Agent protocol after an agent has suggested changes
Posted: December 27th, 2011, 3:02 am
One of my dream agents got back to me with some suggested changes to my novel. The changes are all sound. Most of them are just to improve the story and one of them is to make it more commercial. It's the commercial one that has me worried. While it's a relatively simple change it alters the story dramatically and I can see already that it will change the direction of my writing, and not in a way I necessarily want to go, or can even sustain.
However, that's a nice problem to have. I've agreed to look at the changes and see what I can do. She hasn't promised anything, and I understand that even if I make the changes there's no guarantee she'll take me on. Equally, I may decide that I can't write the way she wants me to.
It's taken us six months to get this far, via occasional emails, and it will take time to work in her recommended changes properly.
My question is, given the above what is the etiquette? Do I stop sending the novel out to other agents until she says no (or maybe yes, or maybe I say no)? She hasn't asked for an exclusive, but have I effectively given her one by agreeing to look at her recommended changes?
Thanks
However, that's a nice problem to have. I've agreed to look at the changes and see what I can do. She hasn't promised anything, and I understand that even if I make the changes there's no guarantee she'll take me on. Equally, I may decide that I can't write the way she wants me to.
It's taken us six months to get this far, via occasional emails, and it will take time to work in her recommended changes properly.
My question is, given the above what is the etiquette? Do I stop sending the novel out to other agents until she says no (or maybe yes, or maybe I say no)? She hasn't asked for an exclusive, but have I effectively given her one by agreeing to look at her recommended changes?
Thanks