How to use this Page

[…] Before Green Gables and 100 Years of Anne Shirley This episode comes to you from the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada, where a large group of people braved a moderate snowstorm to attend the launch of Before Green Gables, the prequel of Anne of Green Gables. […]

[…] If you’re curious about the new Anne of Green Gables book–Before Green Gables–then check out on this! The podcast includes interviews with author Budge Wilson (ohh! I wish I could have been there. But listening to the podcast is a close second), editor Helen Reeves from Penguin Books, who edited Before Green Gables , LM Montgomery’s granddaughter Kate Macdonald Butler, LM Montgomery expert Betsy Epperly, Adrienne Clarkson (the Governor-General of Canada, and a literacy advocate) and more. […]

Thank you for sharing the audio interview. I enjoyed it very much!

OK, Mark and Andrea, this interviews brought tears to my eyes, even before I’ve started to read the book. Which I now can’t wait to read. I especially love how people you interviewed talked about Anne as though she was real. And I loved the little girl who planned to dress as Anne for Halloween. What a wonderful treat!

I enjoyed your podcast program so much!
Thank you for sharing it!

[…] 1. Carrie (Edge of Eternity)2. sweetpotato (Mr. Popper’s Penguins)3. Moomin Light (Solstice Wood)4. Steve (Darwin’s Radio)5. Laura (Strawberry Fields)6. Carrie K. (Vanity Fair)7. Marg - two Kelley Armstrong reviews8. Carol (Camera Lucida)9. Framed (New Moon)10. Maw Books (The Breadwinner)11. Maw Books (Feathers)12. Maw Books (Jasmine)13. Literary Feline (Bad Blood)14. Literary Feline (The Translator)15. Petunia (Buccaneers)16. Petunia (Peter Pan)17. Stephen (Skin Lane)18. valentina (confessions of a fallen angel)19. Hope (Wives and Daughters)20. Krakovianka (Original Sin by P.D. James)21. Laura (The Heart is a Lonely Hunter)22. writer2b (The Sword in the Stone)23. Lynne (Paula Deen:It Ain’t All About the Cookin’)24. SFP (Half of a Yellow Sun)25. SFP (People of the Book)26. Joy (The Quilter’s Apprentice)27. Just One More Book! Podcast (Before Green Gables)28. Krakovianka (The Road)29. Trish (Angela’s Ashes)30. Shannon (In Defense of Food)31. Shannon (Fairy Tale Feasts)32. Barbara H. (Homeland Heroes series by Donna Fleisher)33. Queen of Carrots (The Elements of Murder) […]

You are a breath of fresh air Jessica. I love your honesty. This blog is loaded with valuable information. The best agent blog I have read by a long shot.

ck

This really is THE most informative & helpful blog that I visit every day - so I have to jump on board with ck about the fresh air & honesty. Very few mixed signals. Question - Do you agree or disagree with the "query widely" approach? I haven't queried any agencies (YA - something you don't handle - so I won't be wasting your time) I've been working on 'perfecting' my 1st book, doing my agent search homework, have a 2nd book underway (50%) & stacks of resarch / notes for ideas on future stories. My goal is to secure representation from an agency that has a good track record for sales in the YA market. Is playing the 'odds' the way to go? I expect to start the query process soon & your advice would be most appreciated. Thanks!!!

Query widely, query widely, query widely! Yes!

I did so, and I am sooo glad. I had three agent offers on the table, and was able to choose.

Funny, one of mine was a "long shot." I never thought she'd go for my stuff, but I thought what the heck, it's only a query. That person is now my agent.

Query widely, even the long shots.

But remember, even if you give an exclusive, and the agent offers, that agent doesn't have to be your only option.

Say you do your homework and know from your research you'd love an agent, then you agree to an exclusive, and the agent offers. You are so stinking excited but then you have a phone call to get a vibe for the agent, and it all falls apart. What are you gonna do...it was an exclusive and no one else read it?

Here's what you can do...tell the offereing agent you need a couple days to process all you've learned and you'll get back to her in a few days when your emotions settle down. That's when you get on the horn with other agents and say "I already have an offer, but would like to see if you're interested because..."

Those that want in will respond very quickly and you can give them a few days to read your ms and expand your options before getting back to the exclusive agent. Sometimes all the research in the world can't make up for not hitting it off personality wise.

