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WM mistake?Agents actively looking ...

edited November 2011 in - WM and WN
Contacted Eve White, as the article states that the agency is currently reading picture books.
This is not the case at the moment.
Thought i'd share just incase anyone is running off to the Post Office with a nicely packeted manuscript ;)

Comments

  • Thanks SL. We've got a full length interview with Eve coming up, in which she says for children's she's concentrating on 8+ at the moment, so probably one to file for later with picture books.
    Apologies for the dead end
  • Just spoken to the Eve White Agency, who've confirmed they're not looking for picture books at the moment - sorry again
  • not a problem, will send my 8+ instead >:)
  • I also read 'actively seeking' as meaning they were open for submissions of women's commercial fiction. The first listed website I tried said they were closed for submissions. I sent my three chapters and synopsis to another one, strictly adhering to their guidelines. This came hurtling back BY RETURN OF POST from an editorial assistant. Not actually 'actively seeking' then. Another website I tried, also listed as actively seeking, was so discouraging I decided not to bother.
    I know you are more likely to be hit by an asteriod than get your submission read by an agent but I think 'actively seeking' is putting it a bit strong.
    Is this information misleading or simply out of date? Sorry to be so disheartening, but each submission cost £2 in postage plus paper, ink and envelopes. These are not made lightly. It would be helpful to know which agents are 'actively seeking' and which are 'closed to submissions'.
  • Problem is the magazine goes by what the agency says at the time. And we all know how quickly things can change.
    But I do wonder if they say this because they think if they don't say it, writers won't consider them and they'll miss out to other agencies?

    But I agree it's annoying and wastes a writer's time.
  • Heya casey,
    I suspect at the time of the article being researched/planned the agents were seeking, OR the info was just lifted from say writers and artists year book.
    Even the very best website isn't that upto date and some data is stagnant.
    Webbo, would it be possible to list agent blog addresses in other such features instead. The onus is on the interested parties to keep tabs on their choosen agents.
  • I have submitted to one, and so far it hasn't come back to me with indecent haste. I was expecting the usual 'no reply', so if I hear nothing, I'll let you know.

    [quote=casey]This came hurtling back BY RETURN OF POST [/quote]
  • I've had rejections from agents come back faster than the speed of light. Even neutrinos can't compete with an agent who decides they don't want your work. In fact... maybe we should ask the physicists to look into this.

    But seriously, good luck pbw and everyone else who's currently submitting to this agent or anywhere else.
  • Re the Eve White agency on page 14 it says do not submit by email but send by post, but if you look at the web site they say they only want email subs and will send any sent by post back or recyle them.
  • pbwpbw
    edited December 2011
    [quote=Rosalie]I've had rejections from agents come back faster than the speed of light. Even neutrinos can't compete with an agent who decides they don't want your work. In fact... maybe we should ask the physicists to look into this.
    [/quote]

    You know what's interesting Rosalie? I'm beginning to form an opinion that if they DO want your work, they come back to you faster than shit off a shovel. I'm taking the view that if you haven't heard within 14 days, you probably haven't lit their fire. In fact, the most courteous rejections I've had, have come back promptly, say within two weeks.

    I think when you don't hear anything at all, that gives you the worst feeling, so what I do now, is if I haven't heard within 12 weeks, I mark them as a rejection on my Submissions Log, and close that file.

    It's the only way. There was only one wedding dress made for Miss Havisham and she's still wearing it.
  • I would concur. All the good responses I've had have come back almost immediately.
  • And here's me thinking no news is good news. Aghhhhhh!
  • I'm sure agents vary Casey.
  • [quote=casey]And here's me thinking no news is good news. Aghhhhhh! [/quote]

    To be honest Casey, I don't think any of us really know how they make their decisions. Each one will do it in their own way, that's for sure.
  • And you can bet there's a lot of socialising at this time of year...:)
  • I have found that publishers sometimes a long time to say yes or no. One told me they liked my submission and sent it to their marketing people, who said no they couldn't sell it, so they rejected it.

    I've had rejections from agents that have taken anything between -3 hours and 1.5 years, and all points between. So I agree - impossible to generalise. Except about the Christmas parties :)
  • I've got three subs of my novel out at the moment and the silence is deafening. I'm just going to forget about them and attempt to enjoy Christmas. :(
  • That's the best policy PBW.
  • Good idea pbw. I'll join you.
  • I too have silence ringing in my ears at the moment! Never mind!
  • Waiting for the soon to be publisher of my first novel getting back to me about a second submission that they've had for 3 weeks - even people who know your work and like it can take a while to respond.

    Submitted crime novel to 2 agents back in May and have heard nothing. Oh the waiting. Spend my whole time waiting for things.
  • Goodluck to those who are waiting....
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