Alle answers the question: “Five agents have my manuscript. Now, a small press wants it!”

Does one immediately contact the agents and share this precious info?

Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash

I’m not committed to taking the smaller press deal, so I’m not sure should scare away the agents. What if they feel relieved to have one less thing in their “to read” pile?

Alle sez:

You must contact the agents currently evaluating the book — if for no other reason than your own possible benefit:

1. In an email with the subject line OFFER OF REPRESENTATION, let them know you’ve received an offer — you don’t need to specify further — though that you would prefer to go with them.
2. Give them a date by which you ask for their response.
3. a few days is fine;
4. maybe five if they ask for longer than “a few.”
5. Don’t reveal who made the offer, even if they ask. Just say, “I’m not comfortable sharing that information.”

All this is completely industry-standard and above-board. When I received an offer from a small press, contacting the agents and presses that had the ms. turned that single offer into three offers. Suddenly, I had a choice!

Also: if you are in the Seattle area on Thursday, January 30th, please join me, the other finalist, and the winder of The Nancy Pearl Best Book Award for Literary Fiction.

• We will read, share a bit about our writing process for these winning novels, and answer your questions.
• Ridgecrest Books — right across from The Crest. 512 NE 165th St. Shoreline, WA 98155. (206) 644–7105
• 7–8pm. Book signings before and after.
• FREE FREE FREE — but you can pre-order your book in advance.

Alle placed as a finalist!