It can seem unfair that a literary agent asks for exclusive submission, which to the aspiring author can seem like sheer pigheadedness. However, the following recent experience may give you some idea as to why they ask for it.An agent I was working for had sent me unsolicited manuscripts to look at. I thought one of them showed real promise.
We contacted the author, saw the complete manuscript and entered into a dialogue with her. We felt the novel needed some work, so we recommended an editorial advisor, gave some suggestions, and waited for the author to do a rewrite.
When she sent the MS in again, I re-read it and wrote a report, which I sent to the agent, who also re-read it. Between us we decided the work was strong enough to take on and that we could start approaching publishers. However when the agent contacted the author, she said she was sorry – hoped we didn't mind – but that she'd also been in touch with a different agent, who was now taking her on!
The agent I had been working with had spent something like two days of her time – unpaid – and used a good day's worth of my time (paid) to consider this work, only to be told there was someone else in the running.
It may seem unkind to ask for exclusivity – but it's good business practice, especially at those early stages.
Cressida Downing
Laura K on September 17, 2009
Hi Cressida.
It's really interesting to learn that agents broker consultants such as yourself to read work, I have to say I have always worried that manuscripts may not receive attention due to the volume received daily. Do you work for multiple agencies and do all agencies employ professionals such as yourself?
As an aspiring author, my intention would be to do a blanket submission to all appropriate agents, wait for inevitable rejections but keep working my way through the list until someone picks it up. At this precise moment, I feel that should anyone realise the merit of my work I would fling myself into their literary arms and handcuff myself to them, with no intention of straying from their side! But I've read that while agents can demand exclusivity, there is much to consider from the author's point of view including fees, level of representation and even compatibility of personalities! I do understand your point though, but was your client able to offer a better 'package' to tempt the author back?
Thank you!
P.S Any chance I can sent my lovely manuscript straight to you?!!!
Cressida Downing on September 17, 2009
Hi Laura K,
Answering your questions as best as I can - most agencies do read unsolicited manuscripts. Some employ professional readers (like myself), while others divide the pile up between the staff in the agency.
With a huge volume of post, a manuscript may not be looked at for long, but the agents (and their staff) are used to assessing for what they want very quickly - so please don't worry that your work isn't getting properly considered.
Authors do need to consider whether a particular agent is right for them, and once you get an offer, the Society of Authors is a good place to get advice on a possible contract - as well as getting information from the Writers' & Artists' Yearbook of course!
In the case I was describing, the author went with the other agent. Unlike a published author, who sometimes gets fought over by different publishers, it's pretty much accepted that it's the author's choice at this stage, so my agent wouldn't have got involved any further.
I hope that answers some of your questions - and good luck with your submissions!
Best regards,
Cressida
Sid Sidi on September 18, 2009
I agree with the point that no one wants to waste time on something like that. But looking at it from the prospective writer's point of view, if she had some doubts as to being signed on, that might have prompted her to take up a better offer.
For someone who's been waiting a long time for something positive to come out of one's efforts, its not far off to lose hope and sign up to what's on hand. I dont agree with exclusivity- it seems unfair to be waiting endlessly for an agent who sometimes may seem to hold your future in their hands.
Paul Lamb on September 18, 2009
Frankly, I think you have to consider it the cost of doing business. The writer is the one with the most to lose in this exchange. It's a buyer's market, and the writer has strong incentive to make multiple submissions. I think it may be a bit arrogant to expect a writer to give an agency an exclusive solely for the agency's convenience and expense.
Andrea Hicks on September 18, 2009
Hi Cressida,
I think the problem for most aspiring authors is timing. It takes so long to write a novel from draft to manuscript stage that we become impatient, myself included. And from the tale that you tell about an author choosing one publisher over another, time is money, for agents, readers and for publishers as well. It's so easy to get carried away with the creative process of the craft of writing a novel (and the dreams that go with it) that I think we forget that publishing is a commercial enterprise. The basis of that enterprise is money, particularly with the difficult period we are all encountering at the moment. When I was writing both my novels I felt that the timing was perfect but the process of finding an agent is a lengthy and often fruitless one and I can honestly say that I didn't once think about how much time and money it would cost an agent to read my manuscripts. Agents and publishers operate in the same way as every other business and I'm afraid we have to be realistic. The bottom line pays the bills and as writers I guess we have to be the best we can be to be part of the business of publishing. Personally, I would rather do my research thoroughly and make sure that my manuscript was sent to an agent most likely to consider my work. I feel by doing this I'm giving myself the best chance of being published.