I was originally chuffed when an agent at a long-established agency said they had enjoyed the opening chapters of my novel and wanted to see the whole manuscript.

But since sending it six weeks ago I haven't heard a thing (I have emailed them).

Has anyone else had this experience? Are agents always this frustrating?

Hi, yes, I have had a similar experience. It's always a good idea to make a short and polite phone enquiry to chase up the manuscript. I dont know what others think?

Jago, i know from this site that this is often the case and - frustrating as it is for you - it means nothing!!! Don't worry. And good luck, you've done brilliantly.

I do think six weeks is a short space of time in agent world, especially as they've had Frankfurt in that time - I'd leave any polite chasing letter till at least the end of October. Being me, I'd also keep sending out to other people, but I know others wouldn't agree with this!

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I think you've done really well to get this much attention - even if the current agent doesn't want it I'm sure someone else will.

I think I'd probably send it out to a couple more myself - though as has been said, not everyone would agree with that approach.

Comments and encouragement much appreciated.

The agent got back to me very quickly initially, so that suckered me into forgetting that agent-time is a parallel universe. I'll chill out for now (though probably will approach other people in the meantime).

Cheers!

Try to put it out of your mind. Sounds impossible, but an agent can whip through a sample in a few minutes. They really need to put quiet time aside to sit and read a whole manuscript. So big congrats for getting this far, but try not to get too wound up. If it gets onto 3 months, give them a nudge.

It's a relief to hear that no one thinks I've been stood up so far. I'll take it easy on the fretting front for now.

I'm sure other WriteWorders have been through this process? Just interested to know what the general timeframes are and what reactions agents give at the end of it.

My agent took about six weeks to read the book and get back to me - but it was at a quiet time of year. I'd add on another three weeks for Frankfurt.

Busiest time of the year, apparently, is right after the New Year, as lots of aspiring authors make it their New Years resolution to get that old ms dusted off and submitted.
- At least, according to the agent featured on last night's Book Show. On average he gets 20-40 submissions a week and takes on 4-5 new writers a year.

- NaomiM