[PubQ] agent communication advice
I’ve been with my agent since 2023. Before that, I mainly worked as a writer-for-hire and had a steady stream of contracts (including bestselling and award-winning books, though no royalties).
I signed with the expectation that having an agent would help me move more into traditional author publishing and create new opportunities. But since signing, all the work I’ve had has still come through my own contacts.
My agent often mentions big publishers being interested in ideas from me, which I provide, but I rarely hear what happens afterwards, and when I ask for updates I often don’t get responses.
My MS went on sub last year and didn’t sell first round. Earlier this year I revised it based on feedback. She asked for one more small revision, which I made within a few days, but it took a month of chasing to get acknowledgement/approval afterwards.
About a month ago she said the MS would be going back on sub, but I honestly don’t know whether it has yet.
I’m struggling to work out:
- whether this level of communication/slowness is normal in traditional publishing
- whether my expectations are unrealistic
- or whether this relationship just isn’t a great fit
The constant chasing is killing my confidence. It feels like I’m flogging a dead horse.
Would really appreciate perspective from other agented authors.