How long should you wait for an agent to get back to you?

[Divia]

I ask because about a month ago I sent out a manuscript to one of the agents I meet at the conference.

I havent heard a peep back. Not a thanks your manuscript arrived. Not a boo it sucks. Not a good bu tthis needs to be changed. Nothing.

I'm a newbie at this. What should I do? How long should a person wait?

Suggestions?

[Justin Swanton]

It varies from agent to agent, but a good rule of thumb (in my experience) is about 6 weeks to 3 months. Agents have a perpetual backlog of manuscripts to work through besides spending time interacting with editors, their current list of authors, etc.

[DanielAWillis]

I just got a rejection email yesterday from a proposal I sent backin early Jan.

[fljustice]

Did you check the agency's website? Sometimes they post response rates. ("We respond within X weeks" or "If you haven't heard from us by X weeks...") As Justin said, most agents are backlogged and take upto three months to respond. If there are no guidelines posted, It's perfectly okay to send an email after 2-3 months asking if the manuscript was received. I've never had a ms. go astray, but have had s couple of short stories lost in cyber space.

Good luck!

[EC2]

At least 6 weeks and with The London Bookfair just having happened, that may well have delayed matters. Most of the bigger publishing houses will have sent editors to the LBF or thereabouts. It's one of 2 major international trading dates for publishers and if you send in just before the LBF or the Frankfurt Bookfairs, (Frankfurt is early October) expect to increase your waiting time (and join the backlog) even if you are in the States. My USA editor was in London, I know for sure. LBF was about two weeks ago. Agents ditto.
Bottom line is 6 weeks and don't live in hope of an answer basically. I'm telling it how it is.

[Divia]

Thanks for the responses everyone

As i wait I write on the new one and work on the graphic novel.

[DianeL]

One point I've found with most agents is this - if this was an agent you met at a conference, and the manuscript was requested by them, it is important to send with a subject line like "Such-and-Such Conference: Requested Manuscript" or the like, so they can pick it out of the massive influx of incoming email.

Also, if you have met this person and they requested the MSS, it can be acceptable to follow up gently after about a month passes, BRIEFLY, simply to confirm they received the document. If someone liked your pitch or first page(s) enough to request the material, they won't mind your making sure they're able to see more of it.

[parthianbow]

What everyone else said. Bear in mind, that in the UK (and probably in the U.S.), many agents - not agencies - receive about 300 manuscripts per week, or 15,000 per year. Much as it's frustrating for the author, they don't have the time to acknowledge receipt of each one, but as others have said, there's nothing wrong with a polite enquiry after say 6 weeks or so. Good luck.

[Divia]

Rejected.

She said she wasn't interested in the subject(rape) and thinks it is overused. However, others maybe interested in it and I should shop around.

It's good and bad. Also sad. But we've all been there.

Anyway, I'm going to keep writing my new manuscript. Work on the comic and maybe try to submit it to other agents???

[Justin Swanton]

My condolences Divia. I know exactly how you feel having been there myself many times before.

Your agent's comment, that 'she wasn't interested in the subject' hits the nail on the head. You may have a good story that is competently written, but it will simply not please some agents. In fact it will not please any of them except one - the one who accepts it.

Harry Potter had 12 rejections. Day of the Jackal had nearly fifty. You are in good company!