Simultaneous submissions

[Teatime]

Hi all,

Did a search for this and couldn't find a thread devoted to it; apologies if I've missed something.

I've noticed some agents say they don't want simultaneous submissions, or would like to be informed if I am submitting to other agents as well.

Firstly, if an agent says they would like to be informed of a simultaneous submission, does that basically mean 'We don't like it and your chances with us are greatly improved if you don't do it'? Or is it as they say - just a note to let them know, so things are clear?

Secondly, what IS a simultaneous submission? It seems - to me - that it is slightly unfair on an author to ask them to send their speculative letters and sample chapters out to one agent at a time, when that would mean it would take years to contact a decent number of agents (assuming, say, on average, a month's reading time).

However, it could mean that, when a manuscript is requested (after a speculative enquiry and sample), they would prefer it if I didn't send off the manuscript to other agents while they consider whether they want to represent me or not. Is this the case?

Thanks a lot,

Jon

[Havlen]

If it only says "simultaneous submission" without any further definition or clarification in the context, I would assume it means multiple submissions to the same agent. I would assume this because wanting to be informed of or limiting submissions to multiple agents isn't at all the standard (at least in the states) and, in fact, is extremely rare. (Note: This is for queries. Asking for exclusives on manuscript submissions is not rare.)

If they are spelling out that they won't take queries that have been submitted to multiple agents or want to be informed of it, I'd put them at the bottom of my list.

Again, my experience is mainly with US agents.

[Tirellan]

Originally Posted by Teatime

However, it could mean that, when a manuscript is requested (after a speculative enquiry and sample), they would prefer it if I didn't send off the manuscript to other agents while they consider whether they want to represent me or not. Is this the case?

No. This is an exclusive. Something which some agents request when requesting further material.

In answer to your original question, my take on it is that 'no simultaneous submissions' means the agent concerned wants exclusivity with the initial query - which is pretty damn ridiculous.
I disregarded such requests and send them a query anyway

[Teatime]

Thanks for your replies: specifically I am looking at Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency, here:
(I can't post the web address as I don't have 15 posts yet, but it's www dot carolinesheldon dot co dot uk, under the debut authors section.)

"The Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency is always looking out for exciting projects by debut authors in both adult and children’s books, but out of the enormous amount we see, we select very few. There are occasions when we make detailed editorial suggestions and comments but we only do so when we see real promise in the work. We do not charge a reading fee.

We endeavour to reply to all submissions within 4 weeks. We prefer to see work exclusively but if you are submitting to other agents at the same time please advise us."

To me, this last bit implies that they want (or prefer) exclusivity on the initial query (+ three chapter sample) - which, as you said, seems ridiculous. Or, 'exclusivity' may mean as you explained - reading the full work exclusively, when and if they request it, which is more reasonable.

Maybe my best bet is to simply ask them! I just don't want to ask a stupid question, heh.

Thanks.

[Tirellan]

Big difference between UK and US agents - UK agents you can phone and ask them.
Don't phone US agents - ever - unless they specifically say to.

[Havlen]

Originally Posted by Teatime

Thanks for your replies: specifically I am looking at Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency, here:

I'd say that is rather clear that they prefer an exclusive for the initial package, but I don't think it is going to hurt your chances any if you add to the end of your query "I am in the process of querying other literary agents" (or however you want to word it).

The biggest rule of thumb when submitting to Publishers and Editors: In the end, it is going to be your manuscript that decides it. For everything else, you just want to make sure it doesn't keep them from reading the manuscript.

[Havlen]

Originally Posted by Tirellan

Big difference between UK and US agents - UK agents you can phone and ask them.
Don't phone US agents - ever - unless they specifically say to.

I actually made the mistake of calling a (US) agent once. Didn't know a thing about how to get an agent, and I called after 4 months had gone by and hadn't heard anything about my submission. (It was a requested partial.) Just called to verify they received it, and ended up having a small conversation with who I thought was an assistant but turned out to be a junior agent -- woops. She was very nice though.

[Teresa Edgerton]

"Simultaneous submission" means submitting to more than one agent (or editor) at the same time. My advice is that if they say they don't want to see simultaneous submissons, don't try to pull something over on them. You're trying to establish a mutually respectful working relationship with someone; why would you start out by being dishonest?

Choosing which agents to send your work to should involve a lot more than their willingness to look at simultaneous submissions or their speed in getting back to you. The right agent can make a huge difference in your career. It's not about "how many agents can I submit to and get responses from in the shortest amount of time," it's about finding someone who a) believes in your writing, b) has the right sort of contacts and experience to get your work into the hands of the editors most likely to be impressed by it, and c) if a contract is offered, will know the ins-and-outs of the business well enough to get you the best possible deal (which may lie in details you would never think of yourself).

