Hi everyone,
Would be interested to know what you all think?
I have my first novel being looked at my two agents at present. I would also like to try my hand at sending it to publishers direct, particularly as I had a great response from one on a picture book i sent them in the Summer. Should one wait to hear from the agents first? What is the industry expectation/standard on this?
Debbie

One of the practical problems of submitting to agents and publishers at the same time is that you could well be submitting to the same publishers that an agent would approach. Say it takes you six months for you to find an agent. In that time you may have sent the same novel to all his/her publishing contacts. If they’ve rejected it from you, they’ll wonder what the hell this agent is doing, sending them stuff they’ve already rejected.

Dee

Yes Dee I agree with you. HOwever what about sending another work to publishers direct? Personally I would rather hope that I could work through an Agent but it is just another line of enquiry?

Debbie, it’s a personal choice, but it’s also a well-known fact that direct submissions to mainstream publishers are almost a lost cause. Even supposing you could persuade one to read your work, it would take something like six to nine months before you get a response from them.

You have to make the choice. Personally I wouldn’t combine the two. When I first started seeking an agent I sent out subs to about ten agents at a time, but I didn’t consider submitting anything to publishers at the same time.

Dee

I'd agree with Dee. The last thing you want to have to tell an agent is that publishers have seen it, and you don't want to look as if you're willing to go behind their back. If you've got two agents interested, that's two more than most people! Waiting to hear is incredibly frustrating, but you don't want to muddy the waters. If you don't get anywhere with agents, there's nothing to stop you trying direct submissions to publishers, and forgetting about them for the nine months it'll be before you hear, while you start up the next project.

If your other work is very different, that doesn't mean the same agent - or another in the agency - can't represent it. If they just don't represent children's, or whatever, ask them if they can recommend someone who does. A friend of mine has three agents: one for her plays, one for her children's fiction, and one for her new project which is adult fiction.

Emma

Thanks for this Emma. Useful advice.
I shall just hang on in there for the time being and hope with everything crossed that I have a response!!
Debbie