Multiple Submissions

[cathschaffstump]

So, here's what agent A had to say about multiple submissions:

We rather frown upon exclusive submissions at ***, and never ask for them. We are supposed to be writers' advocates, after all, and this just decreases their chances of finding a suitable agent. Feel free to send your manuscript elsewhere, and let the competition it causes among agents be our problem!

So, I've learned something new. In your writerly experience, do you find that this is more often the case? Why do some agents still ask for exclusive submissions? I'd love to hear some discussion, especially from the established writers and agents who might be reading.

Catherine

Comments

[acusa-dora.livejournal.com]

I don't understand it, because any person looking for a job doesn't apply to one employer at a time. If you need to market yourself, you do it as much as possible. Why not your book then?

[cathschaffstump.livejournal.com]

That makes sense, yet there are agents who ask for exclusive queries. I just moved one down on my priority list today after learning that there are distinctively divergent philosophies. I thought that maybe it was more the norm than not, but now I know differently.

Apparently some agents do feel submitting to multiple agents is to the writer's advantage.

Catherine