Suppose I pitch my novel to some agents. One agency calls me because they are interest. I have written two books, A and B. A is the first in a series and is doing well as a download online (suppose that's why agency is interested in me) and B is a finished, unpublished book.
Suppose agency likes B, but doesn't think it's ready for publishing, but they are very interested in seeing the sequel to A. They are evasive about stating any kind of commitment toward me. They are interested but not officially offering representation.
What am I supposed to think? Does that mean I stop querying? Is it likely that they'll represent me? At what point does an agency usually propose that I become a client and what form does that take?
Posts: 56 | Registered: May 2011
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Well, if you're talking about sending a partial or full ms to an agency, they wouldn't normally offer representation until they've read it.
I'd go ahead and send the requested material, but keep querying. Unless they request an exclusive, you have made no commitment not to continue to seek representation. Even if they do request an exclusive, make sure it's limited in time, not open-ended. If one agent is interested, another likely will be, too.
Then, start collecting the questions you'll want to ask if they do offer representation. Also, if you haven't already, start researching that agency.
In my experience, a request for a partial or a full is no guarantee of an offer of representation. It's just a step that means you're getting closer.
Posts: 4633 | Registered: Dec 2008
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Let's say they have read the full manuscript of B and are not offering to represent it but are willing to look at it pending some changes. But more importantly, to them, they want to see the sequel to A.
Does that imply they are interesting A and A's sequel, and if so what are the chances that they will offer representation? What are they looking for? To make sure I can be consistent and write the sequel as well or better than I wrote A?
Posts: 56 | Registered: May 2011
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If they've suggested some changes to B and you agree with them or they cause you to see something you can improve (whether or not it's the way they suggested you do it), then I don't see a down side to that. They're clearly interested if they gave you feedback. That's still not a guarantee of an offer. But why wouldn't you make use of the feedback if it's valid?
As to A, you have to make a decision how you want to proceed with that. If you've already e-pubbed A, are you seeking representation for the sequel? If so, why wouldn't you send it to an interested agent.
Much as we'd like it to be that way, it isn't always just straight to yes.
Posts: 4633 | Registered: Dec 2008
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I did e-pub A. Does that mean only the sequel to A could be publishable? Is there some reason the agency couldn't choose to represent A and I could unpublish it? What if the sequel to A depends (to one extend or another) on having read A. Does that making publishing the sequel impossible?
As for B. I offered to make the changes and they said they'd take a look once I implemented them, however they said very clearly they are more interested in me finishing the sequel to A and that I should table B for now. Even though it could be finished a lot sooner.
Posts: 56 | Registered: May 2011
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Wannabe, I'd ask them about the publishability of A if you were to offer them the sequel to A. If they are interested in the sequel, they must be at least acquainted with A.
E-published works have been taken on by hard-copy publishers, so just because you e-pubbed, that doesn't preclude the possibility of it being picked up and hard-copy published as well.
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