FQ: 1/19/21

YA, Cont 57K

FQ: 1/11/2021

YA Fantasy

@ohalen Thanks for that. Much appreciated :-)

I think Steinbeck is well within their rights to complain. This is a business. The nonsense and vague threats that “word gets around” is the reason writers have to put up with ridiculous practices like this. We’re people, too, and like Steinbeck said the year was hard….on *everyone*. Close to queries if you’re overwhelmed. Work on your time management if you can’t institute a somewhat normal response time when you are open.

EQ: May 21, 2020
CNR: August 10, 2020 (I'm assuming it's a pass at this point. She's been closed to queries for a month.)
ER: January 4, 2021 (Form, of course.)

My query experience below (FYI I'm comfortable about sharing this here. It seems the most apt place to share my genuine experience since it's an industry forum for querying writers, and maybe a few agents):

I've got to say taking 8 months to respond to a QUERY is ASTOUNDING. (I'm not talking about a Partial or Full -- that's different, in my books). I'm not sure why I'd ever submit to this agent again. I'm currently working with the Query Shark on one of my queries, and she mentioned most agents will skim immediately and know if something is right for them. That makes sense. If an agent takes 8 months to respond to my query, I have to wonder if he/she/they skimmed and weren't sure about it and decided to return to it later.
Or don't get to their queries, despite being open to queries when I sent mine (she closed shortly afterward), for this many months.
Or reject at first sight but spend a day, 8 months down the line, sending out form rejections.
Or ... it fell through the cracks, which is worth mentioning in the rejection since it reflects on her/him/them and how they conduct business.

Either way, it's too long to fall in the realm of good business etiquette, personally. It's actually insulting, especially since it prevents a writer from querying other agents at that agency. As much as we try to find the right agent, it's not easy to look at a wishlist (which may even list the VERY project we have) and decide this agent is PERFECT. After 8 months, I realize listing categories that suit my manuscript shouldn't be taken too seriously, though writers don't exactly have a lot to go on when seeking out who'd be the best match.

And yet, response times should be added to the list of considerations, I see. Because this has me miffed today. It seems a bad look on the whole agency. I don't mind if my query is rejected. I can handle rejection. I don't even mind "no response." But responding to my tailored letter after so many months is a bit ... I don't know. I guess that's why I'm sharing.

I get that 2020 has been rough. We've all been living through who knows what. Maybe closing to queries once you realize you need time away from them is the right move? I mean, since we're all kind of in this together. Writers also spend ENORMOUS amounts of energy and time trying to peddle what they've spent ENORMOUS amounts of energy and time birthing into being. Agents ask for a certain amount of respect when submitting, often detailing etiquette for us to follow. First impressions are a two-way street, though, right?


This is dated way back when she closed July 3 (a month-ish AFTER I submitted):
Now that she’s closed to queries, I’m wondering if this is a CNR. Any thoughts?
Thanks @alkulseng!
Thanks @Catsamoa79!
Thank you @Khaleesi! I'll hold out for a reply too then.

Sometimes things fall through the cracks, unfortunately. Agents are only human. And I would like to extend a gentle reminder that they occasionally read their QT threads, too, and I have absolutely heard stories about agents refusing to even look at the next project someone sends along if they've reamed them out on QT before. And it's a small industry, so word gets around. Just a thought to maybe keep the venting to your friends or a more private group.

@bjmbrks
It's the kind way of saying "I don't know what to do with this."

Profile Update: Genres updated.

Form Query: 11.28.20
Form Rejection: 12.28.20

E/MG GN: 1700 words for lettering.

Same letter as sophiakate on Aug 29.

Anyone know what "editorial vision" is?

FQ: 5/1/2020
FReg: 12/14/2020

95K YA Fantasy

FQ: 4/30
CNR: 8/10
FRej: 12/14

She had this for 100+ days, only to send back the identical form others have reported. I was honestly surprised to hear back at all.

YA Fantasy 121K

FQ 11/30

195-day rejection. Probably a form, but very kind.
68K YA supernatural SF

FQ: 11/23
Confirmation of receipt: 11/23

90k YA fantasy

EQ: 5/23/20
ER: 11/22/20
Same, kind rejection letter that others have received and are quoted in other comments below