What can I do when my agent doesn't respond?

[yellerpup]

I signed with her 9-1/2 years ago when I began writing novels. I had three plays published at that time and my writing was strong enough to attract (2) Oscar winning actors. When I submitted my first book, the agent set me up with a star-maker editor in May, 2001. I met the editor over the $200 lunch, during which time I pitched my next project. At the end of lunch it was agreed that I would submit the first 50 pages of the second novel and have it to her by Labor Day and at that time we would make a two-book deal. Quote: "I will have a contract to you by August, September at the latest." I met my deadline, but then there was the WTC attack, anthrax scares, the Bush administration lies and nine months later I was told that "No one wants to hear about the dark side of the American family any more. But, if you have anything onAfghanistan...."

I finished the second book in 2003. It was sent to the same editor in 2004 and she held onto it for a year before losing interest. During this time I literally begged my agent to send it to others as giving the 'star-maker' an exclusive had never worked in my favor. I begged for help because I had a serious health problem that nearly caused me to starve to death before I was operated on in 2007.

Last August, I finished my third novel and it happens to be the one that means the most to me. I considered trying to find a different agent but since the agent I already have is world famous, I knew I would be fu#%ed if I fired her. So, now almost a year later and I've had only two conversations with her. The first conversation was when she told me that she liked the book and in the second all she would tell me is, "we've gotten a couple of noes," and that publishers "are using every excuse in the book not to buy." She has not responded to my emails (3 since last August) requesting an update on my novel's status (and thanking her for the work that she has done on my behalf). Two weeks ago, I left a message on her answering machine asking her where she's sent it, whether or not she is still sending it out, who said no, and whether she has received any comments that would be helpful to me in rewriting. I might as well be invisible. I suspect she doesn't want to update me because she isn't sending it out, but I don't know that for a fact. Getting a top tier agent is very hard; getting rid of one who isn't performing is scary.

Any suggestions?

[SheilaT]

1. If she's not communicating with you,

and doing little or nothing to get your work published, you really, really ought to find another agent. Okay, so she's world famous, but surely there are more than three or four agents in the entire world.

Heck, submit your work to another agent under a different name. Being so scared of the agent that you won't stand up for yourself is hardly in your best interest.

[yellerpup]

2. Thanks, ShielaT.

I do feel that I have been too passive for too long. I don't know what she's doing to get me published and I am fed up with being ignored. True, there are lots of agents in the world but I'm not sure I want to go to the back of that line again. I put 'the call' in after I posted here and although I'd rather eat dirt than have a confrontation, I know that the relationship is not working and will have to be dissolved. I've never thought of submitting under a pseudonym, though. You are obviously correct that I need to consider my own best interest first and not be such a weakling about it all. I appreciate the advice.

[SheilaT]

3. You're welcome.

I've had some very, very minor (emphasis on the minor) experience with publishing, although never with any agents. And in every aspect of everything I see people terrified to speak up for themselves, which only gives power over to others.

Hope this all works out well. I do know that it can take an incredibly long time for publication, even after something has been accepted. But I hope you can pass good news to us very soon.

[yellerpup]

4. First things first,

I love your sigline.

She is not my first agent and this is not my first experience being disappointed with representation. The last time I spoke up for myself and dissolved a relationship with an agent who had produced nothing for me (after six years) I was slapped down so hard that I couldn't get another agent for a decade, and when I did it was because I had changed disciplines and was writing novels instead of plays. By the way, it was only after landing multiple play productions, placing as a finalist in many national playwriting contests, and being published as a playwright that I was able to attract an agent. For novels, it takes a major agent to get you into the 'bigs' because major publishers do not look at unrepresented manuscripts. I think this is part of the problem. I am positive that there is a publisher out there who would love to have my book, but I'm thinking that the agent has set up an all or nothing scenario where a deal that would be acceptable to me is not nearly fat enough for her.

Thanks very much for your good wishes and I do hope to be able to pass on good news soon. I'd like to hear of your successes (or heartbreaks) too, so don't be a stranger. :hi: