Heyyyy you guys -- I need a pep talk!

[r g]

A Writer,

From your recent posts, your agent's communications style is clearly a sticking point for you. That it's been a sticking point for so long indicates it may just be your agent's style, and that you may not be able to change it.

I'm lucky in that I have a very communicative agent, probably more than she needs to be to keep me happy, and we get along great. But that's just it - if you aren't happy with this agent's level of communication, if your styles don't mesh and haven't since you hooked up, why stay with her? She make be a feisty negotiator with an impressive sales record who is respected by publishers all over NYC. She may be the perfect agent for someone with different communications needs, but for you, it sounds like she falls into the "no agent is better than a bad agent" category if she brings this level of discontent.

It seems there are really only two choices, take her as is because she doesn't seem to change despite your best efforts, or move on.

[Harper]

I don't remember if you have given these details before, so forgive me if you have already told us:

How long as she been your agent?

Has she sent your ms. to any editors yet?

If so, how many, what responses, and how long ago?

If not, and you are working on requested revisions, how long ago did she ask for them and how long have you been working on them, and do you agree with them?

How long have you been unhappy with her?

Is she really that good, sales-wise?

[Kim Seinna]

Speaking as someone who has no agent, I say just keep writing and let your agent handle the business end. Don't worry about her lack of quick responses. Just send her what you need to. Then, move on to another manuscript.

Sounds simple doesn't it? But, I'm not you. Sorry, hope this helps. Good luck!

[Bart Scrivener]

I actually agree with Kim. In the end, your agent *did* email you by the end of the week, or nearly thereafter.

Can you imagine if you told her your revisions would be done in 3 weeks, and it took you 4 instead? Would you be lying?

I'm not in this position, and I'm sure I'd be buzzing with anxiety at this point in your book's trajectory -- but my advice would be to worry less about procedural issues (did she call you and how often), and whip your book into shape. Agents aren't going to 'check in' with you if there's no news. Try to stay focussed on the work, if you can. (And know that there are others out there, like me, who wouldn't mind being in your situation -- i.e., having signed an agent already.)

[June Mason]

I think Cindy Kay gave you the best advice of all. Sounds like you have a very busy agent and if she has a good track record, I'd want to keep her, even if she frustrated the hell out of me. But by following Cindy's advice, you change the dynamic of the relationship and your perception of it.

[BPM BPM]

Am I missing something or is the industry standard your novel's gotta be done before pitching agents? Your novel isn't completed. I'd finish it then worry about the rest.

[A Writer]

This is MY agent I'm talking about; I'm not pitching it to her! And the MS is long finished -- these are revisions.

[A Writer]

Thank you, Sharon -- and yes, that is the conclusion I have finally come to (what an epiphany!) -- focus on the writing. Sometimes I'm just a little slow.......

[A Writer]

Excellent advice, thank you so very much. I have taken your words to heart!!

[A Writer]

To answer your questions:

How long as she been your agent?

We signed in April, 2004

Has she sent your ms. to any editors yet?

I've got 2 separate projects going; a non-fiction, which she has sent to 8 or so editors thus far (all rejections), and the one I'm referring to in this post -- my fantasy novel. She has NOT sent the fantasy MS out yet because she felt that it still needed some tightening up, which is what I am currently working on.

If so, how many, what responses, and how long ago?

(Answered above)

If not, and you are working on requested revisions, how long ago did she ask for them and how long have you been working on them, and do you agree with them?

This has been a point of frustration. We did a second draft that was completed at the end of December and mailed to her in January (I use the term "we" lightly). I heard nothing after I sent it to her, and made the faulty assumption that she had begun to submit. She finally came out and said that it needed more tightening and that she strongly suggested my hiring an independent editor. She wanted to find me "the best of the best" and so spent several weeks making lots of phone calls; however, she came up empty-handed because all of her top picks were booked out for 2 to 3 years with projects. Finally, as of two weeks ago, I made it clear to her that I couldn't spend that kind of money and would like to see if I could "tighten it up" myself. She was in agreement, and that is why I am currently working on these revisions.

How long have you been unhappy with her?

Since around February or so, when I finally discovered that my revised manuscript had been just sitting there doing nothing, and that she hadn't had the decency to tell me that it needed more revisions! Very bad communication at that point. Still, we seem to be back on track right now.

Is she really that good, sales-wise?

I don't have numbers, but there are at least 14 books on Amazon that list her in their acknowledgements with glowing thanks and praise, and I am aware of at least 2 "high profile" clients that she currently represents (one is a TV star and the other one is NOT me!). One of her big successes in the past was a long-running children's fiction series.