I have a question along the lines of jaxpop's question. I have an epic fantasy novel that could be classified as YA (though I haven't been shopping it around as such). I did my research and only found 37 agents that handle fantasy and have successfully sold fantasy or science fiction before. Ten of those agents very clearly state that they no longer take unsolicited queries (or unsolicited manuscripts). Another seven make it quite clear that they're only interested in paranormal, urban, or dark fantasy. My novel isn't any of those. So I'm left with 20 agents. I've queried 15 of them and received: 7 form rejections, 2 personalized rejections basically saying they don't have time right now, but it's an interesting premise and they're sure I'll get an agent if I keep querying, and 1 request for a partial that was rejected with a form "like it, don't love it" but that another agent might take it. I haven't heard back yet from 5 agents.

On one hand, I've received encouraging feedback. On the other hand, I've only gotten one request for a partial, which is pretty sad stats from what I hear. Not to mention that I got a form rejection of the partial using a phrase that 95% of the time means "this sucks."

I will, of course, query the last 5 agents on my list. However, then what? Jessica, is it really worth querying agents that say they take fantasy but have never sold to a fantasy publisher before? How do I know they have good contacts and a decent chance of selling my novel?

However, even if I query all remaining fantasy agents, there still aren't that many more of them left. Should I query my novel as a YA novel to "sold a YA novel" agents before the "never sold a fantasy" fantasy agents? Thanks.

Serious,
perhaps those agents who haven't sold a ya or fantasy but like them have not sold because they haven't found one they love yet. Or maybe they don't get many queries in the area because of the very reason you cite: no sales yet.
It's worth a try, if they are legit, read your manuscript and love it.
I would definitely take enthusiasm over being just another notch on a belt. Plus, the agent would be breaking new ground for themselves. You wouldn't get lost.

As far as exclusives, I am ok with a short exclusive. I wouldn't be submitting to anyone I wouldn't love to have represent my work.

Dena

serious writer,

I don't know about all that other stuff but I do know from talking to teens who read Fantasy that the YA label is irrelevent to them. They read adult and YA alike. In fact, most of them say they read Adult. From talking to them, my guess is the YA label only matters with contemporary fiction. As far as I can tell, this group doesn't read contemporary fiction or much at all. That's how I was as a teen too.

There is Fantasy that is decidedly YA, but if your Fantasy could go either way I'd vote for Adult. That's just my opinion based on talking to teens.

Kimber An,

I agree. That's why I was going for a "fantasy" agent rather than a "YA" agent. However, I know of a couple agents that say they do not accept fantasy but have sold a YA fantasy. I'm wondering if I should try these agents or even YA agents in general before trying agents with no sales in fantasy. I guess I've heard so many stories of agents who give up on or aren't able to sell a manuscript that I'm wary of agents that say they take a genre but have never sucessfully sold a book in that genre. Agents aren't [i]quite[/i] as necessary in fantasy, and I'd rather submit it to publishers myself rather than have it stalled with a "bad agent."

This is all good to know.

Do you ever ask for exclusives?

Jessica, this is really such an informative blog. Thank you so much for putting out such relevant information for us.

From a writer's perspective, though, it seems that offering an exclusive might make an agent slow down and not make the work a priority. What would be the advantage for an author, then? It seems better to pique an agent's interest than to have the process slowed down, or will some agents just flatly refuse to consider multiple submissions? Is it possible to refuse exclusivity but change your mind later?

This is such a touchy area... Kristen Nelson thought it sounds like 'bragging' if you mention to a prospective agent that others have requested your material.

What to do... what to do?

I read you every day as well. You have a nice, straight forward style.

Thanks Bran Fan. I better get busy.

So what if I tell the agent I'm giving them an exclusive and keep sending it out to other agents anyway? How would they find out? Is it so big a sin? If you (or someone in your agency) asked for an exclusive and rhe writer did this---what would you do?
I think exclusives are kinda a mean control issue...

So what if I tell the agent I'm giving them an exclusive and keep sending it out to other agents anyway?

Well, it'd make you a liar, for one. Agents do talk, and if they were to find out, you'd probably find yourself with two (or more) rejections rather quickly. Act professionally and get treated professionlly. Act smarmy, and...well, you know the rest.

You don't have to allow exclusivity. I didn't, and I ended up with multiple offers to choose from. There is no benefit to the writer to granting agents exclusivity.

But if you do decide to grant exclusivity, make it a firm and very short (2-4 weeks, top) deadline.

Thank you for all of the compliments everyone.

I do agree that you should avoid exclusives and query as widely as possible at all times. I've written a number of posts on exclusives. Scroll through for more info on that subject.

