You know her, Right?

[Hillsy]

My aimless maulings at the internet haven't turned anything up so guess the "group mind" of the Bransforum is next.

Got a rejection of a partial. No Biggie. But in it she mentioned it might be worth querying one of her fellow agents (because of genre fit). Ok, cool......

Question is: When query said agent, should I mention the first agent pointed me that way, or just treat it as a fresh start? Anyone had this problem/come across advice on how to approach it?

[CharleeVale]

Do they work at the same agency?

CV

[HillaryJ]

Question is: When query said agent, should I mention the first agent pointed me that way, or just treat it as a fresh start? Anyone had this problem/come across advice on how to approach it?

Sorry about the rejection, Hillsy.

I would probably mention it, in a casual way such as: "I was given your name by [ ]" and then launch into the query pitch.

Nothing formal or indicating it was a recommendation or that you're besties with the other agent, but enough to catch her eye.

Good luck!

[Hillsy]

Do they work at the same agency?

CV

Yeah they are, CV

[Hillsy]

Sorry about the rejection, Hillsy.

I would probably mention it, in a casual way such as: "I was given your name by [ ]" and then launch into the query pitch.

Nothing formal or indicating it was a recommendation or that you're besties with the other agent, but enough to catch her eye.

Good luck!

S'ok....rejection is good...got to the partial stage so I can't complain too much...hehe

I thought something along the same lines, but then there's the thing about never mentioning rejections on a query I'm sure I've read before. Hence the quandry I'm in...

[CharleeVale]

Do they work at the same agency?

CV

Yeah they are, CV

Then I definitely don't think that a small mention of the referral is out of place. I'm surprised the agent didn't just forward the query on. I hear they do a lot of that. But yeah, I don't think it's a problem to mention it. Probably more of a good thing.

CV

[HillaryJ]

I thought something along the same lines, but then there's the thing about never mentioning rejections on a query I'm sure I've read before. Hence the quandry I'm in...

I don't think you need to mention the rejection, just say that [agent] mentioned [other agent] as possibly being a good fit. Likely the agents will speak, but that's not unusual. If you are uncomfortable, just do a straight query to the new agent if you like her reputation.

[Mira]

Oh, absolutely mention the referral!!!!

Referrals are very rare, from my understanding. They are not given lightly, because agents are overwhelmed with queries. One co-worker would not frivolously refer to another. That's like giving your co-worker extra work, for no reason.

If this agent read your partial and referred you to her colleague,I don't think it's really a rejection. It means she doesn't represent your genre, but was impressed enough to put her stamp of approval on it.

Go for it - and I'd mention the referral in the very first line!