q: 03/20/2023

Same day rejection

YA Fantasy

QM 3/18/23
Form rejection 3/19/23
100k ya fantasy
"Thank you for sending me this but I'm afraid I'm going to pass. I apologise that this is a form rejection, but thank you for considering me, and best of luck with your future queries."

FQ: 03/12/2023
Partial request: 03/15/2023, sent same day
Rejection: 03/17/2023 slightly personalized

Thank you so much for sending me this but I'm afraid I will have to pass. This is brilliantly written but I didn't love it in the way I needed to. I'm sorry not to have better news, but please remember that my response is subjective, and not a reflection on the quality of your work which was really strong.
I wish you the best of luck in finding an agent for your work.
Helen Lane

FQ: 3/11/23
PR: 3/13/23
Polite Rejection: 3/17/23

It was very nice, but (on a strictly personal note) wish there was more detail regarding the reasoning. "I really liked the pages but I'm being very strict about what I request, so this is a case of liking it (a lot) but not loving it."

128k urban fantasy

Lightning response! Next day decline. Adult Thriller. 30K words.

Next day decline.
This was a reach for my book, but still tried.
Dear ___,
Thank you for sending me this but I'm afraid I'm going to pass. I apologise that this is a form rejection, but thank you for considering me, and best of luck with your future queries.
Kind regards,
Helen Lane

She posted on twitter that she is open to queries.

She posted a #MSWL update on Twitter that didn't list SF, so I decided to ask her specifically about my project since she'd mentioned elsewhere about elements of it that made it seem like a great fit. She replied that I should send it to her right away, even though she wasn't open!
125k SF
EQ 2/15/23
PR 2/17/23 (asked for first 50 pgs)

2/24 Rejection on partial. That one stings.

@MeggieSue13 thanks for the insight. I think a new agent can be great for a debut author, given newer agents tend to spend more one-on-one time with their clients. You're right that publishing is slow, and that's true for both querying and all the steps after it.

@aloopratha I realized I hadn't closed out some CNRs / cancelled my subscription and I was being nosy to see who potential new agent siblings might be, tbh.

As to the rest of your note, I actually can speak fairly confidently for the rest of Helen's clients because I'm in contact with them daily. There are only a few of us, we talk a lot. We update each other regularly on where we are at. If there is any drama or dissatisfaction behind the scenes, then they are all very, very good actors. I also reached out to several of them when I was doing my due diligence and considering offers so like...they've told me their feelings on Helen themselves. I promise I'm not talking out of my butt here.

Also to note - one of the agents who offered on me has been agenting for a year and a half and has exactly one sale. Helen's been an gent for half that time. Publishing is SLOW y'all. On a new agent you are unlikely to be able to use sales as a metric and yes, that means you're taking a risk signing with a newbie. If that risk isn't worth it to you, do what is good for your career.

In the end, query Helen or don't. I'm just saying, if you don't, you're missing a shot with a really great agent and human being because one person on the internet with zero idea what they're talking about said some scary things, and that makes me sad.

ANYhoo, I'm not going to engage with this anymore because, as pointed out I don't actually need to be on QT and this is adding stress to my life for no reason (am aware that's my own fault). Best of luck folks.

@MeggiSue13 If you're already agented why are you on QT? (I'm genuinely curious btw, not trying to sound otherwise.)

@jmay18 You make a valid point. Signing on more clients than others and yet not having even a single sale, while others who've taken on less have sales, is something to take into consideration. It may not be a make or break factor for everyone but I'm sure some people (esp those without PM membership) appreciate this information. I also don't think a single author can speak on behalf of an entire roster of clients repped by an agent.

Also worth considering that agenting is tough! Seems like most positions in publishing are, tbh.

@jmay18 So, Helen is my agent and she is spectacular. You are making A LOT of baseless assumptions in your comment without having the slightest idea what's going on behind the scenes so, as someone who does know, I want to reassure querying authors who may get spooked by what you've said.

Helen's work ethic is unparalleled, she is efficient, knowledgeable, professional and incredibly kind. She gives each of us incredible, personal attention and feedback and busts her ass at every turn to do right by us. We are not neglected in any way. Again - you have NO idea what stage any of us (her clients) are at. I had 3 offers and would pick Helen over and over.

In the end, authors must make their own choice, but anyone should consider themselves lucky to work with her. If anyone ever wants to ask me about working with her, or wants actual facts, not alarmist assumptions, please feel free to DM me, I am happy to share. Best of luck to the querying hopefuls!

I frankly think this agent is signing on too many clients. It doesn’t mean she’s not well meaning, but she’s new and has taken on a lot of clients in her first year when she’s yet to sell a book.

She closed to queries which seemed wise, but can’t stop soliciting for more and more with mswl and pitch events. As a writer who’s been agented and on submissions, the query part is just one small journey. Selling the book to editors is when agents hit walls. All the new agents who joined publishing at the same time she did have signed at most 2/3 clients, but it seems she announces a new client every other month. Just something for all party involved to consider

She liked my #IWSGPIT pitch.
EQ: 1/26
ER: 1/27
Adult Horror 80k+

Generic form rejection.

Thank you so much for sending me this but I'm afraid I am going to pass. I really like the premise of your story but I'm afraid I didn't connect to the pages you sent me the way I'd hoped to. I'm sorry not to have better news, but please remember that my response is subjective, and not a reflection on the quality of your work.

I wish you the best of luck in finding an agent.

@cameronwittbooks I experienced the same thing with another agent today. One benefit I find of pitch likes even if you're rejected, though, is that you get through the queue a lot faster. For me, it's the waiting, not the rejection, that I find annoying.

Helen liked two separate pitches for #IWSGPIT and after asking, clarified I was free to email query her with both despite her being closed.

EQ: 1/26
ER: 1/27 rejection on both, bummerrrr

YA Fantasy 106K / YA Contemporary Fantasy 101K

1/26/23 She liked my pitch on Twitter for #IWSGPit, so I sent it as promised though she is still closed to queries. She asked for a query letter and ten pages sent by email.

Thank you for sending me this. This was a very tough decision for me because I think this book is really well written and has a lot of potential, but I'm afraid I didn't connect with the characters the way I hoped to. As such, I am going to pass. But I wish you the best of luck in getting an agent

Email Query: 1/9/23
Sent after asking permission seeing a MSWL on her twitter similar to my book
Same Day Partial! 1/9/23
Rejection: 1/12/23

Liked the premise but didn’t connect enough with my pages sent. Helen was very kind and quick in her responses.

YA High Fantasy 90k