It wasn’t so much to keep track of rejections but to know who I had sent stuff out to and if they’d replied and whether I’d sent out the next bit to them. But I also needed to know specifically who had asked for more and how much when I’d sent it because some agents want exclusive looks. For example, agent Y asked for an exclusive with the whole mss. Because I was keeping track in a spreadsheet I could quickly see if I had a whole mss. out or just some partials. And if the whole had been out, how long was it? Usually the agents would say give me X amount of time to read this. If it was close to X, I could prod them–”I have another agent wanting this, but I promised you an exclusive. Do you have an idea when you might be finished so I can coordinate with the other agent?” I also used this information with the requesting agents, saying, “I’d love to send you the full mss. but there are two other agents reading it right now. Would you be okay with a non-exclusive look or should I wait?” Knowing other agents are interested and reading only increases the perceived value of the product. And records helped me keep track.

This is business. Records come in very handy.

Of course, John’s agented and published, so you should probably listen to him before me.

After that time has passed, if your rejection letter still has not arrived, wait one more day, then send an update request postcard and reset the wait time cycle.

I know, I know. Some do get lost. I actually checked on a mss. at IGMS and it ended up in a sale. But I figure with agents life’s too short. Why chase people who don’t want what you have to sell? Or who are so freaking slow you’ll be a grandma before they get back to you? Move on, brother. Move on.