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Q: Once you’ve Emailed a polite Email and gotten a polite Email back from the agency saying they’re still interested and will be in touch, how long should a writer wait? In my case, it’s been three weeks. I’m preparing a new query letter and polishing my synopsis, but I’m curious. I’m dealing with a well-known, respected agency. -Vanessa

A: You can check either the Guide to Literary Agents (GLA) or Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market (NSSWM) to find standard response times from agencies. GLA includes some 600 agencies, and NSSWM lists about 50, and if this is a well-known agency it’s probably listed in one book or both. Check for the response time in the How to Contact section of the listing. On average, agencies respond in anywhere from three weeks to two months to queries, and one month to three months to manuscripts.

Aside from waiting out the agency’s standard response time, it’s a judgment call for you. If it’s an agency you really want to represent your book, hang on for awhile. To have gotten interest at all is a good sign.

Anne Bowling
Editor of 2001-2005 Novel & Short Story Writer's Markets
Writer's Digest Books