How to Tell Agent #2 You're Leaving Agent #1
Thursday, July 29, 2010 Question of the day: As a follow-up to your last blog, when you went out to find a new agent, did you say that you'd previously been repped?
Yes, in my situation, I thought it would only help my cause to let other agents know that someone else out there had deemed me worthy enough for representation. I can't remember the exact wording that I used, but I believe I said something like, "My previous manuscript received a lot of very positive feedback from publishers and came close to an offer on several occasions, but ultimately, went unpublished. At this point, with my new manuscript, my agent and I have mutually - and amicably - agreed that it's best for me to find representation elsewhere in hopes of finding a slightly better fit."
Why say this? Well, as I alluded to above, I think that other agents understand that sometimes, the relationship simply isn't a good fit, but that at one point, you had a product that met a certain criteria - in this case, it passed the agent sniff test. I also wanted to let these potential new agents know that I'd been through the rounds with a quality manuscript that had gotten some very kind responses. Is this always the right move? I can't say. But I knew that I was querying with a stronger manuscript than the previous one, so I did indeed want to let them know that while I came close last time, I knew I would nail it this time.
When shopping for a new agent, I do think it's important not to throw your other agent under the bus. I never bad-mouthed agent #1 (it's a small world), but did make it clear we weren't a good fit. Agents understand that and forgive that and really don't take issue with that. I also went back out to agents who had come close to signing me with the first book. Ultimately, I didn't end up signing with one of them, but I got much faster reponses - and many more requests for fulls/partials from them - than I did with my blind queries.
So that's how I went about the hunt for agent #2. Anyone else have words of wisdom about how to let these new agents know that you've broken up with agent #1?
Reader Comments (5)
Nicely worded. Hopefully I won't have to experience this, but it's good to know how to handle it.
Thanks for answering my question! :D
Interesting. I hope I won't have this issue, but it's nice to know there's hope if I do!
I took a different approach. I didn't mention the previous representation until later in the process, I think actually when my new agent offered to rep me? I don't remember exactly. So, she knew, but not when I was querying. However, I didn't have such a positive submission report to give as you did, Allison. No very-close calls or anything.
The new agent and I eventually talked in detail about the responses I'd received for older manuscripts: what was said, and by whom. That impacted the submission strategy for the new book.
But I didn't mention it at the query stage because it didn't seem germane. Brand new work and a fresh start, I figured.
And when we did discuss it, it was in amicable and positive terms. As you said, sometimes it just doesn't work out.
When I was looking for agent #2 I did that thing you're never supposed to do and quoted from my rejection letters. "I was previously represented by an agent for a different book, and while our contract expired with no sales, editors said 'flattering X' and 'awesome new voice of Z'." Sadly, Agent #2 (and book #2) also didn't work out, but luckily, Agent #3 is the bee's knees. My debut novel is actually book #4.
When you're quering for a new agent with a book that hasn't been shopped, I think mentioning the previous agent is totally up to you. (Allison's and Kristina's approach are both eminently reasonable.) But if you are looking for a new agent for the same book, it's only fair to mention up front if the book has already been shown to editors, which means mentioning the previous representation as well.
Echo the "never badmouth - it's a small world" advice too. SUCH a small world.