QUESTION about full ms...

[Abbey]

I apologize if this has already been discussed somewhere else - or if it's in the wrong folder (I'm still fairly new to the forum).

I've had a full ms. out to an agency for over 7 months (non-exclusive, thankfully).  I'm querying other agencies right now while I'm waiting to hear back. 

My (hypothetical) question is this:  IF another agency requests my full manuscript, should I inform BOTH agencies that the full manuscript is being reviewed by two agents?  Or do I only do that if one of them offers representation? 

Thanks in advance for your help.   

By the way, I would LOVE it if that hypothetical question became a real scenario.   

[gypsygurl]

No need to inform them until they both offer   

[Miss Java]

Have you given the agent a nudge??  I think, after 7 months, a nudge is definitely in order.

[Miss Java]

On your question... I think I'd inform the new agent, saying that the full manuscript is already out with another agent.

You might get a quicker response that way. 

[Abbey]

Have you given the agent a nudge??  I think, after 7 months, a nudge is definitely in order.

I agree completely.  In fact, I gave 2 polite nudges (one at the 4-month mark, and another at the 6-month mark).  They never responded.  If this were any other agency, I'd be quite miffed, but it's a big and reputable agency, so I'm just trying to be patient...

[Suzy_Q]

Aaah.  Must be Writer's House.

[Abbey]

Aaah.  Must be Writer's House.

LOL - good guess.  Actually, it's Trident.  (Though, I would be thrilled if it were Writer's House).

[Abbey]

Thanks a bunch to those who have responded to my question. 

Another agent has just asked for 100 pages (yea!) of my manuscript.     On the off-chance that she ends up requesting the full, I'm prepared to be up front and just let her know that another agency has had the full (non-exclusively) for several months. 

Next question - IF she does request the entire manuscript, should I then notify the slow agency that another agency has just requested the full?  Or do I wait until there's an offer from one of them before notifying anyone?

(Not that I expect this to happen, but I can dream, can't I?)   

[elknutswife]

You could if you want but there is really no need to notify anyone of anything until you get an offer or unless one of the agencies requests exclusivity. Agents expect you to be querying elsewhere and if it's good enough for them to request a full (which it obviously is...congrats!!!  ) then they will assume that others have requested it as well. It's the nature of the business

Congrats again! How exciting!!!

[Abbey]

congrats!!!  )

Congrats again! How exciting!!!

Thanks so much (and also for your advice on the "to notify or not to notify" issue)!  I'm crossing my fingers on this one - this 2nd agent seems like the perfect fit for my genre (women's fiction).  Of course, I've been at this for many years, with many "bites," but never an offer of representation...

It only takes one, though, right?   

[elknutswife]

Yep That's what keeps us all going 

[darkpoeticprince]

I'm not too knowledgeable about the whole writing market. If I was, I guess I wouldn't be on here asking for help. That being said, I think you have to inform the first agent, especially if the second agent offers you a contract. One reason to tell the other one is because you want every opportunity to get an agent. You want to keep every option open. Plus creating a little competition over your book could greatly benefit you, seeing which agent is more passionate about your book. I just think you have to try to get as many people interested and talking about your book as you can. If there were two publishers interested in publishing your book, you would tell them both so there could be a bidding war and you could get the most money and most perks for your book. I'm not sure if it's the same for agents but I assume so. Anyways, good luck and I hope you do find an agent and then publish you novel.

[Abbey]

  Plus creating a little competition over your book could greatly benefit you, seeing which agent is more passionate about your book. I just think you have to try to get as many people interested and talking about your book as you can. Anyways, good luck and I hope you do find an agent and then publish you novel.

Thanks!  And best of luck to you, as well!

You make excellent points, especially about the competitive aspect.  That makes a lot of sense. 

I haven't heard back yet from the agent who asked for 100 pgs, but IF (huge if, lol) she does request the full, I'm probably going to tell her that it's a simultanteous submission, just so she's aware.  IF (even bigger if) she were to offer representation, I would politely tell her that, out of courtesy to the other agent, I would need a couple of days to notify them (and I'd call to check the status poste haste!).

[Wiggypop]

Sorry I'm so late on this post!  I've been WAY out of the loop for a while.

I've been waiting eight months for a reply on a full.  I just barely sent a snail mail nudge with a SASE.  The two email nudges I sent were never answered and my biggest fear is... what if the agent doesn't even have my ms after all?  Or she's forgotten me???  Anyhow, keep us posted, Abbey!  I hope yours is the next success story! (OR mine )

[Abbey]

   The two email nudges I sent were never answered and my biggest fear is... what if the agent doesn't even have my ms after all?  Or she's forgotten me???  Anyhow, keep us posted, Abbey!  I hope yours is the next success story! (OR mine ) 

Thanks for the encouragement!  Good luck to you, as well.  Yep, you've got the same concerns I do, about my full that's been out for nearly 8 months (with NO reply to my nudges).  I thought I'd wait another month and send one more nudge.  Hmmm....

On another note, the agent who requested the 100 pages a few weeks ago ended up rejecting me -  - which spurred me on to send out more queries that very night.  Lo and behold, the next day, I got a request for a full from another agent!    

*crossing all fingers*