The best agents tend to be in demand, and may be a little more fussy when it comes to simultaneous submissions. On the other hand, sometimes established agents will leave an agency they've been working for, start out on their own, and for a while be much more open to new authors, more willing to look at simultaneous submissions. There may also be other factors that determine whether they want exclusivity or not. It will pay off in the long run if you can gain an idea of what those factors are, and take them into consideration in your own planning.

If there are several agents who (after you have done a little research) seem otherwise comparable, by all means send to the ones who will look at simultaneous submissions first. But don't base your whole decision of where to send your manuscript first (or next) on this one thing; that would be extremely short-sighted.

[Peter Graham]

I don't really think as agent has the right to insist that an author gives them exclusivity on an unsolicited submission and I don't see how it is dishonest to ignore any such request on an agent's website/submisison guidelines. There is no relationship between the parties at this stage, after all.

Publishing and getting published is a business - for the writer as much as the agent/publisher. Aspiring writers are constantly told how few unsolicited manuscripts get off the slush pile and into print and how small the chances are of getting accepted by an agent or publisher - the usual refrain runs along the lines of "we get three million unsolicited manuscripts a day of which we accept approximately one every hundred years."

On top of that, it can take weeks or even months to get the bog standard rejection letter back. So, if you gave exclusivity on an unsolicited submission, you could easily be reduced to sending out as few as six packs a year. Which means that you would be about 307 before the odds fell your way and someone asked to see more!

I'm being deliberately flippant, of course, but I do believe that an agent or publisher can only reasonably expect exclusivity at the point they have actually read the submission and asked to see more. I can see why some might push it and ask for exclusivity on day one, but I don't see why that should be granted by the writer. I also note that the vast majority of agents and publishers do not ask for exclusivity at that first stage, which I hope means that I am on the right lines here.

Regards,

Peter

[John Jarrold]

If you aren't happy with an agent's stated terms, don't contact them.

[Teatime]

It is good advice about selecting agents carefully - this may limit the people I submit to, but maybe it is worth doing that.

With the Caroline Sheldon agency, and the quote I put above, do people agree that it seems to mean that they want exclusivity on the initial query letter? (I know Havlen does). They also say they 'prefer' it to be exclusive - again, is that generally a sign that your chances are improved if you keep it exclusive to them?

Alternatively, I think maybe I should just contact them for clarification.

[John Jarrold]

I think Havlen and Caroline mean the package of the novel submitted should be exclusive preferably, not just the letter.

[Havlen]

Yeah, I don't think anyone asks for an exclusive on a query letter. I can also say that -- at least with US-based SF/F agents -- asking for an exclusive on an initial package is extremely rare. And, if I recall correctly, Miss Snarks called it downright rude. (And I agree with her on that.)

Now, Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency isn't requiring it to be an exclusive, so my advice would be to decide whether or not you want to send it to them exclusively and and then mark your query package appropriately. I don't really think it would hurt your chances either way.

If you do decide to give them an exclusive, I would suggest only doing it for a set period of time. Something like 2-3 weeks or perhaps a month. Generally speaking, when being asked for an exclusive, you want to set a deadline to keep it from being open ended.

[Teatime]

I much prefer the idea of sending the query letter with the three sample chapters - which appears to be the thing they prefer to be exclusive - as a non-exclusive, and marking it as such. It does seem slightly unreasonable, unless I'm missing something, to want to have this initial package, before any sort of relationship has been established, to be exclusive. Before I even know if they're interested in finding out more.

I just don't want to hurt my chances with them, as I quite like the sound of the agency otherwise.
Logically, 95% of it will be determined on the strength of the manuscript, but that 5% could make a difference. Meh.

[Havlen]

I agree, it is quite unreasonable. It is a matter of the agent putting many, many times more value on their own time than on your time. And considering they are in a position of power, so to speak, I think it is an abuse of that power.

Again, this is for asking for exclusives on the initial contact alone. Asking for an exclusive *after* initial contact is another beast entirely and totally within the bounds of reason.

But asking for it on the initial package -- considering that it usually takes weeks if not months for an agent to reply -- and considering that an agent can reject the vast majority of queries within 5 minutes -- Simply put, I think it speaks volumes for how the agent regards writers in general. (i.e. doesn't regard them very highly at all.)

That's just my opinion, of course. I was glad to see Miss Snarks echo my sentiments a couple of years back. I also hope it remains something very rare.

(I'll also add that I am speaking of those who 'require' the initial package to be exclusive. Those who simply 'prefer' it -- like Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency -- I don't mind at all. They've put it in the hands of the author.)