author have a “vision” for marketing the book. Still, in the dictionary, the definition of “author” is simply “the writer of a book, article or document”. Ad agency, marketer or spruiker have their own separate definitions.
Any new, unrepresented author is going to all-out faint at a phone call that says, “We’re happy to represent you.” Any unrepresented author is going to say, “Just tell me what you want me to do! I’ll do it!” Agents and publishers know the industry. Any “vision” should be theirs, and if the new author can help, the new author is going to fall over herself to do so. But how on earth – and why – should she have the “vision”? My only vision is people reading, enjoying and maybe learning something from my books. You can even keep the money.
And if the author is an unrepresented author, why should they have “experience”? What does that even mean? “I’ve been writing all my life, I have a PhD, but no one has wanted to represent me so far?” Is that what the agency is going to go for? I don’t think so. “I entered a few short story contests and self-published a book on Amazon?” Yep, I can hear the agents sniggering from here.
The requirement to describe the book’s “unique elements” always strikes me as odd also. Perhaps agents and publishers are bored with all that they see as part of their nine-to-five job. But readers of Harry Potter don’t want “unique”. They want more Harry Potter. The same goes for readers of Wings of Fire, or Twilight, or Game of Thrones, or Outlander. Or Jane Austen even. Best-selling authors get a second look-in because readers think they’re going to have written more of the same, and reviews are often brutal if it isn’t more of the same.
So why are agencies and publishers always banging on about “unique” or “a new voice” at the same time as banging on about wanting stuff that is “marketable” or “commercial”? Modern “classical” music is crap. The fact is, what most listeners want is more Mozart, more Beethoven, more Tchaikovsky. And who goes to see a modern art exhibition, compared with the numbers who go to see Rembrandt or the Impressionists? Why can we not be honest about that, and accept, by the by, that ALL literature is derivative.
But let’s say the author gets through that initial “query” process, there’s then “The Next Step”. This submission requires only the first three chapters of the novel, plus “your biography, with an emphasis on your qualifications for writing the manuscript and how you can help to market it”. Is that MEANT to intimidate? To humiliate?
My biography: “I’m 47 going on 48 and on a disability pension. I’ve written two novels and the first three installments of a multiple-novel series and no one wants to represent me so far, even though editors and readers (not people I know) say the works are great.” Yep, that’s a winning biography. Ta. If I had a good “biography”, I’d be represented already.
And then, again, why should the author be the maid-of-all-work? How should I know how to market the thing? I took a Masters in English Lit and History, and a PhD in History, not any degree in Advertising or Marketing. Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it. I’ll go without sleep. I’ll live in pain. I’ll leave my family for weeks or months at a time. I’m an amateur author – D’UH. But do I have clue how to market anything? No. I’m only an author: “a writer of a book, article, or document” (OED).
But the agency will only read three chapters and a synopsis at this stage of the process. Uh huh. The first line of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility was: “The family of Dashwood had long been settled in Sussex.” Is that a winner? No. Is the book a best-seller? Yes.
Why not just read the freakin’ book – or at least skim it – and see if it’s any good?
Good afternoon Rina, you’ve outlined a lot of questions and frustrations that hopeful authors have while pursuing representation. Our Books & Such blog archive is an informative and encouraging resource that will addresses all aspects of the publishing journey, both the professional and personal aspects. Since you’ve got passion and time, you should check it out.
Dear Barb,
I read and appreciated both your blog post and the gracious way you replied to each comment.
Your kindness is an example of how writers who hope to get published should behave.
The Christian publishing community is close-knit. How we treat each other gets around.
I admire how warmly Books & Such treats readers of their blog. Thank you.
Blessings – Wendy Mac 🕊️
Hi Wendy! Thanks for stopping by our Books & Such blog today. You are so right, Christian publishing is close knit and it is so important that we treat each other with kindness and respect. On behalf of the Books & Such agenting team, thank you for your kind words about our agency staff. We care about our clients and those we connect with in our blog community and we want to serve you well.
Totally agree, Rina. I found the entire ritual reeks of a ragging process. Write your query this way. Make sure you follow this process because agents are extremely busy people and don’t have time for this or that. Frankly, it smacks of elitism. Any agent who doesn’t adopt a professional attitude to respond to writers to put them out of their misery belongs to the same class of employers who want the earth but don’t have time to inform applicants they are successful or not. I wasn’t going to dignify a condescending ritual with a query. I self-published my book.
Barb, if I may, I’d like to thank everyone who’s held me in prayer over the past few days. The prayers were really needed; yesterday should have been the end.
Started running a consistently high fever, and having increasing trouble breathing, on Saturday. Fever eventually went well over 104, and when Barbara came home for lunch yesterday she found that the only way I could get air was in a horrid ‘choke’. She’s worked as a nurse, and did not think she would see me alive in this world again. (Why no call to EMS? No insurance, and I made a vow not to saddle B with medical bills.)
And yet…when she came home at 6 I was sitting on the edge of the bed, fever broken, and breathing normally. It can only be a miracle.