As for querying widely I would do so with some control. In other words, I wouldn't suggest you query 100 agents at a time. But ten or so at a shot is a good idea. This also gives you a sense of whether your query letter is working or needs tweaking before you've burned all of your bridges.

As for the question on fantasy. I can try to address this in another post. I think you should broaden a little to all agents who represent fantasy even if they're a little outside of how you see your book. You never know. And as for those who haven't sold that's ultimately a judgement call. Submit to them and if they offer use it as an opportunity for an in-depth discussion on their contacts, etc. I haen't sold fantasy for example (although I am representing some now), but do have contacts, close contacts, at all the major fantasy houses. It will take some time, but I'll get there.

Aimless: My concern would be whether I want to work with an author who lies to me and whether said author would want me to lie to them. Honesty is always the best policy. Simply send the material anyway and explain that you can't offer an exclusive.

--jhf

A question of etiquette

Should you advise an agent that you have received a request for a manuscript from other agents.

Example:

I sent twnty letters.

Agent A has requested the full manuscript.

Agent B has also requested the full manuscript.

Should I advise the other agents I am waiting on?

Am I obligated (as a matter of courtesy) to tell Agents A and B of each other's request (both requests arrived the same day)

Many thanks

Michael

Thanks for answering my question, Jessica.

As for broaden my querying a little to all agents who represent fantasy even if they're a little outside of how I see my book, I'll do so. Most agents aren't happy that people send them queries for books outside the genre they represent, and I was trying to be cooperative. I just read on another agent blog, though, that even though they may say "we only want paranormal or urban fantasy" that doesn't mean they'll automatically ditch queries for normal fantasy. You definitely know your stuff. :)

Wow, you must get up early. I was here last night and now there's a new post already.
This is a good one. I always felt that if I want to send it out to multiple agents at the same time and we don't have any contract then there shouldn't be issue. I'd hate to be in the spot where someone asked for an exclusive. (The requests I've had for fulls never asked for an exclusive)I wouldn't want to offend an agent interested in my work but also don't feel I should be locked down to wait without a contract. If one agent asked for an exclusive and I said yes, then #2 great agent called and asked for the full I'd want to send it out to her too. Do I just not say anything and send it? And if I do will either agent get mad at me for not playing the game right?
Oh the stress!

Miss Snark talked about his ad nauseum.
Her advice. Do not grant exclusives. I did once with an editor, but it was for two months.
That wasn't too long for me. I could live with that.
cmr

Great post. I have never given an exclusive at the partial stage, but I've only queried five agents at a time. Like the last poster suggested, the feedback from the initial queries sometimes points to a problem, and I wouldn't want to submit to all possible agents before having an op to fix.

I have allowed an exclusive on one of the two full reads I've had, but it was very time specific. The agent asked for two weeks and I agreed.

The exclusive elicited terrific feedback. It was obvious that she had done just what she said, and read my manuscript right away. She pointed out several weaknesses in the manuscript that I'm working on now. And while she requested two weeks, I received the manuscript back, with notes written thereon, in one day less than two weeks.

The other agent returned the manuscript with a form reject.

Would I do it again? Depends totally on circumstances, but the time frame would be important to me. My experience was positive.

Meanwhile, I hope to resubmit (as requested) to the agent who had the exclusive when I've finished revising.

You know, I think a lot of this stems from publisher guidelines. When I first started looking at getting into writing, there were warnings everywhere that it was improper or "illegal" to multiply submit. Given that it can take months or even years for publishers to look at things, I thought this was nuts. Somehow, though, I think this philosophy has stuck and carried over to agents. When a writer is unpublished and impressionable, he/she doesn't want to do anything wrong. In this case, don't follow whatever rules you're reading. It's self-defeating.

I don't get an agent that refuses to look at anything, including a partial, unless it's an exclusive.

Playing Devil's Advocate: if an agent refuses to read a partial while it is out with other agents, telling the potential client to get back in touch if the other agents reject it, isn't said agent missing out (possibly) on some pretty good stuff?

And if they do then read it, aren't they apt to reject it knowing other agents have already done so?

Regardless, exclusives make no sense, especially on a partial. What do the exclusive demanders think we writers are anyway: chopped liver?

Do I just not say anything and send it? And if I do will either agent get mad at me for not playing the game right?

If you're willing to grant an exclusive for whatever reason, then you need to honor that commitment. It would be unprofessional to do otherwise. You could easily wind up burning a bridge or two. Why put yourself in that position?

