Nathan Bransford - The Forums

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?

Do they work at the same agency?

CV

Hillsy wrote: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!

CharleeVale wrote:Do they work at the same agency?

CV

Yeah they are, CV

HillaryJ wrote: 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...

Hillsy wrote:

CharleeVale wrote: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

Hillsy wrote:

HillaryJ wrote: 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.

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!