Waiting on agents

[Hazelwood63]

Hello. I'm just looking for company on this long waiting game. Anyone else waiting to hear back from agents at the moment? I sent out five initial submissions at the end of January. So far I've received a really encouraging rejection and two requests for the full. Nothing from the other two so far. It's coming up to a month since I sent off the first full ms, and just over three weeks for the other one. Has anyone else waited over a month for a response to a full and been offered representation, or is it maybe time to think of moving on?

[LouisaMayAlcott]

Even when a full has been requested it can take a long time for them to get back to you. Reading new manuscripts has to fit in around work they're doing for their current authors. But it's brilliant to have two requests for the full, have you contacted the other two to tell them? Agents hate to think they may be missing out so they may well then ask for the full!

[Helpwhatwouldyoudonext]

That's great! I'd let them all know you've had two full requests, and possibly send out to two more agents, with disclosure that two have the full as well.
Keep us updated. What's the genre?

[Hazelwood63]

@LouisaMayAlcott Thank you. Very cheering to have some company.
I know how busy agents are, but I read somewhere on here that 4-6 weeks was quite a long time for a response to a full request - if it was going to be a positive response that is! And yes, I did let the other two agents know but nothing so far. I'm very much at the beginning of the process, and it's second time round for me so I know, as most of us do, that full reads don't always translate into offers. So difficult to manage one's expectations even so ...

@Helpwhatwouldyoudonext Thank you. I was wondering about sending out to a couple more but both agents who have the full have said they will get back to me 'asap', so I sort of feel I should wait and see what happens. My genre is upmarket/book club.

[Dontrocktheboat]

Hi @Hazelwood63, I will join you - I've posted a few times on the how to stay sane while being an author thread too. I am also at the start of the submissions process, and it's my second time around. I did have an agent, but ultimately my book didn't sell and things did not work out so I am back to square one (but with some valuable lessons I guess!)

I submitted my manuscript to another agent who had asked for the full of my previous novel a couple of weeks ago - she got back to me to ask for the full manuscript again pretty quickly but heard nothing since (2 weeks 3 days) so like you I am not feeling that optimistic. Although everything I have read about waiting times suggests it can take a while, and agents are really busy... so who knows!

I need to start querying some more, but find the process painful... planning to start on that today.
I think if you have had 2 full requests so quickly you must be doing something right, so would say that looks very positive.

[Hazelwood63]

Hi @Dontrocktheboat and thank you. Yes, I recognise your name from all my lurking on the creative writing threads. Very glad to have your company. I too submitted to an agent who read the full of my first novel, and she is now reading my new one. The other agent to request a full did so within a week. Really wasn't expecting such a fast response, but now it's all gone horribly quiet.

But how brilliant that you secured an agent, and that you have a full read out. Indicators, surely, of a positive outcome for you.

Part of me was wishing I'd sent out to more than five agents, but have decided to fix something in my novel before sending out to any more. Good luck, and do keep us all posted.

[Dontrocktheboat]

Thanks @Hazelwood63 - I guess I'm not feeling that hopeful for a positive outcome despite apparently positive indicators. Maybe the process so far has made me sceptical and cynical... but still persisting, not entirely sure why!

I've managed to send one more query out today - finding the process of hitting the send button very nerve-wracking. Also feel much more cautious about who to approach, so trying to choose carefully and personalise my queries a bit more than I have in the past. I don't think my work fits easily into the market, which is probably an issue, though I'd classify it as literary/ reading group type fiction.

The waiting process is quite soul destroying - good luck, looking forward to hear how you get on.

[NormaJeanne]

@Hazelwood63 Just dropping in to say that in your position I'd be querying like crazy. For one thing, it's a distraction from waiting on replies. For another, you're in a stronger position when you can say you've had requests for fulls. In my experience, agents respond more quickly and are more likely to put in a full request themselves.

Don't feel obligated to pause submissions - when the agents do get back to you it's far more likely to be a no than a yes, given how few authors they are able to take on in any given year. This is your moment - get the fix done and go for it!