And this hypothetical situation demonstrates exactly why exclusives are such a bad idea.

I think part of the problem also stems from agents springing their desire for 'exclusitivity' on a writer last minute. I've had this happen twice now, both cases I'd checked out the agents guidelines on multiple websites/guides, only to get their request for an exclusive on the partial/full. Had I known, I probably wouldn't have queried them at that time. In one case I explained I couldn't offer it as it was already out and the agent was fine with it. In the other, I ended up granting an exclusive on the full for a short period.

What do you mean, no one ever listens to you? Pshaw. We hang on your every word :-)

As for exclusives, the one time I was asked for one, I couldn't grant it because there were a half dozen other agents with either fulls or partials. So I called up the requesting agent (and asked for her assistant - but from the way she was talking, I think I got the agent herself but she was faking). I told her, sorry, would love to, but other folks already have it. Should I still send it? I was told to send it anyway, but it would take longer for me to get a response. Fine by me.

If an agent asked for an exclusive and we said no wouldn't that turn them off? Make them think we didn't know how to play the game?
As an prepublished writer I'd be afraid to tell an agent no.
:/
As for Kris's response above would she had been better off just not to tell the agent that it was in the hands of others? I think the agent telling her now it would take longer to get a response that the agent had her nose out of joint. I mean if she really thought it looked good why was it suddenly back in the slush?

Aimless:

I discussed exclusives at great length last December. I think I answered your question here: http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2006/12/handling-exclusive-requests.html

jhf

We do listen! This is great advice, as usual.

Chris

Ah, Aimless, who knows what eveil lurks in the hearts of - well.

Maybe she didn't like my answer. Maybe she knew I was someone who would honor my word. Maybe her interest moved a little higher, since she knew others were interested. maybe she thought I was lying to try to build up a mystique around the book. I mean really, who knows?

I didn't know that exclusives were bad at that time, but I did know I couldn't lie. So I did what felt right to me. If she didn't like that, well, then that in itself was an indicator that we wouldn't have been able to work well together.

There are a couple of agencies who are well-known for their preference for exclusives. I've queried both a few times, and each time they say they want it exclusively, I simply say, "It's already out with x number of agents -- would you prefer to wait until they're finished?" And their response has always been, "Send it anyway." I think most agencies realize the exclusive is running out of steam ;)

When I was querying, an agent requested a 4-week exclusive on my full. I couldn't grant it because I had other material out. She read the full anyway and eventually signed me.

So Aimless, don't be afraid of making an agent "mad." This is a business. They know that. And even if other agents aren't reading requested material, you can still say, "I'm unable to grant an exclusive at this time." Period.

By the way, all the writers I know who've granted exclusives have either never heard from the agent again or received a rejection letter.

When an agent requested a two-week exclusive from me, I told her that I had other interested agents waiting for my MS and that I could only offer her one week. She agreed. If you're sending out your work to folks, don't let it get held up in one place. You can sacrifice one week, but not four. This is your shot, take control of it!

I listen, Jessica, and thanks for answering my question!

I did send her an email, and she responded back saying she had just been busy and was hoping to get to it this week. I was really happy with her the couple of times we talked over the phone and she seemed geniunely interested, but if I don't hear from her this week, I am moving on.

I've had two experiences with exclusives. The first was "I can only read this if I have an exclusive". (yucky!) The second was "I would like a 2 week exclusive". I actually granted both and had to put Jacky on pause until that two weeker was up! But I don't regret it. Two weeks wasn't too long in my opinion. He knew I had send queries and partials to other people and when he didn't get to the book in said period he had no problem dropping it.

All things considered I think an exclusive can be a warning sign, at the very least of someone I wouldn't get along with. I don't even plan to grant more than two weeks at this point. And only then to my top choices.

Question: (And it might be an obvious one)
If the agent has lost interest (as you suggested), even if they are busy, why wouldn't they email to say this at least?

So far, half of my RFPs came with a request for exclusivity.

Sigh.

Okay. Fine. Agents have their reasons. I granted the exclusive reads. I actually honored the terms of the exclusive. One day we might end up as business partners and I wanted to do my part to start things off on the right foot.

But, after keeping my ms out of circulation for eight to 12 weeks of an open-ended "exclusive" relationship, the agents respond with a "Dear Author" form letter.

???

No. That's wrong. That's not "just business, Honey." That's plain ol' rude by any human standard of conduct.

Agents of the world, if you want an exclusive, you owe us at least a one sentence critique/explanation, even if its as brief and brutal as "Your writing sucks."