tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post3875927061104420523..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: How to find out if your agent is an idiot-part 5Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4343517903310929912013-03-25T19:53:37.073-04:002013-03-25T19:53:37.073-04:00I often see questions re: how much time should I g...I often see questions re: how much time should I give to nudge my agent about (insert issue here: reading a manuscript, submission list, follow up etc.) <br /><br />To me the answer is clear- you should feel comfortable talking to your agent about reasonable timelines as an ongoing part of your business relationship. "Great to hear you'll be sending the manuscript out- when do you think you might have a submission list for me to see?" Maybe the agent is slammed busy or there is a holiday coming so things may take longer, but they should be able to tell you an estimation. <br /><br />One of the keys to getting along with your agent (or editor or people in general) is clear communication. No need to chew fingernails over these types of issues. Plenty of other things to be all crazy about.Eileenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07967828178034612278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-19402566163638339752013-03-25T12:59:40.785-04:002013-03-25T12:59:40.785-04:00On a related note, what is the appropriate legth o...On a related note, what is the appropriate legth of time before which one can nudge an agent about providing that list? After a year of revisions, an agent has stated that he wants to move forward with teh book, and that he would put together a distribution list. That was three weeks ago. How long before one should check in and ask whether the list has been drawn up?SamuelAlitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03616072844531259101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-85341995059361431182013-03-25T11:59:18.975-04:002013-03-25T11:59:18.975-04:00Wow. 2011?? But, how long did it take the writer...Wow. 2011?? But, how long did it take the writer to ask their agent for a followup? Maybe they deserve each other?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-14736538349254100622013-03-25T11:54:55.634-04:002013-03-25T11:54:55.634-04:00I like these posts a lot, because, as with publish...I like these posts a lot, because, as with publishing contracts, I'm sure I don't have the experience to tell what goes and what doesn't.Ellipsis Floodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03097098062834873232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-17963350451357320552013-03-25T11:50:22.393-04:002013-03-25T11:50:22.393-04:00I guess I would have assumed the 2011 was a typo--...I guess I would have assumed the 2011 was a typo-- which is bad enough. More than year to follow up on submissions? Eesh. How is it that this agent still has clients?<br /><br />Thanks for reminding us writers that we really don't have to tolerate treatment like this.Elissa Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10727748060605823895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-46724017141115548282013-03-25T08:26:13.091-04:002013-03-25T08:26:13.091-04:00After 20 odd years of sending to agents & publ...After 20 odd years of sending to agents & publishers it usually took a couple of months for them to say they didn't like it; shoe boxes full of rejections from 20 years of submissions suggest I'm crap, or at least not commercial. Still if there were no crap writers like me who would people be able to compare the good writers to. Still I did learn early on not to be put off by how long it took to be rejected. Anyway it's an interesting insight and should I feel like going through the pain of being rejected by every suitable agent in the 'book' again I'll keep it in mind; meantime Amazon KDP is the best place for hobby writers like myself. With Amazon I can have fun writing and make £20 a month selling it. I would say that you offer great insight though and that's why I enjoy your blog. I expect it reads better than it lives though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com