So They Want A Phone Call...Now What?

[Midwest]

Aw, sorry. Disappointing to be fired up for a call and hear that. 

But you're right to look on the bright side. It's huge praise that an agent read all the way through, and thought enough of the ms and you to call you about it. 

It sure does seem you're very close!! 

[chrislee]

Thanks, Midwest! Here's hoping the next one is better news - in the meantime, a little feedback is always welcome. Best wishes.

[lrwright09]

So... an agent called me yesterday and left a message. I didn't receive the message until late in the day when I returned the call.  I ended up leaving a message for him later in the day and let him know that I'd call again in the morning since it was after normal business hours.  I did call this morning and got the voicemail.  Now it's all I can do to stop biting my nails waiting on him to return my call.  I'm trying not to read anything into the call because I've heard all the stories about calls with rejections, but I'm cautiously optimistic. 

[Sarah Ahiers (Falen)]

i think cautiously optimistic is the way to go!

Either way, it's a good sign. Even if it's just a rejection, or an R&R, the fact that they want to talk means that they like it enough to get you on the phone

[lrwright09]

I hope so Falen.  If I don't talk to him soon, I won't have any fingernails. LOL

[slightlysmall]

Eh. Fingernails are overrated.

But seriously, best of luck to you!

[lrwright09]

LOL... One finger at a time. Thanks Slightlysmall!

[ImwithCoCo]

good luck!! My phone chat with an agent led to an R&R which led to an offer, so it's always a good sign no matter what! Agents are busy people--making time for a phone call is a good sign no matter what. 

[lrwright09]

Congrats on your offer!  I'm definitely okay with an R&R.  I would be ecstatic.

[AlythiaB]

Let's pretend you plan to write anywhere from 1-15 novels (hypothetically) per year. Is it acceptable to ask the agent if they have the bandwidth in their work schedule to sell that many? I've wondered about this with agents who have a long list of authors. Do you have to wait in line for their other clients to go on sub?

[Sarah Ahiers (Falen)]

It's something you would discuss with any agent who offers.

My agent specifically asked me if i had anything else that was ready to go right now, because she had once signed someone who then told her she wanted her to sell all her books right away

[AlythiaB]

It's something you would discuss with any agent who offers.

My agent specifically asked me if i had anything else that was ready to go right now, because she had once signed someone who then told her she wanted her to sell all her books right away

Oops! Probably not the best way to tell her!

 Kay, I wasn't sure if this was a faux pas or something. I once heard an agent say not to ask how many clients an agent has...

[Sarah Ahiers (Falen)]

I asked. Some of them gave me specific numbers, most of them didn't but just made sure that i knew they they had room for me on their list. I mean, the actual # doesn't mean much. And agent could have 100 clients, which seems like a lot, but maybe only 25 of those are putting out any material with regularity, you know?

[AlythiaB]

I asked. Some of them gave me specific numbers, most of them didn't but just made sure that i knew they they had room for me on their list. I mean, the actual # doesn't mean much. And agent could have 100 clients, which seems like a lot, but maybe only 25 of those are putting out any material with regularity, you know?

Totally agree. Makes sense!

[atwhatcost]

Agent written list of questions to ask during your first phone call!

http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2010/08/what-to-ask-agent.html

Sadly, the link doesn't include that post anymore.