down on the farm

[Sadie]

This question has probably been asked before, but I keep wondering if agents "farm out" manuscripts to per dium readers, college kids, secretaries, etc. to ease their heavy load. I must say I wouldn't blame them provided they can rely on the opinion of others, people who share the same tastes and who are knowledgeable and well read. Can they afford to do this? I would think so.

[Gary Kessler]

Don't know about agents, but publishers do.

[Alex O'Malley]

A major agency recently gave my query to a sub agent who requested the full ms. I guess that's farming out.

Alex

[Lisel]

Don't know about reading whole manuscripts but it's not always agents who read our queries. I've seen many job postings seeking college interns to read queries.

Lisel

[KBG]

A couple of agents actually e-mailed me to let me know that their assistants had read my MS and really liked it, and that they were eager to read it and would be in touch soon. Of course, soon thereafter I got the old "can see why my assistant liked it so much, BUT . . " letter.

[Noreen]

My agent's junior associate's reaction to my novel is the reason I got a contract.

[donajax]

Here's a grisly anecdote:

I received a call from an agent. "We read your book. It was so wonderful. Everyone thought it was great. We'll be calling you in the next couple of days to discuss representation." The rollercoaster leaves the station and I am wild with happiness. I am used to xeroxed letters, post-it notes that say: "Not for us." I am not accustomed to real-time chat with busy NY agents.

I waited. Weeks later, I called the agency and was told that an (overly) enthusiastic assistant had read the book and called before the principal agent had even seen it. The rollercoaster comes grinding back into the station. It was, however, on her desk, and she was looking forward to reading it. No decision was imminent.

Writing is the easy part. It's what comes after thats hard.