Are agents too busy for new clients? What should I do next?
Asked by: Amanda Rud
How many agents should you query before you give up?
Just make sure you’ve done your due diligence and had a long, hard think about what you want. If you conclude that traditional publishing is your optimal route, then you should commit right now to querying at least 20 agents (hey, that number wasn’t totally arbitrary) in order to find the right representation.
When should you follow up with an agent?
If you receive an offer of representation, it’s customary to then follow up with all of the agents who are currently considering your manuscript, whether a partial or a full. Give them a reasonable timeframe (7-14 days) to get back to you so you don’t leave the agent who offered you representation hanging.
Why do agents take so long to respond?
The simple answer to this question (and usually the correct answer) is that literary agents are busy. Most agents spend their days working for their active clients, because they make their money after securing deals for the authors they represent.
How quickly do agents respond?
Response time for agents varies greatly. Some will be back to you in 24 hours, others a week, while some will take six weeks. A few will answer in the three to six month range.
Should I send my manuscript to multiple agents?
The quick answer is, “Yes.” In fact, many literary agents expect writers to query multiple agents at once. Unless they specifically state they prefer writers avoid simultaneous submissions. Or if an agent requests (and you grant) an exclusive look at your submission at a writing conference.
Did JK Rowling have a literary agent?
Christopher Little, who ran the agency, also managed Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling from and has been credited with single-handedly managing Rowling’s career and turning the Harry Potter franchise into a multi-million pound industry.
How do you follow up with an agent?
It’s more appropriate to say, “I’m following up with you because another agent has requested my complete manuscript, and I wanted to let you know” than it is to say, “I’m feeling antsy and want you to drop what you’re doing and get to my book.” How should you follow up with a literary agent?
How do you follow up with an acting agent?
Follow-ups are a little easier than blind submissions because you’ve already met the person you’re contacting.
So, here are a few suggestions that will help you get it right:
- Stay short and sweet. …
- Give me the facts. …
- Use proper nouns. …
- Don’t pitch me crap. …
- Watch your language. …
- Show me what you look like.
How do you nudge an offer to an agent?
THE OFFER OF REPRESENTATION NUDGE
Dear agent, I wanted to let you know that I’ve received an offer from an agent. I have not yet responded to the offer, but as a courtesy to the offering agent, I would love to do so by DATE 10 DAYS TO 2 WEEKS IN THE FUTURE.
How do I tell an agent I have an offer of representation?
Contact these agents via email. In your email, use a very clear subject line: OFFER OF REPRESENTATION—Title of Project. Then draft a very brief email, letting these agents know that you have received an offer of representation. However, tell them that you have not accepted the initial offer.
What should I submit to a literary agent?
What you should submit to a literary agent
- Query letter. This is a one-page pitch letter that gives a brief description of your work. …
- Novel synopsis. This is a brief summary (usually no more than one or two pages) of your story, from beginning to end. …
- Nonfiction book proposal. …
- Novel proposal. …
- Sample chapters.