Judy Schneider's Writing Lab

Great advice, Judy. It comes back to professionalism -- treating the agent with professional courtesy, and considering yourself a writing professional and acting accordingly.

But boy, it's so hard to be patient!

I find the best way to occupy the time when waiting for a response is to work on the next piece. This has the added benefit of giving me a new thing to hang hopes on (and to submit) if the first one is eventually rejected.

Judy, this is very helpful, although I haven't quite gotten to this stage. Even in my limited (very limited) experience, I agree with Cindy that the best way to pass the time is to move on to the next thing. Question: I have seen different opinions about simultaneous submissions to agents (unless, of course, they specify that this is NOT okay). What is your opinion? Do you wait painfully and submit one at a time every 2-3 (or more) months, and take 4 years to get through it all? (This will kill my "patience is a virtue" and inner peace, BTW.) Or, is it okay to query multiple places unless an agent indicates this is a big no-no for them?

Thanks for this, Judy. I love the quote from Margaret Thatcher -- and I'm hoping that I do indeed "get my way in the end" with my manuscript! Still no word from the agent, but since all his responses (three total so far) have been pleasant and positive, I'm inclined to to give him a little more time.

I'm really enjoying your blog -- I've been lurking since you began it -- so please keep those "new posting" alerts coming!

I miss you and Julie and Cindy... anything coming up with Fat Plum? Any of you going to the PennWriters Conference?

Thanks to Cindy, also, for the great advice in her post: Mail your stuff, and then get back to work. Was that the sound of a whip cracking?

All best,

Beth

Cindy, you are right that diving in to a new project is the best way to pass the waiting time! In fact, often when one project is drawing to a close, I'll begin to take notes on the next. Doing so helps in that sometimes-awkward transition stage.

Susan, as far as multiple submissions to agents, it's perfectly acceptable to submit query letters to several agents at the same time (provided, as you said, that they accept multiples). In fact, it's a wise time-saving move, for certain. Where I might stand out as different from other advice you might hear is in the full-manuscript or full-proposal submission. When an agent requests to see your full manuscript or your complete nonfiction book proposal, he is seriously considering representation of your work and, in my opinion, deserves an exclusive look.

So, what do you do in the event that more than one agent requests a full? Of those that responded positively, you rank them, in order of personal preference. Who would you like to work with most? Which agent represents projects that are most similar to yours? Who has the best reputation in the industry? A little Google-work can answer these questions for you.

In short, then, Susan, I recommend going the multiple-submissions route for queries, but then offering exclusives when presenting the full manuscript. Can't wait until you're at that stage, Susan! Good luck!

Beth, I agree, I'd allow that agent a little more time -- he's been so positive and so receptive. Please let us know as soon as you hear anything!

As far as Fat Plum sponsoring any upcoming events, we have just scheduled our next Xtreme Critique Weekend for June 29 - July 1, 2007, so mark your calendar! Space will be limited, so please let us know if you're interested in attending! Look to the Web site for information updates within the next week or so!

Best of luck to all of you! Thanks for the great responses!

Judy

Hey Judy,
that's a really nice post. I def. adhear to the "get on with the next book," theory as in the case of initial drafts, my impatience pays off in fast writing. I can't wait to get to the end of my own creation. How's that for ego???

But, it is hard to wait. Along with my imagination that fuels my writing, it also fuels a million submission senarios! But, knowing the next book is well on the way makes me feel a little more in control of the process. Thanks for the great posts and the emails!

Judy--Great, commonsensical tips. I should (and probably will) alert members of another listserve to your blog and its good advice. For those of us who've been wandering about in the publishing desert for some time, your advice might be old news. But I'm forever surprised at the number of aspiring novelists who have no clue when it comes to getting their WIP published. This is just the kind of guidance they need. Thanks.

Judy,

Great piece and great advice. It is a good reminder to see agents as human beings with the same angst, dirty dishes and migranes as "regular folk." That takes some of the personal sting out of it when responses don't come in our time frame and with the little smilely face next to a handwritten note telling us, "Your writing is fabulous!" Oh, well. Now you've had a peek at my daydream.

Keep on reminding us of the steps and the path.

Karen

Hey, Judy! Thanks for sharing all these tips. I haven't used an agent for my books, although I probably should. I'm not the best negotiator in the whole wide world. Not even close . . .

I also love the Margaret Thatcher quote!

I'm posting in my blog tomorrow at the Word of Mouth (www.thewomblog.com) -- and I'll recommend that people head your way and read your excellent post.

Kathie, I laughed at your "million submission scenarios"! How true it is that we writers imagine every possible way that an agent might perceive what we've sent. But in doing so, we have to remain positive. In the words of Joel Osteen, you must "See Yourself Successful"!

Mike & Kelly, thanks a bunch for spreading the word about my Writing Lab blog! Every visitor has value and a voice here!

Karen, we can all dream of that "fabulous" acceptance, knowing it can come true. I remember my first call from my agent. My kids were little and were making noise, so I took the steps two-at-a-time, darted into the master bedroom closet, and closed the door (thankfully, there is a light in there). Since then, I keep a portable phone, a notebook, and a pen in that closet in preparation for those unexpected calls. All my closet needs, now, is a comfy chair and a coffee machine.

Such an interesting post, Judy!

Personally, I always spent the first week relieved that I had something in the mail and no rejections had shown up yet. As time passes, though, the anxiety creeps in.

I think it's perfectly fine to ping an agent after their posted response time has passed. Always, always, always be polite no matter what the response.

I have yet to meet the writer who doesn't feel crappy about being rejected, but save the pity-party for family and friends--hey, that's what they're there for! :)

Becky,

You are so right! We writers need to relax and enjoy the relief we feel once we finally send a submission off! It's amazing how printing off a letter, a couple of pages, an envelope label, and an SASE can be so exhausting. It's, no doubt, the psychology behind it that drains us! Still, in the end, it is worth it all!

Thanks for your comment! Hope to see you soon!

Judy

Judy,

These are really great tips. I think I'm at the stage you're talking about. I have four queries out there and am trying to be patient.

In the meantime,I'm working on a couple of projects. They are moving along nicely.

Glad to hear about the X-treme Weekend.

Judy, this is a great post and should be required reading for any aspiring author. I'm an impatient person by nature, so the waiting process I endured when I was searching for an agent the first time around was pure torture. Now, once I finish my current manuscript, I get to go through it all over again. ((sigh))

Constance, good luck with the queries! Now you need to picture yourself receiving that request for the full manuscript. Staying positive is so important!

And as for the Xtreme Critique Weekend, we're looking forward to another dynamic experience! We'll save a room for you!

Kristine, searching for an agent can be exhausting. But hopefully, your previous experience will make this time around a little less rocky, if only for the fact that you now know what to expect. It's exciting that you've almost completed your manuscript. That's a milestone many writers never reach. So ting a toast to your accomplishments! (I know, I know, the glory doesn't last. You've got to wake up the next day, roll up your sleeves, and start revising!) Be sure you take time to celebrate -- you deserve it!