Agent responces?

by Kimberley Stevens
6th June 2013

Okay, I submitted my manuscript to a couple of agents. 11 weeks later and I still haven't had any response, neither a request or a rejection. I've looked at their websites and they say that they will get back to you within 6-8 weeks. Any ideas what is going on? I have given them the right contact details so the response's wouldn't have been lost, or sent to the wrong person.

Replies

Hi Kimberley

I agree with the others on this. It is a long haul. I met a writer a few years ago who made 75 submissions before he got a yes and subsequently was published. You just have to keep plodding away. Unfortunately it takes time as I am finding out myself.

I wish you every success, don't give up.

Profile picture for user martin.d_25105
Martin
Elder
270 points
Developing your craft
Martin Elder
06/06/2013

I am with Louise on this one. good luck

Profile picture for user damienis_24893
damien
Isaak
330 points
Ready to publish
Film, Music, Theatre, TV and Radio
Short stories
Fiction
Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Adventure
Autobiography, Biography and Memoir
Middle Grade (Children's)
Picture Books (Children's)
Gothic and Horror
damien Isaak
06/06/2013

Hi Kimberly I found this and it may help:

"How many submissions?

…don’t give up, or consider a rewrite, until you’ve received rejections from every one of your 20 shortlisted agents.

Agents and editors will tell you not to submit to more than one person at a time. That’s to make their lives easier, not yours! After all, if an agent likes your work, s/he doesn’t want to fight someone else for the privilege of representing you. But if you submit to three agents at once, and they all show an interest, what have you got to lose? Your stock will rise when they realise that others rate your book too, and you’ll get the opportunity to pick someone you can trust and get along with. So I’d recommend sending out several submissions at a time – but don’t announce what you’re doing!

Limit your submissions to the number of rejections you think you can cope with at any one time - because it is unlikely that your book will appeal to everyone you send it to. But don’t give up, or consider a rewrite, until you’ve received rejections from every one of your 20 shortlisted agents."

Profile picture for user robbiest_27945
Robbie
Stratford
330 points
Developing your craft
Poetry
Short stories
Fiction
Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Adventure
Autobiography, Biography and Memoir
Speculative Fiction
Gothic and Horror
Philosophy and Religion
Robbie Stratford
06/06/2013