How long have folks waited for agent's notes?

[Tabris]

If two weeks pass and you don't get your response, what are the consequences? Think about it now so you know what you'll do and won't just cave and give her another two weeks.

[Sarah Ahiers (Falen)]

Let us know how it goes

[skribbler]

I've been thinking about consequences for a while.

She's a major player, and I know she's always up to her gills in work. She represents a good friend who's had phenomenal success with her but admits she can't organize her way out of a paper bag. In her defense, I'll say she e-mails me back immediately every time I contact her. I mean within the hour.

When she misses the next deadline, I'll call her and we'll talk. She's been available to talk both times I've called in the last four months, and my impression remains that the problem is 60% how busy she is, 35% how disorganized she is, and maybe 5% some BS.

One option I don't have is walking away to another agent. My book is definitely an acquired taste. This person is the first agent of dozens, and over a decade, who has loved it without qualification, and the only one to offer to rep. If I walk away, I'm walking away without other offers.

[Sarah Ahiers (Falen)]

I mean, my agent is a mega player, too, but she still gets my stuff back to me on time (sooner than I usually expect, actually.)

Hopefully she'll get back to you this time and this will just be a small bump in the road of better time management going forward

[skribbler]

Yeah, Sarah, the first agent who took me was much, much better at the day-to-day. We parted when I didn't write the book she was hoping I'd write, which led to three years in the wilderness. If I'd just written that book, my second one would probably be in some publisher's catalog by now.

[nycgirl]

My agent takes about 2 months, but my MS comes back HEAVILY marked up with a detailed editorial letter. The wait's hard, but it's always worth it!

[skribbler]

I know should wait until I get the package before crying with relief - and before telling you all - but out of the blue, got this quick e-mail this morning:

"i am so sorry but i am finally done. Please confirm the correct address and the work will go in the mail today."

What was that? Five months? Well, she never disappeared. Always answered e-mails the same day. Just kept promising quicker turnaround than she could do.

[Sarah Ahiers (Falen)]

Well, I'm glad you've heard from her and are getting your stuff. If it happens again, though, I think you should still consider having a talk.

[Terri_Martin]

I know should wait until I get the package before crying with relief - and before telling you all - but out of the blue, got this quick e-mail this morning:

"i am so sorry but i am finally done. Please confirm the correct address and the work will go in the mail today."

What was that? Five months? Well, she never disappeared. Always answered e-mails the same day. Just kept promising quicker turnaround than she could do.

So did the package go in the mail as promised?

[MaryL]

"The agent works for YOU. The agent works for YOU. The agent works for YOU." That's my mantra. It's time for a phone call. An amicable, professional phone call with the person who represents work on your behalf. Hopefully, it's merely a communication issue.

[skribbler]

Sorry not to have followed up, folks. I've been deep in re-writes. Yes, ms arrived. Well thought out 3-page cover with, for the most part, good ideas. Line edits not so much, which I've decided means only that she's not one of the editor/agents one hears tell about. She knows what works for her, knows what doesn't. She's good at giving general direction, not as strong with specifics.

I'm going to try to have a new draft to her by springtime. Realistically, I don't see it happening sooner, and it may be later.

And then . . . I don't know. I can hope she doesn't hold it another five months herself? I can hope.

Here's to a book finally published not long after I retire!

[Sarah Ahiers (Falen)]

If she holds it that long again, you need to have a talk with her. And maybe think about finding new rep

[katD]

This happened to me. I eventually fired the agent, which is really a painful thing to do, but in the end, if my agent becomes part of the problem instead of the solution, I have the wrong agent.