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Topic: OK to call literary agent after 6 months?
| Author | Message |
| harlemwriter | Posted – 7/17/2007 9:32:12 AM | show profile I sent my novel ms to an agent February 1st after her assistant e-mailed me requesting it. I haven't heard anything from them since then. I e-mailed the assistant a couple of weeks ago asking about it, but got no response. Is it acceptable to call to follow up? Or should I just forget it? If she's had it for this long, she probably doesn't want it. Has anyone had experience with this? I am praying that I didn't forget to enclose the SASE! But it seems to me the assistant could have emailed me back if I was on their "rejected" list. That is, of course, if she still works there. Thanks! |
| foodlit | Posted – 7/17/2007 9:37:51 AM | show profile I wouldn't call. Do you honestly want someone who can't respond to an email or get back to you after six months? Imagine how she/he is with editors? A bad agent is worse than no agent, far worse. Give up on this one, and move on. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 7/17/2007 11:11:03 AM | show profile There is no downside to calling, really. Actually, it will probably be beneficial, because it will give you experience making a call you are scared to make to someone who intimidates you. After you make enough of those calls, you'll find that agents, their assistants, and editors aren't people to be intimidated by, and you'll have an easier time dealing with the publishing industry. And you won't worry about what's "acceptable" -- you'll do what makes sense. You'll never know what happened until you know. Maybe they aren't interested. Maybe they never looked at it. |
| lenagrove | Posted – 7/17/2007 12:43:28 PM | show profile I don't think it would hurt to call. It could be that your submission wasn't received (though I don't know why they wouldn't respond to your email). What's the worst that can happen? They can say no or even be rude--but you'll survive it--and if they are that way, you can thank your lucky stars that you won't be working with them and move on to another agency. Good luck! |
| Mr Media | Posted – 7/18/2007 8:36:15 AM | show profile You definitely should call but keep on looking elsewhere as well. I think you have a right to know what's going on. |
| harlemwriter | Posted – 7/19/2007 9:16:53 PM | show profile thanks for the advice--I think I will give them a call. It's the one ms still out there at the moment & this actually was sort of my #1 agent, so obviously I was thrilled when she wanted to see it. I've been taking a break from querying while revising the ms again, and am just getting back into it. I'd like to know one way or another on this. I guess I was just feeling wimpy about making the call. But it's true, what's the worst that can happen? Thanks, all. |