And why me, especially since a lovely couple from church are even now in hospital, fighting for their lives against COVID?
I guess there’s so much we’re not meant to understand, but I amgrateful for God’s mercies, and for your prayers.
Oh Andrew, thank you for giving us this update. I’m sure that more than one heart began beating quickly reading this update. Praise God for your fever breaking and miraculous recovery from such a harrowing illness. We pray for you continued recovery and rest. You are a valued part of our Books & Such blog community.
Hello again,
Since I have nothing much better to do on a disability pension without representation, here are a few more sentences in the blog that you may wish to revisit (my suggested edits are in capital letters):
* If you’ve wrestled with how or when to FOLLOW UP with an agent … [With a hyphen, the two words are an adjective looking for a noun, rather than a verbal phrase.]
* Every hopeful author loves it when an agent emails or SAYS the magic words … [agreement with the singular noun “an agent”]
* … outside of working with my existing clients, here IS a combination of three possibilities that may explain your wait time … [agreement with the singular noun “a combination”]
* If you tend to overthink or get IMPATIENT … [pretty sure you want the adjective here, not the noun]
* This is where I keep track of a list of [WORDS ARE MISSING] are wonderful writers …
* Some writers need to work on their proposal, [WHILE/AND] others are writing a new manuscript or their platform needs to grow. [Grammar101: a comma in a context such as this should be followed by a conjunction to connect the clauses. This is where modern editors may go nuts thinking there are too many commas in a manuscript. Sigh. Grammar, people. Grammar. Commas are NOT full stops.]
* It was [IS?] a joy to sign the author because the client is [WAS?] now positioned for success in publishing, not just being represented. [Well … tenses at least.]
Kind regards,
Rina.
Thank you for providing your comments and suggestions, Rina.
Hi Barb,
Although I have not had the pleasure of meeting you, several friends had appointments with you at BRMCWC this past May and were so impressed with your level of professionalism. I can see why. I, too, am impressed with your professional response to some of the unprofessional comments (in my opinion) to this post. It can be very hard to feel the brunt of someone else’s frustration.
Personally, I appreciated the tips here. I am holding back on sending a proposal until my newsletter numbers are in the ballpark requested at my pitch appointment. But hearing some of the reasoning from the agent’s POV makes the waiting a bit easier to navigate.
Hi Kelly, thanks for stopping by the Books & Such blog. I applaud you for joining us at Blue Ridge this year and celebrating your commitment to doing the work needed to move your writing dreams forward. Kudos to you! I also appreciate your kind words as well. It’s a honor for me to serve my fellow writers and I always appreciate grace in the moments when I don’t do it perfectly 🙂
Waiting … such a hard thing! Well, after a great deal of waiting and much rising and falling of hope, I have given myself a rule for waiting. If I’ve submitted, I email the agent or editor every three months to check on the submission. If a year goes by, I usually stop. This keeps me engaged in the outcome … but not too engaged, ha!
Kristen, Thank you for sharing your strategy for managing the waiting process as well as how you proactively reach out to editors or agents. I know that many other writers will appreciate your wisdom!
On another note, I can’t tell you how encouraging this blog has been to me personally over the years. Yes, I’ve enjoyed other blogs before Books & Such (Miss Snark, Kristin Nelson, Rachelle Gardner back at Word Serve) but the combination of great advice given consistently and a charming personal touch makes this blog feel like family. Keep it up you guys! Sure, not every post will be perfect, but there isn’t any way they could be. Sound advice, given with heart and a genuine interest in writers who are trying to grow … that is what we want. You guys have shepherded us all along over the years and we have grown up and grown better for having traveled this writing journey as part of the community here. Even as the industry changes and writing advice grows and changes too, what we really love is a place to talk about all that. To hear the professionals chat with each other about what is happening and to share their two cents with us. Thank you for that. It is a delight to be part of the conversation. You all are a blessing that we so appreciate!
Kristen, your kind words are a lovely, warm hug for not only me, but our entire Books & Such team. God bless you.
Hi Barb! Great, great post. It’s like you’ve been where some of us are…and I think you have! (We “met” screen-to-screen at WCCW, gosh can’t think of what month…) I love QTIP! Just what I need-easy to remember. It’s hard when you’re in the “do I or don’t I” corner. Just knowing that agents understand is freeing. Thanks again!
Hi Deb! It’s hard to believe that we met waaaaay back in February since we’ve had a chance to connect in so many other ways. I’m glad that QTIP resonated with you (especially since you’re waiting on a certain agent to read your entire manuscript). Thanks for stopping by and joining today’s conversation!
HI Barb, we met at the GPCWC last week. It was an honor to be asked for a book proposal, and I will keep in mind all that you wrote in this post once I send it in. Thanks!
Hi Lisa! It was a pleasure meeting you during a group pitch session at GPCWC last week and I’m so glad that you stopped by the Books & Such blog today.
QTIP – yes. Great advice in this context and also in life in general.
Hi Stacey, thanks for sharing your comment! I’m glad that QTIP resonated with you – it’s one of my favorite slogans.