On the menu today -- HOLY CRAP BATMAN! IT HAPPENED!!!
I sent out 3, just 3 queries to my top dream agents on Tuesday. I received one automated rejection on Wednesday. Also on Wednesday --
I GOT A FULL REQUEST!!!!
Off a query! In less than a day! I told you I would pee my pants and I did. Okay, sorry to be so gross but that's what you get from jumping up and down and screaming for twenty minutes. I scared Monster Baby. She thought I was on fire.
I'm shaking as I type this. I cannot tell you how excited I am. I cannot believe it. I cannot get the thoughts of sugar plums dancing out of my head. I'm a mess. It's a good thing you can't see me. It's a good thing you can't hear me. I've been going back and forth -- what if she loves it -- what if she hates it? Oh. My. God.
I don't know how I'm going to live with myself until she gets back to me. I don't know how you're all going to put up with me. I guess I just won't blog. Yeah, no, that won't happen.
But seriously, here's a question -- Because she's my dream agent, and I don't know how long it will take her to get back to me -- do you think I should keep sending out to other agents? I don't really want to. But I feel like I should. I'd hate to waste 3 months waiting to send out, especially if she rejects it. She knows it's a multiple submission and she didn't ask for an exclusive so I guess I could.
What would you do?
40 comments:
I'd keep sending them out, Anne. In fact, I'd recommend sending to 10 at a time and whenever you get a rejection, send out another so that you always have 10 out at a time.
This process (normally, not always) takes time... a lot of time. If you wait on one and they pass, then you've just wasted an awful lot of time. If, the best scenario happens and more than one offer representation, that's a good problem, not a bad one. You then talk to each and determine which is the best fit for you and you've got a choice. Often, the one who seems the best agent for you will get trumped by what you learn about others during the process.
Also, the literary agency community is a relatively small one and they do gather at times at watering holes, etc., and... talk. If one agent knows others are considering you, that only helps you. Agents are like anyone else--sometimes they need validation for their decisions, and if they know another agent is considering you as well, that only helps them make up their mind. No one is going to see your queries to other agents as a negative, but only as a positive--as a pro who's doing what pros do--market themselves and their work.
In any event--CONGRATULATIONS!
That's awesome! Excited for you. Promise I won't pee though.
Keep sending them out. What if this one says no?
OH I'M SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
And, to put a little icing on the cake, stop by my blog TODAY, there's a surprise waiting for you.
Way to go!! Enjoy your day and polish up that full to send it to the agent. It's a great feeling!!
Oh, and who knows? You might have your debut novel interview on my blog! So excited for you.
And you won WHEN HARRY MET MOLLY today!!
Now get writing and keep us posted!!
And keep querying--take a bit of a break, but go for it!
That's wonderful! I'm so excited for you! (Not pee my pants excited, but still :)
Yes! Keep sending out queries. When you get another partial or full request, I think you should mention that another agent has requested a full.
What happy news for a Friday! Congratulations Anne!! And, while I will keep my fingers crossed that this one is it, there is nothing wrong with hedging your bets. Keep sending! Yay for you though. Just yay, yay, yay, yay, yay!
Congratulations! That's so exciting. :)
Keep sending out queries. If you get more requests, send the material. When you get an offer, just inform any agent who's still reading a requested full or partial about the offer. They'll either finish reading really fast & and make an offer too, or they'll congratulate you and wish you the best. :)
YAY for our first NaNoQuerMo success story!!! See, having our queries demolished DOES help sometimes. Now, can you send a little luck my way, because I'm querying my absolute dream agent this weekend. Thanks.
I say you keep sending. If push comes to shove you know you'll choose the dream agent if more than one offer arrives. But this way you keep yourself occupied (and just in case the "we won't talk about that possibility" happens -- which it totally won't, I have faith).
Plus, if another agent offers representation you can always go back to dream agent and it might speed up her time table on reading, etc.
Good luck and CONGRATS!!!
Whoo!! Congratulations, Anne!! I can't imagine what that feels like. :)
I have no experience, but I like Les Edgerton put it quite nicely.
Woo-hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But, yes, don't put all your eggs in that one agent's basket. Keep querying!
first off, I LMAO at the "she thought i was on fire" bit.
I would continue to send out. BECAUSE, if someone else gives you and offer, you can then tell dream agent you've got another offer and it will forcer her to speed things up
Congrats on the request! I got one, too. And definitely send out more. If another agent loves the book, it means your dream agent will read it that much faster.
You absolutely have to keep querying. If you get an offer of rep then you can advise your dream agent of it, and she'll hurry about a little.
