WhiteGardenia: I submitted to her months ago - she didn't respond. I closed it out. Trying again.

EQ: 4/24

PB

I submitted via the online form. The website says I should have received an automated confirmation email within an hour, but I never received the confirmation. I did, however, get a confirmation page on the website indicating my submission was sent through successfully. Has anyone had a similar experience? Did anyone not receive a confirmation email and yet still receive a response to the query—either rejection or request for more? I don’t see a way to contact them with general inquiries, and I don’t want to risk annoying them by sending it twice. Thanks!

@PageTurn,

Did you ever receive a response? Although I received a general confirmation of my online submission, I did not receive a direct response from Ms. Orr.

I submitted using specific instructions from a webinar she hosted back in April(?).

The absence of a response to my query is a sign of her lack of interest IMO, but I will resubmit anyway since Prospect's submission guidelines (thanks for posting btw) implies a response will be given.

@WhiteGardenia
On their web page: "While we aim to respond to every submission within the time frame stated above, there may be rare occasions when you do not receive a response. We apologize. If you have not heard back from us in over six months and you are still interested in representation, please do resubmit your work through the website."

Mine was a simultaneous submission. Also on their web page:

"Can I simultaneously submit to other agencies?

Although we ask that you do not submit your manuscript to more than one agent at Prospect Agency simultaneously, we do not have an exclusive submissions policy and you are free to submit your work to other agencies in addition to Prospect Agency simultaneously. However, if you receive an offer of representation from another agency, we ask that you extend us the professional courtesy of letting us know before accepting."

So, what they really want is for you to notify them if you get an acceptance elsewhere—to give them the courtesy of opting for you, should they wish. May that happen to you! As great as it is to get an offer, getting an offer from two or more agents is even better. It allows you to interview each agent and then decide who is best for you."

@Pageturn,
Did you submit? I submitted in early July using webinar instructions -- still no response. They ask not to submit to other agencies and only one ms at a time, but how long do we sit and wait?

EQ (via web form): 11/10/2015
CNR: 7/1/2016

100k MG/YA crossover mythic fantasy

I attended an excellent webinar given by SCBWI this week, featuring Ms. Orr. It was about how to write query letters. She spoke about how important it is to absolutely follow the rules on Prospect Agency's submission page when you query her. If something comes through other than directed, it may never be read.

I'm sure this must be true with many agents, as they're so busy. Plus, when someone doesn't do their homework or follow the rules, it can be a red flag that the person may not yet be worthy of consideration.

EQ 1/10/14
CNR 5/10/14

MG Realistic Fiction

EQ 5/13
CNR 8/1 Upper MG adventure

YA Suspense

EQ: 12-19-12

Rejection 1-16-12

Thank you for submitting to Prospect Agency.

We greatly appreciate your submission, and have
given (TITLE) our careful consideration.
Unfortunately, your project is not a good fit for
us at this time.

We wish you the best of luck in finding an
enthusiastic agent and in your writing career.
Again, thank you for thinking of Prospect Agency.

With best wishes,
Prospect Agency

Query 1/21
Closed no response 5/24
Form rejection received Sunday 6/24 at 7:12 pm mountain time.

Guess that shows that even though their automated response said three months, you should be more patient. Even though the response was a rejection, it shows that they were still working through submissions!

So hang in there everyone. Someone once told me that most people get lost because they turn around before they get there, so I always make myself drive past where I think I should be. Guess I should take that advice for submissions. Hang on past what they say, even if it feels too long! It might not be!

EQ: 4/26 (via form) (YA dystopian)

nothing yet. Did get the confirmation though.

Subbed April 12, 2011; received automated reply that it had been received. When NR by November 21 (7+ months) I re-subbed with a substantial revision, noting it was a status query and that the current ms attached was a substantial revision. I again received an automated reply.

No reply to date (3 months).

In retrospect, I wish I'd thought to provide the submission ID number or tried to SQ through the auto-reply email address of the original instead of through the form. I did include the date of original submission in the cover letter sent via the form.

Current strategy: wait three more months, withdraw both May 21 if nothing happens.

I'd be interested in hearing if anybody else has had success SQing and if so, how you did it: via the form or the auto-reply email.

11/26: EQ
12/30: full request!

Sent off, with fingers crossed! YAY!

80K YA dystopian/light sci fi

Met Rachel at an SCBWI conference; sent her my picture book ms 9/29, still waiting for a response so, yes, 3 months sounds about right.
She was very nice and helpful.
Oh yeah, it may not specify on QT because she specializes in juvenile, but she will entertain adult projects by her clients so it's always good to comment if you write in other genres when you query her.

Note to self: They say if you haven't heard from them after SIX months to resubmit. I've still got two months to go.