Sent out to agents 10 days ago... got one request for full MS. How long is the wait?!?

[Facewash87]

I sent out my synopsis and three chapters to five agents 10 days ago. I got one request for a full manuscript and four nothing-yets.

How long is the usual wait?! For both feedback on full manuscript? And for “thanks and no thanks” or “full ms please” from the other agents?!

Every time I get a new email I feel nervous!

I was told you can wait upto 12 weeks for a reply, given workload of agents. This was pretty accurate when I sent off my first MS. Majority did not reply I must add at those that did took up to 3 months.

Getting a reply in 10 days is fantastic!

12 weeks! okay, I’ll get more patient!

Did you get the agent who requested the full ms?

Yes I got two requests and one signed me up (though once signed there followed another journey!)

Once I sent the full MS to those requesting it, I think I waited 6 weeks to get a fullresponse from them.

I thought I'd get quick responses from all but got used to waiting weeks.

I would say give it 3 months and if no response than consider your next step. It is a waiting game!

Congratulations on getting signed up! And the other journey you took instead.

Okay, that’s really helpful. I can stop jumping every time my phone makes the “new email” noise and get on with life and TRY and forget for now! 😂

I found that when I wrote back to the agents to say, "Just thought I should let you know that another agent has requested the full MS" then they all replied immediately, either asking for the full or declining. They are massively competitive!

I’ve has rejection letters and emails from agents after the book was actually published. It can take months.
Get in lots chocolate.

Good luck!

Yes, some just never ever reply!

I would start working on a synopsis for another book, because when you get an agent she will try to get you a two book deal.

Mixed: Last year I sent my MS to a very small group of agents, more as a tester really. Most got back to me with 'no' or 'liked x but..." within 6-12 weeks, some never. I submitted too early.

Following another edit, I submitted in September, got 2 requests for fulls about a week after submitting. Then got an offer of rep within about 2 weeks of that, plus an R&R from someone else, plus a couple of other full MS requests. So for me it's all happened within a few weeks, which has been really really weird. But I think the book was a lot close to being ready than last time.

Also, they've all been away at the Frankfurt Book Fair, and busy either prepping or following up, so this is not a good time of year (I only found this out after submitting, naturally).

Well I just got two rejections :( one from my full, one from my synopsis and first few chapters. I know that rejection is the norm, but am crushed!

Starting to wonder if I submitted too soon and need to do more work on it?! So v interesting what you say, Pollaidh. Did you take the feedback onboard when you changed your manuscript? How much of an overhaul did you give it?

@Pollaidh - I wonder if I could ask you more about how much you changed your MS between the two send outs? I’ve had three rejections now, two full of very thorough comments and lots of nice things said. It’s making me think I submitted too soon and need to re-edit.

How much of a change did you make? Did you send out to the same agents or different ones? Do you mind me asking how many agents you sent out to both times?? Sorry for all the questions! I can’t decide if this book isn’t ready, or isn’t going to go anywhere!