I'm in a situation and need your advice...

[Falen]

Ok. I've gotten myself into something that i need some advice on.

Sent a query to agent A in January.
March, hadn't heard anything but their website says to nudge after 4 weeks, so i requery even though i usually don't.

Couple more weeks go by and i check the data explorer and see she hasn't really been responding to anyone anymore. So i close it for no response.

So then i query another agent at the same agency in March.

And today i get a partial request from the first agent. Agent A. She responded to my query nudge.

What do i do?

Do i send the partial, but let her know i also have a query out with the other agent and just apologize profusely? That's my instinct, but how do i even word that?

Ugh. I try so hard to avoid stuff like this and the one time i didn't wait my usually month between querying another agent at the same agency and it bites me in the a$$.

[MittensMorgul]

I would definitely be completely honest. Let her know after not receiving a response, you gave up the query to her as a no-response and moved on to agent B. If she asked for pages, I'd definitely send them, though. Just be sure she knows you queried her colleague, and that you're happy about her request and sorry for your impatience to move on after you thought it was a rejection. I'd go with the whole "it's a horrible misunderstanding, but I hope we can make this right" kind of vibe.

Good Luck!

[Tabris]

Check the data explorer for the other agent. If it looks like you've been rejected there (with no response) then say nothing.

Since you sent the other query in March, you're actually past the 4 weeks for that agent too, correct?

[Falen]

Thanks Mittens

Tabris - it'll be 4 weeks on thursday for Agent B. I checked her data launcher and it looks like she usually reponds in two weeks if she wants to read anything, but she hasn't responded to anything since the day before i sent my query so i just worry that maybe she's behind...?

Ugh! *shakes fist at sky*

[edelweiss]

Tough situation, Falen. I'm leaning toward Tabris' approach. I don't think you should reproach yourself at all for your actions; this is the consequence of uncertainty from the agents.

Since you are off the hook with Agent B on Thursday, I'd say send the partial and forget about Agent B. If it comes up later (which I doubt), you can just tell Agent Annoyed that you are sorry, but you followed their guidelines. I really think that agents understand how frustrating and difficult querying is--how could they not?

The other thing that occurred to me is that some agencies seem to share info a lot more than others. Any feeling on this one?

[Falen]

No clue on how buddy buddy they are withing the agency.

Do you think i should wait until thursday to send the partial then?

[Sandbox]

I had this happen. I ended up telling the requesting agent that I assumed it was a no and went on to query someone else in the agency. She asked who it was and I told her. It was no big deal. But I think in your case, you should send the partial with no apologies or mention. Should 2nd agent request, explain what happened--"sorry I had assumed A was a rejection..." You really did nothing wrong, Falen.

Good luck!

SB

[B]

I definitely wouldn't mention it. If the SECOND agent requests, then I'd tell them that I have material out with someone in their agency.

[Falen]

Ok, so i think i'll keep my mouth shut and just assume Agent B is an R (which is probably is at this point)

Thank you guys so much!! I knew you'd steer me in the right direction

[MittensMorgul]

Gee, when I realized it had been 4 weeks since the agent B query, I rethought my answer. I agree with everyone else. Good luck!    

[Falen]

No worries Mittens. Your advice was my original thought too. I definitely would've gone that way if i thought there was a better chance of agent B responding.

But this way i may have to offer an apology instead of certainly offering one 

[AnyaHarker]

XD You know what they say: better to ask forgiveness than permission. 

[Falen]

Indeed. 

[Midwest]

Drat - you're always so helpful on here and I was excited about offering *you* some advice but looks like you're all set already! You QTers are an early-rising bunch! Glad you got it sorted out, Falen, and I think the advice is excellent. Sometimes I think we writers are too quick to apologize, and that might send a lack-of-confidence vibe. I like the idea of being matter-of-fact, and not overly apologetic, if this comes up with Agent B.

Good luck on it!

[bodwen]

XD You know what they say: better to ask forgiveness than permission. 

Not so with agents.  They take two-timing within an agency very personally.

Since it's just a query out with the other agent and not a partial, you're fine.  If the other agent asks for pages, you'll have to refuse on the grounds that it's out with the other agent.