100% agree with Kate. I know it feels like eons to wait, but the truth is we just can’t read fast enough. Another absolute reality as she mentioned in the comments, your assumed “no” is almost always our “haven’t read yet”.
Thanks for this super helpful post! A follow up question... A few agents I've queried have guidelines stating something like "let us know about any interest from other agents" What qualifies as "interest"? Many agents are clear that they mean an offer of representation or, in some cases, an exploratory conversation or a full request. In the absence of a clear definition, what's reasonable to follow up about?
I think a full request is the baseline for "interest." Anything more than that (a phone call, an offer) is definitely interest. (I doubt there would be a phone call before a full request for a novel. If you're writing non-fiction, I'd start at a phone call if they already read your whole proposal.) For the record, I don't need to be notified of anything but an offer of rep, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ if someone notifies me of other things.
"Agents rarely sit on good news." Gosh, Kate, I hadn't thought of it that way. But, now I can. I can't imagine an agent, who makes money by selling a book, waiting to tell an author anything--it sold to the suggestion, because they're interested, try changing this part. Thanks for the explanation.
These days, I wouldn’t hold out for a response on a query letter. But no response on a full is confusing—does it mean a writer should not query that agent again with a future project?
What if the agent promises to respond in 4 - 6 weeks, having asked you to send a detailed letter and synopsis, fails to do so after 9 weeks, then does not even respond to a follow up letter?
What if the agent promises to respond in 4 - 6 weeks, having asked you to send a detailed letter and synopsis, fails to do so after 9 weeks, then does not even respond to a follow up letter?
Do you need any editors! I have numerous degrees, some of which are English Masters and Reading Specialist Masters. I have done free lance editing for others as well as taught Research Composition and Creative Writing, 7th grade through University level!(adults).
Thanks very much Kate. My question is this - I started submitting before Christmas but since then I've made important changes to the opening pages. What I'd really like to do is follow up but attach the revised excerpt. Is that OK to do? Thanks, Sue
This is great, thanks! Would love to hear your take on how you cope with/interpret/respond to “silence,” aka “haven’t read yet,” when you’re on submission to editors?
I run through the same thoughts as writers do waiting for agents lol! It's wonderful when things happen quickly, but not-quickly is not a sign of no-sale-ever. Somethings take a while! I will follow up for a LONG time before taking the hint from an unresponsive editor and I've been known to turn on read receipts so I know my emails are landing. Of course, if an editor *never* responds I definitely take that into consideration for future submissions. But an "omg I'm SOOO sorry I took so long with this thank you for thinking of me but it's not right for my list" goes a long way with me. I will say doing the research for my book has given me even more insight into the hoops editors have to jump through to get an offer going so I'm even more forgiving of long-lag times now.
I think this is the part that makes writers worry, because if you won't sit on a yes (of course!), then three months can feel like it implies a no. It really helps to know that a long time could just be haven't-read-yet. (To add to the feeling of a black box, some agents tell you up front that they will only answer if they're interested, so some of them really are signaling a no in a mysterious way.) Thank you for your post!
This is very helpful, thanks! I like "candy machine" analogy.
This was so helpful, thank you. I tend to think silence automatically means no, so I'm hanging onto your phrase about there still being hope...
Remember--your "silence" is my "haven't read it yet."
100% agree with Kate. I know it feels like eons to wait, but the truth is we just can’t read fast enough. Another absolute reality as she mentioned in the comments, your assumed “no” is almost always our “haven’t read yet”.
Thank you for writing this.
This is very helpful. I am in the beginning stages of this and have no clue how any of this works. Thanks for the tips.
Thanks for this super helpful post! A follow up question... A few agents I've queried have guidelines stating something like "let us know about any interest from other agents" What qualifies as "interest"? Many agents are clear that they mean an offer of representation or, in some cases, an exploratory conversation or a full request. In the absence of a clear definition, what's reasonable to follow up about?
I think a full request is the baseline for "interest." Anything more than that (a phone call, an offer) is definitely interest. (I doubt there would be a phone call before a full request for a novel. If you're writing non-fiction, I'd start at a phone call if they already read your whole proposal.) For the record, I don't need to be notified of anything but an offer of rep, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ if someone notifies me of other things.
Awesome, thank you!!
"Agents rarely sit on good news." Gosh, Kate, I hadn't thought of it that way. But, now I can. I can't imagine an agent, who makes money by selling a book, waiting to tell an author anything--it sold to the suggestion, because they're interested, try changing this part. Thanks for the explanation.
These days, I wouldn’t hold out for a response on a query letter. But no response on a full is confusing—does it mean a writer should not query that agent again with a future project?
What if the agent promises to respond in 4 - 6 weeks, having asked you to send a detailed letter and synopsis, fails to do so after 9 weeks, then does not even respond to a follow up letter?
What if the agent promises to respond in 4 - 6 weeks, having asked you to send a detailed letter and synopsis, fails to do so after 9 weeks, then does not even respond to a follow up letter?
Sit tight. They're trying their best. Something probably came up that delayed them and now they're a little shamefaced they're behind.
“…not reading your work at you.” 😂 I love that.
Do you need any editors! I have numerous degrees, some of which are English Masters and Reading Specialist Masters. I have done free lance editing for others as well as taught Research Composition and Creative Writing, 7th grade through University level!(adults).
Thank You!
I.J. Mills
illusiv09@gmail.com
I’m not there yet, but saving this for when I am. Thank you so much, Kate. 😊
Be a professional. Professionals understand no answer is an answer.
Thanks very much Kate. My question is this - I started submitting before Christmas but since then I've made important changes to the opening pages. What I'd really like to do is follow up but attach the revised excerpt. Is that OK to do? Thanks, Sue
Read this. :) https://katemckean.substack.com/p/is-it-ok-to-revise-and-resend-a-query?utm_source=publication-search
This is great, thanks! Would love to hear your take on how you cope with/interpret/respond to “silence,” aka “haven’t read yet,” when you’re on submission to editors?
(Not right this second of course :))
I run through the same thoughts as writers do waiting for agents lol! It's wonderful when things happen quickly, but not-quickly is not a sign of no-sale-ever. Somethings take a while! I will follow up for a LONG time before taking the hint from an unresponsive editor and I've been known to turn on read receipts so I know my emails are landing. Of course, if an editor *never* responds I definitely take that into consideration for future submissions. But an "omg I'm SOOO sorry I took so long with this thank you for thinking of me but it's not right for my list" goes a long way with me. I will say doing the research for my book has given me even more insight into the hoops editors have to jump through to get an offer going so I'm even more forgiving of long-lag times now.
So interesting, thank you!
Love “we don’t sit on yeses”
Right?????
I think this is the part that makes writers worry, because if you won't sit on a yes (of course!), then three months can feel like it implies a no. It really helps to know that a long time could just be haven't-read-yet. (To add to the feeling of a black box, some agents tell you up front that they will only answer if they're interested, so some of them really are signaling a no in a mysterious way.) Thank you for your post!