Form Query: 11 May
Full Request: 24 May
Notification of Offer of Representation: 16 June
Response to notification congratulating me and letting me know when I could expect to hear back: 17 June
Speculative YA/NA crossover, 72k

The truth is, I'm already deliberating between two seriously decent human beings in terms of representation so it almost feels greedy to even seek other offers. But, bottom line, the window of agent interaction that comes on the heels of an offer is a unique time and I am hoping to interact with at least a handful of agents before making a final decision. Clara, though pretty new, was one agent I had hoped to have a call with based on previous communications, the general tenor of her QT comment thread and the empathetic, thoughtful nature that characterizes her Twitter feed. I heard back from her this morning (24 June) and she is passing on the opportunity to represent. Her letter was voicey, encouraging, regretful and cheerful all at once. She mentioned what she loved about the manuscript, most notably that she adored Charlie (my narrator), but that she focuses more on adult novels. She felt a little out of her depth with the youthful narrative voice and characters and thus believed she wouldn't have been able to represent the novel to the best of her abilities. The entire letter communicated her chagrin at not offering as well as her happiness for me that I had received an offer elsewhere.

This way of interacting with authors is, in my opinion, brilliant. When an agent is going to pass, it helps to know why they believe they're not the best person to advocate--rather than giving subjective feedback on why the manuscript didn't work for them. Authors, always remember that when an agent does give critical, subjective feedback on your work without making an offer or at least asking for a revise and resubmit, you have to guard against the temptation to go into a frenzy of questioning what you've done. One man's 'not quite the right fit for my list' is another man's treasure. Trust me. And trust yourself. Let the process of querying, which is, let's be honest, brutal, be something you leverage to learn the most you can about what it is *you* are trying/wanting/needing to say with your work. In any event, agents like Clara take the edge off the process. So, big gold star for her. I expect she will bring the same diplomacy and humanity to her pitches that she does to her author letters. Take heart, everyone. There are nuggets of gold in the chilling, rushing traditional publishing stream. (Chances are good, you're one of them. ;))

FQ: 5/31/2022
Personalized Rejection: 6/15/2022

93k Adult SF

Form query: 4/10/22
Rejection query: 4/21/22
Personalized feedback: “This was a difficult decision to make. While I love romance drama and genre-blending narratives, as well as stories that explore intergenerational trauma, I am not the best fit for coming-of-age stories.”

FQ: 5.27
PR: 6.13
Very nice personal rejection. Looking for high-concept but also less literary. Hadn't seen anything that seemed as though she wasn't interested in literary as well so thought it was worth sharing.
Wrote, "I loved the feminist themes you describe in your query and really enjoyed the gothic horror elements. Ultimately, I am choosing to pass because I am choosing to focus on horror novels that are a little more high-concept and a little less literary, I'm sorry."

Thank you, sarahmck. I will take your advice!

I'd wait, @jellicle_cat. It sounds like you're doing really well and she knows you're getting interest on the other manuscript so she can assume you'll get interest on this one. I'd only contact her if I got an offer on either manuscript.

Clara requested my full then sent confirmation of receipt and an estimate of when I could expect to hear back from her, asking that I let her know if another ms I have out on submission gets an offer. I responded to her message a few days ago with details on the other ms, out with several agents, then mentioned she's the only one reviewing the second ms. Now, I've had a couple more requests on the ms she's reviewing. Should I mention this, or just wait until I have an offer to report? Any insights from seasoned querying authors would be welcome and appreciated.

Profile Update: Closed to queries.

I received an offer of rep from Clara that I sadly had to turn down (nothing at all to do with her). She was professional in all of our interactions and had amazing ideas and feedback. All her clients also speak very highly of her. I've queried three novels and Clara has been one of the most kind and professional agents I've interacted with.

Query 04/24/22
Rejection email 05/06/22

Adult Speculative 120k - very kind and encouraging pass. Personalized. Not a good fit for upmarket fiction but close call as she enjoyed the opening pages (praised the narrative style) and the themes. I'm so grateful for her feedback. Thanks so much Clara! She was lovely.

Doesn't rep books with mystery subplots.

FQ: 4/25
HR: 5/3
kind personalized rejection - mentioned a project I queried her last year (to which she also sent me a personalized rejection which stated my MC was too aware of her own narrative voice) and said she was turning this query down because she is not a good fit for second chance romances.

Queried: 4/8/22
Personalized rejection: 4/21/22 ("Unfortunately, one of my clients is currently working on a similar project, which is why I am regrettably going to pass.")

Not sure if I'm more bummed by the rejection or by the fact that someone else already agented is working on a similar project xD.

Queer romance, 92k

Queried April 12, 2022
Rejection April 21, 2022
Contemporary Romance 80k Words

Thank you so much for allowing me to review -----. Although I found your query intriguing, I'm sorry to say I am not going to request more pages at this time.

This was a difficult decision to make, as I loved the frenemies-to-lovers aspect of the story you describe in your query, but ultimately, I am choosing to pass because I am not the best fit for stories in which a character deals with such a serious illness at the moment.

As you know, this industry is highly subjective and this rejection is in no way a reflection of the quality of your work -- which is excellent. I simply do not believe I would be the right agent for this project, which is why I regrettably have to step aside.

Thank you again for considering me, best of luck with your agent search and happy writing!

This is my first query response ever- I really appreciated her note. Definitely left me motivated to query more!

Queried April 8, 2022
Rejection April 21, 2022
Adult Gothic Horror Fantasy 117K

Stated that she is not the best fit for horror fantasy. I'm sad, but I'm glad to hear an actual reason for a rejection this time.