[Hazelwood63]

I know what you mean@Dontrocktheboat. And, like you - literary/reading group fiction - I wonder if I'd have an easier time if I was aiming for a more commercial market.
But I know it's a famously long process. I recently read a blog by an author for whom it took the better part of two years ...

Thanks @NormaJeanne . There's a very strong argument for doing exactly as you suggest, but if it's a no from both these agents, I'd like the chance to incorporate any useful feedback before I send out again. This round was just to touch base with agents who requested a full read of my first novel a few years ago. If nothing comes of it then I promise you I'll be 'querying like crazy'.

[NormaJeanne]

Good luck @Hazelwood63. I hope you do get some helpful feedback. I didn't get any from my full requests - one never got back to me and the others didn't give feedback. A friend of mine in the US is having the same experience - it's frustrating so I hope things go very differently for you.

[Dontrocktheboat]

Hi, just thought I would check in, as still had no response to full manuscript request (been 3 weeks) so not very hopeful! So far I have managed to send out one more submission, guess I need to crack on with more though.

I wondered how you are getting on @Hazelwood63 and if you've had any feedback as yet? It is so demoralising! Have googled a bit how long it usually takes, but seems very much a 'how long is a piece of string' question.....

[Hazelwood63]

Same here @Dontrocktheboat as in no news, and similar results on google.
I'm in the process of a rewrite of the final chapters at the moment and so have put the brakes on sending out any more submissions until I'm done. I'm not feeling very hopeful either, and, like @NormaJeanne it's been my experience that feedback isn't always offered, so I'm not holding my breath for that either.
Might nudge in a couple of weeks ...

I know of someone who sent out around 40 submissions. She has an agent now! So do keep on keeping on, as they say.

[Dontrocktheboat]

Thanks @Hazelwood63 - it's so frustrating. The agent with the full did give positive and helpful feedback last time, so was hoping that was her modus operandi! Guess there's still time and they are busy, but am assuming it will be a rejection.
Good advice to keep going though. Good luck with revising the chapters and fingers crossed we both hear something soon (anything better than nothing in my view!)

[kungfupannda]

For those actively submitting, it's worth being aware that we're heading into the fallow period in the run-up to the London Book Fair when agents slow right down, and sometimes stop reading submissions altogether. Once you get towards the end of March, it's probably worth holding any submissions back until the dust from the LBF has settled.

[Dontrocktheboat]

Thanks @kungfupannda , that's useful to know. Is there little point submitting at the moment then? When do you think would be the time to restart, after London Book Fair?

[kungfupannda]

I've just checked and LBF is a week later than I thought it was - starting 18th April - so the rest of this month should be pretty normal. Once you hit April, you might see agents starting to temporarily close to submissions, and I'd avoid the 2 week run-up and the week afterwards.

It's not an exact science, obviously, but my agent is generally LBF (or Frankfurt BF in the Autumn) focused for that sort of timeframe, and I know of others who are similar. There are probably agents who do look at submissions right up to the start of the fair, but it's sufficiently widely accepted as a period to avoid to make it worth holding off. Given that agents get so many submissions that they're almost looking for reasons to reject the bulk of them, you don't want to add 'how very dare this author bother me at such a busy time' to that list of reasons!

[kungfupannda]

The other fallow periods are the run-up to are Frankfurt Book Fair in the autumn, August, and December.

[kungfupannda]

That sentence made zero sense!

[Dontrocktheboat]

Thanks @kungfupannda, I was aware of the London and Frankfurt book fairs but good to know what kind of time schedule these take up. Hard to know when is best to submit as by the time you take out August and Christmas too there is not much left!
Might try and squeeze in a few more before end of March then.

[Dontrocktheboat]

Well, have had a response from the agent with the full and it was a no, as kind of expected - though a very nice rejection, with positive comments about the characters and writing style saying she thinks I am 'really talented', which is nice, but that the plot needs more work. I think I'm aware plotting maybe isn't my strong point - more so with my last novel, I do feel this attempt was an improvement, but still....!
She also said if I had considered working with an editor she has a couple of people she could recommend. Not sure if this is a common response? I'm not sure I can really afford or justify this, but again might be useful information to have. I have previously looked into editorial services but thought it is a lot of money for essentially one person's opinion (and anyone can set up to do this!) Anyone got any experience of this?

