Today’s email nudges to some super slow editors basically boiled down to: "Are you even pretending you’ll read this, or can I mark it as closed? Kthx."

I feel like 2019 has been me trying a series of psychological tactics to get editors to just answer/pass/close things out.

My latest, “It’s been X weeks since my last email and X months since I first sent this. Can I get some closure for my author, please?” Maybe accountability on time will help?

Also, 2019 has made me decide that I’m not letting anything sit on submission indefinitely. I’m going to start pulling things after 5-6 months.

I’ve honestly never had it this bad before that I would even have to decide that. Yes, over 10 years of agenting, there are always a few editors who just vanish. But like…we’re at new levels.

I’m fine sticking with a project, sending it out over multiple rounds, and it taking a long time to sell if it has to. But that time shouldn’t be eaten up by non-responses. I’m not doing my job if I can’t get the book to people who will read it.

(I should add: to the editors who were timely this year, you’re great. I remember you always for new submissions.)