What Would You Do? Do I wait?

[Rachel Caldecott]

Some time ago (3 April to be precise) I got this email from an agent:
"It sounds intriguing and we look forward to reading your work. We hope to come back to you with our thoughts within a month."

Today is the last working day of April. Do I wait a bit longer or do I ask what's happening?
I'm by nature 2 things. N° 1 An Optimist and N°2 Very Impatient.
By not having heard already surely it must mean that either they haven't read it yet, or they are still considering it - so I should wait.
But... I'm so impatient and this not knowing is driving me nuts!

Please tell me what to do!!!!

 

[Rich.]

"It sounds intriguing and we look forward to reading your work. We hope to come back to you with our thoughts within a month."

That's a standard response, and the key words, regarding the time to get back to you, are We hope.

I'd wait six weeks (from 3 April) and then nudge them if you still haven't heard.

 

[Paul Whybrow]

My attitude is it's better to know now and maybe be disappointed, rather than get your hopes up and suffer a crushing rejection later. Also, if you don't show an interest in your writing, why should the agent? They're busy people and may welcome a reminder of you.

 

[Kitty]

I usually allow three months before nudging. Don't forget they've all been tied up with the London Book Fair this month so probably running behind.

 

[Katie-Ellen]

Nudge so soon you might trigger a no, simply because they haven't decided yet, and that's their safest answer. It's still within the month. Not by much, but that's quick, a month.

 

[Amber]

Nothing to lose by waiting...

 

[Richard Wilkes]

I wrote to 6 agents in mid-January. I've had rejections from 3 (one said that there was 'much to admire, but he needs to connect with a novel if he is to take it on and the connection wasn't there...' - well, at least it's feedback). I've given up on the others and am now thinking of what to do next. I think I need a few more posts before I can enter the Writers Circle, but critiquing first before submitting again as I feel that covering letter and synopsis are an art form in themselves that I have yet to master.

 

[Robinne Weiss]

I'd wait. At least 2 months, probably 3. And I'd send the MS out to lots more agents in the meantime.

 

[David Weller]

I agree with Katie-Ellen, Kitty and Amber. You have nothing to lose by waiting a little longer for this agent to make a decision. Robinne's advice is also sound and you should continue to approach other agents in the meantime.

 

[Paul Whybrow]

Useful advice from the informative Nathan Bransford, who used to be a literary agent:

When to follow up with a literary agent - Nathan Bransford

 

[Rachel Caldecott]

Thank you