OMG this is the best writing world news I have heard in forever. Congratulations on the request for the full!
I say if she doesn't expect an exclusive- send it out to at least one agent more to replace the one who sent you the rejection on your 'waiting list'.
Don't do what I did- full request to my dream agent- I didn't send it to anybody else- ended up getting a 'pass' and I had lost three month's time (and my desire and momentum to query.)
It may not be that you'll need the other query (I'm hoping this is THE ONE!) but at least as other's said it could start a bidding war! LOL
big hugs and celebratory high fives!!! It couldn't happen to a nicer person- now I just can't wait for the next BIG news which I am sure must be very near on the horizon!!! Congratulations again...and enjoy this moment- you have worked so hard for it, REVEL in it.
~bru
This is. Just. Awesome. A NaNoQuerMo success! Lets hope it rubs off on the rest of us!!
absolutely keep querying
FANTASTIC ANNE! How exciting - and what a great big validation that YOU HAVE TALENT (obvbiously we know that; now the outside world does too!).
I say keep querying. It will help you with your nerves for this one agent. WOOO!
Congrats! I know exactly how you feel. It's the same way I felt when a publisher asked for my full, too.
But yes, continue to query. I am. I won't stop until someone waves a contract under my nose!
That's fantastic. Good luck. I'd keep sending out if she didn't ask for an exclusive.
Brilliant news!
But yes, keep sending them out. The fact you are getting requests means your query is good; your premise is interesting.
But I know from experience that agents are still turning down fulls, so hedge your bets until you get that offer.
Keeping everything crossed for you.
Congratulations! I'd say keep sending out. It feels good to be doing instaed of waiting.
I would keep sending out. Keep that good luck streak going! Congrats and good luck! I'm so happy for you!
Yes keep sending out by all means. Use the positive energy to put it all out there. and good luck!
Congratulations - but keep sending them out ...it could be a while - or not - maybe she will call within the week. Maybe...I am sure your ms is fab. so I have my fingers crossed for you.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am way behind on catching up on blogs, but I just thought I'd pop in and see what was new with you -- and what good timing! Keep us posted!
Congratulations, Anne! I am sooo excited for you! I agree with the other comments here - keep sending them out.
Anne! I'm so excited for you! You must be a master at queries and I would love your help someday! Congratulations!
I would first remind myself to celebrate! And then keep querying. Congratulations and best of luck.
Excellent news! After changing your pants and reenforcing with monster baby that it is not okay to pee your pants, no matter what the circumstances, I recommend you get to work polishing your manuscript so you're prepared to send her the full when, not if, when the agent requests it. Good luck!
Congratulations on the request for a full! 33% is great. (or maybe 66%).
If I were you I'd keep submitting. If she offers you representation, you'll be thrilled and you can tell everyone else you've accepted and offer. Is she doesn't at least you'll know you have other irons in the fire. It won't sting so bad.
I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU! I will not pee my pants but I will join you in a happy dance.
*DANCE**DANCE**DANCE*
I don't think there's any harm in continuing to send out queries. Like you said, she knows it's a multiple submission and she didn't specifically say to hold back. Nothing wrong with having your bases covered.
Oh Anne, I seriously might cry, I'm so thrilled for you!
<3<3<3
I'm so happy for you!!!! I'm grinning like a loon and I have tears in my eyes, way to go!!!!!!
Okay, a moment of sanity-I'd keep sending them out. I like what Les said-keep 10 at a time out there.
Woohoo!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!
Anne, I'm so proud of you and totally not surprised. I'm cheering at my computer right now. Query on lady (in batches) :)
I'm so excited for you, Anne!
Most definitely keep sending out those query letters!
Keep us posted xx
I would definately sen out more. Agents have to expect that you will probably be sending out your query letter to others, so it shouldn't be a problem. Congrats! and I'm sending big thoughts your way right now.
OMG that's so exciting! My fingers and toes and eyes are all crossed for you!
I agree with the other commenters...send other queries out. That's my not-so-experienced advice, since waiting for one response would make me CRAZY.
Best of luck!
CONGRATULATIONS! I'd say this idea of doing queries is working out very well!
If she knows that you're sending out queries that's fine as it means you're serious about finding an agent.
All I can add is GOOD LUCK! :)
WOW!
Congratulations Anne! I am so pleased for you.
Well done!
!!! Go, you!
And yeah, keep querying. And if you don't hear back from dream agent in a month, send her a "hey, how's it going with reading the full" email. That's entirely acceptable. I have to do that with my agent. Everyone in publishing has too much work to do and is constantly behind on their deadlines. Get used to that.
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