[Hazelwood63]

Sorry to hear it's a no @Dontrocktheboat , even if it was expected, but great that the agent has found so much to enjoy in your writing. Funnily enough, I was reading only today about an agent who often recommends editorial services in her rejection letters, so, unless it's the same person, there's more than one of them out there who does that. I suppose they're just offering a next step option.

Faber has a very good manuscript assessment department I believe, and a lot of people go to the Blue Pencil Agency. But also do check out the Cheshire Novel Writing Prize where they're offering a few lines of feedback for every writer.

A friend of mine did an Edit and Submit course (again at Faber) and said having the input of about ten other people was invaluable. The cheapest/free way to go I suppose is to find a group of trusted readers who will offer honest, constructive feedback. Perhaps we should set up some sort of scheme on here for all of us in the Full Read Club!

[ElsieT23]

Sorry to hear about the 'no' and hoping everyone gets better news soon.

I'm not at the query stage yet but can I ask: did you include a couple of lines in your query schmoozing the agent (which I've seen suggested on various How to websites) ie 'I'm submitting to you because you're a spectacular agent who reps amazing authors in my genre blah blah'

It seems ridiculous to me in what is a straight up business relationship but obviously I'll jump through the hoops if needed!

[Hazelwood63]

Hi @ElsieT23 , I think what agents look for is an indication that you know your novel and, ideally where it might sit in the market, so it's not so much schmoozing, more offering a recognition of what that particular agent might be looking for. Eg 'I read that you are hoping to find a tear-jerking romance so I hope you will enjoy my novel' or 'I share your love of mystery stories'. However, if you can personalise your schmoozing, then go for it. An excellent reference is Jessie Burton's cover letter to Juliet Mushens which you'll be able to find online. Hope this helps, and good luck when you do start querying.

[ElsieT23]

Thanks @Hazelwood63 will google JBs letter

[Dontrocktheboat]

Thanks @Hazelwood63 - that's coincidental, I wonder if it is the same agent, or if recommending editorial services is just becoming more common. I heard the market is really tough right now so maybe agents are less likely to take on things that might need a bit of work before they submit.... also wondering if due to the profusion of editorial services available more and more people are using these before even getting to the submission point in order to polish their manuscripts. It is just so much money though... and they with no guarantee of an outcome! I will check out your recommendations - I previously did a submission workshop at Blue Pencil online, which was good, though not sure how helpful I found it personally...

I have a couple of trusted beta readers who are creative individuals who read a lot/ write themselves and give helpful insights - but I guess that's not quite the same as someone who really knows and has experience of working in the industry!

@ElsieT23 I did put a brief comment when approaching each agent about why I was approaching them - more referring to something they had put on their wish list on website, or mentioning authors I admire who they represent (without directly comparing myself to said author!) I think it's important to make it look like you had some reason to approach them, though don't think it's necessary to be overly sycophantic (also I find it really hard to say 'I think my work
compares to 'insert famous and successful author'' ! )

[BecauseOfIndia]

I'm joining the conversation here too, have been adding to the How do you stay sane... thread, but this seems more appropriate. I'm about to go back out on sub after a break, slightly worried now about the timing. It's such a heartbreaking experience it's hard to motivate yourself at the best of times.

Has anyone tried any indie publishers? I mentioned on the other thread - Storm, which I would recommend, there's also Bedford Square, I received a strange personal rejection from them that I couldn't quite understand, but it was at least a personal one!

@Dontrocktheboat I would be cautious about spending money on editing services. I got a free manuscript assessment (paid for by the Arts Council) and it wasn't worth the paper it was written on. It would have cost over £2000! The woman basically suggested I rewrite my book as a thriller (it's upmarket bookclub with a literary bent). I also entered the Cheshire novel prize last year and whoever wrote the feedback decimated my opening, they made it sound like I should give up writing altogether! And yet, this is the same opening that has got me full MS requests, and one agent said to me - "Don't change a single word of this..." It is SO subjective, I really thik you just need to read loads and listen to your own instincts when it comes to your MS.