Topic: Agent Question

[anonymous]

I've been with my current agent for over three years now, and while this agent did sell the book she signed me with (though technically I already had an offer on the table, even if she got me a better one), since then we've subbed four books together, with no luck at all.  It's really discouraging, and up until very recently, I've assumed it was all me, writing good but not marketable enough books.  Times are tough right now and I'm certainly not the only author I know who's having trouble selling.

But then I was talking to an author friend the other day about how many books I've subbed that haven't sold.  She asked me how many editors saw each book and was shocked at the numbers I told her.  One book only saw about 6 editors.  The other three each saw about 12.  And she asked, "And then what?"  And...  I had no answer.  Submissions just fizzled out.  My agent always wanted to focus on the next book.  Or I was too discouraged to push to keep submitting, but... isn't that my agent's job?  Should I need to push to keep submitting a book I poured hundreds of hours into after only a dozen editors saw it?

I have to admit that this pattern has been really frustrating, but I accepted it because up until now, I thought that's "just the way it is" for everyone.  I've heard from other authors that their agents only take 1 or 2 weeks, maximum, to read their work, while my agent takes 4 - 6 weeks, which has been really discouraging.  I used to write a book in 1 - 3 months, now it takes me more like a year, because it just feels like there's no point when it's going to be months before it goes on sub, and then only to have a handful of editors see it, dismiss it, and then... that's it.

Also, my agent refuses to sub more than one of my books at a time, and if an editor is already reading a book from one of her other clients, then that editor can't go on our sub list.  I assumed this was normal, until I told my friend and she was horrified and didn't know how we could ever sell anything like that.  Well, we're not selling anything.  And I feel like my agent gets and loves my work, but the editors she's targeting obviously aren't...

Of course I'm going to talk to my agent about my concerns and see what she says, but I want to go into it with as much info as I can.

So... am I crazy for being worried about this?  How long does it take for your agent to read a full from you?  How many editors typically see your book before your agent gives up on it?  And are you allowed to sub more than one book at once?

[AnnH]

I don't think you're crazy for worrying about it. Glad to hear you will be talking to your agent. Definitely say that you'd like to see some of those books that haven't been subbed much yet go out to a few more editors.

After your talk, you'll probably know better if you want to stick with this agent and for how long.

 :grouphug2 and 

[rab]

I agree with AnnH. Also, is the agent sharing the rejections with you? Do they mention common themes that you could use to revise? That might be another thing to talk to you agent about.

To me, 4-6 weeks does not sound like a particularly long time for your agent to read a new work, especially if agent is busy, but maybe others have different ideas about that.

[anonymous]

I agree with AnnH. Also, is the agent sharing the rejections with you? Do they mention common themes that you could use to revise? That might be another thing to talk to you agent about.

She forwards all my rejections to me...  Usually they're not very useful, though when they start to have things in common, or when an editor specifically invites me to revise and resubmit, then I definitely revise.

[Kell]

I don't think any of the things you are describing are out of bounds -- some agents definitely sub to fewer houses, and four to six weeks is a long time when you're biting your nails, but not uncommon. The question is whether this style works for YOU, and if it doesn't, will the agent change strategies for one you'd prefer.

[EL]

if an editor is already reading a book from one of her other clients, then that editor can't go on our sub list.  I assumed this was normal, until I told my friend and she was horrified and didn't know how we could ever sell anything like that. 

Anon, that sounds like a frustrating position to be in. I just wanted to point out this thread that talks about overlapping submissions, in case that's helpful.
http://www.verlakay.com/boards/index.php?topic=63806.0

Elisabeth

[Justine]

Also, my agent refuses to sub more than one of my books at a time, and if an editor is already reading a book from one of her other clients, then that editor can't go on our sub list. 

I think this is normal as my agent won't sub to editors if they are already reading a client's book.

Maybe your agent has reasons for only sending out a certain number of subs, but she should share those reasons with you.

Talk to her, it's not always easy to do that, but you'll feel better afterwards.

[anonymous]

Anon, that sounds like a frustrating position to be in. I just wanted to point out this thread that talks about overlapping submissions, in case that's helpful.
http://www.verlakay.com/boards/index.php?topic=63806.0

Elisabeth

Thanks for this!  Reading that thread really helped ease my mind, at least about the no overlapping.

[Joni]

Agree with everything above. And six editors doesn't sound like a lot, but if it was a pretty specific book, it wouldn't be unreasonable, either. And a dozen is a fair number, really. You hear about some agents plugging away to 20 agents or more, but I think they might be uncommon (and you wonder about the targeting there, too - just depends on the kind of book, I'm sure).

[EL]

Thanks for this!  Reading that thread really helped ease my mind, at least about the no overlapping.

Glad I could be of some help. Best of luck as you go forward with your career!

Elisabeth

[bird]

I think what Kell wrote above is key: is this agent's style/strategy working for YOU?

I parted ways with my first agent for the very reason you wrote: I felt she was quitting on my manuscripts after only six to ten subs. She was always pushing toward the next manuscript, and it most definitely rubbed me the wrong way, considering the six to eight months of work I put into each, working days/nights/weekends/holidays.

I wasn't willing to throw my manuscripts around that easily.

When I would ask to sub another round, she would dance around the subject. When I finally asked for a phone conference to discuss subbing issues, she kept putting me off, until I finally had enough, and I terminated our agreement.

I wanted an agent who was willing to sub more rounds, and who was as hard a worker as I am.

I hear you loud and clear: all those hours of work, all those sacrifices you make from life, friends, family time. You want an agent who is willing to give your work a serious effort -- as much effort as you put in. Those agents are out there.

As for how long it should take an agent to read a new manuscript, one to two weeks is wonderful, and achieved by some agents. Two to four weeks may be the average for others.

However, an agent should be reading clients' manuscripts before referrals, contest, or slush pile manuscripts, also. While there may be an exception at times, say, if a slush pile ms has other offers, your ms should come first and be read in a timely -- two to three weeks -- manner.

But again, the above is in a perfect world. And we need to balance out the pros and cons and remember agents are only human, and usually pretty busy. But it doesn't hurt to know what does or doesn't work for you, and to look for an agent that can offer you what you need most. I know, for me, waiting to hear back on a new ms is excruciating. So, an agent that took six weeks or more would only serve to make my life (Satan's home) -- aka, wouldn't work/be a good fit, for me.

Good luck to you, and most of all, do what you need to do for your own sake -- your own mental health. A bad agent fit is a miserable thing. This is your work, your career, your paycheck. The agent should be willing to work with you in a way that honors both sides of the business partnership.

Em