I was at the International Thriller Writers Conference last year, listening to James Rollins speak about how he first got published, when I first heard an author offer the following advice.
Toward the end of his talk, Rollins lowered his voice, got up close to the audience and said: You know the advice you get to avoid simultaneous submissions? Ignore it.
I thought this was the best and most honest piece of advice I’d ever heard at a writers conference. And I’d like to pass it on to you even though it goes against standard wisdom to recommend ignoring an agent’s guidelines.
In general, it is in your best interest to follow an agent’s guidelines, otherwise you risk having your query deleted without even being read. But the policy of no simultaneous submissions? Do what James Rollins did: Ignore it.
Can agents fairly expect writers to wait six weeks or more to hear back before submitting to another agent? I can’t think of another industry where this is a standard, acceptable practice. In fact, if you were to actually follow this guideline, you may be circulating only six queries a year for a book.
Publishing a book is a crazy long process. Sure, you don’t want to burn any bridges. But can you really afford this kind of time?
And please note: I’m talking strictly about queries here, which are low investment in terms of the time it takes an agent to read and respond. If an agent requests an exclusive on your first three chapters or your full manuscript for some defined time period, I think that’s fair.
So what’s your take on simultaneous submissions policies? Speak up in the comments below.
-Maria Schneider
Editor Unleashed loves agents by the way: In fact, Jeff Kleinman of Folio Literary Management will be chatting live on the forum tomorrow between 12-2 (EST). You can post questions for him here.
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Who are these agents who don’t accept simulataneous QUERIES?
I don’t know any more than a handful who don’t. Simultaneous queries are pretty much standard.
Interesting stuff. I’m going through a similar dilemma at the moment. My novel is currently with an agent (they’ve asked to see the whole thing after my initial query) and my heart is saying wait, because they’re a very good agency and I’d love them to represent me.
My head is saying, come on, send it elsewhere, what harm can it do?
“If an agent requests an exclusive on your first three chapters or your full manuscript for some defined time period, I think that’s fair.”
But. Exclusives aren’t necessarily fair to start with. Though, yes. If you grant one, you need to keep your word and not ignore it. But you can, and I’ll argue, should, not query any agency that demands exclusive queries. That’s…counterproductive.
Iain, I’m curious why you’re waiting? why aren’t querying others? And why are you so sure they are the only/best agency for you?
As an aside, I ended up turning down the first agent that made me an offer. I thought when I was querying him that he would be a great match. And on paper, he was and is. He’s a good agent. But five mins into the phone call, I realized that not only did our personalities differ–but his vision for my book was totally different than mine, as well. It was heartbreaking.
Maria, this is wonderful! I completely agree that we must send out our queries to as many people as possible. We are working writers. We must eat. We must heat our houses. In my days as an editor, I fully endorsed writers sending out multiple queries.
Exclusive queries are not in an author’s best interest. Don’t do it.
Exclusives in general are a terrible idea, and again, not in your best interest. You want to pick an agent from the widest possible group of people who want to represent you, not the smallest.
Thanks so much for your comments Janet, much appreciated especially coming from you. Watch out: I’m going to get you on here soon!
I’ve received a contract from a publisher. I really want an agent. I’m a first timer. Am I crazy to want an agent to represent vs. signing a contract with a publisher at this time?
My name is Kelly Helen Thompson.I got my first book Just Kelly at publsihamerica. Thats the only way people can purchase it is through there website at publsihamerica.com. I’m also on facebook I am trying to find a better publsihing company for the 2nd book. I have three publishing houses that want it. Having trouble picking one and would like to go through a more commercial comapany. From what I am told its a hard business.
Note for Kelly Helen Thompson, I’m at authorsden.com/kellyhthompson,facebook.com/kellywarrior,linked.com/kellyhthompson,twitter.com/kellywarrior,youtube.com/krazykelly25 and myown website kellyhthompson.webs.com You can also find my first book,”Just Kelly” at publishamerica.com (pen name) KH Thompson my secound book “Backwards” is still in production.