#offers of representation

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I queried an agent who seemed like a decent fit, and she requested my full, yay! Then I did more research and found some red flags. On the off chance she comes back with an offer of rep, is it bad form to use this offer to entice other agents, knowing I might not take her up on it? And if no one else bites and I turn her down, does this ruin my chances to send future queries to those agents I notified (with a new ms, obv)? Will it seem like I made it up for attention?! Thank you!

I feel like, wait until this actually happens, and then IF she offers - talk to her. Maybe she's actually awesome and those red flags aren't what you imagine. Who knows?

After you talk to her, you'll have a better sense of what to do. If you're gut is telling you, hey, she might be the one, she really gets me and the book, etc -- go ahead and nudge the other agents, tell them you have an offer -- and if one (or more!) of them happens to also offer, great you can make your decision, and if none of them do, hey, you have an agent.

IF your gut is telling you NO DICE and you know that you won't take her up on it even if she's the only one who offers - it's better to just decline her offer with thanks ("I've decided to go in another direction, but thank you so much for the kind words" or something), and not treat it as an offer of rep that triggers a nudge to all the other agents.

Because the thing is, when you nudge them and say "I have an offer" - you are basically telling them, "please DROP EVERYTHING and read this right now" - which sounds good, right? But in fact, if they are super busy and unable to drop everything right now, this will make them more inclined to say "no thank you, sounds like you have a great offer, best of luck" and step aside.

Basically - I HAVE AN OFFER is a big red button. I personally would only push it for a legitimate offer. Because while it MIGHT lead to other offers - it will almost definitely also lead to fast declines. And it would be hard and embarrassing to go back to people afterward and be like "whoopsie, false alarm, lol!" - so you've effectively hobbled that manuscript.

(Though yes, you could go back to them with a new ms, as you say, and just, "that ended up not working out" it.)

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Hi Jennifer! I received an offer of rep for Book B, but still have queries/materials out for Book A. What's the best way to compose the 'notice of offer' email to the Book A agents?

“I’m writing to let you know that I have an offer of representation; in fact, though, the offer is for a different manuscript! I have pasted a bit about the second book below. If you have any interest in book A OR you’d like to see more about book B, can you let me know? I’ve told the offering agent that I need a couple of weeks to make my decision.”

Congrats and good luck!

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If you get an offer from an agent, would you let another agent you queried know that didn't even form reject? Like a house that if you don't hear from us in 6 weeks, consider it a pass? I queried an agent beginning of May and it's now mid July. Should I bother? .

I would, just because why not? Maybe they are just hella behind -- and it’s two minutes out of your day to send the email. Worst that can happen is they ignore it or pass - both of which they were already kinda doing! Best case, they ARE interested, and now they have a chance!

(Unless of course you are set on taking the offer that you have, or you know you don’t want them even if they were to offer, in which case, I guess don’t bother!)