Does a partial violate exclusivity?

[Finch]

Here's the sitch: Agent #1 has an exclusive on my MS. Agent #2 just answered a query, requesting a partial: 100 pp. Do I violate exclusivity if I send the partial?

My letter to Agent #1 said the "submission" is exclusive, but didn't get into more detail. Obviously, I still feel free to send queries, including queries w/ sample text (3pp, 1 chap., 3 chaps, etc.). But a partial?

Would love any advice.

[Anya]

Did you agree on a length of time during which you would honor the exclusive with Agent #1?

[Dave Kuzminski, Preditors and Editors]

If you promised exclusivity, then you should abide by that for the stated period.

Any amount less than the whole is a partial. If you're already sending out 3pp, 1 chap, or 3 chaps, then you've already violated that exclusivity.

[Anya]

Dave is right.

If you haven't discussed a length of time for the exclusive, I would contact Agent #1 and tell her that you have someone else intrested in reading the ms. Be sure to be honest and you won't go wrong.

Best of luck!

[Finch]

I did specify a length of time. I'm just wondering if I can send the partial before it's up.

I'm not sure I understand your point about samples sent with queries, Dave. There were already several queries out by the time Agent #1 requested the exclusivity--some w/ a sample chap or even 3. I couldn't call those queries BACK. Agent #1 knew other queries had gone out, because my queries all said "multiple submission." So agents must expect that other agents have queries, possible with sample text, at the point exclusives are granted, right? (BTW, love your site.)

So, I was wondering if a partial is much different from a sample sent w/ a query. Do I have your answer?

[Jordie]

Send the partial. I don't consider an exclusive to be an exclusive on anything but the full MS.

Exclusives NEVER benefit the author.

[Dave Kuzminski]

Okay, you're revealing information that changes the scenario. If your query advised the agent that it was a multiple query, it stands to reason that the agent should expect the others to have just as much with their queries as he received. I'd be leary about sending out anything more than that after granting exclusivity. Still, he may regard the full manuscript as what he has exclusivity over. So long as you follow that pattern and don't send anything to someone else in his shop, there's a good chance that you won't suffer any repercussions.

Also, Jordie is right about one thing. Exclusives rarely benefit the author, if ever.

[Minnie Mouse]

I'm on that train--

exclusives=bad

[Finch]

Thanks, all!

[Brady Boyd]

I agree with Jordie. Agent #1 wanted your full manuscript, and wanted it exclusively. If you send out 2000 partials, Agent #1 still has what he asked for exclusively--your full manuscript.

Brady Boyd