YOU SNOOZE - YOU LOSE

 I recently came across a tweet from an acquisitions editor, who complained about authors who accept an offer of publication or literary representation, but don't inform the other editors/agents they queried.

I might have had some sympathy for this particular individual if I hadn't dealt with her personally.

She solicited a five page sample from me during a PitMad event. I waited patiently for more than three months for a reply. I gave a polite nudge and waited several more weeks for a response. When I heard nothing, I emailed her and withdrew my interest. That got a response within an hour.

An author who had read this editors post responded with "You snooze - you lose." I couldn't have put it better myself.

I think the point of this post is to illustrate that courtesy should flow both ways. If an agent or editor operates a no response equals no interest policy, or keeps an author waiting for an unreasonable amount of time, then they shouldn't expect to be informed of anything.

This is my experience of how a professional editor or agent should behave. I queried an agent with a five page sample, and received a request for more pages plus a synopsis within 48 hours. Within hours of submitting the requested material, I received an email confirming its safe receipt. Two weeks later I received a personalised rejection. This is an agent I would submit to again in the future. 

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