My name is Geoff. I'm from Toronto, Canada.
I am preparing to write - should I say: petrified, and avoiding the first chapter - a narrative non-fiction book. It is a biography, that will only sell in England (if it were to sell at all!?). I have e-queried 10-12 agents and London, and have received some favourable responses. Three asked me to send the full proposal.
I realize they're just covering their bases - committing to nothing - but it got me a little excited, all the same.
I hope to mail the complete proposal very soon. But I have a question: would it be inappropriate & presumptuous to request a meeting? You see, I'll be in London in September. Unless a huge advance arrives, it may be the only time I can afford the trip over.
Any advice on this touchy situation? Or any advice on how to land a trans-continental deal?
Thanks in advance.
Geoff

I don't know - but common sense seems to say, if you're talking to them on the phone anyway, you could suggest it. But in a very laid-back sort of way. You could just tell them that you won't be back over for a while, so this is a chance for you to meet up if they think that would be useful to them. I mean, they'll just say "no, thanks" if they don't want to. Surely it's only pushy if you keep nagging after they've said no?

Hm, tricky one. I suspect your instinct is right that nothing sets up agents' backs more than anything that smells of, 'I would like to make an appointment to pitch this to you' - specially among reticent hard-sell-allergic Brits - but it does seem too good a chance to pass up altogehter.

Given the situation, I'd agree with Ms Steerpike that there can't be much harm in saying something like, 'I know it's fairly short notice but as it happens I'll be in London in September, and if you feel it would be useful for us to meet, do let me know.' That way they don't feel cornered - you've acknowledged that the timing may not be right for their processes, and given them a polite get-out - but they know that if they are interested enough to want to meet, this is their best chance. The now-or-never (or not for ages, anyway) is perhaps best left implicit, unless they actually ask, 'when will you be here again?'

Very good luck with it!

Emma