Nathan Bransford - The Forums

Hi everyone! I'm new here and hope that I can get some good feedback as I'm a little confused about something. My problem is this...I had an agent request my manuscript & I sent it. After a month I emailed her wondering how it was going as I hadn't heard back from her. I didn't get a response. After a couple months I took her silence as she didn't care for my work so I marked her off my list & shelved the book to start on another project. Just this last Sunday I get an email from her telling me my manuscript had been placed in a wrong pile & she did in fact want me as a client & would I be interested in her representing me. Of course I was & I emailed the next morning telling her I'd be happy to discuss the options with her (as she wanted to do with me). Maybe I'm overanxious but I haven't heard back yet. Should I email her again just to make sure she got my reply, should I call,(she left me a phone number) or should I just wait a little longer?

I look forward to your replies. I am anxious but don't want to be overbearing.

Thanks :)

I know a week seems a long time, but I'd wait (yeah guys, I'm actually saying this).

The only other advice I can offer is to copy and paste your question as a new thread in the "Ask Nathan" forum.

Good Luck :)

Thanks Watcher55! :)

I think asking Nathan is a good idea, but I'll tell you that I had some red flags come up after reading what you wrote.

From what I've heard, most agents are very excited to take on a new client, and call rather than write, and get back to them fairly quickly.

This agent....just some red flags. Don't forget, you are putting your work in their hands. Is this agent going to lose y stuff, not respond to messages, take forever to submit your work to publishers? I'm not saying they will, but I'd think about it.

The wrong agent is a terrible thing. And if you've received one offer, that means you've got something pretty marketable there. I might really slow down and do some research on this agent, so I could make a thoughtful decision. It's tempting to jump fast, but this is a business decision, and it's best to make those carefully.

But those are just all my thoughts. I hope I didn't dash cold water, and I might be completely off base, but, just some stuff to think about.

And, btw, congratulations on your offer! :)

Mira wrote:I think asking Nathan is a good idea, but I'll tell you that I had some red flags come up after reading what you wrote.

I have to admit I had the same reaction when I first read this. Just make sure you've checked the agent out on the Predators and Editors website to make sure they are legit, and congratulations on your offer of rep. :)

Thanks Down the Well & Mira for taking the time for my question & the congratulations! When I queried her, I did check her out & I just doubled checked after your post. She's a new agent with a recent sell to a major royalty publisher. Maybe I should give her a couple more days before emailing or calling her?

littlebrownbird wrote:When I queried her, I did check her out & I just doubled checked after your post. She's a new agent with a recent sell to a major royalty publisher. Maybe I should give her a couple more days before emailing or calling her?

Glad to hear it. And, yeah, maybe just try being patient for a few more days. If it were me, I would probably wait until Monday to try again, but I tend to be kind of laissez faire about these things. If you don't get a response to a second e-mail, I don't know. :/


*edited 'cause I can't spell

Thanks, Down the Well! :) I'll wait a few more days & hopefully this will all work out.

If she gave you her number you should call her. It's not a bad idea to speak to her before you sign anyway, and I'm surprised she hasn't called you. Agents usually like to sound you out before signing. But she won't mind a quick phone call if she has already offered to represent you and it'll put your mind at rest.

From what I understand, most agents tend to call rather than write when they are interested in a new client. This, along with the waiting and the losing of your manuscript, would make me a little nervous. Personally I'd do more digging and researching on her and her clients. I'd also pay pretty close attention to how the rest of your conversations go. Try to push the over excited nervous feeling you've got aside and concentrate on your gut feeling. I think most people have pretty telling gut feelings if they listen.

Poptart & Sommer Leigh, thanks for taking the time for me! I've had such great suggestions on this form. This might be hopeful thinking but do you think the weather might have anything to do with it? If & when I do talk to her I will take your suggestion Sommer Leigh and go with my gut. Thanks EVERYONE! I will visit more often & hopefully I too can help someone! I will keep you all posted on what happens. Wish me Luck!! :)

littlebrownbird wrote: This might be hopeful thinking but do you think the weather might have anything to do with it? If & when I do talk to her I will take your suggestion Sommer Leigh and go with my gut.

Could be the weather. Agents can be very busy at times, and some are not as well organised as others. Absolutely go with your gut - you'll find it easier to form an opinion of her talking on the phone. Don't be afraid to call, she won't be annoyed and if it's not convenient you can arrange another time that is.

Best of luck! :)

Thanks Poptart! I will do. I'll make the call & let you all know what happens. :)

Thanks everyone!! I got an email today from her and she wanted to set up a time we could talk on the phone. Looks like next Wednesday morning it is. I'll keep you posted. Wish me luck!! :)

Congratulations again!

And in case you haven't seen this already, here's a link with some suggestions on what to ask your prospective agent when you talk on the phone. :)

http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2010/ ... agent.html